History
On the 24th September 1844, Rev. George Turner and Rev. Charles Hardie of the London Missionary Society founded Malua Theological College. “For Jesus and His Church” became the vision of the College that continues today, a statement that summarises and captures the inherent and underpinning purpose of the College.
Discussions concerning the establishment of the College began in 1840, when the need for an educational institution to develop educated ministers became evident. Yet it was not until February 1844 that a formal agreement was reached to establish such an institution. In September of the same year the College was officially founded. According to Turner, the College was established for the sole purpose of providing an educated minister for each congregation in Samoa and in other island communities of the Pacific.
A permanent site for the College was secured in the district of Saleimoa in an area known as Maluapapa or Malua as it is commonly known today. This location is situated approximately twenty kilometres west of the capital of Apia, and roughly the same distance east of the Faleolo International Airport.
Fale Iupeli (Jubilee Hall) was built and opened in 1897 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the College. This monumental building for worship became a permanent and notable feature of the College campus. However, after 116 years of service to the College and the CCCS, the building was dismantled in 2013, after the General Assembly’s Resolution to build a new Fale Iupeli. In November 2014, the College completed and dedicated its larger Chapel, now known as Iupeli II, which was constructed using material from the original Fale Iupeli. Iupeli II is the current centre of community worship that accommodates the MTC community including some of its neighbouring families.
Fale Senetenari (Centenary Hall) was built in 1944 to commemorate one hundred years since the College began. It still continues to cater for the College other activities.
During the first week of the 2017 General Assembly, the grand splendid new Fale Iupeli was officially dedicated. MTC uses it for its Graduations and other services from time to time.
Interest grew towards the formation of a conference of all Pacific Churches in the region that eventually led to a meeting held in 1961 at Malua, of various church leaders from the Pacific region. The formation of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) resulted from this inaugural meeting, as well as the establishment of a regional theological institution. The Pacific Theological College (PTC) was then opened in Fiji in 1966, and since then has had a close relationship with Malua graduates who pursue further studies at PTC towards a Bachelor of Divinity or a Master of Theology degree. Since 1969, many of these PTC graduates have returned to Malua as lecturers at the College.
The academic standard of the College is reported to have been significantly raised by Dr. John Bradshaw when he was principal of the College from 1956 to 1963. Dr. Bradshaw not only introduced new subjects such as Psychology, Pastoral Counselling, Homiletics and Greek into the curriculum, but he also made English the teaching language for all subjects. Dr. Bradshaw’s efforts to upgrade the academic standard of the College further led him to prepare a number of students to acquire their Certificates of ‘Proficiency in Religious Knowledge’ from London University.
Rev. David Bowen, principal from 1964 to 1967, took the academic development of the College even further when he introduced Hebrew and Systematic Theology into the curriculum. In the effort to improve the College library, Rev. David Bowen was able to obtain from the Theological Education Fund (TEF) a number of books, which added significantly to the collection. His wife, Gerda, in 1964 founded the first Early Childhood Institution in Samoa.
Upon the expiry of Rev. David Bowen’s term of office, the administration of the College was handed over to Samoan ministers who also were College graduates. The significance of this change of leadership for the Samoan people was profound, as the change of leadership in 1967 was a signal that the College had come of age. Rev. Mila Sapolu was the first Samoan Principal of the College.
On the 24th of September 1994, the Congregational Christian Church Samoa commemorated with pride and thanksgiving one hundred and fifty years since the founding of the College. Reflecting on the events of the commemoration, a former student of the College observed that the celebration ended with a clear affirmation of the importance of theological education in Samoa, and the greater role that the College would play in it. Indeed the essential nature of the College as inscribed in its vision shall remain, ‘For Jesus and His Church’, and there must be a continuing commitment to the progressive development of its academic programme as well.
By resolution of the General Assembly of the Church in May 1996, the proposal for the degree programme was given formal approval. The implementation of this programme has become the responsibility of Rev. Prof. Otele Perelini. After extensive planning and organisation, the degree programme began in 1997. Also by the authority of the General Assembly of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa, the College is empowered to award diplomas and confer degrees as follows:
- Diploma of Theology
- Bachelor of Theology
- Bachelor of Divinity with Honours
Board of Malua
This is the Executive and Advisory Body which oversees the management of MTC. As a sub-Committee of the Elders’ Committee, the Board is thus under the authority of and accountable to the former, but with some degree of independent responsibility for the running of the College.
The functions of the Board include:
The implementation of all matters which, in its opinion, are conducive to and necessary for the development of the College; and
- The appointment of the Vice-Principal of the College; and
- The selection and appointment, or, if required the termination of the employment of lecturers of the College; and
- The preparation of the annual budget for the College for submission to the Elders’ Committee for confirmation and presentation to the Finance Committee for action; and
- In cases of urgent or unforeseen College financial requirements, the Board has the authority to refer them directly to the Finance Committee for appropriate action; and
- The preparation and submission of reports on the Board’s own work to the Elders’ Committee, and through the latter to the General Assembly.
Membership of the Board includes the Officers of the Elders’ Committee, all members of the Ministerial sub-Committee (a sub-committee of the preceding body), the Officers of the CCCS General Assembly and the Principal of the College.
| Rev Asotasi Gu Time FT * | Chairman of the Board, Apia i Sasa’e |
| Rev Iosefa Uilelea FT ** | Secretary of the Board, Lotofaga/ Lepā/ Aleipata |
| Rev Amuia Seuala FT | Itū o Tane |
| Rev Faauuga Matautia FT | Faleata |
| Rev Aviti Etuale FT | Vitoria |
| Rev Fili Matalavea FT | Malua |
| Rev Ailepata Leuta FT | A’ana |
| Rev Iosefa Tui FT | Hawaii |
| Rev Lauie Lupematasila FT | Kuiniselani |
| Rev Leaso Tupa’i FT | Fa’asalelea’ga |
| Rev Pouniu Faamausili FT | Aukilani |
| Rev Makerusa Porotesano FT MDiv (Fuller), MA (Biola Uni), MTh (PTC) | Amerika |
| Rev Malifa Malifa FT BA (Victoria), BD (Otago), MTh (Sydney) | Niusauelese |
| Rev Simeona Taefu FT | Niusauelese Sisifo |
| Rev Siolo Tauati FT BD (PTC) | Apia |
| Rev Tauaaga Mataafa FT | Kuiniselani i Saute |
| Rev Silo’a Lologa FT | Manukau |
| Rev Tumamā Vili FT BD (PTC) | Niu Sila i Saute |
| Rev Tunumoso Iosia FT | CCCS Chairman of the General Assembly, Falealili/ Siumu/ Safata |
| Rev Iosefa Uilelea FT *** | CCCS Vice Chairman of the General Assembly, Lotofaga/ Lepā/ Aleipata |
| Rev Vāvātau Taufao BSc (Adelaide), MSc (Auckland) | CCCS General Secretary |
| Rev Rimoni S. Wright Dip. in Accounting (NUS), CPA, CA (Samoa Institute of Accountants), BD (MTC) | CCCS Treasurer |
| Rev Ma’afala Limā BD (PTC), ThM (Princeton) | Principal of Malua Theological College |
| * The Interim Chairman of the Board.Confirmation of the new Chairman will be in March 2021. ** A new Secretary of the Board will be elected in March 2021 [Rev Iosefa Uilelea is the current CCCS Vice Chairman of the General Assembly. *** The current Vice Chairman of the General Assembly will take over as Chairman at the completion of the 2021 General Assembly in May. A Vice Chairman will then be elected during the 2021 General Assembly in May, in accordance with the Church’s Constitution. | |
Students
YEAR ONE
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| STUDENTS | WIVES |
1 | Afasene Falana’i | Taufua |
2 | Alipapa Tuuau Malaga | Fofoaivaoese |
3 | Aperaamo Apelu BAgr | Lautasi BAgr |
4 | Aukuso Eneli Gasolo BSc | Luafata MEd |
5 | Caesar Utufua MstMariner | Norah |
6 | Elisara Isaako * | |
7 | Frank Faatau | Akenese |
8 | Fred Laban | Beta |
9 | Kaleuati Tusi BEd | Faleulu BEd |
10 | Lance Junior Tautiepa | Fiatamalii BSocWk |
11 | Lualua Manila | Peata |
12 | Maccarios F Malaefono | |
13 | Makesi Namulauulu BEng | Lauoi |
14 | Misioka Nicolas Tanielu BSc | Rossana BA |
15 | Nuutasi Fuiavailiili Neria | Helen |
16 | Peresia Muagututia | |
17 | Samuelu John Ah Sam |
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18 | Sebastian Tuifao | Faotui |
19 | Slam Opetaia Samuelu |
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20 | Spencer Eseese Leuta BCom | Faafou BCom |
21 | Talia Iati BTech | Lise |
22 | Vagatai Muaau | Silive |
23 | Viliamu Eletise Su’a BEd | Rosehill |
24 | Vincent Faaofo BCom | Matalaoa |
* Scholarship student from Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kelisiano Tokelau | ||
YEAR TWO
BACHELOR OF DIVINITY WITH HONOURS | ||
STUDENTS | WIVES | |
1 | Alexander Pelesala BBus | |
2 | Elise Fuimaono BTh | |
3 | Saleaula Reti BEd | Moevasa BA |
4 | Taumaloto Salevao BSc | Josephine |
5 | Va’afuti Alauni BE | Agneta Catherine |
BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY | ||
STUDENTS | WIVES | |
6 | Brian Anae | Liuasi BA |
7 | Esera Tufuga | |
8 | Eucharist Fa’atau | |
9 | Falefiaoalii Ulugia | Agalelei |
10 | Fiaalii Mafuolo | Alovale |
11 | Filipi Leapai | Upolu |
12 | Manase Afutiti | Urita |
13 | Matelili Tautalagia | Toeseanuupotopoto BA |
14 | Michael Poutasi | Nevada |
15 | Nili Aloi | |
16 | Peoni S Lapana * | Sela |
17 | Periti Tauapai | |
18 | Sailimalo Uamalau | |
19 | Semi Sititi | Fuapepe BPsych |
