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 | CCCS Chairman of the General Assembly
|
Rev Tunumoso Iosia FT | CCCS Vice Chairman of the General Assembly Falealili/ Siumu/ Safata |
Rev Makerusa Porotesano FT MDiv(Fuller), MA(Biola Uni), MTh(PTC) | 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 |
* To be confirmed * | Kuiniselani |
Rev Faleulu Malaulau FT | Niu Sila i Saute |
Rev Fa’atulituli Setu FT MTh, BD (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 DTh (MCD), MTh, BD (PTC) | CCCS General Secretary |
Rev Melepone Isara MTh Distinction (PTC), BD (MTC), BA (USP) | CCCS Treasurer |
Rev Dr Vaitusi Nofoaiga PhD, MTh Hons (Auckland), BD (MTC), BA (Victoria) | Principal of Malua Theological College |
Students
YEAR ONE
1 | Amelika Tuimalatu | Eseta Saufua |
2 | Asiel Daniel Tautiepa | |
3 | Clifton Gosta Sa’e | Ataotaulelei |
4 | Eseneiaso Walter Fanolua BCom | |
5 | Faiāuga Aloaina | Siai |
6 | Fatutolo Tuisuga BSc | Nellie |
7 | Fereti Faifua | |
8 | Galu Faamaoni* | Urima |
9 | Heti Leilua | Leofu’a |
10 | Iafeta Tafunaina | Puarava |
11 | Iefata Afatia Afualo | Malia |
12 | Iuti Teruka*** | |
13 | Juergen Faamau BE | |
14 | Kulue Telala** | |
15 | Lafaele Rapi | Genevieve |
16 | Lasi Sooalo | Akenese |
17 | Leilua Faamate | Sofa’i |
18 | Makaili Matatia** | |
19 | Malaetele Aiiloilo Uelese | |
20 | Malau Alasa** | |
21 | Misela Leuluniu BAgr | |
22 | Mualia Chromatic Semitone | Elizabeth |
23 | Nicholas Nanai Sio | |
24 | Nomeneta Alapati | Manuia |
25 | Raisedinland Iose BPerfomArts | |
26 | Richard Taui** | |
27 | Sosopo Mose Aiafi BN | Tepora |
28 | Talaia Reginald Talaia | |
29 | Tavita Arona | Maqmiraculous BEd |
30 | Tepaula Vaega** | |
31 | Teturunga Toaba*** | |
32 | Toeupu Kaisara | Ioka |
33 | Tuifao Masini | Misiotaota |
34 | William Maligi Finau | |
* Scholarship student from Ekalesia Faapotopotoga Kelisiano Tokelau | ||
** Scholarship student from Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu | ||
*** Scholarship student Kiribati Uniting Church | ||
YEAR TWO
| BACHELOR OF DIVINITY WITH HONOURS | |
| STUDENTS | WIVES |
1 | Faafouina Jr. Samuelu BA | Melanie Mercier |
2 | Galovale Vili Opelu BCom | Punalei |
| BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY | |
| STUDENTS | WIVES |
3 | Andrew Junior Fui Taotofi | Fagaiaava Louise |
4 | Benjamin Tuia | Ueligitone |
5 | Efi Aloaina | Vāvāō |
6 | Gafatasimalo Foaga | Sapi Faasapilima |
7 | Ioane Talasilia Sosene* | Tuvale |
8 | Junior Sanerivi | Vaonila |
9 | Junior Saolotoga |
|
10 | Kereta Toomata Faatonu | Kuini |
11 | Lauina Tevaga Sofe | Veronika |
12 | Liaina Mauga |
|
13 | Mareko Fasi Toma |
|
14 | Marini Jason Setefano |
|
15 | Melila Faasalafa | Maupenei |
16 | Patamo Soa |
|
17 | Petaia Junior Tuifao |
|
18 | Poao Jr. Seti Laufiso |
|
19 | Pouoa To’a | Olotauatia |
20 | Sapati Sapati | Sandra Olita |
21 | Tapito Sanerivi |
|
22 | Taviuni Salele |
|
