Ministry Focus
After Larry graduated from Denver Seminary in 1968, the Marlatts joined Missions Door and started the Campus Ambassadors ministry at CU-Boulder. After twenty years on campus, Larry and Kay heard about the spiritual formation and leadership development needs of the inner-city churches in Denver. They responded to God's leading and moved to Denver, where the Marlatts are training leaders in Denver's inner city through the ministry of Urban Academy (URBACAD). URBACAD is a spiritual leadership training program of Theological Education by Extension (T.E.E.). The Marlatts seek to come alongside Denver's urban churches with discipleship and leadership training, hoping to impact and raise up a new generation for Christ, His church, and His cause. In their prayer letter the Marlatt's wrote, "URBACAD is all about life, life in Christ." Larry says, "Living and ministering in the inner city is an inspiring challenge. The rich diversity of culture and churches amid poverty, drugs, and gangs is challenging, and the love and dedication of the urban Christians is inspiring." The Marlatts have organized a consortium of other inner-city ministries in Denver to start a Christian Liberal Arts University called American Pathways University. The URBACAD T.E.E. curriculum they teach is the Practical Theology Major of the University. Larry is the President and Kay is the Registrar. Both URBACAD and American Pathways University are ministries of Missions Door.
Faith Story
Larry and Kay committed their lives to Jesus Christ as freshmen at Colorado State University and were married three years later.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Larry and Kay by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
City
Ministry location:
Colorado, United States