Feast Calendar
| Feasts | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Sacred Year | Apr 2 | Mar 23 | Apr 9 |
| Passover* | Apr 15 | Apr 5 | Apr 22 |
| Days of Unleavened Bread | Apr 16-22 | Apr 6-12 | Apr 23-29 |
| Pentecost | Jun 5 | May 28 | Jun 16 |
| Feast of Trumpets | Sep 26 | Sep 16 | Oct 3 |
| Day of Atonement | Oct 5 | Sep 25 | Oct 12 |
| Feast of Tabernacles | Oct 10-16 | Sep 30-Oct 6 | Oct 17-23 |
| Last Great Day | Oct 17 | Oct 7 | Oct 24 |
* Passover service is always held the evening before.
All holy days begin the evening before.
Booklets
How to Understand Prophecy
Today’s news and tomorrow’s predictions are often filled with bad news. But Bible prophecy reveals a better time is coming. And it shows what we should be doing in the meantime.
Understanding prophecy can help you recognize what God is doing and will do. This booklet can motivate you and help you prepare for the better world God promises will come.
Finding Hope in a Hopeless World
Sometimes it seems this world is designed to suck every last ounce of hope out of us.
This booklet will give you practical, proven strategies for beating hopelessness.
God loves you and wants you to break out of hopelessness. Learn more about the solid hope He offers.
God’s Design for Marriage
Marriage has been a long-cherished building block of society. But changing beliefs about sexuality have led to redefinitions of marriage and to unstable relationships unmoored from the Bible.
Have we humans lost sight of the ancient wisdom that leads to happiness and stability in our relationships? Learn more about this blessing from God.
God’s Purpose for You
Have you ever wondered about the purpose for your life? For thousands of years mankind has searched for answers to questions like “What is the purpose for humanity?” and “Do we have a future after we die?” What if the answers were there all along in God’s Word, the Bible?
This booklet will guide you through Scripture to discover the amazing purpose God has for you!
Where Is the Church Jesus Built?
What church would Jesus attend today?
Discover what the Bible says about the beliefs and practices of the true Church and where it can be found today.
Download this free booklet to find out today.
Is the Bible True?
Where would you go to find the answers to the most important questions in life?
The Bible claims to have the answers—answers that are not available anywhere else. But how can you know if the Bible is true?
Download this booklet to discover five proofs the Bible is true.
Getting to Know the God of the Bible
God knows who we are, but can we get to know God?
Would you like to learn more about God's nature and His purpose for you? Download this booklet to see how God, our loving Creator, reveals Himself in the pages of the Bible.
What you will find can transform your life forever!
The United States, Britain & the Commonwealth in Prophecy
The English-speaking peoples have dominated the world scene for more than 200 years. Why did such rich blessings of wealth, resources and national power come to these nations?
The British Empire was dismantled in the 20th century, and many see American power weakening. A staggering turn in world events is coming, and it will directly involve the decline of these nations. In order to understand what’s ahead, we must understand their biblical identity and prophesied future. What does the future hold for these nations and our world?
The Book of Revelation: The Storm Before the Calm
From vivid images of carnage to sublime visions of beauty, the book of Revelation explains what will happen before and after Jesus Christ’s return to earth. What does it mean for our lives—now and in the future?
From Holidays to Holy Days: God’s Plan for You
Why do the customs and celebrations of the major "Christian" holidays have so little connection to the actual events of the Bible? Which of today’s holidays are even taught in the Bible? What religious festivals did the early New Testament Church celebrate, and what did they mean to them? And most important, what do the festivals of the Bible mean for you today? God’s overlooked festivals reveal a vast eternal plan few have ever truly appreciated!
The Mystery of the Kingdom
When Jesus "began to preach and to say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'" (Matthew 4:17), most people didn't understand His message. The reason is quite simple: He purposefully spoke in a way that hid key aspects of the truth. Though multitudes of people thronged to hear Him, most didn't comprehend what He was saying about the Kingdom of God.
Jesus' teaching style—authorative and unlike the scribes—attracted people's attention (Matthew 7:29), and many came to be healed of physical ailments (Matthew 14:35-36). Others likely came hoping to see a miracle or watch Jesus verbally get the best of the religious authorities or possibly a free meal (Luke 23:8; Matthew 15:1-20, 29-38; 14:13-21). But most didn't fully grasp what He was saying. While they couldn't deny the miracles and were intrigued by His style of preaching, His message was a mystery.
God’s 10 Commandments: Still Relevant Today
Why is the world so violent? Why do half of Western marriages end in divorce and so many children live in single-parent families? What are so many overlooking? What is the missing key to living a happy and productive life? If you want true peace and happiness, acting on the biblical lessons in this booklet is vitally important to you!
Change Your Life
“In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired,” someone once said. In other words, until we are no longer willing to accept the bad results of our actions, we won’t make the effort to change. Are you sick of how things are going in your life? Do you see the need for change, but wonder what to do?
