King’s Garden, later named CRISTA Ministries was founded by Alvin B. "Mike" Martin. A man of God who had a vision for reaching out with the love of Christ to high school boys and girls from broken homes. Mike and his wife, Vivian, started King's Teen Club in 1944. The ministry grew to where 80 to 100 teens were attending meetings for Bible study and fellowship.

Sensing that these teenagers needed more than a weekly meeting, Mike began looking for a farm large enough to allow them to take a few teenagers into their home.

Mike was led to an abandoned tuberculosis sanitarium called Firlands. The 53-acre site included 35 buildings. With no money and lots of faith, Mike ended up leasing Firlands for $1 a month. The Martins later purchased the entire site for $100,001. "King's Garden" was born and incorporated in 1949. The school was founded in 1950.

For 40 years King's grew. King's Garden, Inc. quickly became more than a school. It also operated two radio stations, a printing press, a missionary letter-writing service, and a rest home for senior citizens.

As the Christian ministry kept expanding to include other areas, the name was changed in 1979 to "CRISTA Ministries". The campus also increased to 55 acres. The ministry was expanded to partner with nine individual ministries focused in the following areas:

Broadcast

CRISTA Broadcasting, a ministry of CRISTA, uses radio, special events, and the internet to draw people of all ages to Christ and to encourage Christians to grow in their faith. CRISTA Broadcasting's three radio stations, Spirit 105.3 FM, KCIS 630 AM, and Praise 106.5 FM, serve Western Washington and Southwestern British Columbia locally and worldwide over the internet. With each station presenting a distinct format, CRISTA Broadcasting offers an appealing blend of contemporary Christian music, praise music, traditional hymns, Biblical teaching, prayer and daily encouragement.

Education

King's Schools, a ministry of CRISTA, provide a program of academic excellence that encourages a lifelong commitment to Christian faith and service. Outstanding teachers prepare students to engage a diverse and changing world, delivering an excellent academic program from a Biblical perspective. Optimal class sizes encourage learning and relationship-building. To help develop lifelong commitment to Christ and a passion for service, King's Schools extend the classroom to the world where students live by encouraging involvement in other CRISTA ministries including World Concern, CRISTA Senior Living and Camps. More than 1,700 students attend preschool through grade 12 at our two campuses: King's Schools in Shoreline, and King's West in Bremerton.

Senior Living

CRISTA Senior Living, a ministry of CRISTA, fosters an environment in which seniors experience dignity, joy and purpose. We offer two accredited non-profit continuing care retirement communities: CRISTA Senior Community in Seattle and CRISTA Shores in Silverdale, Washington. Amidst beautiful settings, both campuses offer Christian fellowship and opportunities for spiritual growth, intergenerational and volunteer programs, vibrant activities, health and wellness programs, educational opportunities, and lovely amenities.

Humanitarian Relief & Development

World Concern, a ministry of CRISTA, is a Christian humanitarian organization that provides emergency relief and community development in some of the most neglected areas of the world. Out of a heart of servanthood and an expression of Christ's love in culturally sensitive ways, a network of 900 skilled staff workers, 1300 volunteers, several hundred international partners, and thousands of donors and child sponsors teaches local communities to help themselves. World Concern invests in people and regions for the long term, partnering with other organizations and government agencies to help ensure the greatest impact. The organization itself is an interdenominational organization that serves people in need regardless of their creed or religious beliefs.

Veterinary Missions

Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM), a ministry of CRISTA, encourages and enables veterinarians to live out their Christian faith by serving others through their profession. CVM provides animal care and education to rural communities in the developing world. In so doing, we express Christ's love, foster economic viability and transform communities by attending to individuals' physical, spiritual, mental, social and ecological needs

Job Search

Intercristo, a ministry of CRISTA, provides a connection between employers and job seekers holding Christian values. We strive to help employers worldwide holding Christian values make the best hire. We encourage job seekers during a potentially discouraging time with job searches and career counseling.

Camps & Conferences

Island Lake and Miracle Ranch Camps, a ministry of CRISTA, are two camps with one mission: Proclaiming Christ through exceptional camp experiences! Awesome locations and a host of amazing things to do are just the beginning. Authentic relationships develop at camp in an environment that is fun and filled with outdoor adventure.

Alternative Education

Seattle Urban Academy, a ministry of CRISTA, provides a safe, alternative high school education for at-risk youth from grades 9 through 12. Seattle Urban Academy prepares young people for life, encouraging and equipping students to achieve academically, succeed socially, develop emotionally and grow spiritually. A state-approved private school, Seattle Urban Academy bestows earned high school diplomas and prepares students to enter college or vocations.

Women's Ministries

CRISTA Women's Ministries, a ministry of CRISTA, seeks to strengthen and enlarge Christ's Kingdom by engaging women in Christian leadership. Through workshops, seminars, special events, leadership enrichment and training, relationship development, networking, mutual encouragement and prayer, we equip women to make disciples, equip other believers, multiply leaders, and win the lost to Christ. Women's Ministries focuses primarily on women's ministry leaders and pastors' wives, but we desire all women, everywhere, to have a growing love relationship with Jesus Christ.

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