About Us
The mission of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in New Zealand is drawn from Christ’s promise that His Church would preach a specific “gospel” (good news) message, continuing the theme of all inspired Scripture: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
Also included in our mission is Christ’s charge to the early Church leaders: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). “Making disciples” involves educating, training and caring for believers.
Our values are developed from those of the New Testament Church. We teach the living Word of God from both the Old and New Testaments, which transforms peoples’ lives.
The Church of God, a Worldwide Association, teaches and practices the same way of life Jesus Christ and the first-century Church of God followed. We observe the seventh-day Sabbath and the annual Sabbaths or Holy Days, as did Jesus and the early Church.
Andre van Belkum
Andre van Belkum currently serves as the pastor of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in New Zealand and the Pacific region. Previously he pastored congregations in southern Africa, including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
He graduated from Ambassador College in Bricket Wood, England, in 1969 and was ordained into the ministry in February 1970. After serving in southern Africa for 40 years he relocated to live and work in New Zealand.
Andre married his beloved wife, Elize, in 1965, and they have three grown children and 10 grandchildren. His wife has been a constant support and help in not only serving their family, but also with church-related activities. This included visiting people under difficult circumstances and in remote regions.
From a young age Andre puzzled over why humans were placed on the earth. Was there a purpose for their existence? While studying at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, he asked three of his professors if they were able to provide an answer. Their responses were vague and ill-defined.
It was at that time that he was offered a booklet produced by the Church of God entitled Why Were You Born? To his surprise, he discovered numerous logical and clearly defined biblical references as to why God created the human race. This truth was one of the motivating factors that led to his making personal contact with the Church of God, and in 1964 he and his wife were baptized .
As someone who enjoys the outdoors, he and his wife meet with friends in order to visit wildlife parks, especially in southern Africa. Hiking and gardening are favorite pastimes, while they both work out in the gym on a regular basis. He keeps abreast of world news, especially as it relates to Bible prophecy. Although he attempts to provide a balanced diet of sermons, he especially takes delight in motivating himself and others to focus on our incredible human potential, and the sure and tremendous promises God has given those who seek and please Him.
