By Warren Smith and Natasha Smith
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On today’s program, a former member of Village Church of Bartlett in Illinois is suing the church for defamation after the pastor allegedly accused her of an affair. Another family who supported the victim was also excommunicated. We’ll have details.
And, last year, Texas Christians provided Thanksgiving dinner to a group of Ukrainian refugees. This year, those same refugees thanked the Texas church with a festive feast of their own. We’ll take a look.
Plus, Tony Campolo, sociologist and famed ‘Red Letter Christian,’ has died at 89.
But first, donations to Gateway Church has taken a nosedive following scandals there, signaling tough decisions ahead. Gateway Church outside of Dallas is facing more issues after the church was shaken by allegations of sexual abuse by founding pastor Robert Morris. According to a video leaked on social media, elder Kenneth Fambro said the church’s offering receipts are down 35-40%.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Neva Rae Fox, Bobby Ross Jr., Bob Smietana, Tessa Sanchez, Christina Darnell—and you, Warren.
A special thanks to The Living Christian, The Christian Chronicle, and Baptist Press for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you this week from West Palm Beach, Florida,
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, a former member of Village Church of Bartlett in Illinois is suing the church for defamation after the pastor allegedly accused her of an affair. Another family who supported the victim was also excommunicated. We’ll have details.
And, last year, Texas Christians provided Thanksgiving dinner to a group of Ukrainian refugees. This year, those same refugees thanked the Texas church with a festive feast of their own. We’ll take a look.
Plus, Tony Campolo, sociologist and famed ‘Red Letter Christian,’ has died at 89.
Natasha:
But first, donations to Gateway Church has taken a nosedive following scandals there, signaling tough decisions ahead.
Warren:
Gateway Church outside of Dallas is facing more issues after the church was shaken by allegations of sexual abuse by founding pastor Robert Morris. According to a video leaked on social media, elder Kenneth Fambro said the church’s tithe receipts are down 35-40%.
In June, allegations of Morris’s sexual abuse of Cindy Clemishire, 54, in the 1980s starting when she was only 12 years old led to his resignation.
Natasha:
Since then, Gateway has faced other challenges and resignations.
Warren:
That’s right.
The church canceled its annual Gateway Conference as the “congregation and staff are in the midst of navigating Robert Morris’ resignation and the emotions surrounding it.”
In August, a lawsuit was filed in Tarrant County, Texas, alleging a member of the Gateway Church youth group sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl also attending the church youth group.
Gateway recently settled another lawsuit that accused church leadership of covering up the alleged sexual abuse of a child by a member of the congregation in March 2018.
And Executive Pastor Kemtal Glasgow was removed in August from his position for a “moral issue.”
Natasha:
There have also been questions about money, but Gateway is working hard to make positive changes
Warren:
In an effort to increase transparency and accountability, Gateway is conducting a comprehensive financial audit and is “making significant changes to its bylaws” so it can become a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Some of the changes include eliminating the office of “apostolic elder” and not allowing staff members to serve as voting elders in the governance of the church.
By the way, MinistryWatch affirms these developments. We have long advocated for voting elders, deacons, or board members to be non-staff members of a church.
Natasha:
Gateway isn’t the only church experiencing lawsuits, Village Church of Bartlett was sued by a former member.
Warren:
A lawsuit alleging that Pastor Michael Fuelling and the Village Church of Bartlett, Illinois, (VCOB) defamed and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon a former member has been filed in Cook County. Another family supportive of the alleged victim was excommunicated.
Tricia Chandler, a former congregant and member, claims Fuelling defamed her by telling others she had engaged in an emotional affair with a man to whom she was not married.
According to the lawsuit, Chandler was a regular attendee of VCOB, a congregation of about 900, from 2007 to 2023.
Natasha:
What happened?
Warren:
Starting in 2009, Chandler says she sought support and guidance from Fuelling and his professional counselor wife Breanne for navigating “manipulation and emotional abuse” inflicted by her husband, who also was a member of the church.
However, she asserts the Fuellings “favored” her husband and dismissed her concerns as going down a “victim route” and being a “bitterness addict.” Chandler says she later learned Fuelling had mocked her and her personality in front of other church members.
Natasha:
What happened next?
Warren:
In 2020, Chandler admits she began a friendship with a male from her local gym. However, Chandler maintains the relationship was strictly platonic.
However, in June 2023, Chandler received a letter that her church membership was paused, and she was told to repent of her sinful behavior, including “slanderous statements to individuals within the congregation about Michael Fuelling.”
Her husband’s membership was also paused, but the letter did not include any call for his repentance, according to Chandler’s lawsuit.
In January 2024, Chandler was “released from membership” at the VCOB, but was told her children were still welcome to participate in the church activities.
On March 8, 2024, her husband filed for divorce.
Neither Village Church of Bartlett nor Fuelling’s attorney responded to requests for a statement before time of publication.
Natasha:
Next, A Texas pastor has been charged with fraud.
Warren:
The Rev. Canon Edward R. Monk, SSC, former chairman of the board of directors of Nashotah House Theological Seminary, has been charged with six Title IV counts of fraud and mismanagement of the financial accounts of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Corsicana, Texas, which he has served as rector for 21 years. A hearing panel (or trial) for the case is planned for February 2025.
Monk, who denies the allegations, resigned from his leadership position at the Anglo-Catholic seminary on August 13, eight days after he was placed on administrative leave from his position at St. John’s. Former Dallas bishop James Stanton is serving as the interim at St. John’s.
Natasha:
How was fraud found out?
Warren:
A September 20 complaint said that St. John’s junior warden came to the diocesan intake officer after Monk had written a large number of checks from the church’s ministry fund without proper documentation. The Rev. Tim Cherry, the diocesan investigator, interviewed Monk, and found his explanations for the checks unconvincing.
Cherry also uncovered other possible financial malfeasance. Monk, he said, opened “unauthorized or fraudulent bank accounts and routed money to other unknown bank accounts.
Monk also took advantage of an elderly volunteer church treasurer to gain a credit card under the man’s SSN and the parish name,” and used the credit card for a “multi-year spending spree” on items like personal trips. This, Cherry said, caused “extreme harm to the treasurer’s personal credit record, resulting in debt collection.”
Natasha:
How has Monk responded to these allegations?
Warren:
Monk’s response to Jolayne La Cour, president of the hearing panel, via email on November 4, is forceful. “With respect to the Hearing Panel Notice dated October 3, 2024, I deny all allegations brought against me in these proceedings.”
Monk did not reply to a request for comment by TLC.
A current working timeline for Monk’s case posted November 11 indicated that a scheduling conference for the Hearing Panel would be held January 17, 2025, and that the earliest possible date for it to convene would be February 3.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, Grand Canyon University wins a court case over its nonprofit status.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break.
Warren:
Grand Canyon University, the largest Christian university in the country, has won its case pertaining to its nonprofit status at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
The court ruled on November 8 that the U.S. Department of Education had used the wrong standard when it denied the university’s application for nonprofit status in 2019.
Natasha:
The university has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and by the State of Arizona as a nonprofit, but was rejected by the Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
Warren:
In a lengthy letter explaining its decision, the department focused on GCU’s close relationship to the publicly traded for-profit company, Grand Canyon Education, that used to own it. For example, GCU’s president, Brian Mueller, is also the for-profit company’s chief executive officer.
A three-judge appellate panel ruled unanimously that the Department of Education had used the incorrect legal standard and remanded the case to the department.
Natasha:
Next, a story for Thanksgiving.
Warren:
A year ago, Memorial Church of Christ volunteers served Ukrainian refugee families a traditional Thanksgiving meal from Pappas Bar-B-Q, a popular Houston restaurant chain.
But this November, the newcomers to Texas — still struggling to adapt and learn a new language after fleeing Russia’s 1,000-day war on their homeland — rejected the offer of turkey, dressing and all the fixings.
Instead, the refugees would prepare a special feast to show their extreme gratitude to their English-speaking brothers and sisters.
Natasha:
How did the church connect with the refugees in the first place?
Warren:
The outreach began with a simple goal: to help meet refugees’ physical needs — from food to furniture — while offering the possibility of a new spiritual life.
In less than two years, the effort has grown into a full-fledged ministry.
Memorial members distribute welcome boxes to a handful of new refugees each week. Each box contains household items, a Ukrainian Bible and an invitation to church.
Every other week, Memorial — in partnership with the Impact Houston Church of Christ — provides groceries to 30 Ukrainian families.
More than a dozen refugees have accepted Jesus in baptism.
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
Tony Campolo, an American Baptist minister and sociologist who spent decades trying to convince evangelicals and other Christians that their faith should motivate them to address social ills like poverty and racism, has died.
He was 89.
