Everyday I give thanks for You, Lord,
For the way that You provide,
And I pray, that you will continue
To be there right by my side.
Alister Louis (CTK)
From the time of inception as a Parish Development unit eight years ago, the Chinese Church of Christ the King (CTK) has experienced Gods faithfulness, guidance and love. In the year 2003 we celebrated becoming a congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, and move from Penrose High School to the beautiful and worshipful surroundings of St Peters Presbyterian Church in Ellerslie, Auckland, and the challenge of finding a minister to pastor the parish exciting times indeed!
Our mission from the beginning has been to bring the gospel primarily to the English-speaking Chinese community in Auckland and lead them to Christ. Incorporated in our goals are to nurture our members, to equip them to reach out to families with the gospel of Christ and to provide a church home, which allows families involvement through worship and ministries.
CTK is made up predominantly of New Zealand Kiwi Chinese families, but also includes Chinese families from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia as well as New Zealand European Kiwis. Our congregation consists of professionals and skilled workers as well as homemakers and university students.
We are a family church with approximately half our congregation consisting of young people from two to eighteen years old. As a family church, our young people serve alongside the adults in many areas, for example, taking the Bible reading, greeting people at the door and collecting the offering. We have an emphasis on childrens ministry, with a Sunday programme for preschool, primary, intermediate and secondary students and a youth group which meets monthly.
Our church comprises dedicated and motivated lay workers: lay preachers, worship leaders, experienced music team, Sunday School teachers and Bible study group leaders, with virtually all of the congregation involved in serving in areas of hospitality. Our worship service includes hymns, contemporary songs of praise and worship songs penned by our CTK music director. Our Interim Moderator, Rev Donald Elley, preaches once a month and we enjoy a variety of visiting preachers, for example, most recently, Alfred Yeap of World Vision and Rob Holding of Radio Rhema.
Our worship services, childrens ministry, ladies ministry and Bible study groups are all conducted in English - so why do we need an English-speaking Chinese Church?
We feel strongly that our mission and outreach is amongst Chinese who wish to worship in the English language, and amongst the second-generation Chinese families and New Zealand born young people. Our congregation enables young people to identify with their cultural heritage, while participating in worship in the language they are most familiar with. We also feel the call to reach out to and provide a caring Christian community for the more recently arrived Chinese who wish to improve their English and be integrated into the Kiwi culture, but in an environment they can relate to.
We are fortunate to have a caring Interim Moderator to oversee us while we are searching for a minister. Donald and his wife, Val, give us much encouragement, support and wise guidance.
We are extremely grateful to St Peters Presbyterian Church and their minister, Rev Sandra Warner, for enabling us to rent their premises and use their facilities. We particularly appreciate the warmth of the relationship between the two churches.
Although a viable congregation, we are not yet numerically large. So one of our priorities is to grow our congregation. We know that we serve a King a Servant King, who is calling us to go forward in His strength as we make Him Lord of our life, and as we reach out into His harvest field. As Parish Council Clerk, I am assured that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Jean Wong
