The Methodist Church of Samoa in its last church service of the annual conference honoured three church ministers who turned 70 years old deeming their official retirement from their ministerial roles in the church. 

Held at the main Methodist Church in Faleula on Sunday, the official ceremony also marked the last day of the week-long conference, was also a celebration for 11 new certified church ministers of the church who have passed all requirements to officially hold the certified ministerial title.

President of the church, Reverend Faulalo Leti Paaga initially presented each of the newly retired church ministers of the church with flowers and honourary medals on behalf of the church, for their successful journey in serving God and the church.

The retired church ministers are Rev Asi Tuisalega and his wife Sulufaleese Tuisalega, Rev. Elia Suisala and wife Suliveta Suisala, and Rev. Petaia Wells and wife Perelini Wells.

They will continue to serve the church as retired church ministers amongst their families, but can not lead a church as a minister.

Meanwhile, each of the 11 newly certified young church ministers of the church have been assigned to their new posts while some will continue to serve in the Faleula campus through various sectors of the church such as schools, offices and farms.

One of them is Rev. Kolia Tulia and his wife Naomi Tulia who have spent over 10 years serving the church now with their journey starting from Piula Theological College.

"It's been a long five years of struggles but I know with God by our side everything is possible and this chapter has finished so praise God and we thank our families and church for their unwavering support," he told Samoa Observer in an interview.

"Anyone can do it as anything is possible with God being by our side even if you think you're from overseas and it'll be hard, I tell you anyone can do it."

They will now follow where the church posts them and after the final announcement of posts for all church ministers, Rev. Tulia will continue to serve as an accountant for the church which is where he was posted three years ago.

Before he was assigned to Faleula, he spent six years in Piula, finished four years under the normal church system and stayed for the Postgraduate Diploma program for two more years before Faleula.

Before he embarked on this journey to become a church minister years ago, he was a member of the Onehunga Church in the North Auckland synod.