Solomon Islands – After eight years of closure, the South Pacific Nazarene Theological College reopened in January 2023. The campus is located in the Solomon Islands at Zion Honiara Church of the Nazarene. SPNTC was closed for several years due to various reasons.
Under the leadership of Rev. Kafoa Muaror, Melanesia South-Pacific’s Field Strategy Coordinator, the school received a missionary couple from Papua New Guinea to serve alongside the Bible College and Zion Christian Academy, an early childhood center and a primary school up to secondary school level at Year 9.
From 6-18 March 2023, 13 students began their classes for the “Old Testament Survey” unit. Classes were held from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays on Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm. Classes were held both online and on-site. The students also receive supplemental resources and participate in classes through summary and journal writing, oral and written exams, group work, discussions, plenaries, devotions and praise and worship.
SPNTC aims to have 50 pastors graduate in Certificate in Ministry within two years by completing 24 courses, which is a requirement for ordination. This initiative promotes church growth and discipleship through church planting, as the District plans to increase membership to over 1000 within two years. Additionally, the program will focus on training students in administrative and financial management to prepare them for running a zone or circuit as a Church of the Nazarene pastor after graduation. As stated in Luke 10:2, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, and this program seeks to address that need.
With four circuits in the District, Circuit Campuses have been established to bring the college closer to the students, resulting in increased enrollment and reduced costs. College teachers will travel from campus to campus, conducting two-week courses with 26 hours of face-to-face time. Additionally, students who are employed and capable of doing a Diploma Course can enroll through Zoom and learn from teachers located overseas.
