Our History

The church began in October 1982, led by Frank Gamble known initially as Stanmore Free Church. The new church was overseen by Terry Virgo and David Holden part of the Coastlands group of churches, later to become Newfrontiers. Newfrontiers is a worldwide family of churches and we benefit from their apostolic oversight and ministry which has helped shape the church’s identity.

In 1986 the Church changed its name to New Life Church Harrow and in 1988 new elders were appointed, including Ian Ravens who still serves in this role today. Leadership of the church passed to Ken Shelley in the early 1990s, as Frank Gamble moved to lead another church.

In October 1995 David Straughton was taken on full-time alongside Ken, and later became lead elder when Ken moved to plant a church in New Zealand in 2001. Cliff Nelson was taken on full-time to support David in June 2002, and became an elder on 16 November 2003.

The church changed its status from a charitable trust to a charitable company in February 2003 and changed its name to King’s Church Harrow.

Church planting and reaching nations
Over the years, King’s has been involved in starting new churches in South Oxhey in 1987 and in Enfield in the 1990s. The Crown Church was planted in Hillingdon in March 2001, and King’s also helped support the Northwest Church plant in Barnet shortly after.

King’s has also had the privilege of releasing a number of people overseas on world mission to India, South Africa, Serbia and most recently when Ken Shelley and family went to plant a church in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Going for the Gospel
Since September 2003 God has impressed on us an urgency to preach the gospel in everything we do. This has been reflected in the following areas of church life:

Sunday Mornings – on Sunday mornings since September 2003 we have responded to God’s urgent emphasis for us to preach the gospel and pray for the sick to be healed. We believe if we regularly and faithfully preach the good news of Jesus Christ God will send people to hear and be saved.

Signs & Wonders – a heart to see people’s lives transformed by God’s healing power means as a church we are committed to see breakthrough in signs, wonders and healings.

Alpha - in September 2003 we prayed for 100 people to come on our first full church-wide Alpha. 73 people came to at least one session with a core of about 35 who completed the course and 15 people were saved. We have a continued commitment to run Alpha and see many people saved and added to the church.

English Classes – since January 2002 we have run English classes for people to begin to learn and improve their English. These have been a great success and as well as learning English we are delighted that a few students have come to faith in Christ and joined the church.

Students – since September 2004 we have reached out to students on the Harrow Campus of the University of Westminster. This has involved invitations to Sunday mornings, regular hospitality lunches and social activities. We are delighted to have unbelievers with us each Sunday morning to hear the gospel and we delighted that a few have been saved.

Football Outreach – 5-a-side indoor football during the autumn and winter months, and outdoor football at West Harrow in the summer, has been great for having fun, and building friendships with people both inside and outside the church.