Church Talk
Early CI missionaries martyred in PNG
Friday 7 November 2014 | Published in Church Talk
In this week’s church talk column, Rev Iana Aitau shares the story of Anederea – a missionary from the Cook Islands who served in Papua New Guinea.
Restraining power of Christ - Mana Ta'pu, me kare paruru o te Mesia
Friday 31 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
To restrain means to hold back from action, from committing – check, to limit, to restrict.
Why we celebrate Gospel Day
Monday 27 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Did you know that the arrival of Christianity to Rarotonga was foreseen in prophecy by Tika-ki-te-ope? This article from 2012 outlines the arrival of the Gospel (Good News) to Rarotonga.
Church history researched, published
Friday 24 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Instead of putting his feet up, retired teacher Paiere Mokoroa spent his time researching the history of the Atiu Ziona Tapu church and the Nikao CICC church as a hobby.
Thinking clearly about stress
Friday 24 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Stress is not something caused on the outside. It’s something that’s caused inside you.
Youth look to revive Cooks missionary spirit
Friday 24 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Reviving the Cook Islands legacy of spreading the gospel is part of an upcoming mission for a number of local youth.
'Fruit of the Gospel' pageant for Nuku
Thursday 23 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Monday October 27 marks 193 years since the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands.
PNG church group on dream trip to Cooks
Thursday 23 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
A visiting delegation from Papua New Guinea currently in Rarotonga is fulfilling a long-held dream by coming to the Cook Islands.
Camp success for Matavera Scouts
Friday 17 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
After a successful weekend camp earlier in the year – members of the Matavera Scout group gathered together these school holidays for a five-day camp out.
Are we immune from the challenges surrounding us in our world today because of our isolation?
Friday 17 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Every time I watch the news on television, and see all that is happening in our world now, it gives me the chills.
Guiding journey to Cooks strengthens relationships
Friday 10 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Members of the New Zealand and Australia Girl Guides have been on the island delivering special training programmes for the local guides across the various companies on the island.
Prayer – come as we are
Friday 3 October 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Dressing up on Sundays, especially to go to church is part of Cook Islands life.
What is Gods will for the world's governments?
Friday 26 September 2014 | Published in Church Talk
At THE VERY core of this Psalm 82 is Gods condemnation of Israel’s Civic Leaders for obstruction of the justice system.
Our own undertaking – na tatou Uaorai e rave
Friday 19 September 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ...te akatuikaa anga atu i te aumanako ravarai i te akarongo i te Mesia ra” – 2 Corinthians 10:5b.
God has a purpose for you
Saturday 13 September 2014 | Published in Church Talk
Most people struggle with three issues: The first is the issue of identity – Who am I?
God continues to be involved in our story, He wants the best for us
Friday 5 September 2014 | Published in Church Talk
What is your story? Jesus has called us to be witnesses. It is like when people look at you, they get the BIG picture. It’s all about enacting and sharing what happens from within. The challenge is how we see and value our journeys. Admittedly, the journey is not all rosy, but very real and in that scenario God is also very real in His pleading and dealing with us. In the Bible, God always wants the best for us and He demonstrated and lived through it in sending His Son who gave up His life for you and me. His journey offers us a lot of encouragement in firstly dealing with our journey and witnessing to others.In one incident, Jesus went across the lake with His disciples, on arrival a man possessed by demons came to challenge Jesus, however, in the course of their discussion he gave his heart to Jesus and wanted to follow Him, but Jesus told him you go to your home and tell them what the Lord has done for you. The little information given in the Bible in Mark 5, tells us this guy had a very rough history. People were afraid of him, he yells and howls day and night among the tombs and was clearly possessed by demons. Imagine then what is included in his story, life before meeting Jesus and his life after meeting Jesus. Jesus told him tell your friends and family about the change that happened in you. He did, and many people were amazed with his story and they heard and saw it themselves.This last week, in a seminar we were doing with our pastors, we were asked to share a little bit of our story. So here is my short story and I entitled it “in a nutshell”. “Wow what a journey!!! I grew up in a family that loved the Lord. My dad was a pastor and my mum worked in the Mission office. I’m glad I had wonderful parents who loved me and gave every opportunity to me to do better in life. I left home at a very young age and went over to New Zealand to do my high school years there. I was living with my aunty who did not share the same values as that of my parents. I stopped attending church and started to do things which would break my parent’s hearts. I returned to Rarotonga and got involved with friends who were also sorting themselves out. Then for a good year or so I got involved with clubbing, alcohol and smoking. In fact, I played in a local band in clubs. I still loved the Lord, my parents and family.I was going to church to please them, but, will definitely go out at night.My parents sent me to Fulton College in Fiji. I arrived in Fulton drunk and slept my first night there on a table. I was intoxicated. I do not even know up to this day why I wasn’t sent straight back on the next flight. I made friends in Fulton and would sneak to Suva to party hard. That went on for the first year I was there. A Solomon islander friend talked to me and suggested I become a pastor because of my voice. I laughed at it, and three years later I graduated from the ministerial course.Today, I love the Lord with all of myself, for working behind the scene in my life. He has given me a wife suggested by the same friend who asked me to be a pastor, he gave me three wonderful children. I have so many questions to God about my life, but I’m content because I know despite my zig-zag journey, I remain a priority to him. I love Him heaps. God continues to be involved in our story, He wants the best for us. We have the picture of Him standing at the door of our hearts, knocking and wanting to spend quality time with us. With so much negativity happening around us, needless heartaches and pain, the collapse of morality and the respect of others, it is high time to get God seriously involved in our life. There is no other way for us as we face challenging times whether it is personally, with our family, our community and the wider world we live in.We have an enemy who is putting all the blame on God for the sufferings, calamities we’re facing. Even with strong destructive opposition to God by Satan, the Bible tells us that God in His love for us won the victory for us with all of His heart to share with us now and for evermore.In John 10:10 – “The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” Continue with God, because it’s a winning partnership with eternal consecrations. Have a great weekend and continue your story in the Lord. Blessings Pastor Eliu SDA Church
'We walk by faith, not by sight'
Friday 29 August 2014 | Published in Church Talk
In the gospel of Jesus Christ, faith is the first principle. Faith is the foundation of belief and conversion and the basic principle of strong religious feelings and beliefs.
The meaning of priesthood
Friday 22 August 2014 | Published in Church Talk
On Sunday August 24, two priests of the Diocese of Rarotonga will be celebrating 60 years of priesthood.
The Christian attitude to Government
Friday 15 August 2014 | Published in Church Talk
In Romans 12, Paul wrote that we should be living sacrifices, transformed in our minds so that we please God and do his will.
Thinking clearly about your problems (Part 2)
Friday 1 August 2014 | Published in Church Talk
It is amazing that when you remember God always has your best interest at heart, that he has a great plan for your life, and that he is worthy of your trust.
