Bible Broadcasting Network / BBN/ Lowell Davey 
Summary
The Bible Broadcasting Network ("BBN") is a radio broadcasting network concerning things of the Bible, God and Christians. This ministry has chosen not to be open and transparent with MinistryWatch.com. As such it is difficult to understand all aspects of its ministry.
Contact information
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 7300
11530 Carmel Commons Blvd. 28226
Charlotte, NC 28241-8241
Website: www.bbnradio.org
Phone: (800) 888-7077
Organization details
EIN: 540888863
CEO/President: Mr. Lowell Davey
Chairman:
Board size: 6
Founder:
Year founded:
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
The Bible Broadcasting Network ("BBN") is a radio broadcasting network concerning things of the Bible, God and Christians.
This ministry has chosen not to be open and transparent with MinistryWatch.com. As such it is difficult to understand all aspects of its ministry.
Prudent donors want to understand what it is they are going to support. Some ministries claim they have no legal obligation to share financial or other information -- but they do have a moral obligation to do so. Without access to comprehensive ministry information it is not possible for donors to make optimal giving decisions. Ministries that seek to obscure critical information from scrutiny undermine the faith and trust of donors and damage attitudes that have a long term negative impact. For those few ministries that state it has no legal obligation, it should be noted that donors are even less so obligated with any legalist obligation to give, but they do have a moral obligation to give in a prudent and wise fashion. Transparency is a consensus of practical sound wisdom. Many Christians are willing to live ethically without a governmental entity mandating that they do so. Transparency is the key component to a growing and prosperous donor -- ministry relationship and fundamental to long-term ministry success. Information, however, must be timely, relevant, accurate and complete for it to be used effectively.
Christians should have nothing to fear by being open. All will be judged at a future date, and with this thought in mind, how are we to conduct ourselves before God today? Organizations described as "Christian Ministries" are at least giving people an image of God. Is God characterized as closed, impartial and hidden; or, open, personable and knowable? Scripture enjoins Christians to conduct themselves honestly (1 Thes. 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:2), with due candor (Jms. 5:12) and grace (Col. 4:6), without deliberate offense to Jew, Gentile or the Church of God (1 Cor. 10:32), with decency and orderliness (1 Cor. 14:40), blameless, giving no occasion for rebuke (Phil. 2:15), and offering no opportunity for false accusation (1 Pet. 3:16). Responsibility for the resources God has placed in the trust of His saints is called "stewardship" in the Bible (1 Pet. 4:10), the person responsible for the resources is called the "steward" (Lk. 12:42; 16:1-8). Most Christians would not argue with the principle that the chief aim of man is to ..."to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." However, how can a "Christian Ministry" "glorify God" if they are not open? Are not organizations that hide things characterized as cults? Should not Christian ministries lead by example? Besides being characterized as a steward, Christians can be characterized as ambassadors and as light because God is light. Just these few summary ideas indicate that Christian ministries should be open and transparent. In addition, responsibility to God is linked to responsibility to government and mankind.
MinistryWatch.com's hope is that Christian ministries are indeed an example to follow and not otherwise. It is one of our premises that Christians should be light in a world of darkness and as such, Christians should be setting the standard by their conduct.
It is not enough for ministries to live up to the minimum of any written law, or to give all men their due. Ministries ought to give them more than their due. Ministries should be concentrating on the good of others, seeking reward in self-denial and sacrifice, and not of personal advantage. Therefore ministries should treat others as they would want to be treated by them, regardless of unworthiness and ingratitude.
Donors should be seeking information before they give as well as after. Before in order to have an idea where the money is intended, as well as if it corresponds to the donors values. And then after to see if it really happened. Trust but verify, so that they know if they would desire to continue to give.
Mission statement
Statement of faith
BBN uses the following to express its Doctrinal Statement:
We believe in the Bible, which is verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit in the original manuscripts and is the infallible and authoritative Word of God. It is the sole authority for the Christian faith and conduct.
We believe in the Triune Godhead in Three Persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the personality of Satan, called the Devil, and his present control over unregenerate mankind.
We believe in the fall and lost estate of man, whose total depravity makes necessary the new birth.
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, death, bodily resurrection, present exaltation at God's right hand, and personal, imminent, and pre-millennial return.
We believe in the atonement by the substitutionary death and shed blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
We believe in the resurrection of the saved unto everlasting life and blessedness in heaven, in the Church, the Body or Bride of Christ, consisting only of those who are born again, for whom He now makes intercession in heaven and for whom He shall come again.
We believe in the resurrection of the unsaved unto everlasting punishment in hell.
We believe in Christ's great commission to the Church to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, baptizing and teaching those who believe.
