Breakthrough, Inc. 
Summary
Breakthrough, Inc. ("Breakthrough") is a non-denominational, evangelical, worldwide intercessory prayer ministry. The ministry believes and teaches that God hears and answers prayers prayed on behalf of others. Through a network of Christian intercessors, Breakthrough communicates the prayer requests of those in need to those who are able and willing to pray for them. The ministry was founded by Catherine Marshall in 1980. Breakthrough intercessors commit to be in prayer for a small group of individuals for a period of 21 consecutive days. During that time, Intercessors are listening for a word from God. When the Intercessor hears this Word, they pass it along to Breakthrough, which then sends it to the person in need. Breakthrough's intercessory prayer ministry is designed to work best when the individual with the prayer need communicates their need to the ministry. This organization is a nonprofit, contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact information
Mailing address:
PO Box 121
Lincoln, VA 20160-0121
Website: www.intercessors.org
Phone: (540) 338-4131
Email: breakthrough@intercessors.org
Organization details
EIN: 237423474
CEO/President: Ms. Delouris L. Pace
Chairman: Ms. Elizabeth Smith
Board size: 10
Founder: Ms. Catherine Marshall
Year founded: 1980
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1989
Purpose
Breakthrough, Inc. ("Breakthrough") is a non-denominational, evangelical, worldwide intercessory prayer ministry. The ministry believes and teaches that God hears and answers prayers prayed on behalf of others. Through a network of Christian intercessors, Breakthrough communicates the prayer requests of those in need to those who are able and willing to pray for them. The ministry was founded by Catherine Marshall in 1980. Breakthrough intercessors commit to be in prayer for a small group of individuals for a period of 21 consecutive days. During that time, Intercessors are listening for a word from God. When the the Intercessor hears this Word, they pass it along to Breakthrough, which then sends it to the person in need. Breakthrough's intercessory prayer ministry is designed to work best when the individual with the prayer need communicates their need to the ministry.
This organization is a nonprofit, contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Mission statement
Breakthrough communicates its mission statement as follows:
Bringing together anonymously those needing prayer and Christians willing to pray for them; calling and equipping people for this work.
Statement of faith
All Intercessors are asked to acknowledge and agree with this statement of faith.
1. We believe that there is One god, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Genesis 1:1-2; II Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 3:16-17; Exodus 20:2-3; Ephesians 4:6
2. We confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is our personal Savior and Lord.
I Timothy 2:5-6; Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:30-32; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:9-11; I John 1:9
3. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
II Timothy 3:16-17; Isaiah 55:11
4. We believe in the deity of Christ, in his virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death trhough His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
Colossians 2:9-10; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 4:15; John 21:25; John 10:32; John 10:25; I John 2:1-2; I John 4:10; John 11:25; Acts 4:33; Luke 9:22; Luke 24:7; John 2:22; Acts 1:8-11; Romans 8:34
5. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
John 3:2-3; I Peter 1:3; Acts 9:31; Romans 5:5; Romans 15:16; I Corinthians 12:3; I Thessalonians 1:6; Titus 3:5-8; I Peter 1:12; II Peter 1:21
6. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
II Peter 1:21; Ephesians 2:22; Revelation 21:3; I Corinthians 6:19; John 14:17; Romans 8:9; Joel 2:28
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 17:23; Romans 15:5-6; Ephesians 4:3-6; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 3:14; Hebrews 10:25
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Advocacy
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 273 of 586 | 15 of 32 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 123 of 586 | 5 of 32 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 444 of 586 | 25 of 32 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 299 of 586 | 24 of 32 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 4% | 8% | 11% | 11% | 10% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 4% | 8% | 11% | 11% | 10% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 94% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 3% | 8% | 10% | 9% | 11% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 77% | 72% | 72% | 73% | 71% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 114% | 104% | 106% | 119% | 97% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 88% | 74% | 77% | 87% | 69% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | -14% | -4% | -6% | -19% | 3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -15% | -4% | -7% | -20% | 3% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 20% | 21% | 18% | 18% | 18% |
