World Gospel Mission, a global discipleship ministry, remains in the “Withhold Giving” category by not making updated Form 990s publicly available.
Joining a number of other ministries, World Gospel Mission (WGM) has taken action to avoid the requirement to file a Form 990 return with the IRS. Last year, WGM petitioned the IRS to be reclassified as a church — but according to its current Candid profile, it is classified as a public charity, and its last public Form 990 is from 2013.
Jared Gleason, WGM’s vice president of Operations/CFO, told MinistryWatch in January 2025 that although WGM is a 501(c)(3), “the IRS exempts us from filing Form 990.”
For more than 100 years, WGM’s mission has been “to engage Christlike disciples to transform the world.” With nearly 30 locations across the globe, WGM implements four strategies — internalization, community transformation, ministry partner strategy, and strategic initiatives — as part of its ministry philosophy.
WGM recently experienced a leadership change: In early July, longtime President Dan Schafer stepped down, and John Rinehimer was named president.
After rising from a D to a C Transparency Grade in the past year for making audited financial statements available on its website, WGM’s Donor Confidence Score also rose, from 46 to 48.
But without a Form 990, WGM’s financials remain largely a mystery to donors. Form 990s contain information that audited financial statements do not, including the salaries of key employees, the names of board members and large contractors, and the amount of money an organization spends on its core mission. It is MinistryWatch’s position that Form 990s are essential for financial transparency.
As an ECFA member, WGM has some of its recent financials summarized on its ECFA member profile, but that profile does not provide a full picture of the ministry’s financial status.
MinistryWatch made multiple attempts to contact World Gospel Mission. The ministry did not respond.
World Gospel Mission has a C Transparency Grade — it posts audited financial statements to its website and is a member of the ECFA, but does not file a Form 990.
MinistryWatch Donor Confidence Score: 48 (out of a possible 100) “Withhold Giving”
MinistryWatch Financial Efficiency Rating: This ministry has not been rated.
MinistryWatch Transparency Grade: C
ECFA Member? Yes
Revenue in Most Recent Year Available: Financials for this ministry have not been collected.
Five-Year Revenue Trend: Unable to calculate.
Percent of Revenue Spent on Fundraising: Financial ratios for this ministry have not been calculated.
Percent of Revenue Peer Group Spends on Fundraising: 5%
CEO/President: Dan Schafer
President’s Salary and Other Compensation: Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
A complete MinistryWatch profile for World Gospel Mission can be found here.
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