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Radio/ TV Stations
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 370 of 717 | 10 of 22 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 193 of 718 | 6 of 22 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 319 of 718 | 7 of 22 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 596 of 717 | 18 of 22 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 4% | 5% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 90% | 93% | 94% | 95% | 93% | 94% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 5% | 5% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 10% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 7% | 6% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 79% | 81% | 82% | 82% | 83% | 81% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 77% | 80% | 84% | 88% | 83% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 63% | 66% | 69% | 73% | 68% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 23% | 20% | 16% | 12% | 17% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 3% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 15% | 14% | 13% | 14% | 14% | 15% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.47 | 0.14 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.16 | 0.16 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.07 | 2.13 | 2.25 | 2.03 | 2.01 | 2.10 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.15 | 0.29 | 0.33 | 0.31 | 0.32 | 0.33 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 21.45 | 11.52 | 10.45 | 11.09 | 11.55 | 11.67 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.09 | 0.10 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.09 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 9.35 | 37.65 | 33.07 | 35.05 | 34.77 | 33.22 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 3% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 4% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 209% | 700% | 656% | 623% | 609% | 608% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Cash | $30,699,161 | $28,101,848 | $30,520,002 | $30,008,198 | $28,362,025 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $169,665 | $124,539 | $148,397 | $321,881 | $83,842 |
| Short-term investments | $7,772,722 | $6,508,713 | $6,779,865 | $6,193,851 | $5,597,689 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $38,641,548 | $34,735,100 | $37,448,264 | $36,523,930 | $34,043,556 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $6,457,146 | $6,689,641 | $6,975,405 | $7,068,642 | $7,507,122 |
| Other long-term assets | $37,053,525 | $36,735,050 | $31,672,275 | $29,818,275 | $29,773,541 |
| Total long-term assets | $43,510,671 | $43,424,691 | $38,647,680 | $36,886,917 | $37,280,663 |
| Total assets | $82,152,219 | $78,159,791 | $76,095,944 | $73,410,847 | $71,324,219 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $3,355,218 | $3,324,210 | $3,375,497 | $3,163,014 | $2,915,962 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $3,355,218 | $3,324,210 | $3,375,497 | $3,163,014 | $2,915,962 |
| Debt | $70,562 | $70,562 | $70,562 | $70,562 | $70,562 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $70,562 | $70,562 | $70,562 | $70,562 | $70,562 |
| Total liabilities | $3,425,780 | $3,394,772 | $3,446,059 | $3,233,576 | $2,986,524 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Unrestricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Temporarily restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $78,726,439 | $74,765,019 | $72,649,885 | $70,177,271 | $68,337,695 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $13,520,538 | $13,289,371 | $13,195,809 | $12,180,522 | $12,689,318 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $628,123 | $555,521 | $409,201 | $473,064 | $478,018 |
| Other revenue | $380,833 | $349,091 | $353,209 | $417,988 | $335,728 |
| Total other revenue | $1,008,956 | $904,612 | $762,410 | $891,052 | $813,746 |
| Total revenue | $14,529,494 | $14,193,983 | $13,958,219 | $13,071,574 | $13,503,064 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Program services | $9,150,392 | $9,330,438 | $9,607,505 | $9,499,820 | $9,150,013 |
| Management and general | $1,532,497 | $1,448,962 | $1,656,932 | $1,564,689 | $1,636,601 |
| Fundraising | $563,334 | $618,324 | $399,840 | $450,298 | $457,170 |
| Total expenses | $11,246,223 | $11,397,724 | $11,664,277 | $11,514,807 | $11,243,784 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $3,283,271 | $2,796,259 | $2,293,942 | $1,556,767 | $2,259,280 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $3,283,271 | $2,796,259 | $2,293,942 | $1,556,767 | $2,259,280 |
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
History
On May 28, l968, Lowell Davey, President of the Bible Broadcasting Network, made an offer to purchase a radio station in Norfolk, Virginia. As he stated in that letter, "We sense the need of a quality station that is Christian oriented and has quality music, both classical and Christian. We are, therefore, in the process of looking for the availability of such a station."
That was the beginning of the Bible Broadcasting Network. Lowell Davey was not able to purchase that station but the idea of BBN was underway. Official incorporation took place about a year later on March 28, 1969, when God led BBN to purchase a radio station that had gone bankrupt and was off the air.
Through several miracles, God began BBN with that radio station in Norfolk, VA. WYFI signed on October 2, 1971 at 5:00 in the evening.
Since that beginning so many years ago, we have played our theme song every morning at 5:57 AM - "To God Be The Glory. Great Things He Has Done." We give God the glory for moving and opening doors to reach the hearts of people everywhere using the tool of radio.