It Is Written, Inc. 
The information on this page was last updated 4/10/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
"It Is Written" has been a staple on American television since premiering in 1956. The weekly program, currently hosted by John Bradshaw, applies timeless truths to everyday life, with many episodes dealing with issues such as loneliness, fear, low self-esteem and spiritual principles.
It Is Written is a supporting organization of Adventist Media Center (www.adventistmedia.org). All operational decisions and funding are controlled by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. All contributions to It Is Written go to the Seventh-day Adventist Church (www.adventist.org).
Contact information
Mailing address:
It Is Written Television
P.O. Box 6
Chattanooga, TN 37401
Website: www.itiswritten.com
Phone: 844-974-8836
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 953667768
CEO/President: John Bradshaw
Chairman: G. Alexander Bryant
Board size: 14
Founder: Mr. George Vandeman
Ruling year: 1982
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
With its straightforward, uplifting presentations, the program aims to inspire and encourage people of all faiths and creeds. Founded by George Vandeman, "It Is Written" was the first religious telecast to air in color.
Mission statement
It Is Written is a media evangelism ministry sharing the everlasting gospel worldwide. It Is Written is impacting lives for Christ through:
Satellite and digital television
Websites and mobile apps
Global evangelistic ministry
Faith-sharing resources
Statement of faith
We believe...
A Godhead of three co-eternal persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit-make up one God.
That Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God and is not a created being.
That Jesus walked this earth as our example, died on a cross as the sacrifice for sin, and rose again.
That the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the only standard of faith and practice for Christians.
That Jesus Christ will return to the earth and is working in human hearts to prepare them for His return.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Educational Media
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 44 of 1106 | 2 of 47 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 40 of 1107 | 2 of 47 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 8 of 1107 | 2 of 47 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 449 of 1106 | 19 of 47 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 7% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 93% | 100% | 100% | 101% | 100% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 7% | 0% | 0% | -1% | 0% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 94% | 106% | 93% | 93% | 92% | 105% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 74% | 106% | 93% | 93% | 92% | 105% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 6% | -6% | 7% | 7% | 8% | -5% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 8% | -16% | 22% | 25% | 26% | -21% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.76 | 0.98 | 1.16 | 1.32 | 1.12 | 1.70 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.48 | 1.06 | 1.04 | 1.05 | 1.02 | 1.03 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.40 | 1.03 | 1.21 | 1.39 | 1.14 | 1.74 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.90 | 1.42 | 1.65 | 1.57 | 1.55 | 1.62 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.70 | 0.60 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.62 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.49 | 3.44 | 3.91 | 3.13 | 3.73 | 2.63 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 67% | 58% | 60% | 63% | 60% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 107% | 34% | 36% | 30% | 33% | 23% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $16,043 | $19,004 | $19,227 | $18,275 | $18,245 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $12,695,798 | $11,834,593 | $9,726,132 | $8,105,160 | $5,467,822 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $12,711,841 | $11,853,597 | $9,745,359 | $8,123,435 | $5,486,067 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $725,000 | $525,000 | $525,000 | $140,400 | $140,400 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $725,000 | $525,000 | $525,000 | $140,400 | $140,400 |
| Total assets | $13,436,841 | $12,378,597 | $10,270,359 | $8,263,835 | $5,626,467 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $8,955,386 | $7,170,830 | $6,210,353 | $5,237,457 | $3,392,764 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $8,955,386 | $7,170,830 | $6,210,353 | $5,237,457 | $3,392,764 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $8,955,386 | $7,170,830 | $6,210,353 | $5,237,457 | $3,392,764 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $200,000 | $3,343,755 | $3,208,949 | $2,227,745 | $1,485,328 |
| With donor restrictions | $4,281,455 | $1,864,012 | $851,057 | $798,633 | $748,376 |
| Net assets | $4,481,455 | $5,207,767 | $4,060,006 | $3,026,378 | $2,233,703 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $12,400,978 | $15,537,666 | $14,737,603 | $10,069,372 | $9,099,925 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | ($4,910) | ($3,742) | ($162,692) | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | ($4,910) | ($3,742) | ($162,692) | $0 | $0 |
| Total revenue | $12,396,068 | $15,533,924 | $14,574,911 | $10,069,372 | $9,099,925 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $13,122,380 | $14,386,163 | $13,541,282 | $9,276,698 | $9,557,856 |
| Management and general | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fundraising | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total expenses | $13,122,380 | $14,386,163 | $13,541,282 | $9,276,698 | $9,557,856 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($726,312) | $1,147,761 | $1,033,629 | $792,674 | ($457,931) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($726,312) | $1,147,761 | $1,033,629 | $792,674 | ($457,931) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| G Alexander Bryant | Secretary | $143,044 |
| Wendy Eberhart | Board Member | $129,227 |
| Rick Remmers | Board Member | $127,969 |
| Randy Robinson | Treasurer | $121,777 |
| Coleen Dolinsky | Asst Treasurer | $121,573 |
| Calvin Watkins | Board Member | $115,004 |
| John Bradshaw | Vice-President | $114,872 |
| Kyoshin Ahn | Board Member | $114,128 |
| Arne Nielson | Board Member | $112,698 |
| Minner Labrador | Board Member | $110,752 |
| Mike Lukens | Board Member | $90,846 |
| Monica Edwards | Board Member | $78,148 |
| Jim Hillman | Board Member | $67,351 |
| Maurice R Valentine II | Board Member | $65,813 |
| Jeff Blumenberg | Board Member | $46,347 |
| Olan Thomas | Secretary | $7,775 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2022
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 4/10/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Over sixty years ago , the world was a very different place. Disneyland had just opened its doors to the public, Elvis appeared on the entertainment scene and immediately captured national interest, and Warner Brothers unveiled its first television studio in Burbank. Although these are often noted as the great developments of that time, perhaps someday we will discover that one of the most significant contributions began with much less fanfare. It all started in the heart of a man who strongly believed that a new technology-television-could be used to powerfully proclaim Christ's love to the world.
