Private bag, Malua Theological College, Apia, SAMOA
+685 42303
mtc@malua.edu.ws

ABOUT US

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 encapsulates the intrinsic and unchanging nature of the College.

Discussions concerning the establishment of the College began in 1840 when the need for an educational institution that would provide educated ministers became  evident. But it was not until February 1844 that 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 now commonly called, situated approximately twelve miles west of the capital of Apia and about the same distance east of Faleolo International Airport.

The College offered its first courses on September 25, 1844, with twenty-five students, all single males aged between twelve and twenty-four years, attending. In 1846, married students and their wives were admitted to the College, and from then on, the education of student’s wives became an integral part of the College’s programme.

The admission to the College of students from other Pacific islands such as Vanuatu, Niue, the Loyalty Islands, and New Caledonia within ten years of its founding was another very significant development. Writing in 1869, Turner pointed out that after only twenty-five years since its beginning, about 1143 graduates, Samoans and other Pacific islanders had gone from the College to serve in the mission fields in Samoa and elsewhere, providing clear evidence that the College was in fact fulfilling the primary purpose for which it was established.

The Fale Iupeli (Jubilee  Hall), built to commemorate the College’s 50th anniversary was officially opened in 1897. This monumental building became a permanent and notable feature of the College campus. However, after 110 or more years of service to the College and the CCCS, the building was dismantled in 2013, after the General Assembly’s Resolution to build the new church building (O le Fale Iupeli). Noteworthy also is the Fale Senetenari (Centenary Hall), which was built to mark the 1944 celebration of the College’s one hundred years. It still continues to cater for the College other activities. In November 2014, the College dedicated its larger Chapel, now known as Iupeli II, which was constructed with, and using, most materials from the first Fale Iupeli.

The Iupeli II, large enough to accommodate MTC community, is the contemporary centre of community worship. 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

Wide interest in the formation of a Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) led to a meeting held in the College in 1961 of various church leaders from around the Pacific region. In this meeting an initial agreement was reached not only in respect of the formation of the Pacific Conference of Churches, but also in respect of the establishment of a regional theological institution.

The Pacific Theological College (PTC), opened in Fiji in 1966, has had a close relationship with the Malua Theological College since then, mainly through College graduates who have graduated from the PTC with either a Bachelor of Divinity or a Master of Theology and have become lecturers at the College since 1969.

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 in 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 of such 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. 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 became the responsibility of Rev. Prof. Otele Perelini. After extensive planning and organisation, the degree programme began in 1997.

The General Assembly of the Church in 2016 passed another important motion to teach in Malua the Master of Theology degree programme. It was the task of the Principal and Staff of Malua to prepare and implement that degree programme. In August 2021, Rev. Dr. Vaitusi Nofoaiga put forward to the Board of Malua a proposal of the structure, plan, and implementation of the Master of Theology programme to begin in 2022 and was accepted.

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

Master of Theology

Principals of the College (Since 1941)

Revd. Edwards

1941 – 1948, 1950 – 1952

Revd. White

1949

Revd. Hoadley

1953 – 1955

Revd. Dr. John Bradshaw

1956 – 1963

Revd. David Bowen

1964 – 1967

Revd. Mila Sapolu

1967 – 1971

Revd. Bert Williams

1972 – 1976

Revd. Masalosalo Sopoaga

1976 – 1979

Revd. Oka Fauolo

1979 – 1994

Revd. Professor Otele Perelini

1995 – 2010

Revd. Dr. Afereti S. Uili

2010 – 2015

Revd. Ma’afala Limā

2015 – 2021

Revd. Dr. Vaitusi Nofoaiga

2021 –

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 Amuia Seuala FT

Secretary of the Board
Itū o Tane

Rev Esera A. Esera FS
      BD (PTC)

CCCS Chairman of the General Assembly

Rev Tunumoso Iosia FT

CCCS Vice Chairman of the General Assembly
Falealili/ Siumu/ Safata

Rev Makerusa Porotesano FT
      MTh(PTC), MA(Biola Uni), MDiv(Fuller)

