Christian Encounter Ministries, Inc. 
The information on this page was last updated 2/16/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Christian Encounter Ministries, Inc. in Grass Valley, CA, has been restoring the lives of troubled young men and women between the ages of 16 and 25 since 1970.
Our residents come from backgrounds of substance abuse, abandonment, neglect, and many forms of abuse and trauma. We work with young people that are aware of their need for help. Residents enter the program voluntarily. Our primary focus is to assist people in the development of responsible behavior patterns and to confront weaknesses which prevent adequate adjustment. We believe the key element in responsible living is one's relationship to God, and we strive to provide an environment where a genuine commitment to Christ can be fostered. Residents experience a safe, loving environment on a semi-secluded 82-acre ranch where they are provided counseling, education, and spiritual direction. They also develop good attitudes, work habits and personal life-skills. They stay an average of one year. Funding for this work is from donations rather than tax-generated dollars.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Christian Encounter Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 1022
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Website: www.christianencounter.org
Phone: (530) 268-0877
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 237118864
CEO/President: Nathaniel "Nate" Boyd
Chairman: Michael Lewis
Board size: 8
Founder: Paul Cecil & Tom Salter
Ruling year: 1971
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1983
Purpose
Life's greatest challenges are not simple. They affect us spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Fifty years of experience has confirmed our belief that the deepest healing results from a tightly integrated team of educated and experienced pastors, counselors, teachers, and caregivers working in concert to address the whole soul.
Mission statement
We desire to provide a community in which people encounter Jesus Christ, where they will:
Receive restoration by experiencing Christ's redemption
Experience healing through a nurturing church community
Grow in faith and Christian character
Establish spiritual habits and a strong work ethic
Develop healthy relationships with others
Statement of faith
Christian Encounter is a biblically-based church with an integrated residential youth program. As part of the universal body of Christ, we are in agreement with the World Evangelical Alliance's Statement of Faith.
Additionally, our Board of Directors has crafted the following statement, which is the foundation and focus of our work:
HOLY SCRIPTURE
We believe that all Scripture (the 66 book canon) is given by the inspiration of God. Therefore, all scripture is true and trustworthy, and is a testimony to Christ. As such it stands as the final authority of policy and practice of Christian Encounter Ranch (CER) and its members. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:17-18; John 10:35)
NATURE OF GOD
We believe that God eternally exists in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who are one God deserving precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience. God, the self-existent, everlasting, holy, righteous, loving, Author and Creator of life, is actively involved in the world redeeming, transforming, regenerating and reconciling mankind to Himself. Accordingly, the Purpose of CER (as expressed in article 2.1 of the By-Laws) is designed to participate in that process of reconciliation. (Exodus 15:18; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; 10:30; Acts 2:47; 17:24ff; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:16-21; 1 Peter 1:5)
THE CREATED NATURE OF MAN
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God. Sin, entering the world by Adam's disobedience, is a spiritual pathogen that has infected all humanity and alienated humankind from God. Hence, the need for reconciliation and salvation becomes apparent. This salvation comes as God's gift of grace, apart from any good works or human merit, and can be received by faith alone, through Christ alone. For salvation to be in effect for anyone it must be appropriated by that person through faith and obedience. (Genesis 1:26-31; 9:6; Mark 16:16; John 1:12; 3:14-17, 36; 11:25-26; Acts 4:12; 13:38, 39; Romans 3:23; 5:1, 12; Ephesians 2:8,9; 1 John 2:2)
THE CHURCH
We believe the church is composed of all races, colors, and nations of those who profess Jesus as God the Son. It is the body and bride of Christ, formed by the Holy Spirit, existing in two aspects, universal and local. In both aspects, the Church exists to glorify God through worship and discipleship as elements of the ministry of reconciliation. (Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 12:12-27; II Corinthians 5:16-21; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-30; Hebrews 10:24-25; I Peter 2:9; Revelation 7:9, 10)
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Evangelism
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1071 of 1106 | 42 of 45 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 737 of 1107 | 33 of 45 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1038 of 1107 | 42 of 45 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1089 of 1106 | 41 of 45 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 10% | 16% | 9% | 9% | 9% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 9% | 15% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 97% | 94% | 93% | 90% | 88% | 85% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 11% | 14% | 7% | 8% | 8% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 3% | 6% | 7% | 10% | 12% | 15% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 63% | 60% | 65% | 62% | 60% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 80% | 106% | 111% | 96% | 98% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 50% | 64% | 72% | 60% | 59% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 20% | -6% | -11% | 4% | 2% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 1% | 17% | -4% | -8% | 2% | 1% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 26% | 26% | 28% | 29% | 32% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.01 | 0.62 | 0.69 | 0.75 | 0.62 | 0.59 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.53 | 9.26 | 5.61 | 3.35 | 7.32 | 17.38 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.22 | 5.73 | 3.90 | 2.50 | 4.54 | 