WEEKLY REVIEW: Snapshot of Top Ministry Happenings From This Past Week

Upgrades for China Aid and Blessings International; Downgrades for American Association of Christian Schools, Ananias House

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:

Burk Parsons’ Trial Expected in Late April or May

By Kim Roberts. Burk Parsons, senior pastor at St. Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida, and a teaching fellow at Ligonier Ministries, will be tried by the Central Florida Presbytery sometime between late April and mid-May, according to an email sent to members of the St. Andrew’s congregation. The trial will not be public.

Is Bob Jones Facing Closure?

By Kim Roberts. Falling enrollment, faculty cuts, and administrative resignations — Bob Jones University appears to be a college in turmoil. While some alumni are critical of recent decisions, they are also cheering for change in hopes the school they love can survive.

Investigation of Dr. Michael Brown Substantiates Reports of Misconduct

By Kim Roberts. An independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Dr. Michael Brown of The Line of Fire “concluded that Brown’s actions toward the two females were inappropriate and unacceptable for his leadership position within the ministry.”

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:

Blessings International (Up 2 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Up 80 to 100)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector, also raising donor confidence score by 20 points.

China Aid Association (Up 3 to 5 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 98)

Now in top 20% for financial efficiency in Advocacy sector; does not make audited financials available on website.

Heaven’s Family (Up 3 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector.

New Life Family Services (Up 1 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 55)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Pro-Life sector.

Ministries with downgraded ratings:

Allyfe Pregnancy Centers (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 78)

Does not make audited financials available on website.

American Association of Christian Schools (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: Down C to D, DCS: 30)

Does not file Form 990 or make audited financials available on website.

Ananias House (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 95)

Does not make audited financials available on website.

CJF Ministries (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: Down C to D, DCS: 31)

Does not file Form 990 or make audited financials available on website.

Dallas Leadership Foundation (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 90)

Does not make audited financials available on website.

Forward Edge International (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 77)

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

Friends of the Great Commission Foundation (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 96)

Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Evangelism Support sector; does not make audited financials available on website.

Kids for the Kingdom (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 80)

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

Mission Lazarus (Down 3 to 2 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: Down 100 to 80)

Now in bottom 40% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector, also dropping donor confidence score by 20 points.

Operation Care International (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 78)

Does not make audited financials available on website.

Pennsylvania Family Institute (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 95)

Does not make audited financials available on website.

Riverside Christian Ministries (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 77)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Community Development sector.

Sacramento Camp and Conference Center (3 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 90)

Does not make audited financials available on website.

Serving Orphans Worldwide (Down 5 to 4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 91)
Now in top 40% for financial efficiency in Relief & Development sector; does not make audited financials available on website.

The Antioch Partners (Down 4 to 3 Stars, Transparency Grade: A, DCS: 100)

Now in top 60% for financial efficiency in Foreign Missions sector.

The CALL (4 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 87)

Does not make audited financials available on website.

To Every Tribe (Down 2 to 1 Stars, Transparency Grade: Down A to C, DCS: 78)

Does not make audited financials available on website.

Ministries recently added to the database:

HeartCry Missionary Society (N/A Stars, Transparency Grade: F, DCS: 8)

Open Doors U.S. (1 Stars, Transparency Grade: C, DCS: 60)

On The MinistryWatch Podcast

Dr. Michael Brown, Bob Jones University, The Salvation Army

On today’s program, Dr. Michael Brown of The Line of Fire was the subject of an independent investigation late last year. The findings of that report have now been released, allegedly finding that Brown DID engage in misconduct with two women who were not his wife. We’ll have details.

And, is Bob Jones University facing closure? The school’s president says no—but alumni aren’t so sure. We’ll take a closer look.

Plus, The Salvation Army in Denver is embroiled in protests, violence, and a failed $3 million bid to provide housing to the city’s homeless population. The ministry says the city is using it as a “scapegoat” even as it faces an overwhelming homelessness crisis.

But first, a female victim has joined the fray in suing Kanakuk Kamps for negligence after she was abused by former staffer Peter Newman when she was just 9 years old.

Listen here.

ECFA Changes

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

ADDITIONS:

Your Move Collective (Alpharetta, GA)

Engaging Disability With The Gospel (Hoover, AL)

RiverWind (Mukwonago, WI)

Vision Baptist Missions (Dawsonville, GA)

Zeteo Community (Monona, WI)

Christian Emergency Relief Teams International (Crossville, TN)

Highview Baptist Church (Louisville, KY)

21C International (Clermont, FL)

Christian Aid Mission (Charlottesville, VA)

Providence Classical School (Spring, TX)

Northwest Christian School (Phoenix, AZ)

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.

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