Amerika

Rev Tinetali Gafa FT

Hawaii

Rev Isaako Patea FT

Niusauelese

Rev Simeona Taefu FT

Niusauelese i Sisifo

Rev Aviti Etuale FT

Vitoria

Rev Tauaaga Mataafa FT

Kuiniselani i Saute

Rev Lauie Lupematasila FT

Kuiniselani

Rev Faleulu Malaulau FT

Niu Sila i Saute

Rev Fa’atulituli Setu FT
      BD, MTh (PTC)

Laumua o Aotearoa

Rev Va’aelua Patu FT

Manukau

Rev Pouniu Faamausili FT

Aukilani

Rev Pati Vili FT

Lotofaga/ Lepā/ Aleipata

Rev Aila Patea FT

Vaimauga

Rev Auva’a Peseta FT

Apia

Rev Misipalauni Faatau FT

Faleata

Rev Fili Matalavea FT

Malua

Rev Nomeneta Simanu FT

A’ana

Rev Leaso Tupa’i FT

Fa’asaleleaga

Rev Dr Taipisia Leilua
      BD, MTh (PTC), DTh (MCD)

CCCS General Secretary

Rev Melepone Isara
      BA (USP), BD (MTC), MTh Distinction (PTC)   

CCCS Treasurer

Rev Dr Vaitusi Nofoaiga
      BA (Victoria), BD (MTC), MTh Hons, PhD (Auckland)

Principal of Malua Theological College

Students

YEAR ONE

 

 

 

 

STUDENTS

WIVES

1

Chesedh Lafi Tiatia

 

2

Christian Peleseuma Mose BCompSc

 

3

Eurnik Nicholas Lee Hang BCom

 

4

Hamatupu Ete

Raema

5

Iakopo Leleimalefaga BN

Elsie

6

Ioane Lemo

Faga Vili

7

Lole Pokati Tiumalu

Tovale

8

Lynn Enesa Talalelei

Charity

9

Manulele Ionatana**

 

10

Misionare Nepo

Rose

11

Molesi Jr. Sagapolutele

Marlena

12

Nepo Mani Nepo

Lisabella BA

13

Pilitati Faatoasami**

 

14

Ponepi Tolua

Taele

15

Reupena Itereamu

 

16

Sakalia Sakaio*

Fiailoa

17

Sama Fuafanua**

 

18

Seth Peniata

Nerisa

19

Siaituvao Talataina BA

Theresa

20

Steve Ale BMus

Nancy

21

Taeia Penitusi **

 

22

Talalelei Atalaga Nanai

 

23

Tavita Papalii

Faamini

24

Tealofi Peleti**

 

25

Tui Fitiao

 

26

Wesley Liaina

 

* Scholarship student from Ekalesia Faapotopotoga Kelisiano Tokelau

** Scholarship student from Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu

YEAR TWO

 

BACHELOR OF DIVINITY WITH HONOURS

 

STUDENTS

WIVES

1

Eseneiaso Walter Fanolua BCom

 

2

Faiāuga Aloaina BSc

Siai

3

Fatutolo Tuisuga BSc

Nellie

4

Juergen Faamau BE

 

5

Misela Leuluniu BAgr

 

6

Raisedinland Iose BPerfomArts

 

7

Sosopo Mose Aiafi BN

Tepora

8

Toeupu Kaisara BA

Ioka

 

BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY

 

STUDENTS

WIVES

9

Amelika Tuimalatu

Eseta Saufua

10

Asiel Daniel Tautiepa

 

11

Clifton Gosta Sa’e

Ataotaulelei

12

Fereti Faifua

 

13

Galu Faamaoni*

Urima

14

Heti Leilua

Leofu’a

15

Iafeta Tafunaina

Puarava

16

Iefata Afatia Afualo

Malia

17

Kulue Telala**

 

18

Lafaele Rapi

Genevieve

19

Lasi Sooalo

Akenese

20

Leilua Faamate

Sofa’i

21

Makaili Matatia**

 

22

Malaetele Aiiloilo Uelese

 

23

Malau Alasa**

 

24

Mualia Chromatic Semitone

Elizabeth

25

Nicholas Nanai Sio

 

26

Nomeneta Alapati

Manuia

27

Richard Taui**

 

28

Talaia Reginald Talaia

 