The Sabbath: A Neglected Gift From God
In today’s stressful, nonstop, 24/7 world, couldn’t you use a breather—a chance to refocus on what’s truly important? From the beginning, God designed a day of rest and refreshment as a special blessing for humanity. He made this day—the seventh-day Sabbath—to be a memorial of creation and deliverance, a sign of obedience to God and a type of the coming rule of Jesus Christ on the earth. Jesus said He is Lord of the Sabbath and that it was made for humanity’s benefit. So why do so few Christians today observe the Sabbath? In this booklet, explore the fascinating biblical story of the Sabbath and how you can enjoy the wonderful benefits of this neglected gift from God.
Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering?
If God is all powerful and all good, why doesn’t He stop every war, murder and tragedy? The Bible shows there is a time coming when He will. But why not now—and when will it be?
The Last Enemy: What Really Happens After Death?
This life is all too fleeting, and we naturally want there to be something more. But how can we really know what happens beyond the great gulf of death? Chances are you’ve never found a satisfactory or convincing answer. Is death a terrifying reality to be feared, or is there a hopeful, satisfying answer to what happens after death?
Welcome to the Church of God, a Worldwide Association
The sponsors of this website are excited to share the good news of the coming Kingdom of God. If you would like to know more about our church and beliefs, download this short booklet. Like everything we offer, it’s free of charge.
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.
News
Articles
Adulting Milestones: The Success Sequence
Adulting Milestones: The Success Sequence. by Isaac Khalil. The transition from our teen years to adulthood can be daunting, with a flurry of life-altering decisions and responsibilities. But here is a sequence that can lead to success.
Searching for God During the Coronavirus Pandemic
A recent poll in the United States showed that more people are searching for answers from the Bible during this coronavirus pandemic. The poll found that: The poll found that: 44 percent of Americans said they see the current crisis as “a wake-up call for us to turn back to faith in God” or as “signs of coming judgment.”
New Zealand’s Darkest Day
New Zealand police have been diligently working with social media sites and local Internet providers to remove the footage of the attacks from circulation. “Nowhere in the world is safe” If you Google “safest countries in the world,” you will find many lists of the world’s safest countries based on different metrics.
How to Be Happy
A 2016/17 New Zealand Health Survey found that one in six adults in New Zealand had been diagnosed with a common mental disorder (such as depression or some other anxiety disorder) at some time in their lives.
Names Have Meanings—Especially God’s
New Zealand’s Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages released a list of baby names that were attempted and denied in 2017. The office rejects names that are deemed offensive; are unreasonably long; sound like a title; or are punctuation, numbers or letters
Inhumanity: Are Evil People Animals?
Inhumanity: Are Evil People Animals? by Isaac Khalil. ... After all, we are the subject matter, and we don’t want to consider ourselves as evil people. These verses don’t describe sin and wickedness as an anomaly that makes a person less human. They describe a selfish human nature as being at the core of what we all are.
Christian Priorities: Putting God First
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.
What Will Happen to America?
The United States and Britain (and some of its former colonies, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand) are the nation and group of nations that best fit this biblical description. Archaeological, linguistic and historical information confirm the modern identities of these nations.
Whose Opinions Really Matter: God’s or Man’s?
Do people’s changing personal opinions change the purposes of God? It is important to understand who really has the authority to define right from wrong. To what extent are people’s opinions the primary authority in determining morality and how society should function? What if their viewpoints and plans disagree with the clear teachings of our Creator, revealed in the Bible?
Why Is God Angry?
Please also note that many of these same things could be said about other countries like Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, as well as many non-English-speaking countries. Why is God angry? God is love. He created human beings for an incredible purpose—to welcome us into His family as His children!
Prayer Requests
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Contact Us
Feast 2022
Taupo is a popular resort area on the banks of scenic Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Volcanic mountains, often snow-capped, rise majestically in the background. Lake Taupo is renowned for its rainbow trout fishing. Single and tandem skydiving, Maori cultural shows, bungee jumping, Zorbing, jet boating and various adventure sports are also popular activities.
Taupo is located in the center of New Zealand’s North Island, just a four-hour drive south of Auckland International Airport. Taupo may be reached by car or bus, passing through lush green countryside that features sheep, deer and cattle farms along the way. Daily domestic air flights connect Taupo to Auckland and Wellington.
The Taupo region is known for fly-fishing, hunting and bush walking (hiking). Other places of interest include Huka Falls and Orakei Korako (Hidden Valley) Thermal Park. Small thermal hot pools are included in some motel units and are also available at affordable public pools. The city of Rotorua, renowned for its Maori cultural attractions and thermal sites, is just an hour drive north of Taupo.
Volcanic Mount Ruapehu is a two-hour drive south of Lake Taupo. The mountain, an active volcano, is known for its excellent snow skiing. Ruapehu’s ski fields are normally operating during the Feast period.
Taupo offers an excellent range of accommodations, including backpacker hostels, motels, holiday rental homes and five-star hotels. Helpful New Zealand accommodation websites are aatravel.co.nz, jasons.com and holidayhomes.co.nz.
Our Feast weather is normally temperate with cooler nights and warm sunny days. Visitors should bring warm clothing, as it can be cool in the evenings. Services this year will be held at Huka Falls Conference Centre
More tourist information for Taupo and New Zealand may be found on greatlaketaupo.com and newzealand.com/int
For more information about the Feast of Tabernacles in New Zealand, contact André van Belkum at aevb@xtra.co.nz. Telephone number: +64-2102574911.
