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:
- Twelve ministries have resigned from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability in the past few weeks, three of which are in the MinistryWatch database — Globe International Ministries in Pensacola, Florida, Messianic Vision in Charlotte, N.C., and Arizona Baptist Children’s Services in Tucson, Arizona. They all resigned voluntarily, according to the ECFA webpage citing membership changes.
- After its 2025 Form 990 recently processed through the MinistryWatch database, Bethel Christian Academy in Marietta, Georgia, jumped into the top 20% for financial efficiency in the K-12 Schools/Academies sector, elevating it into the “Give With Confidence” designation.
- Desert Christian Schools and Fairbanks Rescue Mission each dropped by 40% in financial efficiency within their sectors. Desert Christian Schools in Lancaster, California, now earns an “Exercise Caution” designation. Meanwhile, Fairbanks Rescue Mission in Fairbanks, Alaska, maintains a “Give With Confidence” Donor Confidence Score.
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:
EPC Fractures Over Same-Sex Ordination Debate
By Kim Roberts. In June, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church voted to accept a “pastoral letter” that critics say opens the door to ordaining celibate, same-sex attracted individuals — a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from within the denomination. Now some of those churches have decided to leave the EPC and form a new denomination — the Westminster Association of Churches.
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Former VA Youth Pastor Sentenced for Exploiting Girls Online
By Jessica Eturralde. On July 27, a judge sentenced a former Virginia youth pastor who posed online as a teenage boy to 20 years in federal prison for attempting to sexually exploit a 15-year-old girl. Jacob Ryan Barnett, 35, formerly served at Catawba Valley Baptist Church in Troutville, Virginia.
Fourth Church Leader Arrested as Lawsuits Mount Over Sex Offender Access
By Kim Roberts. Authorities have made additional arrests, and civil lawsuits have been filed, related to allegations that leadership at a South Carolina church concealed that a registered sex offender was volunteering in a custodial role and interacting with children.
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 with upgraded ratings:
Manhattan Christian College (Stars: Up 1 to 2, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 78)
Now in bottom 40% (up from bottom 20%) for financial efficiency in Colleges Universities sector.
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy (Stars: Up 0 to 5, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 56 to 76)
Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector, also raising its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
National Religious Broadcasters (Stars: Up 3 to 4, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 93)
Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Advocacy sector.
Prince Avenue Christian School (Stars: Up 4 to 5, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 68)
Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector.
Samford University (Stars: Up 3 to 4, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 64)
Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.
Rehoboth Christian School (Stars: Up 2 to 3, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 58 to 78)
Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector, also raising its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Ministries with downgraded ratings:
Desert Christian Schools (Stars: Down 4 to 2, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 71 to 51)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Fairbanks Rescue Mission (Stars: Down 5 to 3, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)
Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.
Family Talk / Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (Stars: Down 3 to 2, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 95 to 75)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Global Recordings Network USA (Stars: Down 2 to 1, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 78)
Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Educational Media sector.
Gordon College (Stars: 2, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 73 to 71)
CEO/President’s compensation is within one standard deviation of the median compensation.
Hope Media Group / KSBJ (Stars: Down 2 to 1, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 78)
Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Radio/TV Stations sector.
Lifestone Ministries (Stars: Down 2 to 1, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 54)
Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Christian Growth sector.
Lubbock Christian University (Stars: Down 3 to 2, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 69 to 49)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
MovingWorks (Stars: Down 5 to 4, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 63)
Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Educational Media sector.
Nourish (Stars: Down 3 to 2, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 98 to 78)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Adoption/Foster Care sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Phoenix Dream Center (Stars: Down 4 to 3, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 70)
Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Community Development sector.
Ratio Christi (Stars: Up 3 to 4, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 78)
Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Evangelism sector.
Reach Beyond (Stars: Down 3 to 2, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 80)
Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Radio/TV Stations sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.
Redwood Gospel Missions (Stars: Down 4 to 3, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)
Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector.
On The MinistryWatch Podcast
EPC Split, New Charges in Pawley’s Island Case, 50 Largest Media Ministries
On this week’s program, a fifth person is arrested after a South Carolina church allowed a registered sex offender to work near children, and hid it from parents. We’ll have details.
Plus, at least two new breakoff denominations are forming over divisions within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. We’ll take a look.
And, the 50 largest media ministries in the MinistryWatch database.
But first, a well-known pastor is now facing serious criminal charges involving a minor. Kenneth Baldwin is the former senior pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia. He’s now been arrested in Pennsylvania on 13 criminal counts, including unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of a minor.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Christina Darnell, Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Stacey Horton, Henry Durand, Fiona Andre, Richard Levey, and Makella Knowles.
A special thanks to the Christian Index and The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
Until next time, may God bless you.
ECFA Membership Changes
Removals
*Globe International Ministries (Pensacola, FL)
Christian Bowhunters of America (Medina, NY)
*Messianic Vision (Charlotte, NC)
American Anglican Council (Loganville, GA)
ALIGHT (Spartanburg, SC)
St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation (Wheaton, IL)
*Arizona Baptist Children’s Services & Family Ministries (Tucson, AZ)
International Technical Electric & Construction (I-TEC) (Montoursville, PA)
Fayette Pregnancy Resource Center (Fayetteville, GA)
Global Sports Federation (Dawsonville, GA)
Good News at Noon (Gainesville, GA)
Clement Arts (Fortson, 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 info@ministrywatch.com. 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.