Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries (FIRM) 
The information on this page was last updated 12/16/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We serve a network of almost 70 ministries and organizations in Israel that share a passion for reaching Israelis with the Gospel. These local ministries are the true heroes, and together, we have a vision for a stronger and healthier Body of Messiah in Israel.
Contact information
Mailing address:
FIRM
97 Jaffa Street, 21st Floor,
Jerusalem, Israel, 91003
Website: firmisrael.org
Phone: 877-350-0796
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 472768324
CEO/President: Michael Mistretta
Chairman: Dr. Wayne Hilsden
Board size: 7
Founder: Dr. Wayne Hilsden
Ruling year: 2015
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
We see a day when every person in Israel is transformed by the love of Yeshua.
Mission statement
We engage Christians and empower local ministries to see lives transformed in Israel.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Evangelism Support
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 45 of 1107 | 3 of 37 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 123 of 1108 | 2 of 37 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 163 of 1108 | 8 of 37 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 166 of 1107 | 8 of 37 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 97% | 93% | 90% | 100% | 96% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 3% | 7% | 10% | 0% | 4% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 92% | 83% | 77% | 76% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 75% | 86% | 101% | 95% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 69% | 71% | 78% | 72% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | 25% | 14% | -1% | 5% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 88% | 83% | -21% | 63% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 12% | 7% | 14% | 20% | 24% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.20 | 2.68 | 4.83 | 16.70 | 10.55 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.31 | 1.06 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.70 | 2.84 | 4.83 | 16.70 | 10.55 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 39.03 | 1045.17 | 43.34 | 7.32 | 12.61 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.03 | 0.00 | 0.02 | 0.14 | 0.08 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.59 | 4.22 | 2.43 | 0.62 | 1.05 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 4% | 0% | 2% | 14% | 8% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 78% | 37% | 20% | 5% | 9% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | ||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $6,093,688 | $761,252 | $152,039 | $187,318 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $56,087 | $52,681 | $405 | $0 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $6,149,775 | $813,933 | $152,444 | $187,318 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term assets | $372,388 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $372,388 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total assets | $6,522,163 | $813,933 | $152,444 | $187,318 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $5,884 | $18,781 | $20,837 | $14,851 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $5,884 | $18,781 | $20,837 | $14,851 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $5,884 | $18,781 | $20,837 | $14,851 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $1,676,537 | $503,590 | $81,054 | $0 |
| With donor restrictions | $4,839,742 | $291,562 | $50,553 | $0 |
| Net assets | $6,516,279 | $795,152 | $131,607 | $172,467 |
| Revenues and expenses | ||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $21,624,665 | $4,141,041 | $2,517,656 | $1,998,964 |
| Program service revenue | $1,596,038 | $456,297 | $0 | $85,009 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $45 | $23 | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $1,596,083 | $456,320 | $0 | $85,009 |
| Total revenue | $23,220,748 | $4,597,361 | $2,517,656 | $2,083,973 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $16,035,452 | $3,262,843 | $1,953,592 | $1,491,517 |
| Management and general | $1,282,540 | $546,155 | $510,033 | $483,888 |
| Fundraising | $152,641 | $124,818 | $82,054 | $0 |
| Total expenses | $17,470,633 | $3,933,816 | $2,545,679 | $1,975,405 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $5,750,115 | $663,545 | ($28,023) | $108,568 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $5,750,115 | $663,545 | ($28,023) | $108,568 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Michael Mistretta | CEO | $147,430 |
| Wayne Hilsden | President & | $19,000 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2023
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 12/16/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
From opposite sides of the world, our co-founders Wayne Hilsden and Michael Mistretta realized the same thing. God began weaving together the stories of these two people while writing the story of FIRM.
Wayne had been serving in Jerusalem for decades as a local pastor. God called Wayne and his family to serve in Israel in 1983. Throughout his pastoral work, Wayne was able to come alongside others in the Land who were also serving in ministry.
Years later, God spoke to a young, Great Commission-minded Michael about the importance of Israel to his faith and to the gospel. After that prompting, Michael saved up and took his first trip to Israel. It quickly became clear that God was calling him there for a reason. Once Michael returned home to Canada, he sold his online advertising business, bought a one-way ticket back across the world, and set off to discover God's plan.
Michael realized something when He was in Israel: many Christians come to Israel to experience the sites of the Holy Land, but never meet local believers or connect with the people. He thought, "How can it be that the people to whom Jesus came and the very place where Jesus walked, could be home to so many who have never known Him?" Something needed to change. He had no idea where to start.
Then, Michael found Wayne. Once they finally met in Jerusalem, they were able to begin. Separately, God gave both Michael and Wayne the name "FIRM" for the work they were about to do.
God brought Wayne and Michael together in Israel with this same vision: uniting and strengthening the local believing body in Israel, through the global Church--until all Israel believes.