Partners International 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 3/15/2021. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
In 1943, when Partners began working with Christians in China, we pioneered the approach of partnering with indigenous Christian ministries, believing this is the most effective way to evangelize and establish churches. That one extraordinary partnership in China led to hundreds of partnerships in more than 50 countries. We continue to identify strategic ministries and provide an array of resources that strengthen and grow their work. The clear focus is to reach the unreached with the Gospel and Love of Jesus, to full fill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39). The result? More than 7300 churches and small groups were planted last year alone, and over 30,000 since 1995.
The task and challenge our partners face is enormous. They are tiny minorities in places where another religion is dominant. The face regular persecution for being a witness of Jesus. The places where they live are some of the most impoverished in the world. Human need is everywhere.
They know they can't do it alone. But they long for a certain kind of help--not for someone who comes with outside ideas about what they should do. They long for partners who come first to learn--to get to know them, understand their needs, and then, out of that understanding and friendship, to dream about what we can do together to serve and reach their people.
We believe that partnership with indigenous ministries just makes sense, a combining of the passion, talents, and resources of majority-world believers with those of their brothers and sisters in Christ here in the U.S. and throughout the world. We emphasize local self-sufficiency and avoid creating unhealthy dependency.
Partners International is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Partners is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact information
Mailing address:
1117 E. Westview Court
Spokane, WA 99218-1319
Website: www.partnersintl.org
Phone: (509) 343-4000
Email: info@partnersintl.org
Organization details
EIN: 941393427
CEO/President: Mr. Larry D. Andrews
Chairman: Kamesh Sankaran
Board size: 8
Founder:
Year founded: 1943
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1980
Purpose
Our goal is to help our ministry partners develop into successful, sustainable organizations that are transforming their communities for Christ in the unreached places of the world. We provide ministry training, organizational development, expertise in women's ministry, and financial assistance. However, the most essential element in our partnerships is a strong relational connection built through time spent together. We also connect with partners in the U.S. who, like us, believe that indigenous ministries are the major force reaching the world for Christ today. These stateside partners get involved with Partners International and with our indigenous partners by developing relationships with indigenous leaders, sponsoring projects or training events, offering their professional skills, praying for the ministry or joining short-term ministry teams through their churches. Learn more about us at www.partnersintl.org.
Mission statement
Partners International uses the following to communicate its mission:
The vision of Partners International is that local ministries in the least-reached, least resourced nations will be proclaiming the Gospel to every person and building a thriving church for every people. Our mission is building the Church in the least-reached places by partnering with indigenous ministries and connecting followers of Christ. Net, planting and building the Church where it does not exist today.
We accomplish this uniquely through Christ-centered, strategic, and trusting partnerships with indigenous ministry organizations who have a vision to advance the Kingdom of God in their nation. Our key strategy to reach and impact lives is holistic witness (word and deed), which means reaching out to the "whole" person - addressing physical, spiritual, and socio-economic concerns with the Gospel message of hope. We collaborate with our partners to insure the holistic health of the Church is addressed via discipleship, equipping leaders and church planters, empowering women and children, and transforming the community health and economic poverty issues.
We partner exclusively in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, an area sometimes called the 10/40 Window or the "Resistant Belt". These regions include 68 countries, are home to five billion people, includes 1,700 unreached people groups, contain the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, and is where 80% of the world's poorest people live. 85% are virtually unreached with the Gospel.
Statement of faith
Partners International uses the following to communicate its faith:
We Believe:
In the Holy Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy; and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
One God existing eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, His virgin birth, His sinless human life, His divine miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, His mediatorial work, and His personal returning power and glory.
The salvation of lost and sinful man through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ by faith apart from works, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the believer is enabled to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The unity of the Spirit of all true believers, the Church, the Body of Christ.
The resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 149 of 941 | 20 of 104 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 633 of 943 | 68 of 104 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 128 of 943 | 20 of 104 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 66 of 941 | 10 of 104 |
Click here to read Partners International's response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 8% | 6% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 8% | 6% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 99% | 99% | 98% | 100% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 6% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 90% | 91% | 92% | 90% | 91% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 97% | 100% | 100% | 98% | 105% | 100% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 89% | 91% | 90% | 95% | 91% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 3% | 0% | 0% | 2% | -5% | 0% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 6% | 1% | 1% | 16% | -35% | 2% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 10% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.26 | 4.84 | 6.48 | 5.81 | 6.11 | 5.27 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.28 | 1.08 | 1.09 | 1.09 | 1.63 | 1.46 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.87 | 5.21 | 7.09 | 6.32 | 9.96 | 7.68 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 17.20 | 6.65 | 19.62 | 13.94 | 10.20 | 11.26 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.15 | 0.05 | 0.07 | 0.10 | 0.09 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.76 | 1.96 | 1.61 | 1.76 | 1.09 | 1.42 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 9% | 15% | 9% | 12% | 9% | 8% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 72% | 18% | 14% | 15% | 15% | 17% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $669,216 | $372,657 | $2,730,417 | $1,581,744 | $2,289,362 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $45,435 | $333,118 | $242,905 | $39,290 | $143,066 |
| Short-term investments | $2,467,998 | $2,171,390 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $5,450 | $5,450 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $3,188,099 | $2,882,615 | $2,973,322 | $1,621,034 | $2,432,428 |
| Long-term investments | $182,321 | $180,314 | $180,820 | $188,969 | $201,748 |
| Fixed assets | $34,569 | $60,550 | $44,903 | $770,698 | $827,314 |
| Other long-term assets | $31,627 | $31,627 | $36,626 | $61,627 | $79,027 |
| Total long-term assets | $248,517 | $272,491 | $262,349 | $1,021,294 | $1,108,089 |
| Total assets | $3,436,616 | $3,155,106 | $3,235,671 | $2,642,328 | $3,540,517 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $441,575 | $146,914 | $213,242 | $158,932 | $216,048 |
| Other current liabilities | $38,178 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $479,753 | $146,914 | $213,242 | $158,932 | $216,048 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $45,673 | $127,628 | $163,485 | $70,879 | $74,544 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $45,673 | $127,628 | $163,485 | $70,879 | $74,544 |
| Total liabilities | $525,426 | $274,542 | $376,727 | $229,811 | $290,592 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $1,812,624 | $1,780,021 | $1,872,509 | $1,405,759 | $1,483,241 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,098,566 | $1,100,543 | $986,435 | $1,006,758 | $1,766,684 |
| Net assets | $2,911,190 | $2,880,564 | $2,858,944 | $2,412,517 | $3,249,925 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $16,560,587 | $20,337,862 | $18,848,782 | $15,336,846 | $18,779,973 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $53,459 | $113,465 | $6,822 | $5,010 | $3,131 |
| Other revenue | $36,734 | $608 | $377,916 | ($25,894) | ($38,768) |
| Total other revenue | $90,193 | $114,073 | $384,738 | ($20,884) | ($35,637) |
| Total revenue | $16,650,780 | $20,451,935 | $19,233,520 | $15,315,962 | $18,744,336 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $14,885,950 | $18,608,444 | $17,228,085 | $14,499,213 | $16,974,645 |
| Management and general | $441,325 | $425,221 | $446,317 | $463,991 | $487,262 |
| Fundraising | $1,292,879 | $1,396,650 | $1,112,691 | $1,190,166 | $1,210,310 |
| Total expenses | $16,620,154 | $20,430,315 | $18,787,093 | $16,153,370 | $18,672,217 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $30,626 | $21,620 | $446,427 | ($837,408) | $72,119 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $30,626 | $21,620 | $446,427 | ($837,408) | $72,119 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
Thank you for allowing Partners International to respond to your Financial Efficiency rating system.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 3/15/2021. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
In 1943, shortly after missionaries had been expelled from China, Dr. N.A. Jepson, lay leader and a founder of the Christian Business Men's Committee, called together four businessmen and a missionary to China. Meeting in Dr. Jepson's living room in Seattle, they agreed that if China was to be reached with the Gospel, the work would have to be done by Chinese Christians. Out of this meeting, Partners International was born.
At the time, the idea was remarkable: that indigenous believers could be entrusted with the resources to do God's work. They named the organization China Native Evangelistic Crusade (CNEC). Our first partnership was with a gifted Chinese evangelist, Calvin Chao, and his "preaching bands" that took the Gospel into China's interior. That one extraordinary partnership has led to hundreds of partnerships in more than 50 countries.
It wasn't until March 1960 that Partners International hired its first paid, full-time director, Allen Finley. Under his leadership from 1960 to 1987, the organization grew from a "one file drawer, one desk ministry" into a multinational, multi-partner ministry. During this time, our name was changed to Christian Nationals Evangelism Commission (still abbreviated CNEC), reflecting a broader global outreach.
In his years as president, Allen helped define and deepen our commitment to national Christians as the most effective way to reach the unreached with the Gospel. Allen's vision sparked a philosophical shift in missions as national leaders became the front runners in reaching their nations for Christ. During this time, affiliate CNEC offices developed in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. In 1985, CNEC changed its name to Partners International to reflect its commitment to global partnership.
Program accomplishments
In all, we assist 108 ministries in 58 countries. On average, more than 60,000 people have put their faith in Christ and more than 6000 churches have been planted each year over the last three years.
Needs
Visit this link to find descriptions of our ministry partners around the world, their projects, and how you can get involved.