Accra, July 26, GNA- Churches have been called upon to encourage its members to go for mass weddings to help cut down cost and other problems that couples encounter after societal weddings, accompanied with extravagance. Families and parents were also urged to cut down the long list of items as dowry for would-be couples rather than going in for unnecessary demands in marriage.

Bishop Nii Tackie-Yarboi, Presiding Bishop of the Victory Bible Church International made the appeal at the Church's first mass wedding ceremony organized for 12 couples. The couples, who were already married customarily for between five and 25 years, decided to bring their marriages to the alter for God's blessing and have them legalized as well. The cost of the ceremony that was borne by the Church was organized to help the couple save cost and reduce some of the emotional pressures associated with single societal weddings.

In a sermon, Bishop Tackie-Yarboi expressed regret that society frowns on church weddings because of the perception that such weddings were expensive. He said such weddings could be expensive depending on how one wants and prepares for it. "You do not have to make an investment towards wedding, you only have to plan it well and you would spend just a little on it to avoid debts after you are married" he said. He advised the couples to show genuine love based on giving, sharing and caring for each other's needs, "so that you can avoid divorce that later has negative effects on children born into marriages", he said.

Bishop Tackie-Yarboi said the proof of love in marriage was investment of time and so husbands should have more time for their wives and children, respect and love them and fulfill the obligation of husbands as emphasized in the Bible. He encouraged other members to emulate the example of their brothers and sisters by bringing their marriages to the altar for God's divine blessings.

The Reverend Cornelius Adja Cofie, General Secretary of the Church and Pastor in-charge of Marital Affairs, who officiated vows of the couples, said the Church provided them with vehicles, wedding cake and other assistance as its contribution. "By this wedding, we are encouraging members to avoid the pomp and pageantry and unnecessary things that are normally associated with such ceremonies so that they would avoid battling with debts", he said.