The author of 35 books, Campolo held degrees from Eastern University, Palmer Theological Seminary and Temple University. He taught sociology first at the University of Pennsylvania and then for decades at Eastern Christian College, where he was named professor emeritus. He also served as an associate pastor at Mount Carmel Baptist, a predominantly Black church in Philadelphia, and in 2019 was named a co-pastor of St. John’s Baptist.
Starting in the 1980s, with books such as “It’s Friday but Sunday’s Comin’,” “A Reasonable Faith,” “Who Switched the Price Tags” and “The Kingdom of God Is a Party,” Campolo showed a knack for reaching young people with the Christian gospel and then inspiring them to go out and work to change the world. In the process, he often challenged the religious right.
He eventually became a spiritual adviser to then-President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Campolo also founded a nonprofit called the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, which worked in several countries, including Haiti, from the early 1970s to 2014.
Natasha:
Ryan Burge, a former American Baptist pastor and an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, said Campolo carried forward the legacy of the social gospel.
Warren:
“Tony Campolo was one of the most talented and sought-after preachers in the United States for several decades. He was able to speak to audiences from all corners of American Christianity — reminding them of the radical grace and forgiveness that is found in the Gospel,” Burge said.
Campolo suffered a stroke in 2020, which partially paralyzed his left side. He suffered a previous stroke in 2002.
Campolo is survived by his wife, Peggy; his son, Bart; and daughter, Lisa.
Natasha:
What’s next?
Warren:
Plane usage for Pastors and ministries. Here are a few highlights:
The Trinity Foundation currently tracks 64 planes owned by more than 40 ministries. During October, these planes made a total of 544 flights. This is a significant increase over recent months and is, in fact, the most flights in a single month we have recording.
Operating costs were approximately $2.5 million for the month. These costs do not include the cost of the plane itself.
Liberty University remains the biggest user of private aircraft. It typically holds that position month in and month out. Liberty University has an aviation program that uses aircraft for training purposes. We do not include these aircraft in this list.
Scott Lamb/Christian Fellowship Church/The Door Christian Fellowship Ministries was tied for #2 on the list, with 30 flights in its Piaggio P-180 aircraft, which costs about $2,100 per hour to operate.
Also clocking in at 30 flights was Mac Hammond, whose Living Word Christian Center owns a Falcon 50, which costs about $3,300 to operate.
MinistryWatch considers the use of private aircraft for the transportation of executives and staff to be excessive. It should be a significant red flag for donors.
Natasha:
And, of course, there are the Ministries Making A Difference.
Warren:
Nazarene Discipleship International is partnering with Wonderful Works Ministry to create a website with resources aimed at training churches and families to minister to children with disabilities, called the Adapted Discipleship Library. NDI Disability Ministry Coordinator Ryan Nelson is also lead pastor at Church Street Church of the Nazarene in Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he has started a Wednesday night service called Wonderfully Made aimed at engaging “families with all abilities” with God and each other. He has also started a small group program for families with disabilities, a group who often feels overlooked.
Foundations for Nations is ministering to Native Americans on the Wind River Indian Reservation in central Wyoming, where crime, unemployment, and drug and sexual abuse are rampant. Walking the “delicate line between honoring Native American heritage while at the same time pointing people away from spiritual darkness,” the ministry team runs a church, food pantry and youth programs with plans for a women’s shelter, according to WORLD Radio.
Ministries of Jesus medical volunteers trained a group of Light Shine staff in Chihuahua, Mexico, in its model of “whole person healing.” Attendees at the wellness conference earned certificates in MOJ’s model of ministering to a patient’s body, soul and spirit. MOJ runs a charitable medical clinic for underserved individuals in Oklahoma. The ministry has 5 stars, an “A” transparency grade, and a 100 donor confidence score in the MinistryWatch database—the highest scores in each category.
Widows Link, an Assemblies of God ministry started by Chaplain and pastor’s widow Marlene Craft, ministers to widows through small groups, banquets, retreats, and an annual cruise. It also provides training and resources to help churches across the nation start a small group widows ministry in their own congregations.
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
Year end fundraising. Please be generous.
Next week we’ll take the week off. Happy Thanksgiving!
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Neva Rae Fox, Bobby Ross Jr., Bob Smietana, Tessa Sanchez, Christina Darnell—and you, Warren.
A special thanks to The Living Christian, The Christian Chronicle, and Baptist Press for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
Christian ministries need volunteers. Christian retirees need purpose and meaning. It’s a match that models for the world the Kingdom of God.
Articles or other resources mentioned in today’s podcast:
Article in Yahoo Finance explaining a trend among rich older Americans to pay millions of dollars to get into luxury retirement campuses.
A recent article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review noted that in 19th century America every major aspect of daily life was age integrated.
Bruce Bruinsma has been a champion of what he calls a “Retirement Reformation.” Bruinsma says he is “on a mission to shake up our ‘me-centered’ retirement culture, and inject God-given purpose, joy, and real contentment into the Golden Years.” Bruinsma says, “When asked what they plan to do in retirement, most people say: “Nothing!” They’re clear about what they’re retiring FROM — but not what they’re retiring TO.” He goes on to say, “Thirty years is a long time to do nothing.”
Since “retiring” again from The Colson Center, Steve Verleye has become a mentor and coach to other Christian entrepreneurs part of an organization called C-12, which is itself quietly making its mark as a networking and support group for Christian businesspeople.
Evangelical pastor and theologian John Piper’s famous “Seashell Sermon.”
On today’s program, the wife of slain missionary Beau Shroyer has been arrested in connection with his death—investigators suspect she hired the man she was having an affair with to kill her husband. We’ll have details.
And, a Pennsylvania church trying to disassociate from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church has been charged for sharing information with MinistryWatch. We’ll take a look.
Plus, South Carolina pastor John-Paul Miller—whose wife Mica Miller died by suicide earlier this year—has been hit with an assault charge just days after FBI raided his house.
But first, the Church of England head Justice Welby has resigned over his handling of a sexual abuse case. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, resigned Tuesday.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Danica Kirka, Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Marissa Greene, Shannon Cuthrell, and Brittany Smith.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Christina:
And I’m Christina Darnell, in for Natasha Cowden this week, also coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, the wife of slain missionary Beau Shroyer has been arrested in connection with his death—investigators suspect she hired the man she was having an affair with to kill her husband. We’ll have details.
And, a Pennsylvania church trying to disassociate from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church has been charged for sharing information with MinistryWatch. We’ll take a look.
Plus, South Carolina pastor John-Paul Miller—whose wife Mica Miller died by suicide earlier this year—has been hit with an assault charge just days after FBI raided his house.
Christina:
But first, the Church of England head Justice Welby has resigned over his handling of a sexual abuse case.
Warren:
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, resigned Tuesday.
The resignation came after an investigation found that he failed to tell police about serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it.
Pressure on Welby had been building since Thursday, when release of the inquiry’s findings kindled anger about a lack of accountability at the highest reaches of the church.
Welby’s resignation comes against the backdrop of widespread historical sexual abuse in the Church of England. A 2022 report by the Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse found that the Church of England had become “a place where abusers could hide.”
Christina:
Welby’s supporters had argued that he had been instrumental in changing the culture of the church since he became Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013.
Warren:
But it was an investigation into crimes that began long before that date that ultimately led to his downfall.
The church on Thursday released the results of an independent investigation into Smyth, who sexually, psychologically and physically abused about 30 boys and young men in the United Kingdom and 85 in Africa beginning in the 1970s.
The 251-page report of the Makin Review concluded that Welby failed to report Smyth to authorities when he was informed of the abuse in August 2013, soon after he became Archbishop of Canterbury.
Christina:
Our next story is a sad and strange tale involving American missionaries in Angola.
Warren:
Investigators suspect the wife of a slain missionary in the West African country of Angola was the “mastermind” of his killing and was having an affair with one of the men she hired to kill him. She allegedly promised him thousands of dollars in exchange for slaying her husband.
For three years, Beau and Jackie Shroyer, both 44, and their five children had lived in the “remote bush” of Angola. On October 25, police found Beau Shroyer brutally stabbed to death in his vehicle outside Lubango, where the family resided in a walled compound.
Christina:
A spokesperson for Angola’s Criminal Investigation Service called Jackie the “mastermind” behind his murder, which CIS discovered was an organized plot involving three men paid to kill the missionary.
Warren:
Furthermore, the spokesperson added that investigators have “strong suspicions” Jackie was having an affair with one of the men, 24-year-old Bernardino Elias, who the family had employed as a security guard.
According to police, Jackie allegedly promised to pay three men around $50,000 to kill her husband. The statement says the three men lured Beau to a remote area by pretending they were having car issues and stabbed him to death. In her statement, Jackie claimed she had stepped into the woods to use the bathroom at the time of the attack.
