The King's Theatre Christian Trust (KTCT) was initally founded in 1986.
Over a 10 year period there were regular combined Church meetings held on a 6 week cycle.
In the beginning KTCT were blessed with the help of Grant McKee the owner of the Kings Theatre who made the facility available for a nominal rent after the Movie Theatre chain had closed many of its cinemas throughout NZ.
Approximately 20 local Churches were involved over the years and the combined services were a great help in bonding Christians throughout the wider Gisborne District. With a wide variety of guest speakers being drawn from around NZ and across the globe coming to share the love of Jesus, plus the joy of singing in large combined gatherings always lifted and encouraged.
These services gathered people from differing theological background... with Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Salvation Army, Baptist, Elim, Assembly of God, Apostolic, Church of Christ, Charismatic, Pentecostal all sharing the love of Christ in one place.
In the early 1990's with tightening fiscal circumstances taking place across NZ. It was decided that the sad, but practical step, must be taken - to forgo use of the King's Theatre complex. (We remain forever grateful to Mr Grant McKee (whose father had been a Presbyterian Elder) for the use of the Theatre which for many retains wonderful memories over the years.)
Without the theatre it was proposed that the TRUST name be shortened to 'King's Christian Network' and the combined Church services continued as previously but were held in various church and local halls... through until 1996.
The main focus then shifted to the forthcoming millenial celebrations of 2000... an initiative was developed called 'Reconcilliation 2000' which became the central theme in the build up to the millennial celebrations.
This initiative ...
...stemmed from a meeting with former Christian Advance Ministries Director: John Mullis. who when visiting Gisborne, posed a question / challenge, "What will the Christian community of Gisborne be doing with the opportunity that presents with the forthcoming Millennial Celebrations".
The KCN team along with the local Gisborne Christian Ministers Assoc. worked alongside the Gisborne District Council and the NZ Government along with other national church groups to offer practical help to the wider community through a concept called 'Servant 2000'.
This included:
1: Servant 2000 Task Force -
Practical Street Cleaning teams as an act of service. (To help the local GDC cope with the anticipated high number of visitors). Guest Speaker Steve Sjogren of USA - the author of Conspiracy of Kindness & Changing the World through Kindness was hosted at the Gateway 2000 Christian Camp to encourage campers to serve the city, which gained widespread thankfulness as they shared through their small acts of kindness as the gathered rubbish and helped keep the city tidy during the celebrations.
2: Gateway 2000 Christian Camp
Hosted by Trevor Yaxley of Lifeway Ministries, Warkworth
3: Millenial Christian Service
On beach front following the main televised celebrations - guest speaker John Dawson (former World YWAM Director)
4. All The World Sing Praise
Combined singing celebration as initiated by Cormac & Fiona O'Dufffy of Ireland. (ATWSP was hosted in countries around the globe, celebrating the millennium.)
We recently learnt of Won-Kon's testimony
and prayer for Aotearoa / New Zealand . . . which all began in his own words at the Reconciliaon 2000 Millennium Camp in Gisborne on 1 January 2000 - Click on Won-Kon's photo to see and hear his VIDEO presentation to Pray As One NZ .
TODAY - 27th January 2025 - 39 years have passed since KCN was first concepted . . .
There is no longer a formal TRUST in place - and the role of KCN has been primarily operating in a Networking capacity to the wider Christian community of Gisborne city and Gisborne District . . . but now in 2025 - there is a shift to embrace Christian outreach across New Zealand - eg: CitybyCity Network; Fantail Studios; and a growing list of ministries and organisations including Internationals eg: ALPHA; MAF; YWAM, etc. and looking to the future JC2033.nz
This website being the main focus of KCN nowdays - This service is freely provided by a small band of sponsors . . .
Administrator: Ray Sheldrake
Mobile: 027 253 9447 Email: disciples@xtra.co.nz