BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SAMOAN DISTRICT COUNCIL (SDC)
The official recognition of the National Samoan Fellowship in 2003 as a fellowship under the General Council of the Assemblies of God, ultimately became the impetus that led to the establishment of the Samoan District Council.
With General Council support and endorsement, the National Samoan Fellowship under the leadership of pastor Si’upapa Vaovasa, met in 2004 and appointed a Task Force known as the Tofa Saili (translated ‘the sought after will’) with pastor Tu’ugasala Le’iato Ulualetuiatua Fuga as its chairman, to research the prospect of establishing a Samoan ethnic/language district. After a nine (9) year feasibility study, the Tofa Saili concluded that the establishment of a Samoan district would greatly enhance the mission of local Samoan churches toward propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In 2005, the National Samoan Fellowship voted overwhelmingly to approve the establishment of the Samoan language district, encompassing the entire United States of America and her territories of Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
With the Tofa Saili working relentlessly and vigorously to ensure compliance with the General Council policies and by-laws, the 55th General Council, August 2013, approved the establishment of the Samoan District Council of the Assemblies of God, with its opening day of operation officially set for January 1, 2014.
During the Anchorage, Alaska Conference, September 10 – 13, 2013, the National Samoan Fellowship adopted the new Samoan District Constitution and By-laws and elected the first executive district officers: Tu’ugasala Le’iato U. Fuga, Superintendent; Sualua Tauala, Assistant Superintendent; Timoteo Uelese, Secretary; Faafetai Roberts, Treasurer.
The new Samoan District Council (SDC) is currently made up of five (5) Sections: Hawaii, Alaska, Northwest, Northern California, and Southern California. Each Section elects a Sectional Presbyter to provide oversight of their section, and these provisions of oversight come from the office of the District Superintendent and Executive Leaders. The Presbytery constitutes the official board comprising the District Superintendent (Chairperson), Assistant Superintendent, Secretary, Treasurer, General Council Presbyters, Executive Presbyters and Sectional Presbyters. The Samoan District Council headquarter is located in Des Moines, Washington.
On May 20 – 22, 2014, the Samoan District Council held its first district council conference in Des Moines, Washington.