At the crime scene, detectives reportedly recovered an American-made knife belonging to the bodyguard. The knife had been a gift to Elias from Beau Shroyer.
Authorities suggest the alleged motive for the crime was driven by Jackie Shroyer’s romantic relationship with Elias and a desire to remain in Angola, where Beau Shroyer was nearing the end of his missions work.
Beau and Jackie Shroyer have been longtime members of the Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. In 2021, the couple moved to a remote Angolan village with their five children to conduct youth outreach with the evangelical mission organization SIM USA.
Lakes Area Vineyard and SIM released statements expressing sadness and grief.
Christina:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, a Evangelical Presbyterian Church faces a trial later this month for talking with MinistryWatch.
I’m Christina Darnell, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Christina:
Welcome back. I’m Christina Darnell, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break.
Warren:
A congregation in western Pennsylvania is continuing its fight to leave the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) because of disagreements over “certain theological, social, and religious issues,” but the presbytery has now indicted the pastor and the elders and scheduled a trial for November 23.
Christina:
And MinistryWatch has become a part of this controversy.
Warren:
After MinistryWatch published an article about the EPC, the administrative commission (AC) of the Presbytery of the Alleghenies filed additional charges and an indictment against Pastor Nate Devlin and the Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church session (or board of elders). The trial could result in punishment ranging from admonition to excommunication.
Devlin is accused of contempt for refusing to comply with actions ordered by the AC, of slander in his social media posts calling the presbytery “tyrannical,” and of an intent to sow division and disparage the EPC when he forwarded communications to MinistryWatch to aid our reporting.
Christina:
The complaint cites Devlin’s sharing an email from the AC with MinistryWatch as “improper and a breach of the principles of I Corinthians 6.”
Warren:
MinistryWatch inquired how Devlin had violated I Corinthians 6, and AC representative Roger Rumer replied with a lengthy letter the commission sent to the presbytery’s churches explaining the ongoing charges against and interactions with Beverly Heights.
In the letter, the AC reiterated Devlin’s alleged violation of I Corinthians 6:1 as “unbecoming a pastor of the church of Jesus Christ,” but provided no explanation of how Devlin’s actions violated the verse.
The session and Devlin maintain their innocence and are preparing to plead not guilty at the trial.
Christina:
Our next story is a follow-up to the story of John-Paul and Mica Miller.
Warren:
Months after the suicide of Myrtle Beach Pastor John-Paul Miller’s wife sparked a public outcry and criminal investigation, police have filed their first charges.
But the charges don’t have anything to do with the original death. Rather, the alleged crime: tapping a protester’s hat with his cell phone.
Local news WBTW reports that on Wednesday (Nov. 6), the Solid Rock at Market Commons pastor was arrested after confronting a woman who chased him down outside his church while calling him names.
The woman, Sandra Karon, had been participating in a “Justice for Mica” protest against Miller, 44, who many blame for the April death of his wife, 30-year-old Mica Miller. She died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The protesters have been gathering every Sunday outside Solid Rock since May.
Video footage obtained by WBTW shows Miller turn around, approach Karon and point his phone in her face.
The protesters called police, who charged Miller with “assault / assault and battery 3rd degree” and released him the next day on $776 bond with a hearing scheduled for Dec. 10.
The altercation came just four days after the FBI raided and removed items from Miller’s Myrtle Beach home.
Christina:
Up next is the story of congregants at Gateway Church in Dallas. Some of them are asking that their financial contributions be returned following scandal in that megachurch.
Warren:
Katherine Leach has been attending the nondenominational North Texas congregation for the past three years. She said she tithed to the church.
Then, on June 18, Gateway’s founder and senior pastor, Robert Morris, resigned after accusations made by an Oklahoma woman named Cindy Clemishire, who told the Wartburg Watch that Morris had sexually abused her on multiple occasions in the 1980s, starting when Clemishire was 12 years old.
Christina:
So Leach started asking questions, asking for a copy of the church’s bylaws, financial statements and how her tithes have been used.
Warren:
Leach is part of a group that has filed a lawsuit alleging that Gateway Church committed financial fraud with congregants’ tithes.
The suit alleges Morris and other Gateway leaders told their congregation that 15% of all tithes would go toward foreign missionary work. Leach and the suing congregants allege the promise wasn’t upheld and that they don’t know where the tithes — which could amount to more than $15 million annually — went.
Christina:
So what is the church saying?
Warren:
A spokesman for the church said he doesn’t comment on pending litigation. But on Oct. 5, Gateway church elder Tra Willbanks stood in the pulpit and told attendees that the church’s financials have been “independently audited since 2005” and assured them: “At this point we are not aware of any financial wrongdoing. We, your elders and church staff, understand and embrace the sacred and biblical duty we have to steward the dollars given to Gateway.”
The church is also in the process of joining the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and publishing its bylaws after they are updated, he said.
Christina:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Christina Darnell, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Christina:
Welcome back. I’m Christina Darnell, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
A year of cost cuts and selloffs is coming into view on Salem Media Group’s balance sheet. The Texas-based broadcasting giant—among the few Christian publicly traded companies—reported
a $6.6 million net loss in the third quarter, compared to -$31 million a year ago.
Revenue declined 7.5% year-over-year to $58.7 million, reflecting brand divestitures and advertising volatility in its broadcast and publishing businesses. However, those losses were partially offset by a 9.5% revenue jump from its digital media segment.
Salem slashed over $36 million in operating expenses since the third quarter of 2023, falling from $99 million to $63 million. The company has sold several radio stations, land and transmitter sites, and media brands to pay down its debts this year. Its liabilities now total $309 million as of Sep. 30, down from $323 million last December.
Christina:
And, of course, there are the Ministries Making A Difference.
Warren:
That’s your weekly column, Christina. So why don’t you take this one.
Christina:
Pathway Ministries in Illinois collected more than 150 coats as part of its coat drive at this year’s Hope Rising event.
Pathway Ministries, formerly known as Peoria Rescue Ministries, has a donor confidence score of 100 from MinistryWatch. That’s our top rating.
In October, a team with Heart for Lebanon visited a village in Southern Lebanon to distribute emergency aid packages to more than 300 families affected by the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Since the conflict erupted, more than 3,000 people across the Middle East have been killed in the crisis, according to Mission Network News. In Lebanon, it’s estimated that 1.2 million people are displaced. Heart for Lebanon also has a donor confidence score of 100.
On September 24, Armenian-Iranian Pastor Anooshavan Avedian was released from Tehran’s Evin Prison in response to a group of international ministries crying out for his release. He served one year of a 10-year sentence after Iranian authorities stormed a church service held in his house. He was later convicted of “establishing and leading an illegal group.” International Christian Concern, Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors, and Barnabas Aid had all raised concerns about his conviction and called for his release.
Christina:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
Year end fundraising. Please be generous.
Christina:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Danica Kirka, Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Marissa Greene, Shannon Cuthrell, and Brittany Smith.
I’m Christina Darnell, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith, also in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Christina:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
Randall Goodgame is one of my favorite people. For one thing, he is unfailingly nice, one of the nicest guys I know. And he’s enormously talented. He began his musical career while still an undergraduate in the 1990s playing keyboards for a southern rock band called Black Creek that had regional success and developed a cult following even though it released only a single live album. But, man, that album rocks. Randall’s senior thesis at Birmingham Southern College was an account of his year on the road with the band.
From there he released a couple of independent solo albums before finding success as a songwriter for such Christian artists as Andrew Peterson, Caedmon’s Call, and Jason Gray. As an artist, he toured with these artists as well as Jars of Clay.
His career took yet another turn when he collaborated with Andrew Peterson to produce a children’s album called “Slugs and Bugs and Lullabies.” This album led to more “Slugs and Bugs” albums, albums that combine a high artistic sensibility with solid biblical teaching. His album “Sing The Bible with Slugs and Bugs” takes Bible verses – not paraphrases, but word for word Scripture – and sets them to music.
The success of that album led to his latest project, “Scripture Hymnal.” Scripture Hymnal contains more than 100 Bible passages set to music. The book has sheet music, and a link to fully produced versions of every song in the book. It’s really a massive project, and one that is sure to have a big impact on the church and take its place in a growing movement of modern hymn writing we are seeing today.
It was a pleasure to talk with Randall Goodgame. We had this conversation last week, via zoom. He joined me from his studio near Nashville.
That brings to a close my interview with Randall Goodgame. His newest project is ”Scripture Hymnal.” I’ve got a copy of it myself, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.
Article Topics
On today’s program, Jason Yates—the former president of the Christian advocacy group My Faith Votes—has been charged with possession of child pornography. We’ll have details.
Plus, Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA is rallying young people to become active in politics by establishing chapters on Christian college campuses. We’ll take a look.
And, results from our quarterly survey of ministry leaders—revenue decline remains the top ministry challenge.