20 | Isaako Tunumoso | |
21 | Laifaga Leulu Laifaga | Manutagi |
22 | Laupama Lefaoseu | Anaett |
23 | Lotufaamanatu Masoe | Emma |
24 | Malaeloa Toleafoa | Fa’asalu |
25 | Maluapapa Niulesa | |
26 | Shalom Pulu | |
27 | Soloi Keilani | Tutogi |
28 | Solomona Tini | Josephine |
29 | Sonny Satiu | |
30 | Sulufaiga Samasoni | Georgina |
DIPLOMA OF THEOLOGY | ||
STUDENT | ||
31 | Tefiliga Fotu ** | |
* Scholarship student from Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano Tokelau | ||
** Scholarship student from Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu | ||
YEAR THREE
BACHELOR OF DIVINITY WITH HONOURS | ||
STUDENTS | WIVES | |
1 | Fa’afetai Koria BA | Jeddah BA |
2 | Hobert Sasa MScIS | Pepe |
3 | Laau Tanielu BAppTech | Faalaniga LLB |
4 | Limuaa Fu’e PGDipSSt | Kate BEd |
5 | Pelenato Liufau BA, MA | Susana BA |
BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY | ||
STUDENTS | WIVES | |
6 | Apelu Isaia | Crystal |
7 | Collin Faletoese | Aifala |
8 | Fa’afoi Atonio | Tulaga |
9 | Fraser Tauaivale | |
10 | Gaolo Elisara | Shirley |
11 | Joshua Leatigaga | Ataata |
12 | Maotua Upulasi | Olivia |
13 | Matthew Tagaloa | Valma BMus |
14 | Mika Su’esu’e | Taliilagi |
15 | Oata Leiataua | Tuafale |
16 | Otele Vaai | Rerepairere |
17 | Paul Mulitalo | |
18 | Russell Ieremia | |
19 | Sa Utaiaana | Silau |
20 | Vite Kalepo | Ferite |
DIPLOMA OF THEOLOGY | ||
STUDENTS | WIVES | |
21 | Falevaai Ah Kuoi | |
22 | Filifili Malifa | |
23 | Ioane Vaiao | |
24 | Lafoga Moelau * | |
25 | Pio Galo ** | Taeamo |
* Scholarship student from Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kelisiano Tokelau | ||
** Scholarship student from Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu | ||
YEAR FOUR
BACHELOR OF DIVINITY WITH HONOURS | ||
STUDENTS | WIVES | |
1 | Beretia Unnang ** | |
2 | Dominic Taeleipu BSc | |
3 | Isaako Iose BA, LLB | |
4 | Kapeni Matatia BSc | Renolla BA |
5 | Lancelotte Alaimoana BN | Naomi |
6 | Loia Fiu Kolia BArch | Easterakesa |
7 | Peni Manila BEd | Florence |
8 | Sekuini Fiavaai BSocSci | |
9 | Tavita Reupena PGCertHM | Logosau |
10 | Teratabu Takaria ** | |
BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY | ||
STUDENTS | WIVES | |
11 | Ailepata A. Leuta | Lautele |
12 | Aunese Anau | Fiona BA (Hons) |
13 | Eletise Palemene | |
14 | Fa’afetai Nepo | |
15 | Iafeta I. Vaopuka * | |
16 | Ioane Samuelu | |
17 | Kereveta Tiumalu | Fa’anaitaua |
18 | Konelio Taumaloto | Iota |
19 | Laveai F. Sene | |
20 | Metusela Ioane | Avei |
21 | Navy Luatua | Amiaifolau BA |
22 | Nepo Anae | Fuifui BA |
23 | Niutuiatua Onesemo | Cecilia BCom, CPA |
24 | Paie Tapu Legalo | |
25 | Penehuro Lilomaiava | Feagiai |
26 | Tafatolu Tapaleao | |
27 | Vauea Esau | Susie |
28 | Visesio Leilua | Faapenu |
* Scholarship student from Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano Tokelau | ||
** Scholarship students from Kiribati Uniting Church | ||
OTHERS: RETURNING STUDENT - BD HONOURS
1. | Tau Faapoi DipTh (MTC) |
The above student is a graduate of Malua Theological College. The student has been admitted to the Bachelor of Divinity with Honours programme in accordance with the Admission Rules and Procedures as laid down by the Faculty.
Student Association
All resident students and their wives are members of the MTC Student Association presided over by a President and a Secretary, elected annually by the Principal and members of the Faculty. The Association’s main objective is to build positive mutual relationships for the spiritual, academic and general welfare of its members.
The student association provides an avenue for all students and wives to discuss and address issues for improvement on student welfare issues. It also provides social and leisure activities for the student body and community.
Accordingly, the Association through its officers can communicate at any time and make suggestions to the Principal and/or Faculty concerning the welfare and interests of the student body.