That man, Pastor George Vandeman, saw his plans come to fruition when It Is Written, the first Christian television program to broadcast in color, hit the airwaves on 13 stations in the spring of 1956.
Over the next half-century, It Is Written grew exponentially. Today, 65 years later, bold plans for evangelism and fervent prayer continue to drive the ministry. Under President John Bradshaw It Is Written is blazing a trail in four primary areas of evangelism: television, public evangelism, spiritual resources, and online.
Although many social changes have taken place since Pastor Vandeman first appeared on television, It Is Written's message of hope through Jesus has remained the same.
Sharing Hope Around the Globe
Under Pastor Vandeman's direction, It Is Written entered many new evangelism arenas. His live "Revelation Seminars" attracted tens of thousands of eager visitors, and the telecast entered millions of homes in numerous countries.
In 1991, Pastor Vandeman retired and Pastor Mark Finley accepted the position as the ministry's new speaker/director. He also shared Pastor Vandeman's vision for evangelism, and in 1995 made history with a satellite evangelistic series called NET '95.
NET '96 followed one year later, and whereas NET '95 had targeted North America, NET '96 reached the world with messages in 13 languages. It is estimated that 2,200 churches from 45 countries participated in at least one of the NETs, and more than 30,000 people were baptized at the conclusion of the meetings.
The next major It Is Written satellite effort took place from 1999 through 2001 with ACTS 2000, when the ministry covered the entire globe with multiple satellite meetings. Pastor Finley conducted a total of 10 series to a combined audience of 3 million people.
By this time, the program's reach had expanded by leaps and bounds. Although hundreds of other Christian broadcasts had flooded the airwaves, It Is Written maintained its rank as one of the top 10 religious programs in North America, and received more than 30 awards for excellence in programming. Today, the weekly broadcast is produced in a total of 12 languages, and can be seen in nearly every country of the world.
Next step
It Is Written entered a new era in January 2005 as Pastor Shawn Boonstra became the third speaker/director. Finley, who is now a general vice president for the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, passed the mantle to Boonstra with his blessing.
Pastor Boonstra came to the It Is Written headquarters from It Is Written Canada, where he had served as speaker/director for four years. As someone who joined the Adventist Church after attending an It Is Written evangelistic series, Pastor Boonstra passionately believes in the mission of the ministry.
The next 5 years were a whirlwind of outreach via technology and public evangelism. Pastor Boonstra's Revelation Speaks Peace evangelistic series in cities like Phoenix, Portland, Los Angeles, India and Rome energized attendees and church members alike with the hope in Christ that is revealed through the final book of the Bible.
Today
In January 2011, Pastor John Bradshaw was named new speaker/director for It Is Written.
In May 2011, Bradshaw conducted a short series live from Las Vegas called Babylon Rising. This effort was broadcast worldwide via satellite and the Internet. Following the success of the Babylon Rising series, Bradshaw presented a month-long series called Revelation Today live from the Cashman Center in Las Vegas in January 2012. He followed this series with meetings in Paris, Dayton, Southern Mexico, Costa Rica, Prague, New York, Charlotte and more.
Other ongoing projects include Escrito Est, It Is Written's worldwide Spanish-language outreach; the weekly It Is Written television program, seen in more than 143 countries and now available on the Discovery Channel in the United States (Sundays at 7 a.m. Pacific and Eastern); Bradshaw's weekly From the Bible radio broadcast; the My Place With Jesus Bible study website for kids; and the Eyes for India humanitarian project.
Please keep checking this website for the latest news about future projects. We praise the Lord for these opportunities, and invite you to partner with us in continuing to reach the world for Christ. Thank you for your support and prayers!
Short satellite series such as The Appearing, The Presence, Out of Thin Air, and NET 2006 (Revelation Speaks Peace: Unlocking the Signs) explored the topics of the second coming, the sanctuary, the creation/evolution debate and Bible prophecy. Thousands of churches participated in these events.
It Is Written's weekly program-the longest continuously running religious program in the world-expanded even further around the world. Since its debut in Australia, It has become the #1 religious program in that country.
Program accomplishments
The ministry's overseas projects have taken the gospel to some of the most remote places on Earth. In recent years, the team has traveled to:
- The Arctic-to deliver Inuktituk Bibles to Inuit tribes
- The Kalahari Desert-to install solar-powered water wells and solar-powered audio Bibles
- The Democratic Republic of Congo-to work among the Pygmies
- Vanuatu-to provide mosquito nets for children living in malaria-plagued villages
- India-to sponsor life-changing eye surgeries that are restoring sight
- Mongolia-to provide medical and spiritual help to the people of Ulaanbaatar
...just to name a few!