23 | Tui Paulo* | Mavaega |
24 | Viliamu Sialeipata Viliamu |
|
* Scholarship students from Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kelisiano Tokelau | ||
YEAR THREE
| 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 | Kaleuati Tusi BEd | Faleulu BEd |
5 | Makesi Namulauulu BEng | Lauoi |
6 | Misioka Nicolas Tanielu BSc | Rossana BA |
7 | Spencer Eseese Leuta BCom | Faafou BCom |
8 | Viliamu Eletise Su’a BEd | Rosehill |
9 | Vincent Faaofo BCom | Matalaoa |
| BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY | |
| STUDENTS | WIVES |
10 | Afasene Falana’i | Taufua |
11 | Alipapa Tuuau Malaga | Fofoaivaoese |
12 | Frank Faatau | Akenese |
13 | Fred Laban | Beta |
14 | Lance Junior Tautiepa | Fiatamalii BSocWk |
15 | Lualua Manila | Peata |
16 | Maccarios F Malaefono |
|
17 | Nuutasi Fuiavailiili Neria | Helen |
18 | Peresia Muagututia |
|
19 | Samuelu John Ah Sam |
|
20 | Sebastian Tuifao | Faotui |
21 | Slam Opetaia Samuelu |
|
22 | Talia Iati | Lise |
23 | Vagatai Muaau | Silive |
| DIPLOMA OF THEOLOGY | |
| STUDENT | |
24 | Elisara Isaako * |
|
* Scholarship student from Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano Tokelau | ||
YEAR FOUR
| BACHELOR OF DIVINITY WITH HONOURS | |
| STUDENTS | WIVES |
1 | Elise Fuimaono BTh | |
2 | Saleaula Reti BEd | Moevasa BA |
3 | Taumaloto Salevao BSc | Josephine |
4 | Va’afuti Alauni BE | Agneta Catherine |
| BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY | |
| STUDENTS | WIVES |
5 | Alexander Pelesala BBus | Townsville |
6 | Brian Anae | Liuasi BA |
7 | Esera Tufuga | Malaefou |
8 | Eucharist Fa’atau | |
9 | Fiaalii Mafuolo | Alovale |
10 | Filipi Leapai | Upolu |
11 | Isaako Tunumoso |
|
12 | Laifaga Leulu Laifaga | Manutagi |
13 | Laupama Lefaoseu | Anaett |
14 | Lotufaamanatu Masoe | Emma |
15 | Malaeloa Toleafoa | Fa’asalu |
16 | Maluapapa Niulesa | Mary-Anne |
17 | Manase Afutiti | Urita |
18 | Matelili Tautalagia | Toeseanuupotopoto BA |
19 | Michael Poutasi | Nevada |
20 | Peoni S Lapana * | Sela |
21 | Sailimalo Uamalau |
|
22 | Semi Sititi | Fuapepe BPsych |
23 | Shalom Pulu |
|
24 | Soloi Keilani | Tutogi |
25 | Solomona Tini | Josephine |
26 | Sonny Satiu |
|
27 | Sulufaiga Samasoni | Georgina |
MASTER OF THEOLOGY
| STUDENTS | WIVES |
(One-Year Programme/ Final Year of the Two-Year Programme) | ||
1 | Fa’afetai Koria1 BD Hons, BA | Jeddah BA |
2 | Hobert Sasa1 BD Hons, MScIS | Pepe |
3 | Laveai F. Sene BTh |
|
4 | Niutuiatua Onesemo BTh | Cecilia |
5 | Paie Tapu Legalo BTh |
|
6 | Tafatolu Tapaleao1 BTh | A’aone BBus |
7 | Ronald Tuimauga2 BD |
|
8 | Rev Semikueva Su’a (FS) DipTh | Florence |
| STUDENTS | WIVES |
(Two-Year Programme) | ||
9 | Fraser Tauaivale1 BTh | Julie BA |
10 | Mika Su’esu’e BTh | Taliilagi |
11 | Paul Mulitalo BTh |
|
|
|
|
1 Scholarship students EFKS/CCCS | ||
2 Scholarship student EFKAS/CCCAS | ||
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.