Smiles, hugs, and tears of joy filled the Congregational Christian Church Samoa’s (CCCS) main compound in Malua as nearly 100 graduates of the Malua Bible School marked a monumental milestone. 

The ceremony, held on Saturday morning at the Jubilee Church in Malua, brought together hundreds of people from across Samoa and beyond.

This year’s celebration holds a unique place in the church’s history as it marked the first time that CCCS members residing in New Zealand had the opportunity to graduate. 

In 2022, the Malua Bible School began offering classes to church members in New Zealand, fulfilling a long-awaited dream of the largest denomination in Samoa to extend its educational programs beyond the country’s borders. 

This year, the first batch of students from New Zealand graduated alongside their counterparts from Samoa.

The graduates were a diverse group of believers including deacons, lay preachers, Sunday school teachers, and other dedicated members of the church. 

Reverend Elder Asotasi Gu Time, chairman of the board of Malua and the chairman of the CCCS Elders' Committee, led the graduation ceremony. 

Reverend Professor Vaitusi Nofoaiga, Principal of the Malua Theological College and Malua Bible School, delivered the school’s annual report, highlighting the achievements of the students.

One of the graduates, Maui'a Va'apu'u Vitale, a lay preacher from the CCCS parish in Mount Roskill, New Zealand, expressed his joy following the ceremony. 

Surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, and other relatives, Maui'a couldn’t help but smile. 

“After three years of hard work, being able to graduate with a Certificate in Theological Studies-Level IV here in Samoa is a blessing. I feel very blessed. This is a big milestone for me, and having my family here to celebrate it makes it even more special," he shared.

“We are among the first people who signed up for the Bible classes when they opened in New Zealand, and coming back home for the graduation is definitely something very special,” Maui'a said.

Looking ahead, Maui'a expressed his hope that the Elders Committee and the church’s executive leadership would approve introducting Diploma courses in New Zealand, further expanding educational opportunities for members. 

Reflecting on the impact of the Bible school on his faith, Maui'a shared, "This program has broadened my understanding of the Bible and God's word. It will help me tremendously in my role as a lay preacher and as a Christian in general.” 

He also extended his heartfelt gratitude to the church ministers who dedicated their time and expertise to teaching the classes in New Zealand and to his family for their unwavering support over the past three years.

Similar sentiments were shared by Tafā Iakopo, also from Auckland, who spoke about the deep spiritual significance of the Bible school experience. 

"My husband and I were supposed to graduate together, but he couldn’t make it due to medical reasons. 

"For us, this spiritual journey has solidified our faith and strengthened our understanding of what we believe in. It will help us serve our community in the best way possible," Tafā said.

Tafā, who was among the first cohort from New Zealand to graduate from Malua Bible School, felt incredibly privileged. 

"At first, I thought it was just a Bible study and that we wouldn’t be getting any certificates. But it’s nice to be included and acknowledged. There’s a real need for this back in Auckland, and we’re just so grateful that the church has allowed this to happen," she said.

She also noted the thirst for theological education in her community back home. 

"We always hear people expressing their hunger for the word of God," Tafā said. "This school offers us the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of God's word, not just taking it literally, but also understanding its context." 

Tafā continued, saying that her studies had profoundly impacted the way she interpreted the Bible. "A lot of us take things out of context, but it’s nice to have a deeper insight into what God’s words mean for us. It reminds us to be less judgmental and to champion change."

The graduation ceremony was a proud moment for the entire church, with a total of 51 graduates earning Certificates in Theological Studies-Level IV, 42 receiving Diplomas in Theological Studies-Level IV, and two graduates completing both a Certificate in Theological Studies-Level IV and a Diploma in Theological Studies-Level V.