The Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar – NKST (Universal Reformed Christian Church) originated from the Dutch Reformed Church Mission of South Africa on 17th April 1911. On this date, Dr. Karl Kumm led this mission to Tivland, which made the church dominant among the Tiv people of Nigeria. The church was named the DRCM from 1911 to 1956. When the DRCM left Nigeria in 1957, they handed NKST over to the Sudan United Mission (SUM) of North America's Christian Reformed Church (CRC).

The SUM/CRC named the church in the vernacular, Nongo u Kristu u ken Sudan hen Tiv – NKST (translated as the Church of Christ in the Sudan among the Tiv). The CRC nurtured the NKST until 1957 when it handed the latter over to its first indigenous pastors but continued to give support in the background. The church later changed its name in 2012 once again to remove Sudan from its name and also reflect its Reformed heritage with a global leaning. The church still maintained its NKST acronym, which became almost like an indelible stamp.

Before handing over NKST to its indigenous leadership, the CRC missionaries worked very hard to finish the translation of the complete Bible into the Tiv language which was printed in 1964 and presented in the church the same year. This was a great legacy and a tool that greatly impacted the growth of the gospel among the Tiv people. The NKST has maintained its relationship with the CRC but with great caution regarding the happenings within the North American Reformed church on issues of LGBT, which our church strongly abhors.

The SUM officially handed over the Tivland Mission to the Dutch Reformed Church Mission (DRCM) in the early 1900s. In 1954 the missionaries began training Tiv pastors and evangelists in evening schools to establish an independent and autonomous church. The first four ministers were ordained just after the establishment, on 9 January 1957, of the Nongo u Kristu u Ken Sudan hen Tiv (NKST) or the Church of Christ in Sudan among the Tiv. They were Revs. Isholibo Sai, Ugo, Annum and Ayaka. The NKST then had 1,800 members, with 3,000 people attending Sunday services.

In the early 1960s, the DRCM had to leave Nigeria due to South Africa’s apartheid policies and their work was handed over to the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) of North America. By the 1970s, the NKST was considered the fastest-growing church in the world. Today more than a million people associate themselves with the NKST.

The NKST is a Reformed church holding to the three forms of unity: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort, and the Belgic Confession. The NKST envisions, by the NKST of God, to be a multi-ethnic Christian community, drawing in all nations and cultures of the world into its community. The NKST aims to be united in doctrine and purpose to provide a holistic service with the resources available to them to reach the unreached. Its mission is to glorify God through worship and the proclamation of the good news of salvation and to care for humanity holistically.

The NKST recalls that the mission, in their focus on evangelism, brought four ‘boxes’ to Tivland: Evangelism and the Bible: This box contained the Tiv translation of the Bible. Dutch Reformed Church missionaries assisted by Tiv speaking assistants translated parts of the Bible, which were then revised by others. The project started in the early 1900s and was completed and officially dedicated on 4 November 1964. This edition is currently being revised by the Bible Society of Nigeria.
A formal Christian education: The first school at Saaiutu was followed by many primary and secondary schools. This exposed 80% of Tiv people to education.
Healthcare: The medical training Botha and Hosking received in London contributed to a holistic approach to the ministry. Pioneer doctors M. C. Dippenaar and Paul Labuschagne were assisted by Miss Vosloo and Messrs Akaa, Akpeityou and Tarza. The first hospital was built at Mkar in 1925, with others to follow. Dr Maria L. du Toit, who worked in Nigeria for many years, contributed greatly to healthcare; she helped establish a training centre for nurses and her work significantly improved health services for Tiv women. Through the medical ministry, many people converted to Christianity.
Agriculture, trade, and technology: Fruit production was unknown in Tivland. Since the mission was established, the cultivation of mangoes, oranges, pineapples, cashew nuts and other fruits developed. Presently, fruit production is a significant source of income in Tivland. A variety of skills were also developed, such as carpentry, brickmaking, and building roads and bridges.