But first, Gateway Church has removed four of its elders over former pastor Robert Morris’ sexual abuse scandal. Four elders at Gateway Church, whose senior pastor Robert Morris stepped down earlier this year, have been removed after the results of a law firm’s investigation of sexual abuse allegations against the pastor were announced in a sermon on Sunday (Nov. 3).
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Kathryn Post, Tony Mator, James Russell, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, Jason Yates—the former president of the Christian advocacy group My Faith Votes—has been charged with possession of child pornography. We’ll have details.
Plus, Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA is rallying young people to become active in politics by establishing chapters on Christian college campuses. We’ll take a look.
And, results from our quarterly survey of ministry leaders—revenue decline remains the top ministry challenge.
Natasha:
But first, Gateway Church has removed four of its elders over former pastor Robert Morris’ sexual abuse scandal.
Warren:
Four elders at Gateway Church, whose senior pastor Robert Morris stepped down earlier this year, have been removed after the results of a law firm’s investigation of sexual abuse allegations against the pastor were announced in a sermon on Sunday (Nov. 3).
The removals are the latest responses by one of the country’s largest evangelical Christian churches to allegations brought by Cindy Clemishire in June that Gateway’s founding pastor, Robert Morris, 63, had molested her in the 1980s, when Morris was in his 20s and she was 12.
Natasha:
Soon afterward, also in June, the church retained law firm Haynes and Boone to conduct an investigation, what did they find?
Warren:
Church elder Tra Willbanks announced on Sunday, the investigation found that all but three elders had been aware of Morris’ history with Clemishire, now 54, and her age at the time of the alleged abuse.
While Willbanks declined to identify the elders who were removed, the names of elders Jeremy Carrasco, Kevin Grove, Gayland Lawshe and Thomas Miller no longer appear on the church website, according to multiple news accounts.
Natasha:
The investigation’s results also prompted reforms to Gateway’s leadership structure and bylaws.
Warren:
Church staff will no longer serve as elders. Willbanks said, “We must bring this level of independence and objectivity to our eldership, and it has been lacking in the years past,”
The summer’s allegations prompted state legislators to call for changing the statute of limitations for sexual assault, harsher penalties for mandatory reporters who fail to follow up on accusations and reforming nondisclosure agreements for sexual abuse survivors. Secular and religious advocacy organizations have been pushing for such reforms, as well as the elimination of the use of nondisclosure agreements in sexual assault cases.
Natasha:
Next, Former MY Faith Votes CEO has been charged with serious crimes.
Warren:
Jason C. Yates, the former CEO of My Faith Votes, has been charged with eight felony counts of possession of child pornography.
Each of the eight charges, filed in McLeod County, Minnesota, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Yates has a prior conviction and is a registered predatory offender.
According to court records, Yates was released on his own recognizance on November 4. As a condition of his release, he is to have no contact with persons under the age of 18.
Natasha:
How did this come to light?
Warren:
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension began its investigation into Yates’ alleged crimes on July 31.
The probable cause statement also includes descriptions of eight of the images, which allegedly include children between 5 and 7 years of age.
In September, officers met with Yates, and he admitted to having a prior conviction for child pornography that had been expunged.
Natasha:
Sadly we have a similar story from Texas.
Warren:
A former volunteer youth leader at Beltway Park Church, a multi-site large Southern Baptist congregation in Abilene, Texas, has been charged with possession of child pornography.
Natasha:
What’s has happened since?
Warren:
At the time of reporting, Goff was being held in the Taylor County jail on $100,000 bond.
Beltway learned about Goff’s actions in June 2024 and immediately contacted the proper authorities, according to the letter sent to the congregation by the lead pastor.
Goff had been a youth volunteer for about three years, starting in 2022. He passed a routine background check before he became an active volunteer, the letter said, and again in 2024 as part of the routine background check protocol.
“[W]e currently have no indication that any minors from our church were involved in any inappropriate activity with this former volunteer,” Beltway Park’s letter stated. “We have tremendous grief for any children in any location who may be proven to have been harmed by this person’s actions.”
Natasha:
Let’s look at one more story before our break.
Warren:
The principal of a now-closed Missouri boarding school that has been the subject of abuse allegations has been charged with sex crimes involving a former student.
Craig Wesley Smith Jr., who was the principal of Lighthouse Christian Academy in Piedmont, was charged with forcible sodomy and attempted forcible rape, according to ABC News.
According to allegations in the probable cause statement, Smith told the girl he would kill her and “make it look like she committed suicide” if she told anyone about the abuse.
Natasha:
And this isn’t the first time Smith has been accused.
Warren:
A 2009 federal lawsuit also accused Smith of sex acts with an unnamed female student, but it isn’t clear if that alleged victim is the same one involved in the present criminal case.
Natasha:
Multiple people at that school have been accused of abuse.
Warren:
In March 2024, the Musgraves were arrested on first-degree kidnapping and abuse charges. However, on October 15, a Wayne County judge dismissed the charges.
Caleb Sandoval, son of the school’s director Julio Sandoval, was also charged with abuse of a child for injuring a 15-year-old boy while boxing. In July, he pleaded guilty and was given five years of probation.
ABM Ministries closed Lighthouse Christian Academy in March after the Musgraves’ arrests and the Missouri Department of Social Services began investigating whether the boarding school effectively addressed calls to an abuse hotline about the facility in the past.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return, the next in our series highlighting a group engaged in the ‘new paradigm’ of missions…training local missionaries to reach their own people.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break.
Warren:
This is another in the MinistryWatch series highlighting groups engaged in the “new paradigm” in missions: equipping near-culture missionaries to reach their own people.
Christians are operating a general store in northern Nigeria “under the nose” of terrorist group Boko Haram, reaching their neighbors with the Gospel and hosting a worship service in their store’s back room.
They are indigenous or near-culture disciple makers who have been trained under a model developed by Global Disciples.
For 28 years, Global Disciples has been committed to training indigenous or near-culture leaders to make Christian disciples among their own people.
Natasha:
How do they do that?
Warren:
Founder Galen Burkholder said that rather than sending western missionaries to plant churches, Global Disciples works with a local cluster of churches to develop a training program for their own people to be near-culture disciple makers. Then the new converts want to gather and grow spiritually so they establish churches.
According to Global Disciples, 2,500 disciple makers were trained around the world by the nearly 3,500 active training programs operating in 76 countries around the world last year. More than 69,000 new believers were reached with the Gospel based on the efforts of the over 25,000 disciple makers that have been trained in these programs.
Natasha:
That’s amazing! What areas are they serving?
Warren:
Some of the most active discipleship training programs are in Africa and South Asia, often in some of the least-reached areas. For instance, Global Disciples has 231 training programs across the country of Myanmar and are reaching people with the Gospel in remote villages.
In the MinistryWatch database, Global Disciples has a 3-star financial efficiency rating, an A transparency grade, and a high donor confidence score of 98
Natasha:
Next, is the latest for Charlie Kirk’s Turning point USA.
Warren:
Charlie Kirk’s fall 2024 “You’re Being Brainwashed” tour is an effort to help students “challenge left-wing indoctrination on college campuses.” TPUSA has already signed up nearly 800 college chapters, but the event at GCU, established by Baptists but now calling itself interdenominational, is part of Kirk’s recent push to populate evangelical Christian campuses with TPUSA chapters.
Since 2020, TPUSA chapters have appeared at more than 45 Christian colleges or universities, at least 35 of them affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the largest association of Christian schools.
Natasha:
What do these groups do?
Warren:
Students at Christian colleges who have launched or joined TPUSA chapters said in interviews this fall that the group helps build community and gives them a place to discuss conservative values.
Many TPUSA Christian college chapters have hosted debate watch parties and have plans for election night gatherings. At Liberty, local and federal politicians are expected to attend the chapter’s formal election night gala.
According to Matt Boedy, a professor of religious rhetoric at the University of North Georgia, TPUSA’s “star-studded” conferences, big-name speakers and viral political debates make TPUSA a more attractive option than a College Republicans chapter.
The TPUSA’s funding. Tax filings from June 2023 showed that TPUSA took in $81.7 million, up from $2.05 million in 2015.
Natasha:
Next, a Pro-Life Charity Watchlist Warns About Some Christian Ministries.
Warren:
The American Life League (ALL) has renewed and revamped its Charity Watchlist over the last year to provide potential pro-life donors with information about the pro-life positions and/or values of well-known charitable organizations.
Currently, the list evaluates over 150 organizations on their pro-life positions through their websites, confirmed news reports, and correspondence. ALL chooses the charities it evaluates based on inquiries and requests it receives, and it updates the watchlist regularly. Nearly 125,000 users have viewed the Charity Watchlist so far this year, Katie Brown, ALL’s national director told MinistryWatch.
