Ministry Spotlight: Bible Study Time Inc.

Broadcasting ministry falls in financial efficiency and donor confidence ratings.

Bible Study Time’s Donor Confidence Score dropped 20 points recently after the ministry went from a 3-star Financial Efficiency Rating to 2 stars.

MinistryWatch made multiple attempts to contact Bible Study Time. It did not respond.

Bible Study Time, a nonprofit established in 1972, was founded by William and Freda Crews. William Crews died in November 2009 at 75, followed by Freda in October 2022 at 86. Their son, William (Bill) Crews Jr., now leads the organization as president alongside their daughter, Terrie Moyer, as secretary/treasurer.

BST consistently raked in more than $2 million annually throughout the early-2000s, according to its earliest available Form 990 tax filings (dating back to 2001). In recent years, though, revenue has slumped after the pair’s passing, as MinistryWatch has reported in the past. . 

Still, BST’s total revenue has increased from $1 million in 2022 to $1.2 million in 2023, and its total expenses have decreased from $1.2 million in 2022 to $916,777 in 2023.

The couple’s programs live on through reruns on national networks and YouTube, although “Time for Hope” and “The Awakening Hour” have consistently lost money in recent years. Today, most of Bible Study Time’s income comes from its media services arm, Select Religious Broadcasting, which provides radio and television support and consulting to other Christian organizations with similar missions.

BST has maintained a 0% fundraising rate since 2019. In 2023, its expense ratio increased from 55% in 2022 to 76%.

MinistryWatch made multiple attempts to contact Bible Study Time on these revenue changes. It did not respond.

Additionally, BST lost another 10 points from its Donor Confidence Score for having more than 2 non-independent board members.

Bible Study Time Inc. has a D Transparency Grade—its Form 990 is public, but its audited financial statements are not posted on its website and it is not a member of the ECFA.

MinistryWatch Donor Confidence Score: 36 (out of a possible 100) “Withhold Giving”

MinistryWatch Financial Efficiency Rating: 2 Stars (out of a possible 5 Stars)

MinistryWatch Transparency Grade: D

ECFA Member? No

Revenue in Most Recent Year Available: $1,243,176

Five-Year Revenue Trend: Decreasing (by about 21%)

Percent of Revenue Bible Study Time Inc. Spends on Fundraising: 0%

Percent Peer Group Spends on Fundraising: 6%

CEO/President: William Crews Jr./Freda Crews

President’s Salary and Other Compensation: $105,107

A complete MinistryWatch profile for Bible Study Time Inc. can be found here.