10.17 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 11.32 | 1.57 | 1.01 | 3.35 | 2.02 | 0.78 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.09 | 0.64 | 0.99 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 1.29 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.64 | 0.76 | 0.04 | 3.36 | 1.34 | -0.34 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 11% | 7% | 18% | 9% | 7% | 16% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 9% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 74% | 150% | 119% | 122% | 151% | 143% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Cash | $144,313 | $209,865 | $128,371 | $131,602 | $31,944 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $22,316 | $25,021 | $25,542 | $48,211 | $50,445 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $216,874 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $100 | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Total current assets | $166,629 | $234,986 | $370,887 | $179,913 | $82,489 |
| Long-term investments | $509,757 | $189,477 | $7,226 | $284,695 | $454,229 |
| Fixed assets | $866,022 | $893,024 | $865,996 | $852,710 | $896,817 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $1,375,779 | $1,082,501 | $873,222 | $1,137,405 | $1,351,046 |
| Total assets | $1,542,408 | $1,317,487 | $1,244,109 | $1,317,318 | $1,433,535 |
| Liabilities | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $43,206 | $40,889 | $41,616 | $71,246 | $69,481 |
| Other current liabilities | $63,084 | $190,783 | $69,171 | $17,782 | $36,660 |
| Total current liabilities | $106,290 | $231,672 | $110,787 | $89,028 | $106,141 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $129,608 |
| 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 | $129,608 |
| Total liabilities | $106,290 | $231,672 | $110,787 | $89,028 | $235,749 |
| Net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Without donor restrictions | $1,308,712 | $927,880 | $957,921 | $1,060,365 | $1,029,425 |
| With donor restrictions | $127,406 | $157,935 | $175,401 | $167,925 | $168,361 |
| Net assets | $1,436,118 | $1,085,815 | $1,133,322 | $1,228,290 | $1,197,786 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Total contributions | $1,114,879 | $803,665 | $746,483 | $746,503 | $726,131 |
| Program service revenue | $47,227 | $37,368 | $25,887 | $66,985 | $107,353 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $10,475 | $15,911 | $50,812 | $9,267 | $7,389 |
| Other revenue | $19,715 | $10,218 | $9,588 | $23,730 | $14,814 |
| Total other revenue | $77,417 | $63,497 | $86,287 | $99,982 | $129,556 |
| Total revenue | $1,192,296 | $867,162 | $832,770 | $846,485 | $855,687 |
| Expenses | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Program services | $600,402 | $550,720 | $602,882 | $507,389 | $505,660 |
| Management and general | $245,397 | $238,674 | $257,143 | $240,246 | $265,554 |
| Fundraising | $108,494 | $125,995 | $67,713 | $68,346 | $67,415 |
| Total expenses | $954,293 | $915,389 | $927,738 | $815,981 | $838,629 |
| Change in net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $238,003 | ($48,227) | ($94,968) | $30,504 | $17,058 |
| Other changes in net assets | $112,300 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $350,303 | ($48,227) | ($94,968) | $30,504 | $17,058 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
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 2/16/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
In the late 1960's the vision of Christian Encounter Ministries (CEM) was conceived in the hearts of Paul Cecil and Tom Salter, then students at San Jose Bible College. The drug scene was flourishing, and young people by the thousands were hitch-hiking to California in search of answers. Rejecting the values of middle class America, they came searching for anything that would give their lives meaning and purpose. They saw a need for an intimate, personal type of ministry which could more effectively minister to people who needed Christ but who would not come through the church doors, as well as to people who had accepted Christ but had fallen away because their needs were not met. Cecil saw the time ripening, and in September of 1970, the CEM vision was given birth.
A site was selected in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, near Grass Valley, California. It was hoped that the obscurity of the location and the natural beauty of the rural surroundings would provide a peaceful and protective environment in which lost or struggling young people would begin to face their problems head-on and find lasting direction for their lives. The Ranch would also be available to the Body of Christ at large as a family camping and retreat facility and as a training center for Christians preparing for practical ministry.
Those early years were filled with stories of dramatic transformation in hundreds of young lives. Drug-damaged minds and rebellion-hardened hearts were made new again by the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. CEM's prescription for change has remained the same through the years: Truth, discipline and love - resulting in growth.
From the beginning, God has seen to it that each need is met specifically and at just the right time. Through countless "coincidences" God has graciously provided our requests for food, money, vehicles, buildings, clothing, machinery, school supplies, livestock, and much more.
From its inception, CEM has been both a service to, and an arm of, the Church. Over the years, troubled young people have been referred to CEM by churches. The churches have seen for themselves the evidence of transformed lives, and they have subsequently lent their wholehearted approval and support to the work. The vision and scope of CEM has expanded over the years. While young people continue to experience redirection through the 24-hour, live-in ministry of CEM, many other avenues of ministry have also opened up including an internship program which was initiated to train and equip qualified college students for contemporary ministry. Today CEM has a wide outreach to the community and a good reputation among its neighbors. Indeed, many of the neighbors have become involved in Encounter Ministries' work on a volunteer basis, and dozens of others have come into a relationship with God through this ministry.
Christian Encounter Ministries has seen many lives changed and individuals served through its work in the past, and we look forward to seeing many more such miracles of God in the future!