LifeWord Broadcast Ministries, Inc. 
Summary
Lifeword Broadcast Ministries, Inc. ("LBM") is the radio/television section of the Baptist Missionary Association of America ("BMA"). The BMA was formed in 1950 for the purpose of mobilizing like-minded churches in a cooperative effort to fulfill the great commission. Lifeword Broadcast Ministries' role within BMA's strategy is to sow the seed of the gospel in as much of the world as possible utilizing mass media presented in the native languages of the listeners. LBM seeks out people that have little or no exposure to Christian broadcast programming and delivers the gospel in their languages. LBM presently broadcasts in 40 languages reaching nearly half the world's population. LBM's domestic broadcast is aired on about 400 stations in the United States. This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Contact information
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 6
(611 Locust Avenue 72034)
Conway, AR 72033-2033
Website: www.lifeword.org
Phone: (501) 329-6891
Email: info@lifeword.org
Organization details
EIN: 710394665
CEO/President: Mr. Donny Parrish
Chairman: Mr. John Ben Williams
Board size: 16
Founder: Mr. Harold Morris
Year founded: 1965
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 05/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Lifeword Broadcast Ministries, Inc. ("LBM") is the radio/television section of the Baptist Missionary Association of America ("BMA"). The BMA was formed in 1950 for the purpose of mobilizing like-minded churches in a cooperative effort to fulfill the great commission. Lifeword Broadcast Ministries' role within the BMA mission strategy is to sow the seed of the gospel in as much of the world as possible utilizing mass media presented in the native language of the listeners.
LBM seeks out people that have little or no exposure to Christian broadcast programming and delivers the gospel in their languages. LBM presently broadcasts in 40 languages reaching nearly half the world's population. In addition, LBM has radio and television production facilities in the Philippines.
LBM's domestic broadcast is aired on about 400 stations in the United States. These spots target the top secular radio stations, and the listener is encouraged to phone Lifeword Broadcast Ministries to receive a LifeCheck booklet to guide them through the plan of salvation. Domestic broadcast time is wholly underwritten by partners who agree to sponsor the programs in their areas. This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Mission statement
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Lifeword Broadcast Ministries expresses its mission in the following way:
- focusing on the unreached,
- making the presentations culturally relevant,
- speaking in the heart-language of the hearer,
- using creative approaches to capture the listener's attention,
- responding to felt needs of our neighbors, whether near or far,
- ministering to local churches through media services,
- striving always to present ourselves in a professional and Godly manner,
- working in harmony with our fellow Christians and living exemplary lives which reflect the God-given joy of being ambassadors for Christ.
Lifeword is dedicated to communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ through mass media to every living soul upon the earth.
Statement of faith
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Radio/ TV Stations
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 418 of 500 | 17 of 23 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 292 of 500 | 14 of 23 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 315 of 500 | 13 of 23 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 455 of 500 | 19 of 23 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 8% | 10% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 8% | 9% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 95% | 103% | 91% | 97% | 99% | 113% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 10% | 11% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 5% | -3% | 9% | 3% | 1% | -13% |
| Operating ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 78% | 77% | 94% | 93% | 94% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 84% | 88% | 97% | 93% | 114% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 66% | 68% | 92% | 87% | 107% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 16% | 12% | 3% | 7% | -14% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 7% | 5% | 3% | 8% | -14% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 10% | 12% | 12% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
| Investing ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.19 | 0.38 | 0.34 | 1.17 | 0.99 | 0.96 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.53 | 4.13 | 4.29 | 1.27 | 1.30 | 1.29 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.31 | 1.55 | 1.48 | 1.49 | 1.28 | 1.24 |
