Joseph Agius, the Senior Pastor of the Pentecostal Holiness Churches, is the director of Global University (GU) in Malta. He is the national representative of the institution and is responsible for its administration, and accountable directly to GU, the board of directors and to the license provider, the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE). Joseph claims that he owes much to GU because his life and ministry were significantly enhanced by what he learned during his studies. He is very passionate about GU and is committed to promoting both on the Island of Malta and abroad.

Personal Background

Joseph and His wife Christine were born again in 1988 and pioneered their first church in Malta in 1990. The couple realized how much Christian education was lacking on the Island and committed themselves to study and promote the importance of theological studies, especially in pastoral level. Meanwhile, the couple pioneered the first Evangelical ministry and their second church in Gozo. This was the first Evangelical church on the Island.

Study

Joseph's was always inclined to study. He was first introduced to GU (ICI Institute at that time) by the late Assemblies of God (AG) missionaries, Angelo Nesta and his wife, Helen. The Nestas were strong encouragers for the Agius couple, and their children as later pastored the fledgling work. Later, AG missionaries Daniel Stump and his wife Kathy continued to build on the excellent work of Angelo and kept supporting the Agius couple with their studies. In 1994, Dan encouraged Joseph to take the final exams of the courses that he had completed with GU. Inspired by the high grades, Joseph accepted the proposal made by Dan to enroll in a B.A. degree in Bible and theology. By this time, Joseph's passion for studying was increasingly burning in his heart. His character was changing to the better, and his teaching and preaching kept improving. This is due to Nesta's advice: "You must be what you preach and teach and preach for the ICI materials, so you will know what you preach comes from a reliable source." The International Pentecostal Holiness (IPHC) leaders completely supported the advice, and therefore, Joseph, although was an IPHC minister, was studying with an AG school. This school also was a pioneer in distance learning education. The Lord was directing Joseph to the steps necessary to start teaching the courses that he had already studied. Therefore, under the supervision of Dan Stamp, Joseph began teaching ICI courses to different churches in Malta. Christine and Joseph were also translating ICI courses into the Maltese language. This assisted those students that had difficulty with the English language. One of their greatest satisfaction was when illiterate people took final exams that were translated into Maltese and passed the exams. Since then, Joseph kept teaching GU classes and always tried to promote the school in Malta. Students not from the Pentecostal traditions also attended the studies. Several leaders noticed Joseph's heart for teaching. Therefore, his IPHC leaders asked him to teach at CICM collage in London and was part of the faculty for several years. He also was invited to teach at St. Augustine's Institute in Malta. This institute was discipling converted Muslims from North Africa. The school was based in Malta. Joseph was also a member of the board of administration and the pastor of the students. Joseph is also regularly invited to teach in churches in England.

Education

Joseph studied for four years in mechanical engineering and metal machining and fitting in Technical Institute in Malta and earned certificates from the City and Guilds with London Institute. Joseph was chosen to study a course in Evangelism (Evangelism Explosion II) at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida. He was certified as a teacher trainer for the course. From Global University Joseph earned several degrees as follows: • Certificate in Christian Counseling (MQF Level 5) • B.A. in Bible and Theology (MQF Level 6) • B.A. in Christian Education (MQF Level 6) • Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MQF Level 7) • Graduate Certificate in Education (MQF Level 7) • Master of Divinity (MQF Level 7) • D.Min - Biblical Studies and Theology Specialization • From the NCFHE, Joseph earned a CPD Award (MQF Level 5). • Adjunct Faculty o Global University o AGTS - Ghana

Honors

Joseph earned several honors. These are as follows: • DETC Award (USA) • Hall of Honor (Global University) • DEAC famous alumnus (USA) • Academic Achievement: Summa Cum Laude

Vision for Global University in Malta

When Joseph was born again, the church he and his wife attended was in the extreme side of the "Word of Faith Movement." His early studies and counsel with Missionary Angelo Nesta began to help him adjust his theological errors. He spent time praying to the Holy Spirit to guide him in the truth. Joseph was constantly praying 2 Tim 1:13-14, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” One day he heard the voice of the Lord telling him to use ICI as the pattern of sound teaching. From then onwards, he preached and taught from GU courses and laid the theological framework as necessary for all IPHC ministers in Malta.

GU Study Centers

It is Joseph and Christine's vision to see more churches becoming GU learning centers and use the materials for teaching and preaching. They wish that all pastors will also be qualified academically especially those who teach and preach and be approved both by God in their calling and by accreditation in their academics.