The Lieutenant Governor attends the Opening Church Service for the Pacific Church Leaders Meeting

American Samoa Government - PR001-03312025

Posted: April 1, 2025

Upu tomua; O le manuia o so’o se atunu’u e fa’alagolago i le tatalo ale Au Faigaulega ale Atua mā e afua mai mauga ia manuia.

O le Afioga le Lutena Kovana sa fai ma Sui o le Faigamalo i le tatalaina o Fono o Ta’ita’i o Ekalesia a le Pasefika.

Kanana Fou Church Service Header_edited.

O le Fonotaga a Ta’i ta’i o Ekalesia o le Pasefika na usuia i le Malumalu o le Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano Amerika Samoa “UA TAUNU’U” i lona Laumua i Kanana Fou, ia Mati 25 – 31, 2025. Sa auai atu i ai le Afioga le Lutena Kovana, le Afioga ia Pulumata’ala Ae Ae Jr., le Afioga i le Peresetene o le Senate le tofā ia Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, fa’apea le Afioga le Fofoga Fetalai o le Maota o Sui, le tofā ia Savali Talavou Ale, ‘atoa ai ma le mamalu o Sui tofia o le Fonotaga.

Na saunoa le Afioga le Lutena Kovana le Matua ia Pulumata’ala Ae Ae Jr e fai ma sui o le Malo o Amerika Samoa. Ma na ia fa’ailoa lona agaga fa’agae’etia ma le fa’afetai ina ua fa’ataunu’uina lenei fa’amoemoe i o tatou laufanua ma ele’ele’sa. Sa ia saunoa fa’apea: “Ou te fa’amalo mo lo outou loto tetele e talia lo outou vala’auina mo le Atua ma lona Finagalo Paia. Ou te talitonu e ese’ese o tatou vala’auina mai le Atua, e le gata i Amerika Samoa a’o le Aiga i le Pasefika.”

Na fa’afetaia fo’i e le Lutena Kovana Ta’i ta’i o Ekalesia Tu’ufa’atasi o le Pasefika i le Lalolagi mo le filifilia o Amerika Samoa e fa’ataunu’u ai lenei Fonotaga mo se taimi muamua. Na momoli le agaga fa’afetai o le Lutena Kovana mo Lotu Tu’ufa’atasi a le Pasefika, mo le latou fesoasoani, o fautuaga, ma le lagolago mo le Teritori mo le fa’amautuina o le avea ai ma totino o Fono a Atumotu o le Paefika, ma o se matātia lea na tapenaina e le Faigamalo ua tuana’i atu. O le agaga o lana Afioga le Matua ia Pulumata’ala Ae Ae Jr, e ui ina tele luitau ma fa’afitauli ma miti mo a tatou fanau, a e o le naunauta’iga ia tatou galulue fa’atasi, auā o tatou lava o se Aiga Fa’aatumotu e tasi.

Na fa’aiu le saunoaga a lana Afioga le Lutena Kovana, ma lana tu’ualalo, “Ia silasila toto’a ma tumau pea i le alofa lē fa’atuāo’ia e pei o nisi o a’oa’oga a lo tatou Alii o Iesu Keriso. O le loto mamā, ma le alofa i fanau ma ia susulu atu lea alofa i le pogisa, ma ia maua le agaga o nai o tatou tua’a sa o latou fa’ataoto se alafua lelei mo tatou i le poto ma le tomai e pei lava ona i ai o so’otaga o le Pasefika ma Amerika. Ia fa’amanuia le Atua ile Usugafono a Ta’ita’i o Ekalesia fa’apea i tatou uma.”

Sa taua’aoina e le tatou Faigamalo ni mea’alofa mo Ta’ita’i o Ekalesia o le Pasefika. Na avea le Afioga le Lutena Kovana ma sui o le Afioga le Kovana Sili, Pula’alii Nikolao Pula, fa’apea le Malo ma Amerika Samoa.

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The Lieutenant Governor attends the Opening Church Service for the

Pacific Church Leaders Meeting

The 2025 Pacific Church Leaders Meeting, organized by the Pacific Conference of Churches, is taking place at Kanana Fou Theological College from March 25th to 31st, bringing together religious leaders from across the Pacific to discuss key church initiatives.

The opening church service was held on Tuesday evening, March 25, at the Kanana Fou "Ua Taunu’u" Church. Reverend Nafatali Faleali’i, General Secretary of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS), welcomed the honored guests, including esteemed religious leaders from the Pacific Conference of Churches, the Honorable Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr., the Honorable Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruena, the Honorable Speaker of the House Savali Talavou Ale, and church members attending this prestigious gathering.

The Honorable Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. delivered a heartfelt welcome address on behalf of American Samoa, warmly greeting the distinguished church leaders from across the Pacific. “I commend you for your courage in answering the Lord's calling. I believe that God has called me to a different path, one of leadership rooted in hope, compassion, and love—not only for the people of American Samoa but also for our Oceania family,” said Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala.

He expressed gratitude to the World and Pacific Council of Churches for selecting American Samoa as the host for this conference for the first time. He also acknowledged the Pacific Conference of Churches for its strong advocacy and support in American Samoa’s efforts to secure membership in the Pacific Islands Forum, a pivotal initiative introduced by the previous administration.

Reflecting on shared challenges among Pacific nations, Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala stated, “I believe we all share the same thoughts, problems, challenges, and dreams for our children. American Samoa and the Pacific face common issues within our communities. In addressing these challenges, we must embrace the theme of this gathering: ‘Do Kamo – Christ, Transform Us Into Your Authentic Humanity.”

Concluding his remarks, the Lieutenant Governor encouraged unity and faith, saying, “Let us look within ourselves and apply our unconditional love for one another, just as Jesus Christ sees the pure love in the hearts of children. Let His love shine in the darkness, guided by the wisdom of our ancestors. Let us embrace the understanding that everything is connected, just as we, the people of the Pacific, are connected. God bless you all, and I hope you take time to enjoy American Samoa.”

Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, expressed his sincere gratitude to the leaders and people of American Samoa for hosting this significant event. He emphasized that the diverse island nations gathered in American Samoa were divinely chosen for this meeting. As people of faith, he expressed confidence that the discussions and deliberations throughout the conference would be guided by the Holy Spirit, leading to meaningful and transformative outcomes.

Reverend Elder Fa’aeteete Saifoloi, Moderator of the CCCAS Church Officers, delivered an inspirational message from the Holy Bible, reminding attendees that those who dedicate themselves to God’s work will inevitably face opposition. However, he reassured them that unwavering faith would lead to salvation. Reverend Elder Saifoloi urged church leaders to remain steadfast in their faith and uphold their spiritual mission, despite any challenges they may encounter. He concluded by expressing gratitude to the Pacific Conference of Churches and American Samoa’s government leaders for their support, sharing his confidence that the conference would be a great success.

As a gesture of appreciation, the Pacific Conference of Churches presented gifts to the territory’s leaders. In return, Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. presented a donation on behalf of the Honorable Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula and the people of American Samoa to the conference. Following the opening church service, an ‘ava ceremony was held to formally and culturally welcome the esteemed church leaders to the island.

The Pacific Conference of Churches comprises member nations from across the region, including New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, New Caledonia, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

With faith at the core of Pacific cultures, this gathering of religious leaders serves as a platform to strengthen church initiatives, promote regional unity, and reaffirm the role of faith in shaping the future of Pacific communities.

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