Meet our New Student, Rev. Faafouina Sitagata

Greetings and Talofa

My name is Rev. Faafouina Sitagata. I am 53 years old and currently reside in Anaheim, CA. My family includes my beloved wife, Irene, and our four children: Ina Jr. (our son), Moliei (our daughter), as well as Solomona and Agapetos, who are our foster nephew and niece. My son Ina is a father to two young boys and a daughter. Our family heritage is rooted in Samoa, as we originate from the island of American Samoa.

I am presently serving as the Senior Pastor at our local Samoan church, Mafutaga o le Alofa (Fellowship of Love), located in Anaheim. Our church was established in 2019 and began with a congregation of 30 to 40 members. Over the past six years, we have continually worked toward fulfilling God’s mission in Orange County.

In terms of education, I earned a bachelor’s degree from Kanana Fou Theological Seminary in American Samoa in 2005, followed by a master’s degree at PSR in 2007. I have also contributed as a Professor of the New Testament at Kanana Fou Theological Seminary from 2007 to 2012. My journey in ministry has included serving in chaplaincy from 2013 to 2014, during which I completed five units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Alongside my pastoral duties, I am a per diem chaplain with Vitas Hospice Healthcare in Irvine.

It has been quite some time since I completed my master’s degree. My initial plan was to pursue a doctorate immediately after my master’s, but life’s responsibilities required my attention elsewhere. Now, after a period away from academic study, I have decided it is time to return to my original goal. I have applied to the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program to further my education, with the hope of gaining additional knowledge that will help me become a better pastor and chaplain.

My passion is twofold. First, I am dedicated to serving the Samoan community in Southern California, particularly the youth. I am concerned that many young people are drifting away from a spiritual way of life. It is my hope to reach out to them and rekindle their understanding of the importance of having a relationship with God. Our Samoan tradition is one of faith, conservatism, and devotion to prayer and worship. However, I recognize that many of our youth no longer see these spiritual practices as essential foundations for their lives and future success. My aim is to serve as a beacon of God’s light in the community, ministering especially to young people by listening to their concerns and acknowledging their perspectives. I believe that PSR’s commitment to inclusivity and its progressive approach to ministry will provide me with the tools necessary to engage with youth in meaningful ways. 

Secondly, in my role as a chaplain, I have become increasingly aware of the importance of advocating for the well-being of my Samoan people. Serving within the healthcare system places me in a position to help guide members of our community by providing them with the information they need to make sound healthcare decisions. This responsibility is one that I do not take lightly, as it directly impacts the health and future of those I serve. I believe that further study at PSR will enable me to strengthen both my expertise and my compassion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families within our community.

Finally, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to be considered for the DSF scholarship. The financial support afforded by this scholarship makes it possible for me to pursue my educational and vocational goals.