| Liquidity ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 9.12 | 10.36 | 12.44 | 59.41 | 146.74 | 30.03 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.03 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.41 | 6.99 | 7.47 | 7.94 | 9.28 | 9.36 |
| Solvency ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 15% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 12% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 70% | 260% | 285% | 84% | 101% | 88% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Cash | $512,944 | $462,484 | $765,061 | $298,524 | $115,022 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $27,852 | $29,563 | $7,481 | $11,369 | $76,111 |
| Short-term investments | $404,404 | $399,828 | $2,089,547 | $2,374,444 | $2,734,371 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $945,200 | $891,875 | $2,862,089 | $2,684,337 | $2,925,504 |
| Long-term investments | $2,149,377 | $2,199,533 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $686,523 | $734,667 | $763,971 | $800,208 | $849,952 |
| Other long-term assets | $126,032 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $2,961,932 | $2,934,200 | $763,971 | $800,208 | $849,952 |
| Total assets | $3,907,132 | $3,826,075 | $3,626,060 | $3,484,545 | $3,775,456 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $91,209 | $71,716 | $48,177 | $18,293 | $62,469 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $34,959 |
| Total current liabilities | $91,209 | $71,716 | $48,177 | $18,293 | $97,428 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $469,692 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,827 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $475,519 |
| Total liabilities | $91,209 | $72,716 | $50,177 | $20,293 | $572,947 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Unrestricted | $3,076,274 | $3,027,926 | $2,859,117 | $2,838,619 | $2,570,079 |
| Temporarily restricted | $739,649 | $0 | $9,118 | $37,538 | $37,138 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $725,433 | $707,648 | $588,095 | $595,292 |
| Net assets | $3,815,923 | $3,753,359 | $3,575,883 | $3,464,252 | $3,202,509 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Total contributions | $1,793,102 | $1,363,831 | $4,249,118 | $3,662,271 | $3,576,112 |
| Program service revenue | $20,547 | $4,066 | $53,069 | $49,528 | $27,698 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | ($79,050) | $82,927 | ($13,687) | ($63,365) | $40,524 |
| Other revenue | $5,520 | $43,700 | $75,055 | $59,067 | ($466,042) |
| Total other revenue | ($52,983) | $130,693 | $114,437 | $45,230 | ($397,820) |
| Total revenue | $1,740,119 | $1,494,524 | $4,363,555 | $3,707,501 | $3,178,292 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Program services | $1,148,922 | $1,011,943 | $3,999,811 | $3,213,656 | $3,396,377 |
| Management and general | $172,098 | $164,130 | $137,298 | $128,049 | $135,274 |
| Fundraising | $144,363 | $140,975 | $114,815 | $104,053 | $92,175 |
| Total expenses | $1,465,383 | $1,317,048 | $4,251,924 | $3,445,758 | $3,623,826 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $274,736 | $177,476 | $111,631 | $261,743 | ($445,534) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $274,736 | $177,476 | $111,631 | $261,743 | ($445,534) |
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
History
Founded by Harold Morris in 1965, Lifeword Broadcast Ministries was known as the Harvest Gleaner Hour until 1988. The first broadcast of the Harvest Gleaner Hour was carried on KSTL radio in St. Louis on September 4, 1965. Today, LBM beams the gospel to North America, Central America, South America, the Middle East, the Ukraine, the Peoples Republic of China, the Philippines, India, and western Africa.
LBM has 13 full-time employees at its international headquarters in Conway, Arkansas, a full-time radio and TV production staff in the Philippines, and more than 100 part-time and volunteer radio speakers, musicians, office assistants, and project coordinators.
Program accomplishments
- LBM's radio department produced 1,936 programs, of which 830 programs were short format and 1,106 long format, and launched a new Portuguese language broadcast in Brazil and a "Spirit Word" broadcast in English for Native Americans.
- The Lifeword television program and spots, including five new half-hour programs and one new 30-second spot produced in 2004 and added to the rotation, were on the air a total of 6,098,160 minutes or an average of 1,954.5 hours per week.
- The television department produced five contract video projects.
- The technical services department completed ten outside contract projects.
- The Women's Outreach Ministry Team ministered to more than 1,400 people, raised almost $13,000 for Lifeword and signed up Faith Inner Circle commitments totaling $3,360 per year.