BY FAITH – The Amazing Story of CRISTA’s Early Years
By Mike & Vivian Martin
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About This Book
Synopsis
Today, we live in a world that is asking, “Can God?” Do we believe miracles and promises from God are for another age? Hebrews tells us plainly that God is the same today as he was yesterday. The story of Mike Martin and Vivian is the story of miracles, of prayers answers, of mountains moved. It is the story that could have only been realized By Faith and nothing else. It is the testament that God is at work today and that the miraculous can happen each and every day if we are willing to see it. Witness how one man’s simple yes impacted thousands and birthed a ministry still changing the world 75 years later.
Introduction by CRISTA’s President & CEO
My story is a CRISTA story. I grew up in the backyard of CRISTA not far from our Shoreline Campus. As a young high school student I came to work in the laundry department of our Senior Living ministry. The Lord clearly directed my steps and I found myself a part of this beautiful family of ministries.
Now, so many years later, I am the President and CEO of this great ministry. I could never have imagined that one day I would take the leadership reigns and lead this ministry into its 75th year, but that too is part of the CRISTA story. This is a story where ordinary people are called to do extraordinary things.
The simple faith of our founders, Mike and Vivian Martin, continues to inspire every part of our ministry today. They believed that the Gospel had the power to transform lives, and they had the faith to put that belief into action through practical and spiritual means.
It is easy to think that ministry is reserved for pastors or missionaries, the professionals. Mike and Vivian flipped that model on its head through the biblical truth that every believer is a minister of the Gospel. The spiritual lostness and needs of the world were, and are, so great that every believer is called into service. CRISTA embodies a place that allows all — even a high schooler working in the laundry department — to meet the needs of our community and our world. In the process we become more fully the people of God, set apart for works for service, to lead the lost and hurting to the arms of our Savior.
Dear Reader, I invite you into the story of CRISTA for the first time, or to relive this amazing story of faith and purpose. You will find some added devotional questions throughout the book to encourage fellowship as you navigate the miraculous stories of our founding and early years. I pray that you will be inspired to believe that the Lord continues to call and use ordinary people in His work.
I add my prayers and calling to the long line of those who have so faithfully poured into this mission. I am strengthened by the faith of our founders. I am bolstered by the knowledge that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Each one of us at CRISTA has experienced the amazing kindness of His sacrifice. It is an honor of untold magnitude to guide our family of ministries at this season.
Jacinta Tegman
President & CEO
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Companion Podcast
Follow the podcast
You can also find the By Faith companion podcast right here on Purposely. Inside, you will find additional interviews not found in the book, including current leaders of the individual ministries, previous CRISTA presidents, and more!
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Amazon Music
iHeartRadio
This final episode of By Faith will outline how King’s Garden grew into CRISTA, transforming thousands of lives for Christ along the way. Current executives and staff of the ministry will tell this story, recounting how the Martin family inspired them to live lives of complete surrender and faith to whatever God has in store.
This episode recounts that epic conclusion and sets the stage for all that’s to come with CRISTA, “Shutting the Mouths of Lions” and also tells the story of the final miracle in Mike’s life: his entrance into the Kingdom.
As CRISTA continues to grow and expand, their family of ministries starts to take shape. Episode 5 will tell a series of stories illustrating how different parts of the ministry began, from a rest home for the elderly where seniors heard about Jesus—some for the very first time…
This episode marks a turning point in the BY FAITH story, as Mike and his team appeal to those in authority to lease the massive sanitorium property for $1 a year and work to transform it from a hospital for the sick to a respite for spiritual healing.
This third episode of BY FAITH will recount the many miracles Mike and his family witnessed during those early years of trusting God and living by faith—from Mike’s physical healing and protection to the ways God stepped in to support the ministry both financially and through individuals in the community.
Follow this podcast: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeAmazon MusiciHeartRadio < By Faith show page
Follow this podcast: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeAmazon MusiciHeartRadio < By Faith show page
Follow this podcast: Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeAmazon MusiciHeartRadio < By Faith show page
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About CRISTA
We are a family of ministries whose shared mission is to fearlessly declare the Gospel, with Biblical truth and love, leading generations to follow Jesus.
Based just north of Seattle since our founding in 1949, and with a reach both locally and globally, CRISTA exists to transform lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through our sustainable, Biblical Christian ministries: CRISTA Media, King’s Schools, CRISTA Senior Living, World Concern and CRISTA Camps.
As part of the CRISTA family, each ministry has answered the call to serve in their unique way, striving together toward our shared goal of seeing lives transformed… from the young minds being equipped with knowledge at King’s Schools to World Concern’s relief and development efforts all over the globe; from the radio stations of CRISTA Media broadcasting uplifting Christian messages and music to the fellowship and fireside songs bringing joy to thousands of campers year round at CRISTA Camps; and from the seniors receiving exceptional care at our CRISTA Senior Living communities to the hundreds of CRISTA employees globally answering a calling to serve those in need.