History

The concept for TouchPoints Ministry originally began in 1989 as a women’s ministry program of CRISTA Ministries, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Seattle, Washington. It was established by a small group of volunteers with the purpose to provide encouragement and support to women in ministry leadership, pastors’ wives and women in the community of Christian faith. During the 1990’s the ministry grew as a volunteer-led program as part of CRISTA’s outreach to churches and the Christian community throughout the Pacific Northwest.

In 1998 the CRISTA Board of Trustees voted to make CRISTA Women’s Ministries a formal ministry under the CRISTA umbrella. Leadership was hired and a team of volunteers continued to build on the original vision and mission. The ministry gained credibility across the Pacific Northwest, and experienced growth contributing toward reaching the goals of the organization.

In May 2008, the CRISTA leadership and Board of Trustees decided to close CRISTA Women’s Ministries as a part of that organization’s restructuring. A core group of women, led by Colleen Nordlund, deeply understood the need to continue nurturing and developing women in ministry and leadership. On May 9, 2008 TouchPoints Ministry was incorporated as its own separate nonprofit corporation to continue building the ministry’s vision and mission.