Crista Ministries

CRISTA is a family of ministries serving people in the areas of education, global relief and development, youth camps, senior care and media. Since 1948, CRISTA (symbolizing "Christianity in Action") has been headquartered in the Richmond Highlands neighborhood of Shoreline, Washington, just north of Seattle. Its campus is the former Firland Tuberculosis Hospital campus.

History

On the CRISTA campus. The clock in the foreground says "Time to Pray". The Mike Martin Administration Building is in the background and part of King's High School at left. Both buildings were designed by Daniel R. Huntington, and built 1913-1914 as part of the Firland Tuberculosis Hospital.

In 1949, Mike and Vivian Martin leased the abandoned Firland Tuberculosis Sanatorium from King County for one dollar per year, and founded a youth home and retirement community of about 80 elderly residents, naming the operation King's Garden. The youth home quickly became a school, graduating its first class in 1951. In the early 1950s, King's Garden expanded both its operations and geography with Miracle Ranch, a summer camp near Gig Harbor, and a radio station, KGDN. The organization later added a second summer camp, Island Lake, and expanded to four total radio stations.

In 1970, Medicine for Missions, an international relief organization, joined the organization and renamed itself World Concern. Christian Veterinary Mission joined King's Garden in 1978.

King’s Garden became CRISTA in 1979 (an identity inspired by the concept of putting Christianity in action) and the school became King's Schools. In 1993, Seattle Street School, now Seattle Urban Academy, joined CRISTA Ministries.

Ministries

CRISTA currently operates a total of seven ministries.

Senior Living

CRISTA Senior Living brings joy and purpose to the lives of seniors through an uplifting environment filled with care. CRISTA offers a full spectrum of care through residential apartments, assisted living, and a skilled nursing center. On its Shoreline headquarters campus, CRISTA operates Cristwood, a senior citizen community as well as Crista Shores in Silverdale. Both communities provide seniors with a full range of services and activities, along with unique opportunities to volunteer in ministry and interact with youth.

King's Schools

King's High School

King's Schools has been apart of the CRISTA family since 1949 and continues to provide Christ-centered education to its students. King's is a private Christian school apart of CRISTA's Shoreline campus, offering grades K-12 as well as preschool and after school care. Students are given numerous opportunities to grow academically and spiritually during their time at King's. Through excellent curriculum and exceptional teachers King's strives to prepare students for successful learning at every level. King's also equips with opportunities to take part in sports and academic teams as well, such as DECA, robotics, or mock trial.

Seattle Urban Academy

Sattle Urban Academy (SUA) is a positive, educational, community where at-risk students develop academic, social, and spiritual maturity to graduate from high school and transition to higher education and secure meaningful employment. SUA provides intensive academic care as well as rigorous academic standards to ensure students graduate with readiness for the next chapter of their lives. SUA is committed to student-centered development focused on socio-emotional, spiritual, academic, and career growth. Many students leave SUA as transformed people, ready to successfully integrate into society as young adults.

CRISTA Media

Broadcasting tower at dusk.

CRISTA Media houses four Christian radio stations. It is currently made up of SPIRIT 105.3 FM KCMS) and AM 630 KCIS in the Seattle area, PRAISE 106.5 FM (KWPZ) in Lynden, Washington and SPIRIT 105.9 FM (KFMK) in Austin, Texas. The June 2010 acquisition of Austin's KFMK expanded CRISTA broadcasting beyond Puget Sound for the first time.[1][2]

Christian Veterinary Mission

Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) has been a part of CRISTA Ministries since 1978. Its mission is to challenge, empower and facilitate veterinarians to serve other through their profession and live out their Christian faith. The organization gives veterinary professionals the chance to take part in short or long term missions, contributing both veterinary and spiritual help to people in over 30 developing nations who rely on animals for their livelihood. CVM's student outreach group supports over 40 Christian Veterinary Fellowship groups on veterinary campuses across the United States.

World Concern

World Concern is an international relief organization working in some of the most neglected regions of the world. The organization strives to abolish the core causes of poverty, emphasizing livelihood training, literacy and education, and providing clean water, food, education and disaster assistance. Most of World Concern's staff overseas are natives of the country in which they are working. Most recently, World Concern had a strong presence in Haiti following the 2009 earthquake.

CRISTA Camps

CRISTA Camps operates two camps on the west side of Puget Sound. Miracle Ranch, located near Gig Harbor, is a western-themed camp with a horsemanship program. Island Lake, near Poulsbo, specializes in extreme adventure activities.

References

  1. ↑ "Austin KFMK 105.9 FM sold"
  2. ↑ "Press Release from Crista"
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Coordinates: 47°46′10″N 122°21′15″W / 47.769402°N 122.354041°W / 47.769402; -122.354041

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