Life Action Ministries No Longer Files Form 990, Falls Into ‘Exercise Caution’ Category

Plus, other notable ministry happenings from this week.

Here at MinistryWatch, one of our goals is to equip donors with the information they need to make wise decisions with their giving. That’s why we manage our database, which rates more than 1,000 of the country’s largest ministries based on their financial efficiency, financial transparency, and their donor confidence. Each week, we highlight ministries in our database that have had rating changes.

A few notable changes in the database this week:

• We added a number of Bethel Church-related ministries to the database, including Kris Vallotton Ministries, Bethel Media, and Bill Johnson Ministries. YouVersion has also been added to the database. Check out their ratings below.
• Three ministries fell into the bottom 40% for financial efficiency in their sectors, also affecting their Donor Confidence Scores: Institute for Creation Research, Christian Research Institute, and The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley.
• Life Action Ministries no longer files a Form 990 with the IRS, negatively impacting its Financial Efficiency Rating, Transparency Grade, and Donor Confidence Score. It is now in the “Exercise Caution” category.
• Behind the Scenes International, based out of Ballwin, Missouri, rose into the top 20% for financial efficiency in the Educational Media sector. Behind the Scenes produces videos for people groups in the MENA region.

We also highlight stories from our podcast, where you can catch up on the week’s news in less than 30 minutes—perfect for a commute or walk. Check it all out below.

With that, here are this week’s three top stories on the MinistryWatch website:

G.O.D. International and Former Leader Sued for Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor

By Kim Roberts. A lawsuit alleging sexual abuse, coercion, and cultlike practices has been filed against Global Outreach Developments International, also known as G.O.D. International. The ministry was founded by Gregg Garner in 1996 and is located in Nashville, Tennessee. Its mission is to equip “a globally conscious community to serve the poor and marginalized through education, advocacy and empowerment, without discrimination, demonstrating unconditional love.”

Orange Releases Sexual Misconduct Investigation Findings

By Kim Roberts. After the resignations of Christian curriculum company Orange’s CEO Kristen Ivy and founder Reggie Joiner — following allegations of sexual misconduct in April 2024 — the company’s board agreed to a full investigation into the matter.

Sean Feucht Ministries Wants a $250K Lawsuit Dismissed — Because it’s a Church

By Kim Roberts. Sean Feucht Ministries believes its recognition by the Internal Revenue Service as an association of churches should shield it from a lawsuit alleging it misrepresented how it would use donated funds.

Here’s what else is new at MinistryWatch this week.

MinistryWatch Database Changes

MinistryWatch now has more than 1,500 ministries in its database. These ministries represent more than $55 billion in total revenue, most of that donor revenue from evangelicals. The following ministries have their profiles updated with the most recent year’s financial data. The Financial Efficiency rating of each ministry is in parenthesis. If this rating represents a change from the previous year, that change is noted:

Ministries recently added into the database:

Kris Vallotton Ministries (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 61)

Bethel Media (0 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 34)

Bill Johnson Ministries (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 63)

K-Life Ministries (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 76)

Lincoln Christian School (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)

Loving on Purpose (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 56)

Moral Revolution (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 56)

Peace International (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)

Plumstead Christian School (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 78)

YouVersion (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 29)

Ministries with upgraded ratings:

Behind the Scene International (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 96)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Educational Media sector.

Cambridge Christian School (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 56)

Now in bottom 40% (up from bottom 20%) for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector.

TreeHouse (-2 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up C to A, DCS: Up 75 to 77)

Meets all donor confidence criteria except for having a statement of faith and having a Financial Efficiency Rating of at least 2 Stars (ministry has a negative net worth, making it impossible to assign it a rating).

 Ministries with downgraded ratings:

Bibles for the World (Down 2 to 1 Star, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 78)

Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector.

Christian Research Institute / CRI (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 64 to 44)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

Desiring God / John Piper (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 85 to 87)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector.

Forge (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector.

Institute for Creation Research / ICR (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 80)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

Kids Around The World (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 82)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector.

Life Action Ministries (Down 2 to 0 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 75 to 50)

Does not file a Form 990, so cannot be ranked for financial efficiency. That drops its Donor Confidence Score by 25 points.

MANNA Worldwide (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 90)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector.

Operation Blessing (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 93)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector.

Refuge of Hope Ministries (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 70 to 50)

Is not a member of the ECFA.

Renewanation (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 94)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector.

RightNow Ministries International / RightNow Media (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 93)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector.

South Side Mission of Peoria (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: Down D to F, DCS: Down 35 to to 15)

Is no longer a member of the ECFA.

The Academy of Arts (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 76)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector.

The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 98 to 78)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

The Mailbox Club (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector.

The Navigators (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 32 to 30)

Does not make audited financials available on website. 

Worldwide Discipleship Association (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 95 to 93)

Does not make audited financials available on website. 

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On The MinistryWatch Podcast

Assemblies of God Liability Lawsuit, SWBTS Regains Accreditation, Sean Feucht Claims Church Status

On this week’s program, the Assemblies of God is disputing liability in abuse cases — claiming local church autonomy shields it from the Daniel Savala sex abuse lawsuits.

And, a movement to void nondisclosure agreements in cases of child sexual abuse is gaining ground — on both the local and national levels. The laws limiting NDAs are called Trey’s Laws. We’ll take a look.

Plus, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has, after years of turmoil, officially regained its accreditation status.

But first, Sean Feucht Ministries is fighting back against a lawsuit — and it’s using the First Amendment to do it. It argues a $250,000 lawsuit filed against it should be dismissed because of what’s called the “church autonomy doctrine.” It protects religious institutions from lawsuits that would require courts to wade into matters of faith and doctrine.

Listen here.

ECFA Membership Changes

Additions

Central India Christian Mission (Indianapolis, IN)

Drop A Dime On Us.  Do you have a story idea for MinistryWatch?  If so, send us an email.  A lot of the stories we do originate from our readers and listeners.  They send us news tips, press releases, emails, questions, and links.  So, if you have a story you’d like us to cover, or a ministry that you think needs a closer look, please email us.  Our email is [email protected].  That will come directly to the desk of MinistryWatch President Warren Smith, and we’ll take it from there.

MinistryWatch and Sex Crimes. We write a lot about pastors and ministry leaders involved in sex crimes. That’s why we thought it might be a good time to re-post this story, which explains why we think covering these crimes are necessary: Why MinistryWatch Reports on Sex Crimes.  As always, your feedback is welcome.

MinistryWatch Video.  In closing, a reminder that we have created a short (3.5 minutes) video that explains what we do here at MinistryWatch, and why.  If you’re new to MinistryWatch, we hope you’ll check it out. To find it, click here.