Frank weds Cecilia

Frank Agyei Sefa took Cecilia Adofowaa as his wife before an excited congregation at the Church of Pentecost in the Italian northern city, Parma.

Relations and friends of the couple from cities far from Parma graced the occasion with their presence in a ceremony that received an extraordinary attendance. Present was Rev. Mabel Adentire ? Pastor of Zoe Pentecostal Mission in Parma, where Frank worships. The bridegroom was also joined by many of his church members, mostly Nigerians, whose women added more colour to the event with their fashionable traditional cloth and exotic headgear.

Rev. Bismark Techie-Menson who officiated at the service spoke on a topic he called: ?How to bring happiness into Christian marriage?. He said what dissipates happiness in most marriages is selfishness. ?The Bible says the woman should be the man?s helper but some women look for money in marriage to take to their family, likewise, some men cheat their wife - working together with them and taking their money to establish themselves,? he noted.

The Rev. Minister took his Word of Exhortation from John 2:1-10 and told the congregation many Christian marriages have broken down because Jesus is not the foundation in the marriage. He said what Jesus did at Cana, Galilee, during a wedding ceremony where he changed water into a sweet wine which was better than what was served at the beginning and thus bringing joy at the ceremony is an indication of what he can do in a marriage. ?For some men, to get happiness in marriage they go for a beautiful woman but such person is jealous seeing someone talking to the woman; so the happiness he wants doesn?t turn out to be. Some will seek for happiness in marriage by looking at the partner?s wealth but when the money is exhausted that ends the happiness. For others, to look for happiness in marriage they look for how educated the partner is. Others in going for a happy marriage want someone who is industrious but what if the partner becomes sick or incapacitated ? they are unable to cope with that and the happiness ends,? he said in the sermon. The Rev. Minister tasked Christians whose marriage is full of troubles to look for Jesus Christ and not to rely on people telling them about their problems. He asserted such people cannot help but rather exacerbate the problem. ?Marriage was instituted by God and I?m happy Frank and Cecilia already know God before their marriage,? he mentioned.

Rev. Techie-Menson after the sermon laid his hands on the couple and blessed their marriage asking for the solid foundation of Jesus Christ in their life.

The groom and his bride later exchanged rings and made a toast, responded with loud applause from the congregation who joined them singing, dancing and praising God.

The couple expressed appreciation to their Pastors and the church members for their support and prayers which finally brought them together.

In his final words, Frank, spotting a smartly-cut cream suit, said: ?I thank my mother-in-law, Johnson Lucy, whose tremendous support contributed largely to what we are seeing today. She was instrumental from the beginning and the Almighty God Bless her,? he added.