Natasha:
A lot of evangelical ministries got failing grades. Why?
Warren:
We asked ALL and pro-life leader Scott Klusendorf about ALL’s list and some of the ratings.
Klusendorf said, “Generally speaking, any pro-life group that does not follow ALL’s Catholic teachings is not going to get a favorable rating from them. My own opinion is that ALL is more of a Catholic watchdog group than a pro-life one.”
Natasha:
One difference between Catholics and many evangelicals surrounds the issue of contraception.
Warren:
Klusendorf said he thinks it’s damaging to make contraceptive policy an acid test for pro-life advocacy, distinguishing between contraception that prevents pregnancy and abortion that intentionally kills another human being.
That said, Some of the Christian ministries in the MinistryWatch database that are rated green by ALL are American Heritage Girls, Barnabas Aid, Food for the Poor, and Mercy Chefs.
Natasha:
What about the groups that failed the ALL test?
Warren:
Groups rated red include ChildFund, Christian Appalachian Project, Compassion International, Heifer International, Mercy Ships, Salvation Army, and YMCA.
According to ALL, ChildFund educates children about contraception, abortion, and LGBTQ rights.
Compassion International does not support abortion nor supply contraception, but ALL says it still “promotes contraception” and educates women about “natural contraception” as a form of family planning.
Mercy Ships gets a red rating from ALL because it will perform tubal ligations on women “if a patient’s doctor thinks that pregnancy would be dangerous to the health of the mother and only in accordance with the fistula repair surgeries they perform.”
In the MinistryWatch database, ALL receives the highest financial efficiency rating of five stars, a D transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 63 out of 100, meaning donors should give with caution.
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
While high inflation and a slow economic recovery strain Americans’ wallets, the post-pandemic years have been a boon for family foundations.
A new survey conducted by the National Center for Family Philanthropy suggests that since 2020, the percentage of foundations with assets of $10 million or more has nearly doubled.
However, the survey found that while “family foundations’ asset sizes have increased…there has only been a small increase in payout rates, leaving a great deal of inactive capital.”
Natasha:
What’s next?
Warren:
Nearly 10% of Christian ministry leaders told MinistryWatch their ministry’s revenue has declined more than 10% over the last 12 months. That represents the highest response we have received showing a decrease in revenue since beginning the survey in October 2022.
In July’s survey, about 8% of ministry executives told MinistryWatch their revenue had fallen by greater than 10%.
Fundraising remains the largest challenge cited by 36% of ministry executives, not a surprising result given the reports of declining revenue.
As we’ve reported in the past, more women are at the helm of Christian ministries than those leading secular businesses. According to Investopedia, in 2023 there were 52 women leading Fortune 500 companies, just breaking the 10% mark.
Natasha:
Who is in our Ministry Spotlight this week?
Warren:
This week, Pioneer Bible Translators’ overall MinistryWatch rating rose from 1 star to 2 stars.
Pioneer is a translation organization based out of Dallas. According to its website, “The goal of Pioneer Bible Translators isn’t just translation, but transformation. We bring people to Jesus through Bible translation and church planting, combined with discipleship, incarnational ministry, and the use of translated Scripture.”
The organization’s Donor Confidence Score (DCS) is 62 – “Exercise Caution.” It lost points in this category due to its board structure and overall efficiency rating, which is less than three stars. MinistryWatch requires an organization to have a board between 5 and 11 members. Pioneer has 16 board members.
In 2023, Pioneer Bible Translators had a revenue of $22.2 million and its total expenses were $20 million.
According to its 2023 Annual Report, the organization has published “5 complete Bibles and 24 New Testaments since 1976.”
Natasha:
And who did Christina Darnell highlight in our Ministries Making a Difference column?
Warren:
Last month, Children’s Relief International dispatched a team to North Carolina to assist in Hurricane Helene relief efforts by conducting welfare checks, delivering supplies, removing fallen trees, and praying with survivors.
Children’s Relief International has 4 stars and an “A” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 93.
Members of Mecklenburg Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, made 99 meals in October to give to foster families. The church’s children’s ministry, MecKidz, started Fill the Freezer for Foster Families in 2022 as one of its fall monthly missions. In the three years MecKidz has done the month-long initiative, it has collected about 250 freezer meals. The church provides “meal kits”—an aluminum pan, recipe, and information about fostering for both kids and adults—for families to use in making the meals, and the church distributes them to organizations and families within the foster/adoptive community.
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
Webinar: November 14. Ask me Anything.
Year end fundraising. Please be generous.
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Kathryn Post, Tony Mator, James Russell, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell.
I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
If you’ve been around me for a while, you know that I’m a fan of Roland Warren.
He’s been the president of Care Net, the nation’s largest network of pregnancy resource centers, for more than a decade. He’s been an advocate for the unborn for much longer than that. Roland Warren has also helped bring fathers into the pro-life conversation, in part because of a tenure as president of the National Fatherhood Initiative, a post he held before coming to Care Net.
I’ve interviewed Roland Warren many times over the years, including twice for my “Listening In” podcast, a podcast I did for a decade for WORLD News Group. I’ll include links to those interviews in today’s show notes.
Those links are here and here.
I have gone back to Roland again and again because…well…he always has something interesting and provocative to say. And that’s certainly the case today. We’re discussing his new book The Alternative to Abortion: Why We Must be Pro Abundant Life. I found this book to be challenging and encouraging and I think you’ll find our conversation to be so, too.
Roland Warren has degrees from Princeton University and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and he’s the author of many books on fatherhood and the prolife movement. We had this conversation via zoom last week.
Thanks to Jeff McIntosh for producing today’s program.
Until next time, may God bless you.
On today’s program, a lawsuit against Hillsdale College has been dismissed after students alleging they were raped sued the college for Title 9 violations. We’ll have details.
And, the nonprofit Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment—known as GRACE for short—turns 20 years old. We’ll look back at where they started—and where they’re going.
Plus, those subscriptions you forgot your paying for?…A new law will make it easy for you to unsubscribe, but it could also impact the recurring gifts to Christian ministries.
But first, Operation Underground Railroad…who continues distancing itself from its embroiled founder Tim Ballard…is moving its headquarters. Operation Underground Railroad Rescue is moving its headquarters from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, according to reporting by Twin Cities Business.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Jessica Eturralde, Paul Clolery, Richard Levey, and Christina Darnell.
A special thanks to The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, a lawsuit against Hillsdale College has been dismissed after students alleging they were raped sued the college for Title 9 violations. We’ll have details.
And, the nonprofit Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment—known as GRACE for short—turns 20 years old. We’ll look back at where they started—and where they’re going.
Plus, those subscriptions you forgot your paying for?…World Vision is encouraging donors to cancel those and give to people in need around the world. They’re calling it Subscribe to World Change. We’ll take a look.
Natasha:
But first, Operation Underground Railroad…who continues distancing itself from its embroiled founder Tim Ballard…is moving its headquarters.
Warren:
Operation Underground Railroad Rescue is moving its headquarters from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, according to reporting by Twin Cities Business.
Tammy Lee, OUR Rescue CEO said about Minneapolis. “There is such a strong foundation here, in the legal community as well as the philanthropic community and the survivor support community,”
The global headquarters’ relocation is planned for January 2025. Lee also said the mission of the organization will adjust to focus more on domestic trafficking and rescues.
Natasha:
How do they plan to do that?
Warren:
Lee said, “In this coming year, we’re going to be building out direct services for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation,” “We’re also looking at supporting key populations that are really underserved, looking at the indigenous populations and partnerships with other non-governmental organizations to do that work.”
Lee joined OUR Rescue as CEO in February 2024 with the task of rebuilding and rebranding the organization.
OUR Rescue was founded by former homeland security agent Tim Ballard in 2013 as Operation Underground Railroad. In April, Lee and the board renamed the group OUR Rescue.
In the MinistryWatch database, Operation Underground Railroad has a 1-star financial efficiency rating, a C transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 45, meaning donors should exercise caution when giving to this group.
Natasha:
Next up, A lawsuit against Hillsdale college has been dismissed
Warren:
Last October, one present and one former student of Hillsdale College filed a federal lawsuit alleging the institution failed to adequately investigate their claims of rape and misrepresented how safe they would be on campus.
Hillsdale prevailed in getting the lawsuit dismissed by U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering last month.
According to the lawsuit, Grace Chen, a current Hillsdale student, claimed she was raped by a fellow student in November 2021 in a Hillsdale dormitory. Danielle Villarreal, a former Hillsdale student, claimed she was raped by a fellow student in August 2021. Both women reported the assaults to members of Hillsdale administration.
Natasha:
What happened next?
Warren:
Well, Chen and Villarreal asserted that Hillsdale had failed to comply with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any program that received federal funding. Hillsdale argued that it is not subject to Title IX because it does not accept federal funds at the school.
