“I Made You Wonderfully”

Our sisters from the Cook Islands have spent the last few years deepening into the theme: “I Made You Wonderfully,” based on Psalm 139:1-18. This program invites us into the knowledge that each one of us was made with care and love by God. When we can receive this profound truth, everything in our life changes and we begin to radiate and shine from within. We also learn how to treat every other person as made wonderful by God.

The Worship Service invites us to notice aspects of our divinely created bodies that we often take for granted. The scripture reading from Psalms 139:1-18 is woven together with stories of three women from the Cook Islands. We come to understand that God knows us, is always with us, and made us unique and special. The service leads us to offer prayers of adoration and thanksgiving to our Creator, followed by prayers of confession and longing. Finally, the prayers of intercession guide us to ask God for wisdom, courage and healing, that our world would come to treat all people as “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Additional information be accessed and downloaded on our Resources page.

Country Background Information

Cook Islanders are proud of our unique and special culture. We are friendly, vibrant, colorful, courageous, hospitable and enthusiastic. This Country Background was written by a group of Cook Islands women for the World Day of Prayer celebration in 2025. We invite the world to learn more about us from the information provided below.

The Cook Islands are a majority Christian nation, the Gospel having been taken there in 1821 by the London Missionary Society. The missionaries attempted to suppress the singing, dancing and drumming of the inhabitants, however as this was the cultural heritage of the Islands, they found a way to blend their Polynesian heritage with their Christian faith. In 1839 a theological college was set up in Rarotonga to train mainly locals in theological studies, leading to a large number of pastors and church leaders. Christians come together annually for ecumenical prayer for protection during cyclone season and to give thanks for God’s protection and blessings.

Geographical location
The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands, of which 12 are inhabited, scattered over 2 million km of the Pacific Ocean. The capital is Rarotonga with a population of 10,040, out of a total population of 15,040. Many Cook Islanders live abroad, mainly in New Zealand (approximately 80,000) and Australia (20,000).

Download Full Country Background Here

Artists: Tarani Napa and Tevairangi Napa

Tarani Napa and Tevairangi Napa are a Mother-Daughter artist team from the Cook Islands. They feel honored to have been able to share this piece of artwork in recognition of their love for their home, their faith and, and their heritage. Tarani Napa is a mother of six children and three grandchildren. She is a certified primary school teacher, entrepreneur and creative artist. Tevairangi Napa is the eldest daughter of Tarani, and she is a proud mum of two children. She follows in her mother’s footsteps as a creative artist.

Description of the artwork

“I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Psalm 139:14

Our Heavenly Father blessed our islands of the sea. From the northern islands across the ocean to the southern islands, the golden sun shines through the clear blue skies and birds freely fly. From the bright white sandy shores all the way to the highest mountain top, our islands are abundant with fresh produce and colorful flora and fauna. The lagoons and oceans are bountiful with sea life, fish and gems (like black pearls), which link us to the world.

On each island, the mighty coconut tree stands tall, a symbol of strength and goodness. The coconut tree provides for our health and well-being. We have discovered how to use every part, from the fronds to the very deep roots. For food, drink, medicine, shelter and much more. The coconut tree is essential to our survival, and is the tree of life for our people.

We are grateful for the arrival of Christianity to our shores 200 years ago. Christianity brought hope, peace and light, with an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In time, our cultures have interwoven with Christianity, and the blessings are evident today. As guardians and caretakers of God’s marvellous works, we always treasure these words, “I made you wonderful.”

Our women play a vital role in keeping our heritage and traditions alive. They are the keepers of talents, teachers and mentors. From mothers to daughters, the cycle of life, faith and love continues here on our islands of paradise. We show our respect and love for God and for one another in harmonies of song and prayer. Our precious Tivaevae quilts represent patience, love and unity. We honor God’s love and mercy with hats we wear to church, woven by skillful loving hands from the strands of rito, the young coconut leaf. We adorn ourselves with sweet scented Tiare tropical flowers, made into crowns and garlands. From the heart, we teach and nurture our beloved children, the younger generation, our future.

At the closing of a gathering, our Tongareva elders always say these powerful words of encouragement –

“Kia mau te serenga! Kia mau te napena! Kia mau!”

This means “Hold on tight to who you are, in all aspects of your existence!”

We are wonderfully made by God, and we should cherish all the aspects of who we are!