Sharing God’s perspective on marriage helps unify couple’s passion for God.
This was a key aspect of a couple’s retreat organised by FamilyOne Ministry of the Fiji Campus Crusade for Christ at the Pearl Resort this month.
The retreat – which allowed couples to nurture vibrant relationship with each other and with God – is part of a ministry founded by Pita and Mereseini Nacuva.
Mr Nacuva – former Speaker of the House and minister – and his wife were trained and commissioned to bring the ministry to Fiji in 1996 while serving as diplomats in Washington D.C.
The ministry conducts seminars, conferences and events for married couples and engaged couples that hope to build a strong marriage foundation.
Mrs Nacuva said they had been conducting topical studies for 12 weeks during the lockdown with trainee pastor couples led by the South Pacific Bible College principal Reverend Dr. Seru Rokosawa.
She said the dual purpose of the retreat was to:
- finish the studies with the men’s seminar ‘Stepping Up’ to be the godly husband and dad that God desires of each man; and
- to bless the pastors and their wives for their hard work in serving their church communities.
“Through these events, we share God’s perspective of marriage, the roles of a woman and man and how we can work as a team in order to have a satisfying and vibrant relationship as we journey through life as a couple,” she said.
“The retreat is an open invitation to anyone whether young or old, irrespective of their faith.”
She said invitations would be done at churches; send out on e-brochures via email, announced through Radio Light and to contacts that they have developed through the years. She said sessions would differ.
“Sessions depends on whether the seminar is for couples, men or singles.”
She said couple sessions usually begin by encouraging couples to identify where they’re in their relationships, acknowledge that everyone is i struggling with issues of life and personalities.
“Couples look at various steps they can do regarding their differences, communication issues, conflicts and so on. At the end, couples are given an overview of a godly marriage (a tool) that would enable couple to work together as a team to enjoy their lifelong journey.
“When couples live the respective events, there are follow-up topical studies that couples can do with other couples. Topics such as building your marriage, resolving conflict in your marriage, building up your spouse, deployment (for military couples), money in marriage, etc.”
Couples who wish to attend the event are required to pay something towards the retreat depending on where it is held.
“In churches or communities usually the expenses are picked up by the organisers. With the public we conduct in conference rooms in the cities or hotels these are subsidised, but couples do pay an amount.
“The last retreat was sponsored by couples who wished to bless these pastors and their wives.”
They began the ministry in 1997 when they got back to Fiji.
FamilyOne Ministry is part of Family Life Global that started in 1975 in the US which now operates in 104 countries. It is part of Campus Crusade for Christ Global.
