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About

Ken Gartner is a New Zealand Maori. He was a teacher for most of his working life, until his career came to a sudden end twenty four years ago when he served a short term of imprisonment. He turned to Christ while he was inside. Upon his release, he returned to university, gaining BA, BA (Hon), and MA degrees in Maori Studies at Victoria University. He is currently studying towards a doctorate degree. He is a member of Prison Fellowship New Zealand, and takes services on a regular basis in both the men and women's prisons in the Wellington area and at other parts of New Zealand, fulfilling a covenant he made with Jesus in 1983 to tell prisoners everywhere about his love. He is married to Ann, and they both belong to the Elim Church in Wellington New Zealand.


The Book - Dying to Live

Dying to Live This is a book about hope, encouragement and tough love. It shows what can happen when Jesus is taken into the ugly surroundings of a prison. Prisoners can survive and win by calling on the strength of Jesus while in prison. This book won't make life easier for them physically, but will show them how to survive, spiritually transformed, strengthened, and forgiven. It is indeed a book on life survival. The overwhelming objective is to develop a spiritual toughness in men and women prisoners, in order for them to survive in prison. Ken's hope is also that this book will help prisoners on Death Row, who might believe that life ends completely at any execution with nothing but darkness beyond. It's also for Christians who want a spiritual booster, and some encouragement for their own walk with Jesus. Very importantly, Dying to Live is also for people who are not necessarily behind bars, but imprisoned in other ways, through their minds or other circumstances, and need a more positive direction. This book will point them in the direction of Jesus. This book also provides insight for ordinary Christians, especially those who support prisoners, giving them an insight into the thinking, the frustrations, and the fears of men and women who are incarcerated.


The CD - Mountain of Victory

Mountain of Victory With songs such as "Crazy Road of Life", "Joy Comes in the Morning" and "E Te Tamaiti", Ken's new album captures wonderfully his heart in song; of freedom and victory over adversity, through the love and grace of Jesus.
"I put my God alone above everything else with a thankful heart, because without Him, I wouldn't be here; nor would I have been able to climb that mountain of victory alone. Jesus has led me by His hand from the valley up the high slopes of that maunga.." Ken Gartner


The Hikoi - A Journey of Hope

Click...ok HIKOI: 'a stepping out or taking steps. A journey with a deliberate purpose'. "This hikoi is a journey of hope and enlightenment". Ken Gartner.

The hikoi started on 26 August 2007, when Ken's book Dying to Live, published in USA by Xulon Press, was launched at Elim International Church Wellington. Ken has been travelling almost every weekend since, around the North Island of New Zealand, speaking on the many aspects of prison ministry. From November 16th 2008, South Island churches will be included in the itinerary.

The high standard of Ken's presentation, by way of a testimony with several gospel songs included, opens people's eyes to the reality of prison life; to the knowledge that the majority of prisoners don't find prisons a nice place to be in at all. Ken gives an ex-inmate's perspective, and explains how Jesus can transform prisoners and show them how to be triumphant, despite their lags. Topics include 'The Prison Inmate', 'What Jesus thinks of Prisoners', and 'How Christians can serve Jesus through visiting the imprisoned'. Ken's mission is to let people know that most inmates are men and women who have committed either serious or foolish mistakes resulting in imprisonment, but very few of them are psychopaths or so full of evil that they are beyond redemption. "Inmates have concerns, fears and suffer loneliness, as much as, indeed more than, any person on the outside", says Ken. "Prisoners should have the same opportunity to come to Christ and eternal life as those who are free". Ken's message encourages church members to seek and achieve their destiny; "That which God has already planned for each of their lives". Copies of Ken's book 'Dying to Live' and his CD 'Mountain of Victory' are on display at the presentation and available for purchase. The presentation is completed in around 40 minutes.

Ken's encouraging and honest message is well received by the churches and local communities he visits. To read Ken's interview with the Hauraki Herald, Coromandel Peninsula, click below.


Contact

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