Forge 
The information on this page was last updated 11/27/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Our God is an all-consuming Fire, a Forge that is shaping people to have everyday impact for Christ. We challenge and equip people to pursue an intimate relationship with God where they are transformed into Kingdom-building laborers, like strong metal being forged by fire into valuable tools.
Forge Speakers travel to various churches and events, and we offer in-depth equipping and coaching programs that prepare youth and adults for ministry wherever God has placed them.
We sum up the ministry of Forge with two simple phrases: Hearts on Fire through intimacy with God and Lives on Purpose by laboring for His Kingdom.
In Matthew 9, Jesus gives a clear picture of God's call for us to live and work for Kingdom purposes, not our own. After seeing the crowds and being moved with compassion, Jesus observed, "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers."
We challenge you to enter the Forge and become an active part of God's Kingdom work in this world.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Forge
14485 E. Evans Ave.
Denver, CO 80014
Website: forgeforward.org
Phone: (303) 745-8191
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 311191922
CEO/President: Rev. Dwight Robertson
Chairman: Kerry Bowman
Board size: 11
Founder: Rev. Dwight Robertson
Ruling year: 1987
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1994
Purpose
At the center of our mission is the distinguishing word laborer. It's a biblical word that Jesus used in Matthew 9:35-38. According to Jesus, laborers are the answer to the great harvest need. But what is a laborer? Simply put, a laborer is a disciple in action. Laborers are those who are making a difference in people's lives and in God's Kingdom by actively and lovingly serving those around them. They're taking their love for God into places all over the world by putting their Christian faith into action in practical and meaningful ways. Every Christian is uniquely designed by God to have an impact on the lives of others in ways that are meaningful and important. Every Christian is a minister. Every Christian is called to be a laborer.
Mission statement
Since our founding in 1986 as Kingdom Building Ministries, FORGE has always had the same mission: multiplying a movement of MORE KINGDOM LABORERS who live with hearts on fire for Jesus and lives on purpose by advancing God's Kingdom in every facet and sphere of society worldwide!
We engage this mission of Jesus using His methods of: Itinerant Preaching, Practical Equipping, and Kingdom Resources.
Statement of faith
Kingdom Building Ministries expresses the following statement of faith:
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through 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.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Christian Growth
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 563 of 1106 | 23 of 60 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 517 of 1107 | 27 of 60 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 385 of 1107 | 12 of 60 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 773 of 1106 | 46 of 60 |
Click here to read Forge 's response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 6% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 6% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 81% | 64% | 88% | 93% | 84% | 82% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 19% | 36% | 12% | 7% | 16% | 18% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 88% | 89% | 86% | 90% | 90% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 66% | 78% | 70% | 96% | 111% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 59% | 69% | 60% | 87% | 100% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 34% | 22% | 30% | 4% | -11% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 33% | 24% | 41% | 8% | -25% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 12% | 6% | 7% | 10% | 6% | 5% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.02 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.68 | 1.32 | 1.32 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.40 | 1.49 | 1.86 | 2.40 | 7.28 | 9.10 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.44 | 0.95 | 1.20 | 1.64 | 9.65 | 11.98 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.90 | 21.20 | 21.27 | 20.59 | 4.98 | 3.37 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.20 | 0.30 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.11 | 12.04 | 9.52 | 6.95 | 0.99 | 0.70 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 12% | 3% | 22% | 27% | 40% | 47% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 19% | 25% | 38% | 44% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 82% | 152% | 122% | 106% | 45% | 40% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $1,865,419 | $1,216,471 | $756,388 | $167,112 | $96,994 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $60,319 | $48,506 | $51,977 | $25,934 | $61,409 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $1,925,738 | $1,264,977 | $808,365 | $193,046 | $158,403 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $936,111 | $989,936 | $1,135,206 | $1,212,881 | $1,283,079 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $103,569 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $936,111 | $1,093,505 | $1,135,206 | $1,212,881 | $1,283,079 |
