Cup of Cool Water

In the spring of 1995, God kept reminding Mark of two youth who were homeless who he met while in college at Whitworth University. Mark would pray for them, but one day prayer didn't seem to be enough. So he asked God, “Why?” It was then that God came into Mark's apartment and said, “I am trying to get your attention. I want you to share My love and hope with youth who are homeless through outreach, day and evening drop-in, shelter, school, and follow-up.” Mark responded, “Yes Lord, and I need three things: credibility, accountability, and someone to take care of the money.” Three weeks later, Mark met a man whose ministry helped people like Mark get started. Soon an advisory board was formed, and Mark started doing outreach by himself. That didn't work out too well. God told Mark to pray for volunteers. The first volunteer came on October 9, 1995. Shortly after that, more volunteers showed up. They would meet and walk around downtown, looking for youth who are homeless. Over the next few years, Cup of Cool Water added an office at Central United Methodist, then First Baptist (now Slavic Baptist Church), and then City Gate Fellowship. Finally in 2004, Cup of Cool Water moved into its current location on West Second Avenue.