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MorningStar Mission Ministries Joins the ECFA Plus, top stories, database changes—and a statement from Orange County Rescue Mission on its decision to resign from the ECFA.

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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, plus a brief explanation about why it matters.

A few notable changes in the database this week:

  • Last week, we reported that the Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) in California had voluntarily resigned from the ECFA. OCRM President Bryan Crain shared a statement with MinistryWatch explaining what led to the ministry’s decision not to renew its membership. You can read that in full below (scroll past database changes and podcast highlights).
  • Timothy Christian Schools and Global Disciples each dropped into the bottom 40% for financial efficiency within their respective sectors, also dropping their Donor Confidence Scores by 20 points.
  • MorningStar Mission Ministries, based out of Joliet, Ill., joined the ECFA in December 2025, raising its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points—earning it a 98 out of 100.
  • As reported by MinistryWatch, YUGO Ministries voluntarily resigned from the ECFA in January 2026, dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points. The missions organization still earns a “Give With Confidence” designation, partly due to its high financial efficiency.

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. We highly recommend ministries join the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), which is why we list organizations that have either joined ECFA in the past week or been removed (no changes this week). Check it all out below.

 

With that, here are three top stories on the MinistryWatch website from this past week:

Lawsuit Against Liberty University Moves Ahead

By Kim Roberts. A federal lawsuit against Liberty University brought by a former Title IX investigator can move forward, a federal district court in the Western District of Virginia decided on March 2.

Consolidated Abuse Lawsuit Against Harvest Christian Fellowship and Greg Laurie Contains New Allegations

By Kim Roberts. Twenty-two plaintiffs who claim they were abused at Christian children’s homes in Romania have consolidated their lawsuits into one against California megachurch Harvest Christian Fellowship, its pastor Greg Laurie, former missions pastor Richard Schutte, and the alleged abuser Paul Havsgaard.

Beth Moore to End Living Proof Events in 2027

By Bob Smietana. Bible teacher and bestselling author Beth Moore announced Thursday (March 5) that her ministry will stop holding large-scale Living Proof events in 2027. The decision to end Living Proof Ministries events, which feature Moore’s Bible teaching and worship music, will coincide with her 70th birthday.

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.

 

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

MinistryWatch Database Changes

MinistryWatch now has more than 1,300 ministries in its database. These ministries represent more than $44-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:

Lake Geneva Foundation (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 75 to 78)

Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Camps/Conference Centers, but also earned donor confidence points because it has at least four independent board members for every non-independent member.

Mercy Medical Angels (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up D to C, DCS: Up 72 to 77)

Posts audited financials on website, and board contains at least 5 members and no more than 12 members.

Modern Day Missions (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: Up C to A, DCS: Up 85 to 98)

Posts audited financials on website, and meets all other donor confidence standards except that its board chair is not an independent member of the board.

Moms In Prayer International (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 98 to 100)

Posts audited financials on website.

MorningStar Mission Ministries (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Up 78 to 98)

Is a member of the ECFA.

Samaritan’s Feet International (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 70)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Foreign Missions sector.

West Dallas Community School (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 70)

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

 

Ministries with downgraded ratings:

Front Range Christian School (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 98)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector.

Global Disciples (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 98 to 78)

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

Horizon International (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: Down 100 to 98)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

Houston Pregnancy Help Center (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 100 to 98)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

In Touch Ministries / Charles Stanley (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 53 to 51)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

International Cooperating Ministries / Rosser Foundation (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 75)

Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Foreign Missions sector.

Milligan University (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 43 to 36)

Does not have a statement of faith on website, and does use NDAs.

National Religious Broadcasters (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 95 to 93)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

New Life Ranch (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 100 to 98)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

Palmer Home for Children (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: Down 68 to 66)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

Paz International (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 50 to 48)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

Portland Christian Schools (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 100 to 98)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

The City School (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 95 to 93)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

The Woodlands Christian Academy (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 80 to 78)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

Timber Bay / Youth Investment Foundation (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 94 to 92)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

Timothy Christian Schools (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 85 to 65)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in K-12 Schools/Academies sector, also dropping its Donor Confidence Score by 20 points.

Trinity Center for World Mission (2 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 80 to 78)

Does not post audited financials on its website.

YUGO Ministries (5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 97 to 75)

Is no longer a member of the ECFA, and does not post audited financials on its website.

 

On The MinistryWatch Podcast

Greg Laurie Sued, Donor Advised Fund Advice, Beth Moore

On this week’s program, 22 plaintiffs who say they were abused at a Christian children’s homes in Romania are suing Harvest Christian Fellowship—who sponsored the children’s homes—and its famous pastor, Greg Laurie, claiming the church knew about the abuse and could have stopped it.

Plus, are Donor Advised Funds right for you—things you should consider before choosing.

And, a businessman is looking to donate a historic college campus to a ministry focused on “spiritual revival of our Christian faith.”

Also, Beth Moore will be ending her popular Living Proof events in 2027.

But first, a Virginia judge has ruled that a discrimination lawsuit against Liberty University can move forward.

Listen here.

 

ECFA Membership Changes

In response to MinistryWatch’s coverage last week about Orange County Rescue Mission voluntarily resigning its membership from the ECFA, OCRM President Bryan Crain provided the following statement:

We appreciate the opportunity to provide clarity on Orange County Rescue Mission’s (OCRM) decision not to renew our accreditation with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

OCRM has long valued financial transparency and accountability, and we were pleased to receive consistently positive reviews from ECFA during our membership. However, after careful consideration, we concluded that non-renewal was the most appropriate step for our organization at this time.

OCRM undergoes an annual independent financial audit conducted by a reputable international CPA firm. The audited financial statements are publicly posted on our website. Their opinions have consistently stated that the financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which provides strong assurance of our fiscal integrity and stewardship.

Additionally, OCRM continues to maintain a four-star rating (100%) with Charity Navigator, the Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid (formerly GuideStar), and the Certificate of Excellence from Citygate Network (formerly the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions).

Thank you for your understanding and continued interest in OCRM’s work.

 

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.