| Total assets | $2,861,849 | $2,358,482 | $1,943,571 | $1,405,927 | $1,441,482 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $76,092 | $43,700 | $27,540 | $29,442 | $28,237 |
| Other current liabilities | $14,743 | $15,772 | $11,729 | $9,300 | $18,798 |
| Total current liabilities | $90,835 | $59,472 | $39,269 | $38,742 | $47,035 |
| Debt | $0 | $451,774 | $491,455 | $529,997 | $627,865 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $451,774 | $491,455 | $529,997 | $627,865 |
| Total liabilities | $90,835 | $511,246 | $530,724 | $568,739 | $674,900 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $2,607,617 | $1,657,058 | $1,251,499 | $791,650 | $737,386 |
| With donor restrictions | $163,397 | $190,178 | $161,348 | $45,538 | $29,196 |
| Net assets | $2,771,014 | $1,847,236 | $1,412,847 | $837,188 | $766,582 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $1,770,179 | $1,712,557 | $1,769,841 | $1,628,130 | $1,401,528 |
| Program service revenue | $251,208 | $172,791 | $44,393 | $212,577 | $235,355 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $667,205 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $63,405 | $69,216 | $89,746 | $92,127 | $71,227 |
| Total other revenue | $981,818 | $242,007 | $134,139 | $304,704 | $306,582 |
| Total revenue | $2,751,997 | $1,954,564 | $1,903,980 | $1,932,834 | $1,708,110 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $1,613,814 | $1,356,261 | $1,146,124 | $1,679,375 | $1,713,936 |
| Management and general | $111,371 | $104,765 | $131,035 | $112,621 | $104,134 |
| Fundraising | $103,034 | $59,149 | $51,162 | $70,232 | $79,846 |
| Total expenses | $1,828,219 | $1,520,175 | $1,328,321 | $1,862,228 | $1,897,916 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $923,778 | $434,389 | $575,659 | $70,606 | ($189,806) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $923,778 | $434,389 | $575,659 | $70,606 | ($189,806) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Dwight Robertson | President CEO | $135,000 |
| John C Marquis | Chief Operating Officer | $110,217 |
| Adrian Despres | Vice President | $108,900 |
| Todd Bright | CFO | $18,000 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2022
Response from ministry
It's our firm conviction that Kingdom Building Ministries delivers program services very efficiently and with maximum stewardship, despite the rating assigned by MinistryWatch.
Kingdom Building Ministries highly believes in the type of service MinistryWatch provides to donors. It's sometimes a helpful tool for ministry donors who want more information on a ministry's integrity and stewardship of funds. Unfortunately, the criteria MinistryWatch uses to rate ministries does not always tell the full story.
Organizations may at times have unique qualities and ministry delivery systems for their services that don't fully fit into MinistryWatch's rating system. Such is the case with Kingdom Building Ministries.
Kingdom Building Ministries is an organization that's committed to honesty, integrity, efficiency and stewardship. And it has demonstrated those qualities for 20 years under the oversight of a highly qualified board of directors and the scrutiny of its stewardship-minded donors.
The following is an explanation that gives a fuller understanding of:
- MinistryWatch's current ranking of Kingdom Building Ministries;
- Why Kingdom Building Ministries does not neatly fit into the mold of MinistryWatch's rating system.
There's one factor that has negatively affected MinistryWatch's current rating of Kingdom Building Ministries that is only temporary in its affect.
The executive staff and board of directors of Kingdom Building Ministries made a decision in 2005 to make several strategic "supporting services" investments that it knew would skew the program-to-support ratio for the time being, but poise the ministry for growth in the years ahead. It was an investment in building the infrastructure of the organization so that the rapid ministry growth it had experience in the past four years wouldn't outpace its infrastructure.
These infrastructure investments primarily came in adding two new operational staff members who are providing increased levels of "supporting services" so that Kingdom Building Ministries can get out in front of its anticipated ministry growth in the next five years and beyond.
Kingdom Building Ministries is poised for significant growth in the number of itinerant speakers employed and in the total number of speaking events it does annually.
It's poised for significant growth in the number of ministry resources (books, group studies and ministry CDs/DVDs) it produces in the years ahead.
And it's poised to mentor and equip more youth, young-adult and adult students in its Laborer's Institute programs.
But it wouldn't be poised for that kind of growth had the ministry not made infrastructure, "support services" investments in 2005.
In short, ministry "program expenses" should begin increasing in 2006 and continue to increase in the years thereafter, thus significantly increasing Kingdom Building Ministries' rating through MinistryWatch.
The Rest of the Story: Why Kingdom Building Ministries Does Not Accurately Fit Into the MinistryWatch Rating System
Background
Kingdom Building Ministries is an itinerant-speaking ministry.