André van Belkum
André van Belkum
Media
News
Pastoral Letter
29-Jul-2022
Dear Brethren.
While attending Ambassador College (Bricket Wood) in the late 60s, the Church administration requested that I apply for a UK driver's licence. Before taking my driver's test, I was given excellent driving instruction from a qualified instructor (a church member) on what to expect when going on the road with a nominated government driving inspector - hopefully to qualify as a competent driver in accordance with UK standards. One aspect our church instructor emphasized over and over was road safety driving procedures. One in particular remained lodged in my mind, and that involved what drivers recognise as the "blind spot." This is especially important while changing lanes or other driving manoeuvres. To contend with the blind spot, it was recommended you quickly glance over your right shoulder (for those who drive on the left side of theroad) to see if there are any vehicles you are unable to see when using your motor car mirrors. I was assured that the inspector would ask me to change lanes, and then check if I followed this instruction. Numerous collisions happen when this particular safety procedure is disregarded or ignored.
What all of us, not only drivers, should be much more concerned about are spiritual blind spots. Often, we don't see ourselves and our faults the way God does. Each year before the Passover God's begotten children are commanded to carefully and meticulously examine themselves, lest we take the symbols in an unworthy manner. Sometimes they are areas in our lives that you and I just cannot see. These are the blind spots that are difficult to identify and remove – where and why we may be spiritually defective. And unfortunately, there are times we even find it difficult to admit the problems we can see!
King David understood the principle and admitted before God that he could not see some of his faults. Psalm 19:12: "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret (hidden, concealed) faults." A clear admission from a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). He proved what he said was true when he stole another man's wife and made her pregnant. Then he arranged to have her husband, Uriah, killed in battle. Incredibly, David did not see how wrong he was until Nathan the prophet brought him to his senses (II Samuel 11-12). Would you agree that David had some serious blind spots in his character? In the past I have found myself judging David rather harshly, without looking at my own spiritual blind spots!
How should we respond?
· Ask God in prayer to show us our blind spots. In Psalm 139: 23-24 David wrote: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." He was asking God to reveal aspects of his character he could not detect or see.
· The Bible is sharper than a two-edged sword, and able to penetrate into the "soul and spirit…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4: 12 - 13). Nothing is hidden from God, and He is the only One who has the ability to reveal those hidden and innermost attitudes – ones we are so quick to justify and defend! Bible study will help us identify these innermost attitudes.
· If you see something wrong, then admit it. If you and I are prone to justify our faults, then what's the point of looking for them in the first place!
· Be very careful to judge others when we may have the same faults. Take a look at Romans 2:1 "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." There is the classic example of God sending Nathan the prophet to David after his sins with Bathsheba and Uriah her husband. After relating the example of the poor man's pet lamb, David was so outraged that he suggested such a man should be put to death. It turned out that David was the man Nathan was referring to (II Samuel 12:1-7)! What an absolute shock to David. Christ stressed the same principle in Matthew 7:2. And we are familiar with how David responded to his particular blind spot (Psalm 51: 1-4).
· Christ called out the religious leaders of His day, and referred to them as "blind guides" (Matthew 23:16). They could not see their own self-righteous behaviour, even though their mistakes were obvious. Fortunately we have access to God's Holy Spirit to help us uncover those blind spots and remove them. If we ask our Heavenly Father for help in seeing our "secret" sins, He will respond with love and concern.
Brethren, please continue to pray for one another, especially as we see ominous warning signs on the horizon. Our next major church activity is the Feast of Tabernacles, and the adversary will strive to prevent us from meeting together in accordance with God's command. Again, an area we request your intense prayers. Remember that the fervent prayer of a righteous person will, indeed, avail much!
I want you to know that your presence in the Church means a lot to Elize and me. Thank you for your loyalty to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and to each other.
Please keep up your spiritual pilgrimage towards the Kingdom of God. That's the only worthwhile goal left in this life.
With brotherly love and respect.
ANDRE VAN BELKUM
Pastor
Welcome
Welcome to our Church of God, Pacific website, serving New Zealand, Fiji and the South Pacific islands.
Why do you go to church?
Is it for the relationships, the programs, the music, the worship? Those are all reasonable reasons. But the most important reason to attend church is to hear the truth of God taught directly from the pages of His inspired word “The Holy Bible.” Within the pages of that book we are given the answers to life’s most important questions. Why was I born? In order to achieve success and peace in this life and beyond, what specifically does God teach me to do and not do? What happens to us after we die? These are merely three of the life altering questions God answers if we are willing to listen.
Following the instruction and example of God the Father and Jesus Christ as well as the New Testament Church, our congregation worships each Saturday.
Please take time to review our Fundamental Beliefs at your leisure for more information about us.
There is nothing more exciting in the world than understanding the word of God and the plan He has for you and me. Why? Because combining that information with living it leads us to greater peace in our lives today and ultimately eternal life as a spirit being. Simply put, that is called happiness.
See our parent websites for further detailed information.
Andre van Belkum, Pastor