The plaintiffs asserted that Hillsdale receives a federal benefit by way of its tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code and therefore ought to be subject to Title IX.
Natasha:
How did the court respond?
Warren:
The court disagreed, however, concluding that “Defendant’s § 501(c)(3) status does not implicate the terms of Title IX’s proposed contract with educational institutions” and dismissed the claims under Title IX.
Because the plaintiffs had already amended their complaint once, the court dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning they cannot bring the claim again.
The plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
In the MinistryWatch database, Hillsdale College has a 1-star financial efficiency rating, a C transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of only 30, meaning donors should withhold giving.
Natasha:
Our next story is also in the world of Christian academics.
Warren:
After what Fuller Theological Seminary called “a comprehensive and deliberate review of alleged misconduct,” it has fired associate professor Vince Bantu.
According to Christianity Today, Bantu’s termination came five months after members of his accountability group reached out to the seminary with claims that Bantu was secretly married to a second wife and had engaged in sexual misconduct.
Fuller hired an outside investigator to conduct the inquiry, but the seminary did not disclose the results.
Natasha:
When was his termination?
Warren:
On Wednesday, October 23, Fuller President David Emmanuel Goatley sent an email to its students announcing Bantu’s termination.
The seminary’s message did not include the exact reasons for Bantu’s termination, but said, “Fuller Seminary has high expectations and standards of conduct for all members of our community, especially for those in positions of authority.”
Bantu has taught church history and Black theology through Fuller’s online program and at its Houston campus since 2019.
The accountability group also contacted Meachum School of Haymanot where Bantu serves as president. According to a statement on the school’s website, Bantu has been placed on leave.
“We, the Meachum community, have been disheartened by these allegations, yet we take them seriously. As promised, investigations are under way,” the statement says.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return GRACE celebrates 20 years of equipping the church to prevent and properly deal with abuse.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break, GRACE celebrates 20 years.
Warren:
Attorney and sexual abuse advocate Boz Tchividjian founded the Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE) in 2004 to equip faith communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse more effectively. According to the GRACE website, the organization “exists to equip the Church with a vision for authentic community, where responsibility, accountability, and compassion are second nature and caring for children and adult survivors of abuse are non-negotiable.”
As part of its anniversary, GRACE held an online panel, bringing together the original GRACE visionaries to discuss its mission and impact over the last two decades.
Natasha:
What were some highlights?
Warren:
Tchividjian recounted how he and others came together with a vision to address abuse within faith communities. Tchividjian, grandson of famed evangelist Billy Graham, described how he experienced a significant disconnect between the ideal of a faith community as a place of refuge and the reality he observed as a prosecutor, where faith institutions often failed to protect victims of abuse.
Natasha:
Tchividjian stepped down as executive director of the organization in 2019 to return to full-time law to directly assist survivors of sexual abuse, but has remained supportive in the ministry.
Warren:
Boz Tchividjian also noted a shift in the church’s approach to abuse, with some progress in recognizing child abuse issues but a widespread lack of awareness around adult clergy abuse
Tchividjian said many are leaving traditional church institutions due to perceived corruption and lack of accountability, making it crucial for GRACE to adapt its mission to reach these communities outside formal church settings.
The conversation closed with a call for the church to “convert to Christianity” by embracing Jesus’ radical message of caring for the vulnerable.
Natasha:
Next, new FTC rules could aid donors in opting out.
Warren:
Nonprofit managers are scrambling to get clarity on how to proceed regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) new “click to cancel” provisions requiring businesses to make it easier for consumers to cancel enrollment in recurring billing, such as memberships.
In the case of nonprofits, it could mean anything from making it easier to cancel recurring gifts, to getting out of gym memberships or membership of any type to any pausing ongoing donor relationships. Most of the final rule’s provisions will go into effect 180 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
While nonprofits are referred to in the FTC rules as not being directly impacted, businesses with which nonprofits contract are subject to the regulations.
Natasha:
Can you tell us what The new rules prohibit?
* Misrepresenting any material facts while using negative option marketing;
* Require sellers to provide important information before obtaining consumers’ billing information and charging them; and,
* Require sellers to get consumers’ informed consent to the negative option features before charging them.
The final rule is part of the FTC’s ongoing review of its 1973 Negative Option Rule, which agency officials said is being modernized to combat unfair or deceptive practices related to subscriptions, memberships, and other recurring-payment programs in an increasingly digital economy.
Natasha:
How does this impact nonprofits?
Warren:
Nonprofit managers contacted by The NonProfit Times did not know the ramifications of the new rules. None would speak on the record but only for background when contacted. The challenge, they said, was formulating language that would not entice a donor to no longer allow monthly debiting of a credit card for donation.
A poll conducted by C+R Research found that the average consumer underestimates their monthly spending on subscription services at only $86, while actually spending $219 a month, more than 2.5 times their initial estimate. At the same time, 42% of consumers admit they’ve stopped using a subscription service but forgot they were still paying for it.
Natasha: Next, a church musician and youth pastor gets sentence to 50 years.
Warren:
Authorities have sentenced a former youth pastor to 50 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing four minors, including impregnating a 14-year-old girl.
According to the Ellis County District Attorney, Marvin Scales, 53, of Waxahachie, Texas, pleaded guilty to two counts of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child. The investigation began after a local hospital alerted police that a 14-year-old girl was in labor. According to hospital staff, Scales was present with the child and was “overly involved” in the delivery process.
Detectives obtained a warrant for the baby’s DNA and confirmed that Scales was the biological father.
Natasha:
And there’s more to this story.
Warren:
The DA’s statement says Scales had acted as a youth pastor at a local church. Once the congregation learned about the first victim, more victims came forward, the press release says.
He often took the congregation’s children on overnight trips and let the children sleep over at this house. Victims disclosed that Scales would regularly have sex with them on these trips and overnight stays, according to the statement.
The release also notes that Scales installed a security system at his home. Scales used the security system to record a collection of his sexual assaults, which led law enforcement to discover more of Scales’ victims.
Natasha:
This was also not Scales’ first crime against children.
Warren:
Authorities said a simple background check would have alerted church leaders to his past crimes of sexual abuse.
Scales has been a registered sex offender in Texas since 2006 when authorities sentenced him to 10 years in prison for abusing an 11-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl back in 1998.
While the press release states Scales was a youth pastor at a local church, it does not disclose the church’s name. Several people claiming to be associated with the alleged church commented on social media that Scales was not a youth pastor but an active musician at the church.
MinistryWatch contacted the church requesting clarification on Scales’s association. At the time of publication, we had yet to hear back.
Scales is not eligible for parole and must serve all 50 years of his sentence.
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
What’s up first?
Warren:
A new study from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy found that giving declines due to the Covid pandemic were much steeper than originally forecast.
The Giving Environment: Giving During Times of Uncertainty found that the share of Americans who give to charity declined from 50.9% in 2018 to 46.9% in 2020, following the onset of the pandemic.
This drop was part of a longer term decline in giving. In 2000 about two thirds of households gave to charity.
The study results showed a significant increase in the average amount given by donor households, which increased from $2,792 in pre-pandemic years to $3,116 in 2020, an increase of 11.6%.
Natasha:
What’s Next?
Warren:
It’s a new month, which means we have some new lists.
We’ve got a list of the 50 largest Christian ministries in the MinistryWatch database based on their revenue, which ranges from $77 million to $1.5 billion.
This list does not include colleges and universities nor Christian foundations. You can find the list of the largest Christian colleges and universities in the front page of the website, posted Friday morning.
These 50 Christian ministries represent a total of about $14.3 billion in annual revenue, and is based on revenue from the most recently available Form 990 from the IRS.
The top five groups remained essentially the same as last year. Please note that MinistryWatch removed last year’s 4th largest group, Catholic Relief Services, from the database because it is not an evangelical organization.
Several groups moved into the top 10 this year: Convoy of Hope moved from 11th to 6th, Mercy Corps from 12th to 7th, and Feed the Children from 13th to 8th. All of these fall under the “Relief and Development” category.
World Relief and YMCA of the USA were some of the “biggest movers” this year. World Relief’s revenue grew by about $36 million to over $163 million, moving it up to number 22 on this list from 35 last year.
YMCA of the USA moved 14 spots because its revenue grew from $118.5 million last year to almost $153 million this year.
Three other notable jumps were Wycliffe Bible Translators, which jumped seven spots from 21st to 14th and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which jumped 16 spots from 33rd to 17th. Gideons International also moved up 10 spots. None of these groups file Form 990s, but we gathered updated revenue numbers from their ECFA profiles, which likely accounts for their large movement.
To learn more about these institutions, click on the ministry’s name and read the complete MinistryWatch profile on this organization.
