Gospelink
The information on this page was last updated 9/11/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Connecting the church globally to make disciples, plant churches, and transform lives.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Gospelink
PO Box 1160
Forest, VA 24551
Website: gospelink.org
Phone: (434) 485-7007
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 582390166
CEO/President:
Chairman:
Board size: 0
Founder: Lewis and Leah Nelms
Ruling year: 1998
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
We believe that the gospel has not only eternal implications, but also present applications; it is holistic and, by its very nature, changes everything about our lives now and for eternity. It is our conviction that the local church is God's instrument of change. With this belief at the forefront of everything we do, we partner with the global church to transform lives and communities through the redemptive and transforming power of the gospel. We focus our efforts with under reached and unreached people groups around the world.
Mission statement
Connecting the Church Globally to...
Make Disciples - Plant Churches - Transform Lives
Statement of faith
1. THE TRIUNE GOD
We believe there is one true, holy, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable God, who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons of the Trinity are coexistent, coequal, and coeternal, of one divine essence and glory. God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign Ruler of all that exists. Genesis 1:1 | Deuteronomy 6:4 | 1 John 5:7 | Revelation 22:13
2. THE FALL
We believe that all human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, having inherited a sinful disposition through Adam's original transgression in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, all stand guilty before God, deserving His righteous judgment and separated from His presence. The only exception to this universal condition of sin is the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone is without sin.
Ezekiel 18:4 | John 3:36 | Romans 3:10-26 | Ephesians 2:1-3
3. ATONEMENT
We believe that reconciliation between God and humanity is made possible solely through the substitutionary and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. His atonement is sufficient for all people, available to all, and offered freely to all who will believe. Through faith in Him alone, anyone may receive forgiveness of sins and be made right with God. Every person must be born again by the Spirit of God or remain forever separated from Him.
Mark 10:45 | Romans 5:10 | 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 | Hebrews 2:9 | 1 Peter 2:24
4. ETERNAL LIFE
We believe that eternal life is the gracious gift of God, received through personal faith in Jesus Christ. This life begins the moment a sinner believes in Christ and receives Him as Lord and Savior. It is a life hidden with Christ in God and is sustained and matured by the sovereign and persevering grace of God until the believer enters His eternal presence.
John 1:12 | John 3:16 | Romans 10:9-10 | Ephesians 1:13-14 | Philippians 1:6
5. THE ETERNAL STATE
We believe that there are two eternal destinies for humanity. Heaven is the everlasting home of those redeemed by Christ, where they will live in perfect fellowship with Him. The Lake of Fire is the place of eternal separation from God for those who reject His salvation. Both destinies are real, conscious, and everlasting. John 3:16-36 | Hebrews 9:27 | Revelation 20:11-15
6. THE MISSION
We believe that the Church has been entrusted with the Great Commission given by the risen Lord Jesus Christ. He commands His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded. Each believer is called either to go personally, as led by God, or to send and support others, so that every generation and nation may hear and respond to the Gospel.
Matthew 28:16-20 | Mark 16:15 | Acts 1:8 | Romans 10:14-15
7. THE WORD
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. They were given by divine inspiration and fully convey God's revelation to humanity. The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and life, standing above human tradition or opinion.
Psalm 19:7-11 | 2 Timothy 3:16-17 | Peter 1:19-21 | Hebrews 4:12
8. GOD THE FATHER
We believe that God the Father is fully and eternally God, coequal and coeternal with the Son and the Holy Spirit. He is the source of all life, the Creator of all things visible and invisible, and the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. The Father reveals His glory in creation, providence, and redemption. In His perfect wisdom and love, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to accomplish salvation for all who believe. The Father adopts as His children all who come to Him through faith in Christ, sustaining and guiding them by His providence until they are brought into His eternal presence.
Genesis 1:1 | Psalm 103:19 | Isaiah 64:8 | Matthew 6:9 | John 3:16 | John 14:6-10 | Romans 8:14-17 | 1 Corinthians 8:6 | Ephesians 1:3-6 | James 1:17
9. GOD THE SON
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is fully and eternally God, the second person of the Trinity, who became man through the miracle of the virgin birth. He lived a sinless life, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin through His death on the cross, and rose bodily from the dead. He ascended to heaven, where He now intercedes for believers, and He will one day return personally and visibly to complete His redeeming work and establish His eternal kingdom.
Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:23 | John 1:1-14 | Acts 1:11 | 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 | Titus 2:11-14 | Hebrews 9:24
10. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully and eternally God, the third person of the Trinity, who brings conviction of sin, regenerates the believing sinner, and indwells, empowers, and sanctifies all who have trusted in Christ. He instructs, guides, comforts, and equips believers for godly living and faithful service. Through His transforming work, believers grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ throughout their earthly lives until glorification.
John 16:7-15 | Romans 8:9-11 | 1 Corinthians 3:16 | 2 Corinthians 3:18 | Titus 3:5
11. THE CHURCH
We believe that the true Church is the spiritual Body of Christ, composed of all who have been redeemed through faith in Him from every tribe, language, and nation. Admission into the Church is granted by God's grace through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. The Church exists to worship God, to build up believers in faith and holiness, and to proclaim Christ to the world. Its mission is directed by the Lord Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Christ's command to love God wholly and to love others sincerely defines the witness of His people.
Matthew 22:36-40 | 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 | Ephesians 1:22-23 | Ephesians 2:19-22 | Revelation 7:9-10
12. Satan
We believe that Satan is a real and personal being, the adversary of God and His people, who seeks to deceive, accuse, and destroy. Though powerful, he remains subject to God's sovereign authority and will ultimately be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternal punishment.
Matthew 4:1-11 | John 8:44 | Ephesians 6:12 | 1 Peter 5:8-9 | Revelation 12:9-10 | Revelation 20:10
13. OUR FINAL HOPE
We believe in the "blessed hope," which is the personal, visible, and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. At His coming, He will receive His people to Himself, judge the world in righteousness, and make all things new in accordance with the eternal purpose of God. This hope is a source of comfort, endurance, and joyful anticipation for every believer.
Matthew 24:44 | John 14:1-3 | Acts 1:11 | Titus 2:11-14 | Revelation 21:1-5
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
This ministry has not been rated.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 5% | 4% | 5% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 4% | 5% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 99% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 4% | 5% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 85% | 88% | 88% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 98% | 100% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 84% | 87% | 88% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 2% | 0% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | 5% | 0% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 9% | 7% | 7% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.56 | 3.06 | 3.08 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.13 | 1.24 | 1.27 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.39 | 3.81 | 3.90 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 20.21 | 199.31 | 92.35 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.01 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.63 | 3.14 | 3.05 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 5% | 10% | 13% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 10% | 12% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 59% | 29% | 28% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | ||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $1,176,932 | $1,136,066 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $0 | $0 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $1,176,932 | $1,136,066 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $281,233 | $297,152 |
| Other long-term assets | $5,162 | $5,276 |
| Total long-term assets | $286,395 | $302,428 |
| Total assets | $1,463,327 | $1,438,494 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $5,905 | $12,302 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $5,905 | $12,302 |
| Debt | $139,470 | $176,879 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $139,470 | $176,879 |
| Total liabilities | $145,375 | $189,181 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $25,595 | $11,632 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,292,357 | $1,237,681 |
| Net assets | $1,317,952 | $1,249,313 |
| Revenues and expenses | ||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $4,512,836 | $4,387,105 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $8,905 | $4,668 |
| Other revenue | $28,718 | $31,802 |
| Total other revenue | $37,623 | $36,470 |
| Total revenue | $4,550,459 | $4,423,575 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $3,963,724 | $3,901,597 |
| Management and general | $321,817 | $314,910 |
| Fundraising | $196,279 | $209,004 |
| Total expenses | $4,481,820 | $4,425,511 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $68,639 | ($1,936) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $68,639 | ($1,936) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Stephen Nelms | President | $100,282 |
| Lewis Nelms | Chairman | $99,100 |
| Charles Pace | Treasurer | $80,200 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2019
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 9/11/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
In 1998, the Lord led Lewis and Leah Nelms to start Gospelink in Wrens, GA, with the vision to link sponsoring individuals, families, churches, and groups with church-planting preachers in other nations. Today, Gospelink is sponsoring over 1,250 national preachers serving in Africa, Asia, and Eurasia. In 20 years, Gospelink preachers have led 7.6 million people to profession of faith in Christ and planted 44,324 churches.