Reverend Elder Iosefa Atapana Uilelea is the new Chairman of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. 

Reverend Elder Uilelea’s appointment was endorsed at a Monday evening meeting on the last day of this year’s conference at Malua.

He was previously elected as the church’s Vice-Chairman in 2019. According to the church’s by-laws, the Vice-Chairman automatically proceeds to take over the top job. 

However, because of COVID-19 and the cancelations of Malua’s annual conference last year, Reverend Elder Uilelea continued on his role as Vice Chairman until Monday this week.

He takes over from Reverend Elder Tunumoso Iosia, who was appointed the church Chairman in 2019. 

Reverend Elder Tunumoso was elected as the church’s Vice Chairman on Monday evening, placing him in line to automatically become the church’s Chairman at next year’s General Assembly.  

Speaking to the Samoa Observer on Monday evening, Reverend Uilelea said he was overwhelmed by the development.

With a strong belief that every calling is from God, Reverend Uilelea immediately dedicated his success accordingly to “He who made it happen for him.”

“The glory and honour go back to He who made it happen for us, his children,” he told the Samoa Observer.

“We thank the Lord that we have completed this year’s annual conference, even though the process was not the same as we usually do every year, not only with the borders closed but also the changes in terms of the timeframe and our schedule.

“But we managed to complete all that was on the agenda for this year’s conference and the glory goes back to he who made it possible for us.

“As for this new role, I will continue to place my trust and faith in him; relying on God has carried me throughout my journey in his ministry, and I will continue to do so. 

“I believe he will provide the wisdom, knowledge, and strength to take on the responsibilities that come with this new role.”

He also paid tribute to his late father Reverend Elder Uilelea Uilelea as he reached this new milestone. 

“There are a lot of people I would like to dedicate this to; especially to our beloved parents who nurtured and shaped us to be the people who we have become,” he said. 

 “My late father [Reverend Elder Uilelea Uilelea] was appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the church back in 1990 before he traveled to New Zealand and passed away.

“But I am grateful to God that I have achieved and reached this position in my time and I know he must be smiling from above, looking down at what I have achieved.”

Reverend Elder Iosefa Atapana Uilelea is married to Tekimatang Uilelea and they have six children.

They entered Malua Theological College in 1985 and graduated in 1988.

They were called to serve as resident Minister (Faifeau Tausinu’u) for the C.C.C.S. Lotofaga parish from 1989 till present.

He was the Secretary of the Lepa and Lotofaga Sub-Committee in 1997 and was a member of the C.C.C.S. General Purposes Committee from 1998-2007.

He previously served for six years as the Secretary for the District of Falealili Sasa’e.

In 2014, he was appointed as a Reverend Elder for the Falealili district, and became the Secretary of the C.C.C.S.’ Elders Committee in 2017.