Christian Missionary Fellowship
The information on this page was last updated 5/31/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
CMF International is a global missions team at work in 26 countries creating dynamic Christ-centered communities.
We build university student communities: Our Globalscope international campus ministers focus on key universities in major cities. These young leaders provide a Christian community and model authentic relationships with Jesus for the world's most unreached generation.
We plant churches: CMF team members adapt to the cultures where they serve. They build relationships that lead to new faith communities. These churches train leaders, reproduce and become a starting point for transformation in the community.
We serve the poor: Recent statistics project that 66 percent of the world's population will be urban by 2050. This will be the largest unreached people group in the world. CMF's holistic ministries provide ways to break the bonds of poverty and demonstrate the love of Christ in urban areas all around the world. The results have been amazing!
We engage the marketplace: CMF Marketplace ministers are passionate about reaching the unreached where they work. They are teachers, engineers, community developers and much more. Team members also help engage local entrepreneurs to develop Kingdom businesses that lead to economic transformation.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Christian Missionary Fellowship
PO Box 501020
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Website: cmfi.org
Phone: (317) 578-2700
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 362406657
CEO/President: Dr. Kip Lines
Chairman: Dr. Nancy Pace
Board size: 17
Founder: O.D. Johnson & W.F. Lown
Ruling year: 1952
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1987
Purpose
CMF has remained faithful to Christ's call to go out into the world and transform it for 70 years. We are always looking ahead to implement new strategies and move into new areas to share the gospel. Lives and communities can be transformed through the good news of the gospel in any corner of the world, from the slums of Africa and India, to the universities of Europe, and in the schools and neighborhoods of Asia.
Teamwork is an essential part of CMF's strategies. All CMF personnel work as part of a team that includes mission colleagues on the field and local Christians. Each team plans and fulfills its ministry goals together, and its members support and encourage one another.
Our team also includes U.S. churches that provide financial support and with whom we partner to develop specific strategies and projects for transformation. Our sending partners - the individuals and churches who make our ministries possible through their prayers, financial support and encouragement - are a key part of our team.
Mission statement
Our mission is to create dynamic Christ-centered communities that transform the world.
Statement of faith
That God - who eternally exists in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - desires everyone to believe in Him, glorify Him, obey Him, and enjoy eternity with Him.
That Jesus was born of a virgin and lived without sin, gave His life for the forgiveness of our sins, and rose from the grave in triumph.
The personal mission of the Holy Spirit is to point to Jesus and to empower Christians to live transformed lives, love one another, and to share the story of Jesus.
That God inspired the Scriptures and they reveal His plan for all nations concerning faith and how we are to act.
That we are all separated from God by sin and depend on His grace - demonstrated through His Son Jesus - to be saved.
We are to share this Good News throughout the world.
The Church is a community of Christ-followers that He established to participate with Him in the mission of personal and community transformation. Followers of Christ live in obedience to
Scripture, and show love and mercy to others.
In the New Testament Church, a person shows belief in Jesus and acceptance of Him as the One who saves him by being immersed in the name of Jesus Christ. This expression of obedience that Jesus commands welcomes the person into a unique relationship with Christ and fellowship with other believers.
The New Testament Church remembers the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through communion when they meet together.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
This ministry has not been rated.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 98% | 97% | 101% | 97% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 2% | 3% | -1% | 3% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 90% | 91% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 87% | 97% | 104% | 96% | 97% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 78% | 88% | 94% | 86% | 87% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 13% | 3% | -4% | 4% | 3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 28% | 8% | -12% | 10% | 9% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 8% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 6% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.32 | 1.80 | 2.56 | 2.86 | 2.32 | 2.46 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.21 | 1.27 | 1.33 | 1.25 | 1.20 | 1.26 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.96 | 2.28 | 3.41 | 3.57 | 2.79 | 3.10 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 18.81 | 11.31 | 16.17 | 21.17 | 20.17 | 19.96 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.09 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.67 | 4.79 | 3.30 | 3.20 | 4.08 | 3.68 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 7% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 68% | 52% | 37% | 34% | 41% | 39% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $2,950,292 | $745,671 | $1,169,117 | $1,916,008 | $1,678,223 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $435,086 | $562,087 | $452,541 | $558,296 | $498,207 |
| Short-term investments | $5,764,251 | $4,853,511 | $4,330,868 | $4,453,014 | $3,779,028 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $9,149,629 | $6,161,269 | $5,952,526 | $6,927,318 | $5,955,458 |
| Long-term investments | $174,674 | $178,421 | $140,417 | $150,144 | $126,958 |