Throughout history, God has used itinerant speakers to share His Word to groups of people. Jesus modeled the ministry of an itinerant in His place-to-place style of ministry. Paul followed His example as he traveled on his missionary journeys.
In recent decades, Dr. Billy Graham, D.L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, Charles Finney and others have continued this tradition, impacting millions of lives through their speaking ministries. It's clear that God has been calling and anointing itinerant speakers since the early establishment of His church.
In this tradition, Kingdom Building Ministries has 15 or more itinerant communicators at all times who speak to hundreds of thousands of people at hundreds of events around the world annually. In the itinerant tradition, Kingdom Building Ministries speakers go from place to place, using their speaking gifts to help local churches and other ministries challenge people to: grow deeper and more committed in their relationships with Christ and live lives of active ministry service to others.
Kingdom Building Ministries partners with local churches and ministries to challenge, equip and mobilize God's Kingdom laborers to get out of the pew and become active in the harvest fields all around them.
This place-to-place ministry style is both powerful and unique within the body of Christ, yet it plays a significant role in the MinistryWatch rating for Kingdom Building Ministries.
An Economical Ministry Model
Kingdom Building Ministries' model of ministry for providing itinerant speakers is not only biblical and historically relevant, it's also economical.
Churches and other event hosts (who invite Kingdom Building Ministries' speakers to partner with them) pay Kingdom Building Ministries only for the cost of the speaker in the form of an affordable honorarium and the related travel expenses of getting that speaker to and from the event location.
The event hosts cover the rest of the "program expenses" related to the facility, promotion of the event and room and board for the speakers while they are in the field. For MinistryWatch's assessment, these are all classified as "program expenses."
Kingdom Building Ministries is a true parachurch organization that comes alongside local churches and ministries to help them raise up and equip more laborers who will do the work of God's Kingdom in their everyday spheres of influence. In this partnership, Kingdom Building Ministries assumes many of what MinistryWatch classifies as "supporting services" related to getting speakers to events and providing follow-through for their ministries.
The church partner, then, assumes most of the "program expenses." Kingdom Building Ministries assumes most of the "supporting-services expenses" that are necessary for speakers to be mobilized into churches for an affordable fee. When you put the two together, you have an accurate picture of the full ratio of expenses to do this partnership-oriented, speaking-event ministry.
But when MinistryWatch assesses the percentage of "program expenses" Kingdom Building Ministries incurs against the percentage of its "supporting-service expenses," it has no way to allow for the partnership nature of what Kingdom Building Ministries does.
The partnership is so effective because the local church gets to focus more on the local nature of its ministry, but it also skews the MinistryWatch rating for Kingdom Building Ministries.
Here are two examples (and there are more) of how Kingdom Building Ministries assumes more of the "support services" role in order to better serve its ministry partners:
Kingdom Building Ministries raises funds (an activity classified as "supporting services") to supplement the cost of recruiting, training and sending out speakers that are both dynamic communicators and men and women of integrity. Because Kingdom Building Ministries raises these funds, it can charge lower speaking fees and more churches can afford its speakers. But the MinistryWatch rating system penalizes Kingdom Building Ministries for doing this fundraising service to help the church or host organization.
Another example: If Kingdom Building Ministries were hosting its own events and bearing all of the costs of facility, promotion and room and board of the speaker, its "program expenses" would increase dramatically, providing it a much higher MinistryWatch rating. But that would also mean that Kingdom Building Ministries speakers would speak at fewer events annually and they would not be able to challenge and equip nearly as many people. This would also require charging a registration fee, which would exclude some individuals who couldn't afford the event.
Kingdom Building Ministries' model, however, is to partner with others who are doing ministry in local settings--thus multiplying ministry efforts.
The bottom line is that this system provides an economical delivery of ministry to more people who would not otherwise be able to afford it. But ironically, it also has a negative affect on MinistryWatch's rating.
Commitment to Accountability & Stewardship Kingdom Building Ministries has been a member in good standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) since 1994 and is committed to accountability and financial disclosure. Kingdom Building Ministries' audited financial statements are available to the public upon request--as is other information about the ministry.
If you have additional questions, you're encouraged to contact Ed Barron, Kingdom Building Ministries' Senior Vice President, at 1-800-873-8957.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 11/27/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]