29

Tavita Arona

Maqmiraculous BEd

30

Tepaula Vaega**

 

31

Tuifao Masini

Misiotaota

32

William Maligi Finau

 

 *Scholarship students from Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kelisiano Tokelau

**Scholarship student from Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu

YEAR THREE

 

BACHELOR OF DIVINITY WITH HONOURS

 

STUDENTS

WIVES

1

Faafouina Jr. Samuelu BA

Melanie

2

Galovale Vili Opelu BCom

Punalei

 

BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY

 

STUDENTS

WIVES

3

Andrew Fui Taotofi

Fagaiaava

4

Benjamin Tuia

Ueligitone

5

Efi Aloaina

Vāvāō

6

Gafatasimalo Foaga

Sapi

7

Ioane Talasilia Sosene*

Tuvale

8

Junior Sanerivi

Vaonila

9

Junior Saolotoga

 

10

Kereta Toomata Faatonu

Kuini

11

Lauina Sofe

Veronika

12

Liaina Mauga

Ranan

13

Mareko Fasi Toma

Fotuivasa

14

Marini Jason Setefano

 

15

Melila Faasalafa

Maupenei

16

Patamo Soa

 

17

Petaia Junior Tuifao

 

18

Poao Jr. Seti Laufiso

Tioatamanino

19

Pouoa To’a

Olotauatia

20

Sapati Sapati

Sandra Olita

21

Tapito Sanerivi

Rehiw

22

Taviuni Salele

 

23

Tui Paulo*

Mavaega

24

Viliamu Sialeipata Viliamu

 

 *  Scholarship student from Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga  Kerisiano Tokelau

YEAR FOUR

 

BACHELOR OF DIVINITY WITH HONOURS

 

STUDENTS

WIVES

1

Aperaamo Apelu BAgr

Lautasi BAgr

2

Aukuso Eneli Gasolo BSc

Luafata MEd

3

Caesar Utufua MstMariner

Norah

4

Iuti Teeruka***

 

5

Kaleuati Tusi BEd

Faleulu BEd

6

Makesi Namulauulu BEng

Lauoi

7

Misioka Nicolas Tanielu BSc

Rossana BA

8

Spencer Eseese Leuta BCom

Faafou BCom

9

Teturunga Toaba***

 

10

Viliamu Eletise Su’a BEd

Rosehill

11

Vincent Faaofo BCom

Matalaoa

 

BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY

 

STUDENTS

WIVES

12

Afasene Falana’i

Taufua

13

Alipapa Tuuau Malaga

Fofoaivaoese

14

Eucharist Fa’atau

Melaina

15

Frank Faatau

Akenese

16

Fred Laban

Beta

17

Lance Junior Tautiepa

Fiatamalii BSocWk

18

Lualua Manila

Peata

19

Maccarios F Malaefono

 

20

Nuutasi Fuiavailiili Neria

Helen

21

Peresia Muagututia

 

22

Samuelu John Ah Sam

 

23

Sebastian Tuifao

Faotui

24

Slam Opetaia Samuelu

 

25

Talia Iati

Lise

26

Vagatai Muaau

Silive

 

DIPLOMA OF THEOLOGY

 

STUDENT

 

27

Elisara Isaako *

 

 *  Scholarship student from Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga  Kerisiano Tokelau

*** Scholarship students from Kiribati Uniting Church

MASTER OF THEOLOGY

 

STUDENTS

WIVES

(One-Year Programme/ Final Year of the Two-Year Programme)

1

Fraser Tauaivale1 BTh

Julie BA

2

Paul Mulitalo BTh

 

3

Rev. Peter Lokeni BD, MBA

Tauvela

4

Saleaula Reti1 BDHons, BEd

Moevasa BA

 

STUDENTS

WIVES

(Two-Year Programme)

5

Isaako Soliola BTh

 

6

Laupama Lefaoseu BTh

Anaett

7

Matelili Tautalagia1 BTh

Toeseanuupotopoto BA

8

Mika Su’esu’e BTh

Taliilagi

9

Rev. Perenise Malota BD

Fa’alua

10

Rev. Richard Noaese BTh

Imoa

1 Scholarship students EFKS/CCCS

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.