ALSO, AD LIB: Mention Top 10 list.
Natasha:
And who did Christina Darnell highlight in our Ministries Making a Difference column?
Warren:
Christian World Outreach operates two Feminine Training Centers in Haiti, where inflation is compounded by crushing gang violence and rampant poverty. Women in Le Jeune and Mirabalais can learn sewing, cosmetology, baking, cooking and handcrafts (the center in Port-au-prince closed temporarily for safety reasons). The women also hear the Gospel. The women pay what they can to participate, but there are scholarships available, also.
Churches from various denominations in the Irwin, Pennsylvania, area have partnered to offer free home repairs through the nonprofit The Carpenter’s Apprentice. Nazarenes, Presbyterians, Methodists, Assemblies of God, and Catholics work arm in arm to build decks and patios, and repair stairs for residents who have filled out an application. All projects are funded by donations.
KFUO Radio in St. Louis turns 100 this year. Launched in December 1924 from a cramped attic room on the campus of Concordia Seminary, KFUO has since grown from limited programs and air time to national coverage spreading “The Gospel Voice,” including its flagship show “The Lutheran Hour.” In the 1990’s KFUO fought and won a lawsuit defending its right to hire employees with knowledge of Lutheran doctrine.
This fall, Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida, celebrated its third consecutive year of record-breaking enrollment. More than 950 first-year traditional undergraduate students enrolled in the 2024-2025 year, bringing overall enrollment to 4,147 students. In June, the 56-year-old university also ranked third in the country for application growth, compared with pre-COVID numbers. PBA has 3 stars and a “C” transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a donor confidence score of 68 (“Give With Confidence”).
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
Webinar: November 14. Ask Me Anything.
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Jessica Eturralde, Paul Clolery, Richard Levey, and Christina Darnell.
A special thanks to The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.
I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
In an era of celebrity and platform, it’s easy to forget that God uses the “least and the lost” to advance His Kingdom.
The men and women I discuss in today’s podcast are not media celebrities. They don’t have “platforms” or book deals. But they have been quietly going about the business of the Kingdom of God. At MinistryWatch we often report on Christian leaders behaving badly. Sometimes it’s right and proper to pause and recognize those men and women who have quietly been engaged in what Eugene Peterson calls “long obedience in the same direction.”
May we all be encouraged by their lives and – more importantly – may be all go and do likewise.
To read this story, click here.
On today’s program, Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard sues for defamation after six women accuse him of sexual assault. We’ll have details.
And, MinistryWatch reporter Marci Seither visits Joni & Friends in Tennessee as the ministry ships off hundreds of donated wheelchairs. They head to a prison, where inmates are repairing the equipment, even as they work to repair their own lives.
Also, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference announces the launch of new health initiatives, including mental health and financial health. We’ll take a look.
But first, relatives and scholars of Dietrich Bonhoeffer have issued a warning to Eric Metaxas and others, accusing them of misusing his legacy for political reasons.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Bob Smietana, Kim Roberts, Marci Seither, Aleja Hertzler-McCain, and Brittany Smith.
Until next time, may God bless you.
MANUSCRIPT
FIRST SEGMENT
Warren:
Hello everybody. I’m Warren Smith, coming to you this week from our nation’s capital, Washington, DC.
Natasha:
And I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Warren:
On today’s program, Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard sues for defamation after six women accuse him of sexual assault. We’ll have details.
And, MinistryWatch reporter Marci Seither visits Joni & Friends in Tennessee as the ministry ships off hundreds of donated wheelchairs. They head to a prison, where inmates are repairing the equipment, even as they work to repair their own lives.
Also, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference announces the launch of new health initiatives, including mental health and financial health. We’ll take a look.
Natasha:
But first, relatives and scholars of Dietrich Bonhoeffer have issued a warning to Eric Metaxas and others, accusing them of misusing his legacy for political reasons.
Warren:
In recent years, author and radio host Eric Metaxas and other conservative Christian supporters of Donald Trump have compared themselves to the famed German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer — who was put to death, in part, for participating in a plan to assassinate Adolph Hitler.
In a recent interview on Flashpoint, a Christian television talk show on the Victory network, both Metaxas — author of a bestselling biography of Bonhoeffer — and the show’s host called the current election a “Bonhoeffer moment” and urged Christians to rise up and oppose evil.
His newest book, “Religionless Christianity” — a phrase used by Bonhoeffer — describes America’s current politics as a spiritual war and sign of the end times.
Natasha:
A group of Bonhoeffer scholars — and the theologian’s descendants — have had enough.
Warren:
In a statement issued Friday (Oct. 18) members of the International Bonhoeffer Society called on Metaxas and others to stop comparing the current election to the rise of the Nazis. The statement, in particular, called out Metaxas for social media posts featuring a gun and a Bible and his support of Jan. 6 rioters.
“This portrayal glorifies violence and draws inappropriate analogies between our political system and that of Nazi Germany,” the scholars said in a statement, which has been signed by more than 800 Bonhoeffer scholars and other Christian leaders.
Natasha:
What prompted the statement?
Warren:
In part by the upcoming release of a new Bonhoeffer biopic, which will be out in theaters in late November. One of the posters for the film shows Bonhoeffer with a gun, and a trailer for the film shows his involvement in the plot to kill Hitler. Some of the early social media tweets about the film included messages about the “battle against tyranny” and a line from the trailer, “My country was invaded from within.”
During Metaxas’ Victory Channel interview, the trailer for the movie — which is being distributed by Angel Studios, was shown and afterward Metaxas and other guests urged Christians to wake up to the evil of their political enemies.
Natasha:
But Bonhoeffer’s family has come forward about the film
Warren:
In an interview for a German news publication, relatives of Bonhoeffer criticized that depiction of the theologian. Relatives also released a statement Friday rejecting the idea that Bonhoeffer would have embraced Christian nationalism.
Family members said in a statement passed on by Bonhoeffer scholars. “He would never have seen himself anywhere near the right-wing extremist, violent movements that are trying to appropriate him today. On the contrary, he would have criticized these very attitudes.”
Natasha:
Next up, OUR founder Tim Ballard sues for defamation.
Warren:
Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad and subject of the anti-trafficking movie “Sound of Freedom” has filed a defamation lawsuit against six women who accused him of sexual misconduct and assault.
In his lawsuit, Ballard, who is married with nine children, calls the women’s accusations a “vicious onslaught of false allegations.”
Natasha:
What happened?
Warren:
Five women filed suit against Ballard in October 2023, accusing him of sexual assault and claiming he used psychological and spiritual manipulation to coerce them into sexual contact.
Ballard claims he waited for nearly a year for his accusers to “withdraw their false claims” and now “reluctantly” brings the lawsuit.
The lawsuit addresses each of the women’s allegations against him.
Ballard is no longer with Operation Underground Railroad. He left the organization before “Sound of Freedom” was released, and moved his anti-trafficking efforts to the SPEAR Fund.
According to its most recent IRS Form 990, the SPEAR Fund had about $1.25 million in revenue and $1.39 million in expenses, meaning it operated at a deficit of nearly $150,000.
Natasha:
Next, a Michigan based youth & music director has been fired and arrested for Child Sexual Abuse Crimes.
Warren:
Zachary Radcliff, 29, the former youth and music director at Oakwood Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was arraigned on October 20 for 11 felony charges, including criminal sexual conduct, child sexual abuse, and the use of a computer or the internet to commit a crime.
Radcliff, the son of Oakwood’s Senior Pastor Frank Radcliff, had served at the church for almost eight years, the elder Radcliff told MinistryWatch.
Natasha:
What was the churches’ reaction to the news?
Warren:
In a statement, the church said it was recently made aware of “disturbing news” about Zach Radcliff. “We realized while talking to him that there was more to the situation than was being expressed. He was suspended with pay on October 3rd, pending further investigation.”
Immediately after the church was provided with “more information,” Frank Radcliff said, “Zach was terminated from his job, without pay effective Saturday, October 12th.”
The church said it alerted state police alongside other families involved. Leaders also said they are not fully aware of the extent of Zach Radcliff’s alleged crimes, but they are cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.
If Zach Radcliff is found guilty of first degree criminal sexual conduct, he could face life in prison.
According to the Michigan Courts website, Zach Radcliff is being held on a $3 million bond. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for October 31.
Natasha:
Warren, let’s take a quick break. When we return…the American Dream encourages us to seek and hoard wealth. But one couple has rejected that notion, and embraced a counter cultural approach to generous living.
I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and we’ll have that story and much more, after this short break.
BREAK
SECOND SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, along with my co-host Warren Smith, and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch podcast.
Next, the story we promised before the break, a couple who has taken the principle of compounding interest and applied it to generosity.
Warren:
It’s the story of David and Keelie Luttrell. And it’s the next story in our series on radical generosity.
