For 78 years, Siaʻatoutai Theological College has been weaving what its name symbolises—a spiritual “fisherman’s net” designed to prepare generations of ministers and lay leaders to bring people to Christ and serve the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.
The meaning behind the name, bestowed by Queen Sālote Tupou III, has emerged as the college commemorates nearly eight decades of theological education and ministerial formation, according to its former principal, the Reverend Dr Paula Onoafe Lātū.
Lātū explained that sia means “to weave a net”, while ʻa toutai means “by a fisherman”.
He said the traditional sia has two types of mesh: pako lō taha, or single-layered mesh, and pako lōua, or double-layered mesh. The pako lō taha has a fixed mesh size—traditionally about four inches—and therefore catches fish of a corresponding size.
By contrast, the two layers of the pako lō ua adjust in relation to each other, enabling the net to catch larger fish.
Lātū interpreted the name Siaʻatoutai theologically. In his view, the fixed pako lō taha represents the unchanging rule of law contained in the Holy Bible, while the two layers of the pako lō ua symbolise the Old and New Testaments.
The church’s annual conference established the college on August 14, 1948, under the patronage of the late Queen Sālote Tupou III.
Since its establishment, Siaʻatoutai has played a central role in providing spiritual formation, Wesleyan theological education and ministerial training in Tonga.
That mission is reflected in its motto, Ke Kalaisiʻia mo Kelesiʻia ʻEtau Langa ki ʻItāniti—“Let our building towards eternity be Christ-centred and grace-filled.”
The original expression, Ke Kalaisiʻia mo Kelesiʻia, is believed to have been coined by the Reverend Dr Alfred Harold Wood. The college’s inaugural principal, the Reverend K.D. Groove, later added the words ʻOku tau langa ki ʻitāniti—“We are building towards eternity.”
The two statements were formally brought together for the college’s 25th anniversary in 1973 and have continued to guide its spiritual and academic work.
Siaʻatoutai currently offers five academic programmes, including a Certificate in Theology and Pastoral Ministry taught in Tongan and a bilingual Bachelor of Divinity programme delivered in Tongan and English.
Its programmes are designed to deepen students’ understanding of scripture, Wesleyan theology and pastoral ministry while preparing both ordained and lay leaders for service.
The college also operates a Ministerial Formation and Training Programme aimed at developing future church leaders and equipping them to serve their congregations with theological knowledge, wisdom and compassion.
As it marks 78 years, Siaʻatoutai has reaffirmed its commitment to forming Christian leaders, strengthening the Church and continuing what it describes as its enduring work of “building towards eternity” through Christ and grace.