| Investing ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.07 | 1.18 | 0.99 | 0.99 | 0.94 | 0.82 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.69 | 3.57 | 3.34 | 4.05 | 3.69 | 3.61 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.18 | 4.21 | 3.32 | 4.01 | 3.49 | 2.95 |
| Liquidity ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.79 | 0.00 | 17.40 | 11.78 | 4.57 | 23.34 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.00 | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.22 | 0.04 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.71 | 2.85 | 3.41 | 2.74 | 2.69 | 3.89 |
| Solvency ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 6% | 13% | 18% | 24% | 20% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 6% | 11% | 15% | 18% | 19% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 75% | 80% | 88% | 83% | 81% | 97% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Cash | $38,260 | $52,281 | $46,771 | $58,437 | $70,491 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $4,893 | $5,094 | $5,216 | $7,693 | $7,285 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $43,153 | $57,375 | $51,987 | $66,130 | $77,776 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $110,938 | $133,988 | $158,715 | $178,220 | $203,171 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $110,938 | $133,988 | $158,715 | $178,220 | $203,171 |
| Total assets | $154,091 | $191,363 | $210,702 | $244,350 | $280,947 |
| Liabilities | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $0 | $3,297 | $2,913 | $12,959 | $1,833 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Total current liabilities | $0 | $3,297 | $4,413 | $14,459 | $3,333 |
| Debt | $9,211 | $21,073 | $32,472 | $43,425 | $53,952 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $9,211 | $21,073 | $32,472 | $43,425 | $53,952 |
| Total liabilities | $9,211 | $24,370 | $36,885 | $57,884 | $57,285 |
| Net assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Unrestricted | $123,412 | $145,571 | $150,943 | $158,649 | $195,902 |
| Temporarily restricted | $21,469 | $21,422 | $22,874 | $27,817 | $27,760 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $144,880 | $166,993 | $173,817 | $186,466 | $223,662 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Total contributions | $159,434 | $183,371 | $195,751 | $193,630 | $236,457 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $46 | $48 | $57 | $57 | $57 |
| Other revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $46 | $48 | $57 | $57 | $57 |
| Total revenue | $159,480 | $183,419 | $195,808 | $193,687 | $236,514 |
| Expenses | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Program services | $139,989 | $136,353 | $149,812 | $167,748 | $164,109 |
| Management and general | $35,418 | $39,465 | $37,833 | $41,995 | $41,459 |
| Fundraising | $6,187 | $14,425 | $20,812 | $21,141 | $24,238 |
| Total expenses | $181,594 | $190,243 | $208,457 | $230,884 | $229,806 |
| Change in net assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($22,114) | ($6,824) | ($12,649) | ($37,197) | $6,708 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($22,114) | ($6,824) | ($12,649) | ($37,197) | $6,708 |
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
History
Breakthrough was started in 1980 by well known Christian author Catherine Marshall and her husband, Leonard LeSourd.
Catherine was married to United States Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall when his sudden death in 1949 from a heart attack propelled her into a writing career. Her best selling book titled A Man Called Peter was made into the top grossing motion picture of the year in 1952. Many subsequent books were also best sellers, including Christy, which later became the popular television series by the same name.
Catherine and Leonard (who was editor of Guidepost magazine) met and married ten years after Peter Marshall's death. Through Catherine's biographical books, Meeting God at Every Turn, and Beyond Ourselves, many thousands of readers from around the world wrote her telling of their own struggles or seeking a way to minister to the needs of others.
Catherine's prayer for God's solution was answered as God began to reveal to her a ministry that would do just that - bring together individual needs and those willing to pray for them. In the spring of 1980, Catherine shared with the Board of Directors of Guidepost her vision of anonymously matching people who had prayer concerns with those who had the desire to pray for others. A unanimous decision was made to change the focus of the organization from publishing a Christian magazine to becoming an intercessory prayer ministry. From simple beginnings, the ministry now utilizes a computer based tracking and matching system, whereby each prayer need is sent out to six intercessors worldwide who pray for that anonymous person's need.
Program accomplishments
In 1999, the ministry had more than 4,000 intercessors and sent out more than 91,000 requests for prayer.