ABOUT US - Malua Theological College

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

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 Reti¹BDHons, BEd	Moevasa BA
	STUDENTS	WIVES
	(Two-Year Programme)	WIVES
5	Isaako Soliola BTh
6	Laupama Lefaoseu BTh	Anaett
7	Matelili Tautalagia¹BTh	Toeseanuupotopoto BA
8	Mika Su’esu’e BTh	Taliilagi
9	Rev. Perenise Malota BD	Fa’alua
10	Rev. Richard Noaese BTh	Imoa
¹Scholarship 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.