WEEKLY REVIEW

Snapshot of top happenings from this past 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 score. Each week, we highlight ministries in our database that have had rating changes, plus a brief explanation about why it matters.

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. Check it all out below.

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

NC Anti-Trafficking Group Accused of Exploiting Women

By Tony Mator. Cry Freedom Missions, these whistleblowers argue, has been at best negligent and at worst exploitative of the women in its care — using them for fundraising, subjecting them to unpaid labor under the guise of vocational training, tightly controlling their lives, and flouting industry standards while the rehabilitative element of the program takes a back seat.

The Charlie Kirk We’ll Never Know

By Warren Cole Smith. The death of Charlie Kirk has caused a lot of soul searching by those on the left and the right, as it should. Al Mohler, writing for WORLD, said, “Every generation has its own formative moments. Yesterday is now one of those days.”

Eight Leaders of House of Prayer Christian Church in GA Indicted for Fraud

By Kim Roberts. Leaders of the House of Prayer Christian Church in Hinesville, Georgia, were indicted on federal charges of fraud and tax charges for defrauding banks through real estate schemes and funneling veterans’ benefits to its seminary.

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

MinistryWatch Database Changes

MinistryWatch now has more than 1,000 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:

Anderson University (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 67)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.

Appalachian Bible College (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 69)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.

Eugene Mission (Up 0 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 28 to 73)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters sector, also raising its donor confidence score by 20 points. It also files a Form 990 with the IRS.

Free Lutheran Theological Seminary Corporation (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 78 to 98)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector, also raising its donor confidence score by 20 points.

High Point University (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 40)

Now in bottom 40% (up from bottom 20%) for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.

John Brown University (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 91)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.

Mississippi Christian University (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Up 46 to 64)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector, also raising its donor confidence score by 20 points.

Mully Children’s Family USA (Up 3 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 95)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector.

Northwest University (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 93)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.

Oklahoma Christian University (Up 4 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: 73)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.

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Ministries with downgraded ratings:

Alaska Christian College (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 72)

Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector.

Barnabas International (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 90)

Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Evangelism Support sector.

Baylor University (Down 3 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 56 to 36)

Now in bottom 20% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector, dropping its donor confidence score by 20 points.

Campbell University (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 62 to 60)

Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector. It also does not make audited financial available on website.

Citygate Network / Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 95)

Now in top 40% (down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Rescue Mission/Homeless Shelters sector.

College of the Ozarks (Down 4 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: D, DCS: Down 69 to 51)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Colleges/Universities sector, also dropping its donor confidence score by 20 points. However, it does not use NDAs.

Coral Ridge Ministries (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 95 to 75)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Educational Media sector, also dropping its donor confidence score by 20 points.

Feed The Children (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: Down 71 to 69)

Now in top 40% (Down from top 20%) for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector.

First Love International Ministries (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 98)

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

French Camp Academy (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 92)

Now in top 60% (down from top 40%) 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.

Hope Gospel Mission (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 98)

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

On The MinistryWatch Podcast

World Vision, Largest Christian Schools, Why Pastors Quit Ministry

On this week’s program, an anti-trafficking group based in North Carolina is being accused of exploiting the very women it is supposed to be helping. We’ll take a look.

And, World Vision’s CEO discusses humanitarian work in a post USAID world. We’ll have details.

Plus, factors that are forcing pastors to quit the ministry.

But first, eight leaders at the House of Prayer Christian Church in Georgia have been indicted for fraud and tax charges for defrauding banks through real estate schemes and funneling veterans’ benefits to its seminary.

Listen here.

ECFA Changes

The following organizations have had membership status changes in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. 

REMOVALS:

One Connection Media Group (Columbus, OH)

Atlantic Ave. UB Church (Franklin, PA)

ROSE Women’s Foundation (Potomac, MD)

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.