Christ Church Kirkland

Our Focus

A community for those who want to grow.

Our History

Christ Church Kirkland began in 1972 as a home group ministry. Shortly after Pastor Norm’s conversion, a number of youth from his high school were saved and desired to meet together for fellowship and edification. In the fall of “72” the group began meeting and soon the numbers reached nearly 50.

After Norm married Marcy in 1974, the group was brought under the Eldership of Christ Church of Northgate. We continued to prosper and see the Lord knit our lives together in covenant love.

In 1982, two specific ministries were birthed of the Lord. The first, for women, was called “Overcomers.” The second, for men, was called “Ziklag.” Through these two ministries, the Lord blessed our efforts and we began to grow rapidly. We soon outgrew the space provided so the group was divided and Rick & Becky Barnette began to lead the second group. Shortly thereafter, a third group was needed so Kevin and DeeAnn McCuen began to lead this one.

By now, there were approximately 70 adults spread among the three groups. The Lord spoke to us from Isaiah 42:6-9, “I, the Lord have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord; that is my name. I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place and new things I declare, before they spring into being, I announce them to you.”

We were all sensing the Lord was announcing something to us, but we weren’t exactly sure what. Many began to sell their homes and wait in anticipation for the Lord’s direction. In the spring of 1985, we were asked by Pastor Hamann to consider beginning a church on the Eastside. So after much prayer and consideration, it seemed to line up clearly with what the Lord had already announced to us. We presented it to the people and they were all in agreement, so we all began our pilgrimage to the Eastside.

On October 13, 1985, we held our first service at Carl Sandburg Elementary School with about 140 in attendance. Over the years, the Lord was faithful to confirm to us we had made the right decision. We grew in numbers, but more importantly, we grew in our commitment to the Lord and our love for each other.

In the summer of 1989, Christ Church Kirkland installed its first Eldership. Rick Barnette and Kevin McCuen were installed to serve with Pastor Norm as the ruling elders of the church. An office was opened in downtown Kirkland; Evelyn Prill was hired as secretary; and we were official.

Growth remained steady until February of 1991, when we exploded at the seams. Soon we had outgrown Carl Sandburg and our office complex. To serve the new growth, Dennis Trout and Michael Hanford were added to come on staff to help in the pastoral duties. A fervent search began for a building in which to have our offices and Sunday meetings. After many leads, the Spectra Lux building became available and work began to convert it from an office building to the House of the Lord. Through the faithful work of many volunteers, we held our first service in the building on Sunday, September 8th. This was after three services were held in the parking lot.

In the fall of 1992 we began our first year of Christ Church Kirkland Cooperative School. Believing God places the primary responsibility of education and life formation in the hands of the parents, we sought to establish an environment where the shared resources of the Body could be provided together to fulfill that task. John Hart was hired as our master teacher to oversee and administrate the Coop. Parents rose to the challenge and gave of themselves and their time to educate their children.

In August of 1993 our first branch work was started in Monroe. After a number of months of sending ministry teams to Monroe, Michael and Yvonne Hanford were sent to Pastor the work. The Hanford’s ministry in Monroe began with about 25-30 adults in attendance.

In August of 1994 Christ Church Publishing was founded with the release of Pastor Norm’s first book Unity with a Return. The book was soon followed by a tape and C.D. with the same title. Shortly after that Pastor Norm’s second book was released, Enemies From Within. Since that time he has also published Vertical Reality, Playing God, The Ancient Path and Unfriendly Fire.

The opportunity to purchase the building we had been leasing was presented to us in the summer of 1995. We had been on an aggressive search for a number of months and sensed the confirmation of the Lord to pursue the purchase. After many months of negotiating and hard work the purchase closed in March of 1996. The building was thoroughly remodeled in the summer of 2003.

In September of 1994 a long awaited ministry was born. The Master’s Commission which is a one year, full time, school of discipleship was started under the oversight of Kevin and DeeAnn McCuen. We started our first year with five students who gave themselves fully to serve and be trained in the joining of the generations.

In July of 1995 Kevin McCuen was brought on full time to Pastor the Master’s Commission Ministry.

September of 1995 saw the beginning of a brand new children’s ministry called, Champions under the oversight of Marcy Willis. Champion’s is a dynamic, high energy children’s ministry that focuses on our 1st through 6th graders. Believing in generational joining, Champions meet only the first Sunday of every month, which allows our children to worship with their families the remaining weeks.

In September of 1996 Eric Trout was brought on staff to oversee our Youth Ministry. To facilitate our desire to join the generations, our fathers come to our youth meeting the first Wednesday of every month. We call this meeting Generation Church. The remaining weeks are arranged in small groups which we call Undergrounds.

In March of 2002 the offices of Kingdom Ministries International, which is our apostolic covering, were moved to Christ Church Kirkland. At that time Pastor Norm was asked to function as the Executive Overseer of this church network which is comprised of 40-45 churches throughout the world.

Rand Unger was invited to join our eldership team in August of 2003. Rand oversees our care ministries focusing primarily on the oversight of our home groups and the discipling of our home group leaders.

In August of 2005 Frank Marinkovich came on as an elder. Frank oversees the Marketplace Ministries of CCK.

In September of 2000, Marcy Willis assumed the oversight of Christ Church Academy. At that time she led us through a successful transition of becoming a classical co-operative school focusing on the grammar, logic and rhetoric of a Kingdom educator.

Christ Church Kirkland exists to bring glory to King Jesus and to train His church to seek first the Kingdom of God regardless of personal cost.

As you recognize God’s placement in this body, you are coming into an extended family. Our desire is to serve you and build alongside of you as we all give ourselves to the furthering of Christ’s Kingdom.

WELCOME!!