East Gates International 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/27/2021. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
East Gates Ministries International ("East Gates") is dedicated to serving the growth and development of the Church in China. Shown on East Gates' logo are two Chinese characters -- East and Gate. Together, they reflect East Gates' vision which is to be a gate for the West into the East when it comes to understanding and serving the Church in China. 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:
East Gates International
P.O. Box 290
Issaquah, WA 98027
Website: www.eastgates.org
Phone: (425) 255-8888
Email: egmi@eastgates.org
Organization details
EIN: 911495327
CEO/President: Rev. Nelson Graham
Chairman: Pastor Ingolf Kronstad
Board size: 5
Founder:
Ruling year: 1995
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
East Gates equips the Church in China with Bibles and Christian literature.
East Gates provides quality training, discipleship, mentorship, counseling and encouragement for pastors, lay trainers and co-workers.
East Gates builds bridges to China's leaders at all levels so that better understanding and trust is established between China's believers and the secular authorities who govern their nation.
East Gates builds bridges of reconciliation between Christians in the registered and unregistered churches.
East Gates facilitates diplomatic efforts to help China's governmental entities gain a better understanding and appreciation for Christianity.
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
East Gates' vision is to help the Body of Christ in China fulfill what the Bible states is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Working legally and in partnership with the Church in China, East Gates seeks to equip and support the Church in China with the tools they need to grow in their relationship with God so they can prepare for and share the incredible news about the soon coming Kingdom of God.
Statement of faith
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 908 of 1010 | 107 of 120 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 889 of 1012 | 103 of 120 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 498 of 1012 | 63 of 120 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 943 of 1010 | 115 of 120 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 5% | 12% | 10% | 11% | 16% | 11% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 10% | 8% | 9% | 3% | 10% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 87% | 84% | 86% | 19% | 89% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 10% | 11% | 6% | 9% | 9% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 13% | 16% | 14% | 81% | 11% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 82% | 83% | 52% | 84% | 82% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 97% | 101% | 80% | 148% | 33% | 107% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 83% | 66% | 77% | 27% | 88% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 3% | -1% | 20% | -48% | 67% | -7% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 0% | 5% | -11% | 44% | -3% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 10% | 7% | 7% | 42% | 7% | 9% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.29 | 0.17 | 0.18 | 0.29 | 0.19 | 0.21 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.29 | 2.60 | 2.54 | 2.63 | 2.31 | 2.55 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.87 | 0.43 | 0.45 | 0.77 | 0.43 | 0.54 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 20.37 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.62 | 27.72 | 26.74 | 15.50 | 28.05 | 22.30 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 9% | 20% | 17% | 15% | 13% | 46% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 35% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 69% | 483% | 469% | 290% | 472% | 254% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $643,711 | $641,743 | $572,239 | $708,557 | $588,175 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,211 | $3,211 | $3,211 | $3,211 | $3,211 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $646,922 | $644,954 | $575,450 | $711,768 | $591,386 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $717,904 | $725,268 | $731,871 | $739,071 | $749,719 |
| Other long-term assets | $314,940 | $267,038 | $207,850 | $194,115 | $168,911 |
| Total long-term assets | $1,032,844 | $992,306 | $939,721 | $933,186 | $918,630 |
| Total assets | $1,679,766 | $1,637,260 | $1,515,171 | $1,644,954 | $1,510,016 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $524,596 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $328,181 | $280,279 | $221,091 | $207,366 | $176,585 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $328,181 | $280,279 | $221,091 | $207,366 | $701,181 |
| Total liabilities | $328,181 | $280,279 | $221,091 | $207,366 | $701,181 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $1,351,585 | $1,356,981 | $1,294,080 | $1,437,588 | $808,835 |
| With donor restrictions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $1,351,585 | $1,356,981 | $1,294,080 | $1,437,588 | $808,835 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $240,097 | $305,875 | $259,039 | $174,198 | $265,555 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,581 | $21,685 | $8,210 | $3,414 | $1,509 |
| Other revenue | $34,624 | $34,866 | $34,729 | $755,600 | $29,971 |
| Total other revenue | $36,205 | $56,551 | $42,939 | $759,014 | $31,480 |
| Total revenue | $276,302 | $362,426 | $301,978 | $933,212 | $297,035 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $230,504 | $239,273 | $233,080 | $255,252 | $261,210 |
| Management and general | $20,689 | $19,635 | $185,059 | $21,585 | $28,153 |
| Fundraising | $28,881 | $30,491 | $27,348 | $27,621 | $28,810 |
| Total expenses | $280,074 | $289,399 | $445,487 | $304,458 | $318,173 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($3,772) | $73,027 | ($143,509) | $628,754 | ($21,138) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($3,772) | $73,027 | ($143,509) | $628,754 | ($21,138) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Nelson E Graham | President | $92,300 |
| Christina K Graham | Operations Director | $48,376 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2020
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/27/2021. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com