For as long as he could remember, David was fascinated with money and how to grow what you had, earn more of it, and invest it in order to have more in the future.
David was not new to the world of finance. David’s dad, D. Scott Luttrell, was a successful money manager who founded the LCM Group in Dallas, Texas, over 30 years ago with a mission statement emphasizing “being a good steward of our God given resources and manag[ing] them with excellence.”
David is the co-founder of Dallas-based Christian giving collaboration, the Ambassadors Club. There’s a lot to this story that we can’t explore here, but if you are interested in giving cooperatives, or if you want to see other stories in the “Generous Living” series, hit MinistryWatch.com or look for a link in today’s show notes.
Natasha:
Next, a story of how wheelchairs are impacting the world.
Warren:
Volunteers for Joni and Friends in Knoxville, Tennessee, waited on Monday, September 30 outside the commercial building where donated wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches had been stored.
A group of young men from University of Tennessee’s Sigma Chi Fraternity lifted equipment into the truck and carefully arranged the load that would soon be heading to the South Central Correctional Facility in Clifton, Tennessee.
Natasha:
Since 1979, Joni and Friends, the organization started by Joni Eareckson Tada after a diving accident left her a quadriplegic, have advocated for those living with disabilities and their families. Part of their thriving global ministry includes their “Wheels for the World” program where over 235,000 wheelchairs have been donated, restored to like-new condition, and given to those in need in less resourced countries.
Warren:
Donated wheelchairs and mobility equipment are dropped off at offices or through collection events and stored until they can be shipped to one of the program’s restoration centers located in prisons within the United States. Once there, inmates who have applied to work in the program begin to clean and restore the equipment. When a wheelchair project is complete, inmates sign their name on a “Given in love by Joni and Friends” sticker they place on the wheelchair.
Natasha:
That’s beautiful.
Warren:
It is, and not just for those receiving the wheelchairs. Mike Gaura, supervisor of Joni and Friends Domestic Operations. “Every time I go into a prison where inmates are working on the wheelchairs, I hear how the program is impacting them. “Restoring a wheelchair or a walker for someone else restores something deep in the soul of those putting in the work. They have an opportunity to give back to someone in need.”
Gaura makes sure that after each distribution, a poster with photos and stories about the wheelchair recipients is sent back to those who labored in the effort.
The World Heath Organization estimates that 80 million people are in need of a wheelchair, yet only 5-35% have access to one, depending on the country they live in.
Natasha:
Let’s look at one more story before our next break
Warren:
It’s a reminder that even though Hurricane Helene is no longer much in the news, the recovery efforts will take months, even years.
Last Sunday (Oct. 13), worshippers returned to Biltmore Church, a megachurch in Asheville, North Carolina, for the first time in person after Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina. It was bittersweet, said Bruce Frank, the church’s pastor. People were glad to be together, even as many are still grieving. “There is a lot of loss,” Frank said simply in his sermon.
Among the lost were Nora and Michael Drye, lay leaders at Biltmore, and their 7-year-old grandson, Micah, who became trapped on their roof and drowned in Helene’s flooding. Others in the church had lost loved ones, homes and their livelihoods.
Natasha:
Biltmore church has done a lot to support their community through this tragedy
Warren:
Church members have rallied to support those affected, offering their parking lot to disaster relief groups and state workers and organizing drive-by centers where people can pick up water, ice, diapers and food for those affected by the disaster.
The church is also collecting donations through a website they created called 828Strong, named for the area code for Asheville and nearby communities.
The coming months, Frank said, will be like a “stay-at-home mission trip” for church members, as they’ll be helping others near home. Biltmore church is working closely with North Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief. Volunteers have already cooked more than 100,000 meals in the church parking lot.
Natasha:
And other disaster relief groups are busy in the region as well
Warren:
Two hours away, in Boone, North Carolina, staff and volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse has been working to clear debris, set up water filtration systems and deliver food and other supplies by helicopter to communities cut off by the storm.
In rural communities the group has set up some 50 Starlink kits to restore internet service and has furnished generators to supply power. “We’ve also set up oxygen shelters,” said Graham, for patients unable to receive their usual supplies, “and refilled more than 1,000 oxygen tanks.”
So far, more than 16,000 volunteers have shown up to help, with more expected. The group is working at sites from Georgia to Florida in Helene recovery, as well as close to home in North Carolina. More help will be needed in the months to come, said Graham.
Natasha:
What other groups are serving the area?
Warren:
The Salvation Army, has sent relief workers to Florida to respond to Milton, where it has served nearly 6,000 meals to residents affected by the hurricane so far through 20 mobile feeding units. It has served more than 400,000 meals in communities affected by Helene. The group also plans to assist with long-term recovery.
Todd Unzicker, executive director of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, said that so far, more than 2,000 of its volunteers have been deployed to assist with recovery from Helene, but he is telling churches and volunteers who are ready to help right now that there is plenty of work ahead.
“The challenge is saying, hold on,” he said. “We are going to need you a month from now and six months from now.”
Natasha:
Warren, we’re going to take another break. When we return, our lightning round of ministry news of the week.
I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith. More in a moment.
BREAK
THIRD SEGMENT
Natasha:
Welcome back. I’m Natasha Cowden, with my co-host Warren Smith and you’re listening to the MinistryWatch Podcast.
Warren, we like to use this last segment as a sort of lightning round of shorter news briefs.
First, news for ministries with a ‘Donate’ button on their website.
Warren:
Ministries who have a “Donate Now” button on their website should evaluate whether they may need to register in each of the 38 states and District of Columbia with a charitable solicitation law.
According to a webinar hosted by the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Don Kramer’s Nonprofit Issues, the “Donate Now” button that is ubiquitous in the Christian charity world may trigger the registration requirement.
Attorney Karl Emerson, who advises charities on compliance with state charitable solicitation statutes, recommends that charities start by checking to see if their home state has a charitable registration statute.
Natasha:
What’s next?
Warren:
Latino evangelical pastors met on Tuesday (Oct. 15) to hear about a new mental health initiative launched by the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference’s Center for Ministerial Health.
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, the organization’s president said The Center for Ministerial Health is the first of three new centers that will form a new structure for the Hispanic network of thousands of evangelical congregations, many of them Pentecostal or charismatic.
At next year’s leadership summit, the organization plans to launch the Center for Public Policy, which will be based in Washington, D.C., and then a year later, it plans to debut the Center for Kingdom Collaboration, with a focus on uniting different Christian organizations.
Natasha:
And who is in our Ministry Spotlight this week?
Warren:
Wycliffe Bible Translation Foundation, a ministry of Wycliffe Bible Translators, recently saw its MinistryWatch rating rise from 2 Stars to 3 Stars, and its Donor Confidence Score rise from 45 to 60, which is still an “Exercise Caution” designation.
Its Transparency Grade remains a C because it does not release its Form 990s to the public.
According to the foundation’s Guidestar profile, it is not required to file a Form 990 because it is classified as a “religious organization” with the IRS.
The organization does release audited financials on its website. In 2023, the audited financials show a revenue of $27.4 million and total expenses of $50.5 million.
Regardless, both Wycliffe Bible Translation Foundation and Wycliffe Bible Translators saw a drop in revenue and a rise in expenses in 2023.
According to Wycliffe Bible Translator’s ECFA profile, in 2023 the organization had a revenue of $278.4 million with its expenses totaling $307.4 million.
Natasha:
Warren, any final thoughts before we go?
Warren:
Webinar: October 24. Understanding MinistryWatch’s Rating System.
Faith Based Fraud
Natasha:
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Bob Smietana, Kim Roberts, Marci Seither, Aleja Hertzler-McCain, and Brittany Smith.
I’m Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado.
Warren:
And I’m Warren Smith, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Natasha:
You’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
Most Christians who are active in church have been in this situation before. You’ve just listened to a compelling presentation about a need in some far-away corner of the world. Or perhaps it was a television program, or a commercial on your favorite Christian radio station. The need seems so great, and the story tugs at your heart strings. I’ve never heard of this organization before, but maybe it’s the Holy Spirit prompting me to give. What should I do?
Hello, everyone, I’m Warren Smith, the president of MinistryWatch. And I think it is biblical to test the spirits, to make sure that the spirit moving you is actually the Holy Spirit. That’s why an article I saw in Christianity Today magazine by my guest today, Anthony Sytsma, caught my attention. It’s called “God Calls Me To Give. But to Everyone?” He has some guidance for us on how to test whether that tug we are feeling is actually from God…or from some clever advertising executives.
Anthony Sytsma is himself a missionary, so he’s not trying to discourage giving. In fact, he believes, as do I, that when we have confidence in our giving decisions, we’ll actually give more.
If you’d like to read his article in Christianity Today, click here.
The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.
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