Wedding in Liberia: Woman-preacher shares love secrets that could win men’s hearts
“Men are won by what they see! Men are won by what they hear!” …CEPC’s Rev. Jestina Dennis, as she asks Bride Fatu Kromah to pay close attention.
By James Kokulo Fasuekoi|Editor-Publisher in Paynesville, Monrovia
Like most pastors, Rev. Jestina M. Dennis has officiated weddings many times. And for each she has always had a special message for the couple, just as she did when she performed Holy matrimony Sunday afternoon between Bro. Roberts Sims of Taxes, USA., and Sis. Fatu kromah of Monrovia, Liberia.
The wedding, staged in quite a unique way, occurred in the presence of friends, well-wishers and relatives, as well as the church’s members, at Christian Evangelistic Pentecostal Church (CEPC) Du Port Rd. branch, pastored by Rev. Revs. Oretha M.K. Wheazar. Rev. Dennis, herself a firebrand-type-pentecostal, runs Caldwell’s CEPC’s branch.
As soon as the bridal party marched through the aisles, the church exploded in jubilation. By the time Sis. Fatu’s father could reach the podium and turn her over to clergies, the women’s group in the church awaited her enthusiastically-taking her back to the entrance for a repeat march: there, they marched joyously with Fatu, waving hands in the air, singing praise songs.
When this was over, the men of the church repeated the same routine-marching behind Groomsman Roberts Sims, and moving in a circle in the sanctuary. It was a glamorous scene worth witnessing. This is part of this church’s traditions-the same which was staged Sunday, July 26, when the wedding was first announced.
Marriage itself was designed by Creator God, between a man and a woman-meant to be “sacred.” It is rooted in biblical doctrine, meant for the most part to keep God’s people holy and fruitful from generation to generation through their earthly sojourn. Ephesians 5:25-27; Proverbs 18:22; Colossians 3:18-19.
In her exhortation message, Rev. Dennis gave a secret to the newly wed, and yea Christians as a whole, urging everyone to do one key thing: to “place value” in each other. In other words, a couple needs to treat each other like each would treat his/her “treasure” item.
She defined “treasure” as something worthy or valuable-things she said one can’t just “throw around” but would instead fight to protect it. Their love for each other, she maintained, should therefore be treated this way.
“Wife, honor your husband. And husband, value and honor your wife”, she admonished the couple, promising if they do these things they will enjoy a lifetime of marriage.
She told the groomsman, Roberts, to defend and protect his wife at all times. “Be her defender; if the children or family go against her, defend her, she exclaimed, saying, “that’s why God brought you her way.”
“Good words,” she stated, can “build” a relationship. Bad words can destroy [it].” She thus advised Roberts to avoid using “words” that could discourage her, or kill her affection for him.
“People are dying [nowadays] because they can’t share it.” By this she was referencing how some women, rather than share their grievances with someone, prefer to stay quiet and grieve even till death! She described this behavior as dangerous and unhealthy.
While she won’t advise anyone to discuss her marital issue with “everyone,” she said, she thinks it’s prudent to confide in a pastor, or a trusted person, and stop excessive grieving for so could cause unnecessary ailments.
Another of Rev. Dennis’ secret for men, is that they (Men) can be easily carried away by the little things. “Men are won by what they see! Men are won by what they hear,” she declared, sending the audience into a wild laughter. She thus suggested Sis. Fatu shows love, and should do everything to win the husband’s love.
She cited an example that involves her own husband. It was about a nice cologne she had bought for him as a present. However, she said she had to seize it and “hid” it so he won’t use it anymore: this is after a strange “lady” praised it!
The whole thing began after the husband used his “gifted-cologne” and stepped out only for the lady to walk up to him and said (quoting her husband), “Your spray smells nice; it just drew me to you.”
“When he came and told me that, I took the cologne and hid it; he never used it anymore,” she said in a jovial way although serious.
In yet another episode, she said, her husband had spotted this lady wearing fine long wigs and couldn’t stop praising it till he reached home. Though this sounded like fun, it signaled something different or so she thought. So, without much delay, she explained, she got a long wig too, within days, braided hers and he began to praise it.
She stressed the need for women in general to pay close attention to “little things” in order to keep their marriage strong, so long those “things” fall within Biblical dogma.
About seven pastors were initially scheduled to conduct this wedding but all couldn’t come due to other engagements. Of the seven, the following were present to officiate the wedding: Rev. Oretha M.K. Wheazar, Rev. Krubo B. Kollie, Rev. Elizabeth C. Wreh, Rev. T. Kona Jones, and Rev. Jestina M. Dennis, all of CEPC-Liberia.
Related story: Liberia caught between ‘prosperity Gospel’ & God’s own working miracles? –
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