Before the crucifixion, Jesus prepared His disciples for what was to come. He spoke of sorrow turning into joy, and encouraged them with the promise of resurrection. But He also revealed a joy that was already present even before the resurrection, and was not dependent on circumstances. This is the joy rooted in divine love.

At the heart of creation, when God formed man and woman, He said, “It is very good.” This wasn’t merely the satisfaction of finishing a masterpiece. It was the joy of a parent giving birth to a new life. God’s joy was in creating beings who could grow, mature, and freely respond to His love. Love gives freedom, and in that freedom there is joy when the child responds to the parents’s love. That is the heart of God in creation.

Even though man fell, God didn’t give up on man. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, to show us how to live in response to that love. Jesus, as a true human being, prayed with tears and learned obedience. In doing so, He showed us what it means to live as true human.

As Jesus faced the cross, He didn’t see it as defeat, but as the doorway to new life. The cross was not the end-it was the beginning of resurrection. And that resurrection life now lives in us.

This is the joy we are called to live with as a church-not a superficial happiness, but a deep, redemptive joy. It is the joy that comes from communion with the Father and the Son, a unity formed in love and tested through suffering. Just as the apostles in Acts 5:40-42 rejoiced in sharing Christ’s suffering, so too can we rejoice in our trials, knowing they are part of God’s redemptive work.

After the message, the members joined in Holy Communion to remember the Lord’s suffering and resurrection, partaking in the body and blood of Christ with reverence and gratitude.

May the church be filled with this joy-the joy of the resurrection that is alive in us through Christ.

Throughout Holy Week, churches held various gatherings and fasting prayers, creating an atmosphere of spiritual seriousness and devotion. Leaders and members across Oceania used this time to grow in their understanding of God’s love and rededicated themselves to living out that love through service and mission.

The Holy Week began on Palm Sunday, and the General Secretary of OA Oceania traveled to Fiji to speak at the South Pacific retreat. Leaders from New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea gathered for this retreat under the theme “The Present Sufferings and Future Glory.” Based on Romans 8 and various passages on eschatology, the retreat focused on the Biblical teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven and the End Times. The messages were Gospel-centered, helping participants find clarity, especially those who had been confused by popular or political ideas of the end times.

For many, the retreat was eye-opening. A missionary from Tonga shared their experience:

“This gathering has been deeply meaningful to me. In fact, my understanding of history has been shaped ever since I came to the church. For over ten years, that teaching has never changed. However, it hadn’t formed a clear system within me. It felt like the key points were fragmented and disconnected. As a result, I often felt confused and found it difficult to guide students toward a proper sense of history—because deep down, I myself didn’t know exactly where to lead them.

Through this gathering, and especially through studying the Bible, I feel that I’ve been renewed in many ways. Now, there is a system forming inside me. I hope that from now on, I can continue organizing and refining the Word by following this system.

Through gaining a better understanding of eschatology, I’ve also found great hope. I’m no longer discouraged by one or two failures, because I now know that this is by no means the end of history.”

Following the retreat, the missionaries returned to their mission fields with renewed passion and strong hope, eager to proclaim the Gospel and invite many into the faith of Jesus Christ.

At the same time, in the regional Olivet Centre—Oceania’s main retreat center—an Easter Weekend Retreat was held from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. The theme was “Take Heart! I Have Overcome the World,” based on Jesus’ farewell message in John 14–16.

The retreat included three services, three Bible lectures, one prayer meeting, and multiple group discussions. These sessions helped participants gain a deeper understanding of essential Biblical truths, such as the Trinity, the work of the Holy Spirit, salvation through Jesus Christ, and the meaning of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

This Lenten and Easter season became a time of great spiritual renewal for Olivet Oceania. As members meditated on the Lord’s death and resurrection, their hearts were once again ignited with the living hope of the Gospel, and their commitment to sharing God’s love with the world grew ever stronger.

As we embark upon the season of Easter, we extend our warmest greetings from the Regional General Office of Olivet Assembly Oceania. This is a time of profound reflection and celebration, as we commemorate the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, which knows no bounds.

During the season of Lent, we have strived to draw nearer to God, delving deeply into the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of devotion, we have sought to unite ourselves with Jesus in his death and resurrection, experiencing the transformative power of his love.

As we transition from Easter to Pentecost, let us continue to live out the love that the Lord demonstrated to his disciples, and let us love our neighbors as ourselves. May this be a season of spreading the Gospel far and wide, so that the lost may be called home to the loving embrace of our Savior.

In the spirit of Easter joy and renewal, may we all be blessed with a deeper understanding of God’s infinite love and grace.

With best regards,

Regional General Office
Olivet Assembly Oceania

The Olivet Centre in Central Coast, NSW, hosted a special Easter retreat organized by Olivet Assembly Oceania. Around fifty people joined in for a three-day, two-night event filled with learning, fellowship, and fun.

The retreat focused on understanding a part of the Bible called Romans 3. Through simple lectures, attendees learned about important ideas like why bad things happen and how Jesus saves us. The retreat helped everyone understand more about their faith and how it connects to their lives.

Besides the lectures, there were small group discussions where people could share their thoughts and make new friends. And of course, there was time for games and relaxation, adding to the joy of the event.

Many people felt a special sense of closeness to God during the retreat. They left feeling refreshed and inspired, ready to live out their faith in a deeper way.

The Easter retreat at Olivet Centre was a wonderful time of learning, friendship, and spiritual growth. Attendees left with hearts full of hope and gratitude for the experience.

During this time, Christians are reminded of the path of the cross that Christ walked and the sacrifice he made for humanity’s salvation.

As they reflect on the journey of Jesus, members of Olivet Assembly churches are exhorted to deepen their own faith by being mobilized to share the good news of the gospel with others.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” May this Lenten season inspire members in Oceania to embrace the message of the gospel and actively share it with those around them.