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Living Water International

Rating
Sector:

Relief and Development

Total
Revenue:

$15,535,000

Total
Expenses:

$13,279,000

Net
Assets:

$7,729,000

Profile Changes

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Profile Contents

Research Analysis
Financial Information

Ministry Pie Chart

Database Avg This Ministry
Program 81.9% 72.2%
General & Admin 12.6% 5.3%
Fundraising 6.2% 8.7%
Savings -.7% 14.5%


Ministry Pie Chart

Ministry Pie Chart

Age Size Box:

>50
Yr(s)25-50
<25
<$1m$1m-
$5m
>$5m

Summary

Living Water International (LWI) exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the Living Water of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. LWI’s services are provided in developing countries. The goal is to provide services by establishing independent nonprofit organizations in the country being served. In countries where LWI has not yet established a relationship with a nonprofit organization, LWI provides support to individuals or groups who work to further the ministries.

Locals are trained to operate, maintain and service community water systems. LWI also offers limited medical assistance and training in health and hygiene. Through its drill camp near Houston, LWI trains volunteers to operate portable drilling rigs. Short-term mission trips are conducted in cooperation with missionaries working in developing nations. These trips provide opportunity for volunteers to meet physical needs through well drilling and hygiene education and meet spiritual needs through presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the true Living Water, and establishment of local churches.

Contact Information: [ Back to top ]

Mailing Address:P.O. Box 35496
Houston, TX
77235-5496
Website: www.water.cc
Phone:(877) 594-4426, (281) 207-7800
Email:You need to enable javascript to see the email

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

EIN: 760324875
CEO/President: Dr. Jerry Wiles Tax Deductible: Yes
Chairman: Mr. Gary Loveless Fiscal Year End: December 31
Board Size: 16 Financial info from: Audit
Founder: Group of Houston Businessmen Member of ECFA: Yes
Year Founded: 1991 Member of ECFA since: 1998

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Living Water International (LWI) exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the Living Water of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. LWI’s services are provided in developing countries. The goal is to provide services by establishing independent nonprofit organizations in the country being served. In countries where LWI has not yet established a relationship with a nonprofit organization, LWI provides support to individuals or groups who work to further the ministries.

LWI operates in 25 different countries. Nationals are trained to construct, operate, maintain and service community water systems.

LWI also conducts training in well drilling, pump repair, hygiene education and construction of bio sand filters. Seminars are offered year round in various locations throughout the U.S. Upon completion of LWI's training program, volunteers can operate portable drilling rigs and take short term mission trips in cooperation with LWI Missionaries working in developing countries. These trips provide an opportunity for individuals and churches to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the "living water " pf the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst.

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

Living Water International uses the following to express its Mission Statement:

"LWI exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the “living water” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst."

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

As of fiscal year ending 2007 LWI completed more than 4,800 water projects in 25 countries, providing clean wter to more than 7.5 million people daily.

Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

Living Water International uses the following to express its Statement of faith:

1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.

2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. We believe in the deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His present rule as Head of the Church and in His personal return in power and glory.

4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.

5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.

6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved unto the resurrections of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, with equality across racial, gender and class differences.

History [ Back to top ]

Living Water International uses the following to express its History:

LWI was established in 1991 when a group of Houston area businessmen on a visit to Kenya realized the overwhelming need for safe drinking water. They also recognized the opportunity to use clean water as a means for opening doors and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

They returned to Houston and began the process of forming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In Kenya, a large drilling rig was obtained and a Kenyan Christian driller was hired who began the process of creating an NGO, the local equivalent of a non-profit organization.

Over the past 12 years, LWI has expanded across 4 continents, and now maintains ongoing work in 16 countries.

Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

  • It costs LWI on average $0.98 to provide clean, safe water to one person for one year: every dollar makes a difference.
  • Well Rehabilitations/Pump Repair
    One well rehabilitation for $3,000 or buy a new pump for $600.
  • Shallow Well
    A shallow well (up to 200 ft with a hand pump) provides approximately 500 people with fresh, clean water. Sponsor a shallow well for $5,000.
  • Deep Well
    A deep well (between 200 and 1,000 ft with electric submersible pump, storage tank and generator, as needed) can provide up to 10,000 people with clean water. Sponsor a deep well for $10,000 to $50,000.
  • Equipment
    LWI needs $1 million of additional equipment to meet their goals. Equipment can include vehicles, rigs, drilling supplies, pumps, etc. Consider contributing $10,000 to $100,000 to help equip their field personnel and begin new projects.

Research Analysis

Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

Transparency Grade of : A
Criteria categoryGradeOther Comments
Timeliness:10011/12/2008 9:52:37 AM: Living Water International posts its audits and IRS form 990s on its website (along with a lot of other good information). This is a ministry that others should follow by their example. Living Water International should be commended for their very good practices.
Financial Information:10011/12/2008 9:55:02 AM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough.
Foundational Clarity:10011/12/2008 9:55:14 AM: Descriptive information was abundant and thorough.
Level of Cooperation:100
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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

Ranking CategoryRatingOverall RankRelief and Development Sector
Overall Efficiency RatingStarStarStar184 of 352    39 of 54
Fund Acquisition DecisionStarStar252 of 352      44 of 54
Resource Allocation DecisionStarStarStar131 of 352      38 of 54
Asset Utilization DecisionStarStarStar177 of 352      36 of 54
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Shining Light [ Back to top ]

2009 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry list
2008 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry list

Analyst Comments [ Back to top ]

Living Water International listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2008 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.

MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. This ministry is one of the “best ministries” and outstanding examples when we consider Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. No one is able to give to every ministry that one values as we are not possessed of unlimited resources. It is best to make an assessment of our options and make discerning decisions. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list:

  1. Transparency
  2. Truth Claims
  3. Values/ Worldview
  4. Sectors/Functions
  5. Resourcefulness
  6. Red Flag Issues
  7. Consultation
A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those “ministries” that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.

Inclusion on this Shining Light list does not mean this ministry or other listed ministries are perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list. Only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose to the top.

This is just another step in our mission of encouraging Christians to give more of their talents and resources to Kingdom-building efforts. In short, we wish to help spread the Gospel of Christ by helping Christians give more and more effectively to the works of the Lord. If the Lord uses our list as part of that process, we will have been a blessing to both those ministries who have been ‘good and faithful servants’ with the Lord’s resources and to Christian donors who are seeking to be good stewards of their giving.

Ministry Statement or Response [ Back to top ]

Financial Information:

Financial Ratios[ Back to top ]

Funding RatiosDatabase Average20082007200620052004
Return on FR Efforts9%10%11%12%9%0%
Fundraising Cost Ratio6%9%9%9%8%0%
Contributions Reliance83%87%83%80%88%0%
Fundraising Expense Ratio6%10%11%12%9%0%
Other Revenue Reliance17%13%17%20%12%0%
Operating RatiosDatabase Average20082007200620052004
Program Expense Ratio81%84%82%79%85%0%
Spending Ratio101%85%78%77%91%0%
Program Output Ratio82%72%64%61%77%0%
Savings Ratio-1%15%22%23%9%0%
Reserve Accumulation Rate2%29%48%62%51%0%
General & Admin Ratio13%5%7%8%6%0%
Investing RatiosDatabase Average20082007200620052004
Total Asset Turnover2.6x1.53x1.44x1.5x3.95x0x
Degree of L-T Investment2.97x1.5x1.83x1.08x1.18x0x
Current Asset Turnover4.85x2.29x2.64x1.62x4.68x0x
Age of Assets9.7yr(s)0.0yr(s)0.0yr(s)0.0yr(s)0.0yr(s)0.0yr(s)
Liquidity RatiosDatabase Average20082007200620052004
Current Ratio121.34x9.54x6.06x7.98x8.14x0x
Current Liabilities Ratio.31x.1x.16x.13x.12x0x
Liquid Reserve Level5.75x4.69x3.8x6.48x2.25x0x
Solvency RatiosDatabase Average20082007200620052004
Liabilities Ratio.23x.11x.15x.26x.23x0x
Debt Ratio.06x.04x.06x.14x.12x0x
Reserve Coverage Ratio87%58%59%49%20%0%

Financials[ Back to top ]

Balance Sheet
Assets20082007200620052004
Cash$3,356,000$1,989,000$2,451,000$837,000$505,000
Receivables, Inventories & Prepaids$2,444,000$1,530,000$1,075,000$337,000$114,000
Short-Term Investments$0$0$0$0$5,000
Other Current Assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total Current Assets$5,801,000$3,520,000$3,527,000$1,175,000$625,000
Long-Term Investments$0$0$0$0$0
Fixed Assets$2,874,000$2,924,000$275,000$217,000$160,000
Other Long-Term Assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total Long-Term Assets$2,874,000$2,924,000$275,000$217,000$160,000
TOTAL ASSETS$8,675,000$6,445,000$3,802,000$1,393,000$786,000
Liabilities20082007200620052004
Payables & Accrued Expenses$577,000$580,000$183,000$138,000$90,000
Other Current Liabilities$29,000$0$258,000$6,000$64,000
Total Current Liabilities$607,000$580,000$442,000$144,000$154,000
Debt$338,000$391,000$541,000$172,000$106,000
Due To (From) Affiliates$0$0$0$0$0
Other Long-Term Liabilities$0$0$0$0$0
Total Long-Term Liabilities$338,000$391,000$541,000$172,000$106,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES$946,000$972,000$983,000$316,000$261,000
Assets20082007200620052004
Unrestricted$4,469,000$4,197,000$1,879,000$855,000$385,000
Temporarily Restricted$3,259,000$1,275,000$939,000$220,000$139,000
Permanently Restricted$0$0$0$0$0
NET ASSETS$7,729,000$5,473,000$2,818,000$1,076,000$524,000
Revenue and Expenses
Revenue20082007200620052004
Total Contributions$13,502,000$9,948,000$5,976,000$5,337,000$3,127,000
Program Service Revenue$1,807,000$1,807,000$1,473,000$695,000$584,000
Membership Dues$0$0$0$0$0
Investment Income$0$0$0$0$0
Other Revenue$225,000$189,000$10,000$25,000($1,000)
Total Other Revenue$2,033,000$1,997,000$1,484,000$721,000$582,000
TOTAL REVENUE$15,535,000$11,946,000$7,460,000$6,059,000$3,709,000
Expenses20082007200620052004
Program Services$11,219,000$7,624,000$4,533,000$4,685,000$2,631,000
Management & General$704,000$611,000$477,000$353,000$621,000
Fundraising$1,355,000$1,055,000$706,000$468,000$252,000
TOTAL EXPENSES$13,279,000$9,291,000$5,717,000$5,507,000$3,505,000
Change in Net Assets20082007200620052004
SURPLUS (DEFICIT)$2,255,000$2,654,000$1,742,000$551,000$203,000
Other Changes in Net Assets$0$0$0$0$0
TOTAL CHANGE IN NET ASSETS$2,255,000$2,654,000$1,742,000$551,000$203,000