The Council for World Mission (CWM) held a mission consultation with one of CWM’s newest member churches, the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC), from 22-25 April in East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand.
The consultation was part of a series of meetings with four churches inducted into CWM membership in 2025. It brought together 40 clergy and lay representatives from across CICC’s three regions: the Cook Islands, New Zealand, and Australia.
Tracing its roots to the London Missionary Society’s ministry in the Pacific, CICC has 24 congregations in the Cook Islands – the largest Christian denomination in the country — based primarily on Rarotonga and its outer islands, and 26 congregations in Australia.
New Zealand, which is home to 24 churches, provided a shared space for participants to reflect on their mission across the three geographically diverse contexts.
Over four days, participants engaged in corporate spiritual discernment and mission-building, contributing to the development of consolidated mission and capacity development plans. These plans are key outcomes of the consultation and will guide the church’s future direction.
The consultation was facilitated by CWM Mission Secretary for Education, Formation, and Empowerment and the Pacific region, Rev. Dr Amelia Koh-Butler, and Programme Associate, Fuata Varea-Singh. Sessions included theological reflection, contextual sharing, prayer, and dialogue.
Youth and women leaders played an active role, offering fresh perspectives that enriched the discussions. Worship, singing, and shared meals also shaped the gathering, creating a space for community and reflection.
Kura Firth, the secretary of the CICC Womens Fellowship Aotearoa, expressed her gratitude that the consultation has elevated the worth of the church’s female congregation and paved the way for them to work as future leaders in serving CICC’s communities, “God is certainly moving and it’s inspiring to see our Papas listen in, accept and receive from female facilitators for the first time!”
Koh-Butler reflected that the consultation centred upon understanding mission as being rooted in God’s work. “The mission of the Cook Islands Christian Church begins with God. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and God is active in the world,” she said. “The church is called to join in God’s mission. This Mission Plan, therefore, gives direction for how CICC will live out God’s calling together.”
She added that reflections on Jesus’ proclamation in Luke 4:18–19 informed the development of the plans.
CICC Moderator, Rev. Tuaine Ngametua, closed the consultation in prayer. CICC General Secretary, Kenneth Ben, emphasised the importance of collective participation in mission.
“Our capacity as a church to engage in mission is strengthened by growing and empowering every member – men, women, youth, children, old and young, living with abilities and disabilities – to engage in God’s work in the world,” he said. “God calls His workers to the field and we respond, united by His love for us.”