| Fixed assets | $2,292,636 | $1,847,512 | $1,350,419 | $1,265,300 | $1,424,620 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $2,467,310 | $2,025,933 | $1,490,836 | $1,415,444 | $1,551,578 |
| Total assets | $11,616,939 | $8,187,202 | $7,443,362 | $8,342,762 | $7,507,036 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $804,620 | $377,025 | $278,017 | $338,306 | $293,202 |
| Other current liabilities | $4,080 | $4,080 | $3,121 | $5,216 | $5,216 |
| Total current liabilities | $808,700 | $381,105 | $281,138 | $343,522 | $298,418 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $15,661 | $18,548 | $7,051 | $10,550 | $15,577 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $15,661 | $18,548 | $7,051 | $10,550 | $15,577 |
| Total liabilities | $824,361 | $399,653 | $288,189 | $354,072 | $313,995 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $2,102,107 | $267,012 | ($134,198) | $704,752 | $442,447 |
| With donor restrictions | $8,690,471 | $7,520,537 | $7,289,371 | $7,283,938 | $6,750,594 |
| Net assets | $10,792,578 | $7,787,549 | $7,155,173 | $7,988,690 | $7,193,041 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $23,440,827 | $20,920,527 | $20,603,868 | $19,581,856 | $18,832,301 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $445,124 | $709,113 | ($183,596) | $563,628 | $271,931 |
| Other revenue | $4,922 | $2,710 | $25,955 | $7,825 | $7,060 |
| Total other revenue | $450,046 | $711,823 | ($157,641) | $571,453 | $278,991 |
| Total revenue | $23,890,873 | $21,632,350 | $20,446,227 | $20,153,309 | $19,111,292 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $18,734,156 | $19,014,835 | $19,227,516 | $17,342,460 | $16,582,948 |
| Management and general | $1,381,210 | $1,167,911 | $1,173,372 | $1,125,436 | $1,112,104 |
| Fundraising | $770,478 | $817,228 | $878,856 | $889,764 | $755,120 |
| Total expenses | $20,885,844 | $20,999,974 | $21,279,744 | $19,357,660 | $18,450,172 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $3,005,029 | $632,376 | ($833,517) | $795,649 | $661,120 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $3,005,029 | $632,376 | ($833,517) | $795,649 | $661,120 |
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 5/31/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Following the end of World War II, about 150 new mission agencies were started in the United States. At Manhattan Christian College in Kansas, a group of students prayed together to accomplish something big for expanding the Kingdom of God.
From their backgrounds in the Christian churches the students knew of two distinct methods of sending and supporting missionaries: independently or cooperatively. They envisioned a new model: a missionary-sending arrangement where the message would be thoroughly biblical, yet organized to allow for partnership, accountability, and efficiency. They shared their ideas and sought the advice of Christian leaders around the country. Christian Missionary Fellowship was incorporated in Kansas in 1949 "to evangelize the non-Christian people of the world" - an effort of churches and individuals voluntarily working together to accomplish the task of global evangelism.
Through CMF, churches could support missionaries on a team whose purpose was cross-cultural evangelism and whose structure provided accountability. A Board of Directors would set policy, affiliate missionaries, and approve budgets. Churches, donors, and missionaries would have the responsibility to elect the Board of Directors and vote upon the policies being formulated.
Within the first year of existence, CMF missionaries were on the field in India, and soon after that in Japan and Brazil. The 1960s proved to be pivotal years. CMF entered Brazil and Ethiopia, where eventually the CMF team included almost two dozen missionary families. By the time the missionaries left Ethiopia in 1977 due to the Marxist takeover, about 4,000 people had become Christians. In 1992, a new team entered Ethiopia to resume ministry, and the number of believers has since doubled.
New fields were opened in Kenya, Indonesia, Mexico, Tanzania, Chile and England in the 1970s and 1980s.In the 1990s CMF entered Singapore, Benin, Thailand, Ukraine, and Ivory Coast.
A marketplace ministries division was established to provide effective ministry among people who are resistant to standard mission approaches. Workers offer job skills and experience with a commitment to evangelism that is appropriate to the culture. Our first fields were Northeast Africa and Southeast Asia, later expanding into the Asian continent.
With the rise in population and the effects of globalization, we recognized that the needs of the poor go beyond the lack of food and shelter to the very repression of the human spirit. We began using Community Health Evangelism to work with the urban poor in their communities by helping them identify their needs, their resources, and possible solutions to improve their situation. We partner with nationals and US churches to provide child sponsorship, microfinance, education, church planting and hope.
The new century brought opportunities to minister to university students in major cities around the globe. Globalscope, CMF's international campus ministry division, entered Mexico City and set up a model that has been duplicated in seven other countries. The goal is to draw university students into saving, meaningful relationships with God, then create a loving community that reaches out to the world.
Program accomplishments
Needs
We offer many different ways to partner with CMF by designating your God-given resources for the work of creating and nurturing Christ-centered communities around the world.
Where Needed Most: In giving where needed most, you ensure that CMF's vital ministries continue, helping bring Christ-transformation to this world.
People & Projects: You can come alongside CMF team members as they share the gospel in creative and holistic ways. Your partnership with a particular team member provides his or her salary, living expenses and ministry funds. Gifts to a project are used for specific needs identified by the team on the field, such as building a community well, purchasing Bibles in a local language,or providing training for new church planters.
Child Sponsorship: Our Child Sponsorship Program provides a holistic strategy for families and communities to break out of the cycle of poverty through education and opportunity. Find your special child today.