For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5
More than 75 years ago, God called Mike and Vivian Martin to a ministry that would lead disadvantaged teenagers to faith in Jesus Christ. They left their thriving business, comfortable home, and community of friends to move with their three children to Seattle. Mike attended Bible college and they held weekly meetings in their home.
And then, a young girl named Joanne entered their lives and changed everything. She asked Mike and Vivian’s daughter, Joyce, if she could live with them. They said no, but she asked again, and they allowed it. Soon, she became a Christian. Mike later said, “I believe that if we had not taken Joanne in, the Lord would not have given us the opportunity of helping others, nor would He have given us King’s Garden.”
Today, King’s Garden is known as CRISTA Ministries. It is on the 55 acres Mike and Vivian asked the Lord to give them in 1948. What began as a home for youth and senior citizens has grown into an international family of ministries, including King’s Schools, CRISTA Senior Living, CRISTA Camps, World Concern, and three radio stations—KCIS, SPIRIT 105.3, and PRAISE 106.5.
The public is invited to join CRISTA in a series of events this year, and especially at a 75th Anniversary Summer Celebration on campus in Shoreline. Mark your calendar for August 17 and join us for a full day of family-friendly activities and fellowship, including our CRISTA Senior Living Classic Car Show, CRISTA Camps rock-climbing wall and petting zoo, SPIRIT 105.3 evening of prayer and worship, and more.
Find out about the history of CRISTA Ministries at https://crista.org/ourstory/ and about our 75th anniversary events at https://crista.org/75th/.