It all started from a request from a couple from the Tokarara Christian Fellowship who wanted to have their customary marriage legalised. As a result of that initial discussion, Dr Julian R. Kivori, the Lead Pastor of Tokarara Christian Fellowship (TCF) and the Centre Director for Ellel Ministries PNG suggested for them to undergo a series of marriage teachings before the initial signing ceremony. This gave birth to the marriage
teaching series titled, Time Out for Marriage.
In the Event flyer, Dr Kivori mentioned that there is a great need for healing, restoration and a rebuilding of godly values and foundation in the society today as marriages and families battle threats, storms and brokenness. Time Out for Marriage Course which took healing, restoration and deliverance approach covered topics on God’s Plan for Marriage, Impact of Wounding before Marriage and Within Marriage, Expressing of Emotions, Developing Trust, A Talk on Sex, Hope for Moving Forward together with weekly
activities and exercises developed specifically for couples.
There were 56 couples who booked their space for the Course but only 46 paid the course fees. Out of the 46 couples, only 41 couples completed the Course and 15 of those couples had their customary marriages legalized on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Tokarara Christian Fellowship, Koura Way. The youngest couple were customarily married for over two years, whereas the oldest couple were customarily married for over 33 years.
Pastor Julian said apart from the Civil Registry marriage requirements, couples from other denominations were required to provide a consent letter from their church leadership approving their customary marriage to be solemnized by a Baptist minister. In this way, the interdenominational relationships were maintained while ministering to the need of the wider Body of Christ for couples who were married by custom.
At the end of the Marriage Papers Signing Ceremony, the TCF congregational Chairman, Ganjiki Wayne, cited the legal implications of a lawful marriage. As a practising lawyer, Wayne explained that the term “lawful” husband or wife was a loaded term denoting not just a romantic relationship but a legal one. He said that the seriousness or sacredness of a legal relationship was found in it’s termination or “exit clauses”.
He said, “In marriage, there are two modes of termination: Death and Divorce. Death is simple. Once a spouse dies, the marriage has ended. But divorce is complicated. God says He hates divorce. So, when marriage was created by law, State followed God’s attitude and made divorce extremely difficult and cumbersome. Therefore, entering into a relationship that has very serious exit clauses is a serious decision.” Wayne said that the “exit clauses” for de facto relationship or even customary marriages were not as difficult and complicated as legal marriage. He concluded that it takes a real man and a real woman
to make this decision.
Meiva Lalatute, a participant of the course expressed her gratitude, saying “As the days are approaching, I feel so thankful for all the teaching during the course. I never thought this day would come for me to make it right before the Lord. I know and believe that this ceremony will come with the blessings that I’ve been
waiting for so long.”
Aloysius and Aiavuna Oa said, “Words cannot express how thankful we are for the special ceremony that was made possible by everyone. We thank God for Pastor and Marama’s tireless efforts and everyone involved. Thank you TCF family and Ellel Ministries for making our Ceremony memorable in the presence of the Lord.”
Lalatute added saying, “Thank you so much TCF and Elle Ministries. We’re truly blessed by your act of kindness from the start of the course till the end today. What an amazing journey, it came straight from the heart with so much love and kindness shown.”
