Church Talk
Cook Islands Christian Church General Assembly opens
Monday 10 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
The Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) is the first and oldest church in the nation and this year the church is hosting its 34th General Assembly.
Seeds of Christianity: All Christians are children of God
Saturday 8 July 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
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.
Glorious Avarua Cook Islands Christian Church reopens
Saturday 8 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
Faith and community celebrated the restoration and rebirth of the glorious Avarua CICC Ziona Tapu church after a year of extensive renovations, which culminated in a joyous reopening yesterday morning.
Church Talk: Father, may they be in us
Wednesday 5 July 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Bishop Paul Donoghue writes: "Last Friday I was privileged to attend the rededication of the Cook Islands Christian Church in Titikaveka known by the name of “Betela”.
Seeds of Christianity: ‘Traditional gods of the past, destitute of any real power’
Saturday 1 July 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
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. This is his ninth article in the series.
Church Talk: ‘May we evaluate what we treasure in our hearts’
Friday 30 June 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The gospel of Jesus Christ has within it a principle of progression, writes Tamatoa Jonassen of The Church of Latter-day Saints.
Titikaveka’s Betela Ready to Reopen
Thursday 29 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Culture, Features, National
The village of Titikaveka is excited as the Ekalesia’s Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) Betela reopens its doors tomorrow, following months of detailed renovations.
Christianity brings hope to Tinomana Ariki as Gospel arrives in Rarotonga
Saturday 24 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Church Talk, Features
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 how the Gospel arrived at Rarotonga.
Church Talk: Making God our top priority
Friday 23 June 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Growing up in church, we were told on a regular basis about the need to put God first. Even in our family home our parents had this slogan to remind us: ‘God first, school second, and girlfriend last’. Though we saw the funny side of it, but they were teaching us that above everything else, to make God our highest priority, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa from the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
‘You’ve been worshipping nothing but pieces of wood’
Saturday 17 June 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Church Talk, Features
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 how the Gospel arrived at Mitiaro and Mauke.
Church Talk: What to do in a messed up world!
Friday 16 June 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
There is a particular group of men from Israel, who were known as the Sons of Issachar. God had given this group a unique gift. They had the unusual ability to understand the seasons and to know what to do, writes Pastor Paul Kauri of the ArePua Church.
Church talk: The continuing power of the Holy Spirit in church
Friday 9 June 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
As Christians celebrate Pentecost Day, they are also reminded of their own history when God poured out His Spirit upon all mankind, writes Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro of Ekalesia Avarua.
A lifelong journey of nurturing our people
Saturday 3 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Weekend
Pastor Tevai Matapo OBE known affectionately as Bobby is an ‘incredibly extraordinary’ man who has touched the lives of so many people.
Church talk: Human and Godly wisdom
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
World leaders are frantically travelling to world summits for high powered discussions and consultations making mention of anything to do with mother earth but devoid of the Master of the Universe, Jesus Christ, writes Bishop Tutai Pere of the Apostolic Church.
Virtues in Paradise: The coconut wireless
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
“Judge not lest ye be judged.” (Mathew 7:1) Let’s not take lightly these words calling us to humility as we speak about our fellow humans.
‘The Spirit of God is forever present … everywhere – all the time’
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
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. This is his fourth article in the series.
Gospel examples and Covid lead Cook Islander to greater public service
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
While the coronavirus outbreak caused many to isolate and stay away from others, for one member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Cook Islands it was a catalyst to a greater level of service in his community and nation.
Church talk: The age of the spirit
Friday 26 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Our world needs witnesses to the love Jesus preached and exhibited from the cross. We are a Spirit-filled church and must transcend all barriers of race, gender, economic class, languages and cultures, writes Bishop Paul Donoghue of the Catholic Church.
Seeds of Christianity: The Gospel Pioneer to Aitutaki
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
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. This is his third article in the series.
The church that built Arorangi
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Church Talk, Features, Weekend
Renovations are well underway and nearly complete at the Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) in preparation for the 200-year commemoration of the arrival of Christianity to Arorangi on July 26. Tinomana Enuarurutini Ariki accepted the gospel to Puaikura on 26 July, 1823. Secretary of the Arorangi CICC, Okirua Teokoitu shares the church history with senior journalist Melina Etches and updates on the renovations.
