Siaʻatoutai Theological College

Theological seminary in Tonga

Siaʻatoutai Theological CollegeMotto| Ke Kalaisi’ia mo Kelesi’ia ‘Etau Langa ki ‘Intaniti

|

Motto in English

| Through Christ and Grace we build to Eternity![1]
Type| Private seminary
Established| 1948; 76 years ago (1948)

Religious affiliation

| Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga
Principal| Heneli Taliai Niumeitolu
Location|

Tonga

Website| siaatoutai.fwc.to

Siaʻatoutai Theological College is a theological seminary in Tonga. It was established in 1948 by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga,[2] being split away from Tupou College.[3] The College is a member of the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools,[4] and offers a Bachelor of Divinity programme accredited by the same. As of 2016[update], more than 190 students attend the college.[5]

## History

[edit]

The College was established in 1948 at Nafualu, which had been the location of Tupou College since its relocation from the capital city Nuku'alofa in 1921,[6] under the patronage of Queen Sālote Tupou III. The site is of historical and cultural significance to the Tongans as it was once the domain of the famed Tu'i Ha'amea, Lo'au, who devised the royal drinking ceremony, the Taumafa Kava.

Prior to the establishment of Sia'atoutai, theological training was undertaken at Tupou College, where the principal, the Reverend A. Harold Wood, fulfilled the dual roles of secondary school executive and tertiary educator (with theological classes conducted in the evening, when the school day had ended).[6] The Church at the time was still grappling with the challenges of having to train and equip a spontaneously enlarged body of clergy, following the reunion of the Wesleyan and Free Churches in 1924, and so, with the inauguration of a new theological institute, the Church realised one of its long-awaited goals in seeking to improve the theoretical and practical competencies of its ministers and workers.[7]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Sia'atoutai Theological College". www.siaatoutai.fwc.to. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
2. ^ Matthews, Rex Dale (2007). Timetables of History for Students of Methodism. Abingdon Press. p. 199. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
3. ^ Tuwere, Ilaitia S. "The Theological Colleges". Pacific Universities: Achievements, Problems, Prospects. p. 239. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
4. ^ "Upcoming Events" (PDF). South Pacific Association of Theological Schools Newsletter. 1 (1). South Pacific Association of Theological Schools: 3. June 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
5. ^ "Tevita Taka named Dux of Sia'atoutai Theological College". Tonga Broadcasting Commission. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
6. ^ a b Tupou College: Sesquintenary History 1866-2016. Toloa, Tonga: Tupou College. 2016. ISBN 978-1-32-099901-4.
7. ^ Havea, Siotame (2013). "Mei he Tēpile 'a e Puleako". Fakafeta'i Māhanga 'o e 25/65 Ta'u - Kolisi Ko Sia'atoutai: 11–13.

21°08′06″S 175°15′18″W﻿ / ﻿21.135°S 175.255°W﻿ / -21.135; -175.255

* v
* t
* e

Affiliated institutions of the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools

* Alan Walker College of Evangelism
* Bishop Patteson Theological College
* École pastorale de Béthanie
* École pastorale de Faiere-Hermon
* Fiji College of Theology & Evangelism
* Fulton Adventist University College
* Kanana-Fou Theological Seminary
* Malua Theological College
* Marshalls Theological College
* Methodist Davuilevu Theological College
* Methodist Deaconess Training Centre
* Moamoa Theological College
* Pacific Regional Seminary
* Pacific Theological College
* Piula Theological College
* Salvation Army School for Officer Training
* Seghe Theological Seminary
* Siaʻatoutai Theological College
* St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Theological College
* St. John the Baptist Theological College
* Takamoa Theological College
* Talua Theological Training Institute
* Tangintebu Theological College
* Te Rau Kahikatea
* The College of the Diocese of Polynesia
* United Theological College
* University of Auckland School of Theology

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template