Nine new pastors were ordained into the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) during a special Saturday service held at the Jubilee Church at Malua. 

Similar services were held for the church's newly-ordained Ministers overseas, who could not travel to Samoa for this year's annual conference because of travel restrictions. 

The new ministers were joined by their wives to celebrate taking another forward step in their commitment to leading a religious life. 

The service was led by Reverend Elder Fa'auuga Mata'utia and drew hundreds of families and friends who came to witness the special milestone for the new ministers. 

The ordination will now allow the Church Ministers to administer the holy sacrament, holy matrimony, and funerals.

Among the newly-ordained Ministers was Reverend Tau Toleafoa and his wife Leinatioletuitoga who is the Minister for the C.C.C.S. church at Falefa. 

Reverend Tau and his wife dedicated the milestone to their parents who could not be here with them. 

And in a perfect world, the new inductees said they would have had overseas relatives and friends by their side on their special day.

Reverend Tau and his wife are grateful that after two years of service at Falefa, they are finally able to administer other special services such as the holy sacrament and others. 

Reverend Tau also said that since being called to serve at Falefa the journey has not been easy. 

"Every calling comes with a lot of challenges, especially for us being so young," he told the Samoa Observer. 

"One of the biggest challenges is that we both grew up overseas, so coming back to Samoa and serving in the ministry, there are a lot of adjustments that we are still trying to make."

Reverend Tau’s father, Reverend Fa'afetai Toleafoa was also ordained on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand. 

He also made special mention of his grandparents who were also former church ministers. 

However, Reverend Tau and his wife are grateful that after two years of serving at Falefa, they are finally able to administer other special services such as the holy sacrament and others. 

Moreover, Reverend Tau also admits that it has not been an easy journey since they were called to serve at Falefa.

"Every calling comes with a lot of challenges, especially for us being so young," he told the Samoa Observer. 

"One of the biggest challenges is that we both grew up overseas, so coming back to Samoa and serving in the ministry, there are a lot of adjustments that we are still trying to make."

Nonetheless, Reverend Tau also said that his father, Reverend Fa'afetai Toleafoa was also ordained on Saturday back in Auckland, New Zealand. 

He also made special mention to both of their grandparents who were also former church ministers. 

Another grateful newly-ordained minister was Melepone Isara who is also a teacher at Malua Theological College. 

Reverend Melepone and his wife, Tupe, entered Malua Theological College in 2013 and graduated in 2016. 

They were awarded a scholarship to Fiji at the Pacific Theological College for two years and returned to Samoa in 2019 and began teaching at Malua. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Reverend Melepone said he was "humbled."

"We are very humbled and grateful before the Lord for choosing us to be [His] servants," said Reverend Melepone. 

"That's what we are feeling at this moment. We are very humbled to be called to God's ministry."

Reflecting back on his younger years, Reverend Melepone said he has never imagined he would end up as a church minister. 

However, he says that as he grew up, he felt it in his heart to honour God by offering his life in the service to the Ministry. 

Fighting back tears, Reverend Melepone paid tribute to his late parents who could not be in the crowd to witness the special milestone. 

The complete list of the church’s newly-ordained Ministers on Saturday is as follows:

1) Charles and Malae Banse

2) Elekana Simeona and Fiailoa Leali'ifano 

3) Kuresa and Easter Tavalani 

4) Melepone and Tupe Isara 

5) Panapa and Tema Alafau 

6) Panapa Jnr Panapa and Fesuia'i Panapa 

7) Steven and Meleseleisa Palala

8) Tau Desmond and Leinatioletuitoga Toleafoa 

9) Vaegato'oto'o and Aniva Magele.