About

“The VISTA Vision”

Making the Gospel known and involving high school students in the process led Jerry Lehman to start the Missionary Outreach Program in the 1960’s.  In 1988 the program became part of Seattle Christian School and Carolyn Watson, Spanish teacher, continued taking students to Mexico and developed VBS and training materials sought by other groups.  Adult teams began in 1992, giving teachers and others cross-cultural service experiences.  These teams soon focused on offering free dental and vision care.  

VISTA Missions is one of several organizations born from the Missionary Outreach Program. As the Vision and Dental clinics grew beyond the scope of a Christian school and Carolyn Watson retired, she along with experienced leaders and professionals who had been instrumental developing the ministry, formed VISTA Missions in 2006.  As of  October 2023 these teams have dispensed approximately 45,000 pairs of glasses, supplied hundreds to other groups and provided dental care to more than 6,000 patients primarily in Latin America. 

VISTA continues to provide support, training, leadership and expanded ministry teams mainly  through Vision and Dental Clinics allowing participants to benefit from the short-term mission experience and  be part of the blessing God intended us to be to the nations. 

VISTA Missions continues to organize and lead several teams each year along with dedicated board members and volunteers.