Church Talk
Rarotonga celebrates Nuku Day with biblical dramas and joyous singing
Friday 27 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
A good crowd of over 200 visitors and locals gathered at Teimurimotia Park in Titikaveka yesterday to witness the wonderful Nuku Day (Gospel Day) biblical drama presentations celebrating the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands.
Author and historian seeks to trace the arrival of the Gospel
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Coming of the Gospel is the latest publication from author and historian Howard Henry who has published it through his Sovereign Pacific Publishing Company.
Nuku Day commemorates Christianity
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Each year on Gospel Day draws an assembly from each of the six Ekalesia of the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) on Rarotonga to perform their gospel dramas, or nuku to commemorate the Arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands.
Church Talk: Standing with Israel
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Growing up in a Pacific Island Church in Papakura, I have semi-fond memories as a 10-year-old memorising Psalm 46 – the whole chapter for our annual “Irava Tatou”. I say semi-fond, for while I am immensely grateful now, as a passionate follower of Jesus, Psalm 46 is ingrained in my heart. However, that wasn’t the attitude I had when I was 10, no siree! Paul Kauri, lead pastor at The Arepua Gateway Assembly of God Church writes.
Prayer for Israel: Pilgrims recount Israel-Hamas war experience
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A special prayer session for the people of Israel will be held at Terevete Park in Avarua tomorrow night. A Cook Islands couple who returned home from Israel after making it out of the war-torn country in the wake of an unprecedented attack by Hamas is calling on people to come together and pray for families that have been affected.
Church Talk: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
Friday 13 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The peace of Jerusalem must not be disturbed because if it does, those who disturb her peace deserve to suffer the consequences and those who sustain it win great blessing, writes Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro of Ekalesia Avarua (Cook Islands Christian Church).
Climate change ain’t new: ‘Kare te taui reva I te mea ou’tu
Friday 6 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in together until now… Kua kite oki tatou e, te ngunguru anake nei te au mea katoa I angaia mei te mamae anau ra e tae rava akenei ki teianei ra” – Romans/Roma 8:22.
Church Talk : Caring for our common home, Earth
Friday 29 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
‘The Season of Creation’ is a major focus and theme in the Catholic Church, one month before the feast of St Francis of Assisi which the Church celebrates on October 4, writes Bishop Paul Donoghue of the Catholic Church.
Church Talk: Real intent in our relationships
Friday 22 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
There is a principle of ‘real intent’ that reflects on who we are and why we do things. Doing things with real intent is about giving your all and showing true commitment. If applied in our relationships, whether it be with family, at work, or with God, using real intent will bless our lives, writes Tamatoa Jonassen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Church Talk: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
Friday 15 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Are the trials you have been through or problems you are currently facing causing you to lose hope? Writes Eric Toleafoa of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Baptism in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Thursday 14 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Baptism marks a special day for many on the second day of convention.
Church Talk: You’ll be remembered for how you finished
Friday 8 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
I’ve been reading through the book of Hebrews lately. I preached a message in Mangaia using this book as a reference, and I recently used this book for our Bible Class at Tereora College this week, writes Paul Kauri, lead pastor at The Arepua Gateway Assembly of God Church.
Jehovah’s Witnesses return to Rarotonga to host their first large convention since 2019
Thursday 7 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
After a three-year pandemic pause, one of the world’s largest convention organisations will resume a series of worldwide programs, with Rarotonga set to host two events spanning two consecutive weekends from 9 September to 17 September.
Church Talk: I have overcome world
Friday 1 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
These are the very words of the Lord Jesus Christ – John 16:33. What did Jesus mean by he overcame the world? “I have overcome the world” The word “overcome” comes from the Greek word nikos, which can be translated to overcome, but is also the word for victory writes Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro, Ekalesia Avarua.
A journey of faith: Mitiaro youth leader at World Youth Day event
Monday 28 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
World Youth Day (WYD) is a recurring Catholic festival held every four years - a meeting of young people from around the world with the Pope.
Church Talk: ‘Do right all shall be restored’
Friday 25 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The first and greatest of all commandments Jesus in Mark’s Gospel Chapter 12: 29 – 31 reminds a young Pharisee lawyer, “Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is One Lord: 30, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, writes Bishop Tutai Pere.
Church Talk: Take heart, do not be afraid
Friday 18 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The Gospel that I preached on last Sunday was taken from Matthew 14:22-23: “And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid,” writes Bishop Paul Donoghue of the Catholic Church.
Church talk: Living by faith
Friday 11 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The scriptures teach us what faith is, and the prophets direct us in whom we should have faith. However, when we are faced with the challenges and trials of life, we can often question our faith and turn to rely solely on the wisdom of man, writes Tamatoa Jonassen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Christianity lands on Mangaia
Saturday 5 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Church Talk, Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In this article, he talks about the arrival of Christianity on Mangaia.
Church Talk: Celebrating God, who shaped our nation
Saturday 5 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Last week people from all around New Zealand and Australia arrived in numbers for the celebration of the 200 years since the arrival of the Gospel to the Cook Islands, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa from the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
