CRISTA Ministries was founded by Mike and Vivian Martin in Seattle, in 1949. Their vision was to manifest the love of God while serving people through education, international relief and development, senior care, and media. This is their story:

Mr and Mrs Martin had a burden and vision to open a place for ‘problem’ youths, to feed and accommodate them. It will be a home where there will come to do Bible studies and learn different job skills. Every day Mike walked in the neighborhood, praying that God will intervene. Vivian was praying at home. Suddenly he stopped before an abandoned building. It was a former Tuberculosis Sanatorium, but now it was closed down. Then the Holy Spirit told him to go and tell the owner that he wants to hire the building for 1$ (one dollar!) per year. He trusted God for the command given to Joshua: “I will give you every place where you set your foot!” (Josh 1:3).

Mike removed his shoes and bare feet he went into the compound. He then walked about praying. When he told his friends some laughed at the idea. But he obeyed God and had faith. He went to see the owner and proposed 1$ to pay annually. The board of directors initially rejected Mike’s application to lease the place but Mike was persistent. Eventually, to everybody surprise, they granted him the 56-acre campus for a dollar a year. This is how in 1949 Crista Ministries was born.

As the Martins began working to repair the buildings, other people who shared Mike’s vision to serve came to help them. Over 70 families showed up bringing tools and money. The youth hostel was the first one to open.  Later they added a retirement community where about 80 elderly residents live there permanently. They also built a Christ centered school, a university and a Christian radio station. Their focus is to come and pray, to serve free food to the poor and to organize conferences. It is also a place of retreat for missionaries and pastors. In 1970 two international medical organizations, came to build two hospitals, one for humans and another for veterinary services.

After hiring the place for some years, Mr and Mrs Martin had faith to go ahead and buy the property. They needed a miracle for the property was now worth millions. They prayed and God said that Mike should offer the owner $50,001 exactly. He also prayed that there will be no competition. On the day of bidding, many people came to buy the compound but to everybody’s surprise, none bided. The auctioneer slowly lower the hammer and sold the place to Mike for exactly that amount.

The ministry continues up till today. Their spiritual children are faithful to the initial vision of the founder and are doing much good in the Seattle area. The property is now worth millions of dollars. A little seed of faith produced a great harvest for God’s glory! Little is much when God is inside!

What are the lessons here? God wants to bless any of His children who are willing to take the risk and go and to do ministry in His name. The first thing you must do is to accept the burden of the Lord! It comes as a strange sadness. You look around and see the damage sin has done to humanity. God does not despise a broken hearted man, especially when he is willing to be used by Him to repair or rebuild a situation. Pray and ask God for clarity of vision. Then God’s strength, wisdom and supply shall surely come. God is very rich. God is also very generous with His resources. But He is looking for people like Mike Martin, who are willing to be bold and responsible with His name, with His power, riches and glory.

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” (Mt 13:31, 32)

Invest in the Kingdom of God! Your reward shall be great!

In Jesus name, amen!

(in the pictures Mr and Mrs Mike Martin, about 1950; the administrative office of Crista Ministries today)