Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef 
The information on this page was last updated 5/12/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through creative methods, Leading The Way's international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives here at home and around the world.
Now celebrating 30 years of ministry, Leading The Way's television and radio programs are broadcast in 27 languages to audiences across six continents through dual-language programs, Leading The Way's satellite television channel THE KINGDOM SAT, and solar-powered Leading The Way Navigators. Leading The Way also produces DVDs, CDs, books, a monthly devotional magazine, and daily e-devotionals to reach the lost and encourage believers in their faith. The ministry utilizes field ministry teams to evangelize seekers and disciple new believers. Dr. Youssef's unique perspective has given him a platform to speak boldly into today's issues and provide Biblical solutions to the challenges Christians are facing today.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef
PO Box 20100
Atlanta, GA 30325
Website: ltw.org
Phone: 800-538-7677
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 581816773
CEO/President: Dr. Michael Youssef
Chairman: Dennis Chorba
Board size: 11
Founder: Dr. Michael Youssef
Ruling year: 1989
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2001
Purpose
On the frontlines of the spiritual battlefield, we are wielding our greatest weapon: the Word of God. Through the broadcasts and personal ministry of Leading The Way, God is transforming hearts and strengthening His church around the world.
Mission statement
LTW's mission is to lead the way for those living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ.
Statement of faith
We believe the Bible to be inspired, the only infallible Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Educational Media
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 404 of 1076 | 20 of 47 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 708 of 1077 | 29 of 47 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 178 of 1077 | 8 of 47 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 514 of 1076 | 25 of 47 |
Click here to read Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef's response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 11% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 7% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 7% | 10% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 94% | 94% | 98% | 98% | 89% | 98% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 7% | 10% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 9% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 6% | 6% | 2% | 2% | 11% | 2% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 86% | 89% | 88% | 90% | 88% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 87% | 98% | 103% | 90% | 90% | 81% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 69% | 84% | 92% | 80% | 81% | 72% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 13% | 2% | -3% | 10% | 10% | 19% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 21% | 2% | -2% | 8% | 8% | 16% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 12% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.79 | 0.76 | 0.74 | 0.69 | 0.71 | 0.66 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.65 | 2.38 | 2.41 | 2.36 | 2.33 | 3.33 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.34 | 1.82 | 1.77 | 1.62 | 1.65 | 2.18 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.47 | 17.66 | 12.69 | 9.20 | 8.90 | 5.03 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.20 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.32 | 6.22 | 6.23 | 6.62 | 6.46 | 4.41 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 12% | 6% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 104% | 124% | 131% | 139% | 134% | 143% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Cash | $10,189,184 | $9,245,415 | $10,197,941 | $9,092,922 | $5,717,878 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $388,849 | $790,870 | $423,072 | $342,074 | $399,667 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $10,578,033 | $10,036,285 | $10,621,013 | $9,434,996 | $6,117,545 |
| Long-term investments | $4,788,532 | $3,967,366 | $3,691,930 | $647,084 | $669,560 |
| Fixed assets | $9,800,847 | $10,199,069 | $10,586,834 | $11,852,886 | $13,551,926 |
| Other long-term assets | $10,439 | $9,039 | $126,481 | $13,554 | $15,503 |
| Total long-term assets | $14,599,818 | $14,175,474 | $14,405,245 | $12,513,524 | $14,236,989 |
| Total assets | $25,177,851 | $24,211,759 | $25,026,258 | $21,948,520 | $20,354,534 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $589,826 | $791,043 | $1,144,512 | $1,053,117 | $1,188,202 |
| Other current liabilities | $9,143 | $0 | $9,615 | $6,843 | $27,020 |
| Total current liabilities | $598,969 | $791,043 | $1,154,127 | $1,059,960 | $1,215,222 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $794,391 | $67,438 | $25,078 | $32,702 | $26,582 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $794,391 | $67,438 | $25,078 | $32,702 | $26,582 |
| Total liabilities | $1,393,360 | $858,481 | $1,179,205 | $1,092,662 | $1,241,804 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Without donor restrictions | $23,781,899 | $23,353,278 | $23,540,030 | $20,394,137 | $18,766,984 |
| With donor restrictions | $2,592 | $0 | $307,023 | $461,721 | $345,746 |
| Net assets | $23,784,491 | $23,353,278 | $23,847,053 | $20,855,858 | $19,112,730 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Total contributions | $18,544,130 | $16,904,123 | $18,654,921 | $15,324,708 | $16,030,116 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $102,258 | $36,903 | ($75,150) | $1,546,714 | $1,798 |
| Other revenue | $1,042,528 | $367,339 | $439,724 | $434,083 | $389,446 |
| Total other revenue | $1,144,786 | $404,242 | $364,574 | $1,980,797 | $391,244 |
| Total revenue | $19,688,916 | $17,308,365 | $19,019,495 | $17,305,505 | $16,421,360 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Program services | $16,567,620 | $15,882,644 | $15,180,823 | $13,932,446 | $11,789,113 |
| Management and general | $728,256 | $739,050 | $747,046 | $461,419 | $386,323 |
| Fundraising | $1,961,827 | $1,180,446 | $1,245,161 | $1,171,737 | $1,166,606 |
| Total expenses | $19,257,703 | $17,802,140 | $17,173,030 | $15,565,602 | $13,342,042 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $431,213 | ($493,775) | $1,846,465 | $1,739,903 | $3,079,318 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $431,213 | ($493,775) | $1,846,465 | $1,739,903 | $3,079,318 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Joshua D Youssef | Executive Vice-President | $159,091 |
| David Dodd | Former Vice President of Operations | $150,000 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2014
Response from ministry
Thank you for your interest in Leading The Way! Every gift you give helps Dr. Michael Youssef share the Gospel with the lost and equip believers to grow into a deeper walk with Christ - both here at home and in closed countries. Dr. Youssef is our number one volunteer, which means he receives no compensation from any gifts given to the ministry nor any commissions from the sale of his books and resources. Everything goes to Gospel ministry!
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 5/12/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
The story of Leading The Way is a story about God and His faithfulness. It's a story about His search for people who are willing to trust and obey. What began as a small Atlanta-based radio ministry in 1988 has grown into a worldwide ministry blanketing the globe with the Word of God. The road has not always been smooth-but by God's sustaining grace, our focus hasn't changed. We at Leading The Way continue to proclaim the uncompromised Truth and preach Christ alone.
Today, we broadcast in 27 of the world's most spoken languages, reaching six continents with the Gospel message. It has been an amazing accomplishment, but I cringe every time someone gives the credit to me. They do not understand that all I did was trust and obey-reluctantly at that.
For many years, I said, "I will never go on television. I have a face for radio." I didn't believe television audiences would respond to the serious-minded preaching of the Gospel. Thankfully, I was wrong. Through the thriving global ministry of Leading The Way, thousands are coming to Christ as God penetrates their hearts with the Gospel message.
Over the past 30 years, God has guided us, and we have done our best to follow. Through His mercy, we will do the same with even more passion and energy in the coming years.
To God be all the glory.
Today, the ministry is focusing its efforts on expanding every area of ministry through Vision 2025, a strategic plan to see one million souls come to Christ by 2025.