Orphan Outreach, The Chara Project Leave ECFA

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:

• Seven ministries resigned from the ECFA this past week, three of which are in the MinistryWatch database, including Orphan Outreach (now known as Everknown), SOS International and The Chara Project. SOS International published a letter explaining its voluntary departure from the ECFA.
• Six new ministries were added into the database, including Bible Baptist Mission, Faith Bible Christian School and Fourth and Hope. Check them all out below.
• After its latest financials processed through the MinistryWatch database, Ministries of Jesus fell from a 4-Star Financial efficiency Rating down to 1 Star, also resulting in a 20-point dip in its Donor Confidence Score. It is still in the “Give With Confidence” range.
• Similarly, The Center for Christianity and Public Life fell from 3 Stars to 1 Star, dropping its Donor Confidence Score into the “Exercise Caution” designation.
• Two ministries rose in financial efficiency so as to raise their Donor Confidence Scores to 100 — a perfect Donor Confidence Score. The two were The Forgotten Initiative and Vapor Ministries.

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:

Christian Blogger Samuel Sey Removed to Canada, Family Says

By Bob Smietana. A conservative Christian blogger and podcaster who once wrote, “If you love America, you should support ICE,” has been removed from the U.S. and is now in Canada, his family said Friday (Oct. 30),  nine days after immigration agents arrested him at an Ohio airport.

Andy Stanley Stepping Down as Senior Pastor of North Point

By Kadence McKinnon. Andy Stanley, founder of North Point Community Church and North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia, announced Sunday that he is stepping down early next year as senior pastor of both the church and its overarching ministry.

Federal Report Finds Banks Shut Out Christian Ministries

By Kadence McKinnon. Nine of the nation’s largest banks limited, or encouraged others to limit, financial services based on customers’ personal, political or religious beliefs, according to a report released Oct. 14 by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

 

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

MinistryWatch Database Changes

MinistryWatch now has more than 1,800 ministries in its database. These ministries represent more than $58 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:

Bible Baptist Mission (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 63)

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

Flood Bakersfield (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)

Fourth and Hope (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)

Grace Christian School of Ocala (1 Star, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 53)

Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 68)

 

Ministries with upgraded ratings:

Barnabas Aid / Barnabas Fund Inc (Up 0 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 74 to 94)

Rose from a negative net worth into positive net worth, raising its Financial Efficiency Rating and its Donor Confidence Score.

Embrace Grace (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 78 to 98)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Pro-Life sector, also raising its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

Empart USA (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 92)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector.

Legacy Coalition (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 78 to 98)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector, also raising its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

Medical Teams International (Medical Teams) (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 93)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector.

Missionary Air Group (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 98)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Mission Aviation sector.

 OneShare Health (Up 0 to 1 Star, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 78)

Went from a negative net worth to a positive net worth.

 Samaritan’s Purse (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 36 to 38)

Ministry refrains from using non-disclosure agreements.

The Forgotten Initiative (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 80 to 100)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Adoption/Foster Care sector, also raising its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

Vapor Ministries (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 80 to 100)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector, also raising its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

ZOE International (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 82)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Anti-Trafficking sector.

 

Ministries with downgraded ratings:

A Child’s Hope International (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Foreign Missions sector.

BigStuf Ministries Inc (Down 5 to 0, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 73 to 53)

Has a negative net worth, making it impossible to assign it a Financial Efficiency Rating.

But God Ministries (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 78 to 58)

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

Children’s Shelter of Cebu (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 80)

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

Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (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.

Global Outreach International (Down 2 to 1 Star, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 72)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Evangelism Support sector.

HOPE South Florida (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 95)

Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.

Love One International (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 95 to 75)

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

Lutheran Outdoor Ministry (Down 2 to 1 Star, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 53)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Leadership Training sector.

Ministries of Jesus (Down 4 to 1 Star, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 98 to 78)

Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

Missionary Aviation Repair Center / MARC (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 98)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Mission Aviation sector.

New Life Ranch (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 98)

Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Camps/Conference Centers sector.

Reaching Unreached Nations (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 89)

Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Foreign Missions sector.

Stand to Reason (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 76 to 56)

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

The Center for Christianity and Public Life (Down 3 to 1 Star, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 73 to 53)

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

World Help (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 85)

Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Foreign Missions sector.

Access to MinistryWatch content is free. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. To make a donation, click here.

 

On The MinistryWatch Podcast

Ponzi Scheme Targets Churchgoers, Deaf Ministry, 50 Largest Ministries in the US

On today’s program, a $46 million ponzi scheme defrauded hundreds of investors, many of them targeted through church relationships. We’ll have details.

And, ministries are using apps and film to reach deaf people who often struggle with isolation. A new animation project is slated to become the world’s first sign language animation of the Gospel of Luke. We’ll take a look.

Plus, a look at the 50 largest Christian ministries, representing $16.5 billion in revenue.

But first, a former New York megachurch pastor known for helping abuse victims in the past is now going to prison for abusing two children himself. John Camardo was executive pastor of The Chapel, a multisite church in the Buffalo area. He pleaded guilty in July, and a judge just sentenced him to eight years in prison.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, Casey Sudduth, and Christina Darnell. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Jessica Etturalde, Kim Roberts, Bob Smietana, Tony Mator, Kadence McKinnon, Kathryn Post, and Makella Knowles.

Until next time, may God bless you.

Listen here.

 

ECFA Membership Changes

Removals

Orphan Outreach (Plano, TX)

SOS International (Keller, TX)

Future Leadership Foundation (Columbia, MO)

Jumonville (Hopwood, PA)

Engedi Refuge Ministries (Lynden, WA)

The Chara Project (Salt Lake City, UT)

United for Life to His Glory (Savannah, GA)

 

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.