The Congregational Christian Church Samoa (C.C.C.S.) has a new General Secretary. 

He is Reverend Dr. Taipisia Leilua from Pata Falelatai and Sa'anapu and is currently the Head of the Theology Department for the Malua Theological College. 

Rev. Dr. Leilua replaces the outgoing General Secretary, Rev. Vavatau Taufao who has been in office for seven years. 

Rev. Vavatau Taufao was first elected to the position in 2016, taking over from Rev. Dr. Afereti Uili, and was re-elected in 2019. 

However, Rev. Taufao was up against three candidates, including Rev. Dr. Leilua who are all Malua Theological teachers. 

At the end of the election on Friday afternoon, Rev. Dr. Leilua gathered a total of 438 votes against Rev. Taufao who collected 263 votes. 

The new General Secretary is one of the Senior Lecturers for the church's theological college in Malua. 

He holds a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Theology from the Pacific Theological College in Suva and attained his Ph.D. in Theology from the Melbourne College of Divinity, Australia.

He served as the resident minister (faifeau tausinu'u) for the C.C.C.S. parish in Moata'a for some time before moving back to teach in Malua. 

The outgoing Secretary of the church, Rev. Taufao acknowledged the support of the members of the church as well as its leaders during his tenure. 

He also wished the new Secretary all the very best for the next three years.