“...If you do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve Him only, and He will deliver you out of the hands of the Philisitines.” (1 Samuels 7:3)

This month marked another historical event in Nikao, commemorating the 100^th year of Christianity.

In the past, the whole Vaka of Teauotonga from Pokoinu to Tupapa, would walk to church in Avarua on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The joy being in each of these morning and Sunday services was a testament to the power of the Gospel, as people of all social classes gathered in Ziona Tapu.

This exercise continued until the LMS, under the guidance of Hutchins, established the first service at Tereora in 1924. With the assistance of Metua Rutera, an Orometua from Pukapuka, the services were held at his residence. From Tereora the services moved to a second location on the land called Turamatuitui.

In 1943, the first Mission House was built on this land and was opened on 22 January 1944. Robert Sema was the Minister at the time. On 27 November 1946,  the foundation of the first church was laid, Pareina Ngatupuna was the Minister at the time. Church services were held on the porch of the Mission House.

On 18 December 1954, this church was opened, Pureau Akerauara was the Minister at the time. The architect of the Nikao Church was just like Ziona Tapu. In the early 70s, due to the extension of the present International Airport, the first church has to be demolished and moved to a new location in Tepuka Nikao. The current church was built on its present location in August 1972 and opened in November 1972.

During this building phase church services were held in the Air New Zealand Hangar. In September 1994, the first renovation was carried out on the church building; the second renovation was carried out in February to April 2007.

All the Ministers who served in the church since its establishment were originated from outside Nikao. Most of them were from the outer islands, one from Tahiti and one from Arorangi.

In preparations for the 100-year anniversary of the arrival of Christianity into the village of Nikao, the CICC in Nikao has recently undergone some renovations and preparation for a new milestone for the generation of today.

On Saturday 7th September, it was a great day for the Ekalesia of Nikao to embark on this new adventure. The renovated CICC in Nikao opened with a prayer service conducted by the Orometua Teava Nanai before moving onto two locations for the unveiling of plaques symbolising the work of Christianity which started from Tereora. The first plaque was unveiled by the Prime Minister and blessed by the Rev Vakaroto Ngaro. Then to Turamatuitui i tai where the first church building was built and after the unveiling, it was blessed by the Orometua Tereapii Matakere. The attendees then returned to the current church for the rest of the plaques to be unveiled. The last unveiling was blessed by the president of the CICC, Rev Tuaine Ngametua.

In the evening, there was a torch march in honour of the pioneers, church members, te pa metua tei moe, from the past and present. The Nikao Cook Islands Christian Church members marched through the village from Kanaana church, around Avatiu, along the sea wall, Pokoinu and back. It was an event to be remembered. On Sunday, the services were normal till evening, where the youth held a Contemporary Service as well as a Uapou to conclude the whole celebration.

Orometua Teava Nanai gave the final remarks, wishing everyone the best. One of the final remarks was: “Me ui mai ta kotou au Tamariki e, eaa teia, na kotou i reira e akakite atu kia ratou i te au ravenga mana a Iehova.”

Blessings to the Ekalesia Nikao.

• Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro