Children's Ministry Resources International 
The information on this page was last updated 11/18/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Established in 2008, James Welles and his nonprofit ministry - Children's Ministry Resources International (CMRI) - have sent 138,400 scripture memory resources, called Team 3 manuals, internationally to pastors and teachers working with children in need to make disciples and build character.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Children's Ministry Resources International
13501 NE 12th Pl
Bellevue, WA 98005
Website: childrenministries.org
Phone: (206) 265-0780
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 680673591
CEO/President: Ben Dale
Chairman: James Welles
Board size: 7
Founder: James Welles
Ruling year: 2008
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2025
Purpose
Children's Ministry Resources International, CMRI, was established for the purpose of making Bible verse memory and retention resources available for children in need around the world. Beginning in 2008, we have watched the Lord open exciting opportunities to share the Team 3 scripture retention resources through donations to our non-profit organization.
Mission statement
Our mission is to assist parents and children's workers in the process of discipleship by providing biblical resources that emphasize character development through Scripture retention.
Statement of faith
We believe that the Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is God's revelation to man. The Word of God is verbally inspired in every word and without error in the words of the original manuscripts written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Scripture provides the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of man and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (Matthew 5:18; 24:35; John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; II Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21.)
We believe that there is one true and infinitely perfect God who is the Creator and sustainer of all things. He eternally exists in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each equally deserve worship and obedience. (Genesis 1; Deuteronomy 4:35; 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 12:29-32; John 1:1-4; I John 5:7; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:1-6.)
We believe that God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, decreed for His glory all things that come to pass. He providentially upholds, directs, and rules all creatures and events according to His own purpose and grace. Through His plan and in His wisdom, He has graciously provided salvation for mankind through Jesus Christ. He hears and answers prayer. (Psalm 103:19; Psalm 145: 8-9; Romans 11:33-36; John 1:12; John 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 8:6.)
We believe that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, is the eternal son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life as the God-Man. He died voluntarily on the cross in order to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. He rose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven. God elevated Jesus to the right hand of the Father. He serves the believers as their High Priest and advocate. Christ will return in power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; John 1:1, 14; 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4; Romans 5:8; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:2-3; 4:14-16.)
We believe the Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity. He is a divine person possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, emotions and will. This includes omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience and truthfulness. The Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ and convicts the
world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He regenerates and indwells the believer. The Holy Spirit illuminates the Scriptures to empower and encourage believers for spiritual growth, godly living and Christian service. We believe that the Holy Spirit is an abiding helper, teacher and guide for every
believer. (Psalm 139:7-10; John 3:5; 14:16-17, 26; 16:13; John 16:7-15; Galatians 5:16-25; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.)
We believe that all mankind, although created in the image of God, are born with a sinful nature. Man is separated from God and can be saved only through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from any human effort or works. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:16-17; Jeremiah 17:9.)
We believe that salvation is the work of God provided through Christ's death on the cross. It is entirely of grace apart from works. A genuine believer is eternally secure; he cannot lose his salvation. (John 10:27-28; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8-9.)
We believe that regeneration is an instantaneous supernatural work accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God when a repentant sinner responds in faith to the provision of salvation. Genuine fruit of regeneration will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God. (John 1:12-13; John 3:3-7; John 5:24; Romans 3:23; 5:10-12; 6:23; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:8-10; Colossians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:4-10.)
We believe that due to the sinful nature of mankind, their total inability to deal effectively with their own sin, it is impossible to obtain a right relationship with God or to earn forgiveness of sins through one's own efforts. Justification requires the act of God by which He declares the sinner righteous through faith in Christ. However, because of God's great love and mercy, He has
graciously paid the new life through His resurrection. The forgiveness of sins is an act of God's grace. It is only a free gift to be received by faith in Christ alone. Only those who receive this gift have eternal life - a relationship in which they are kept forever. (Romans 3:20-31; 5:1-19; Romans 8:33-34; 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16, 20; 3:11; Ephesians 2:4-10.)
We believe that the process of spiritual growth begins at the point of justification. It is normative for believers to be conformed progressively to the image of Jesus Christ in attitude and action. Every
believer is involved in a daily conflict - the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh - but the Holy Spirit provides victory over sin. Spiritual growth requires obedience to the Word of God, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit in order to live a life of increasing holiness.
Spiritual growth is increasingly demonstrated by the Fruit of the Spirit and by obedience to the will of God due to a love for Him and others. Believers who walk in the Spirit in obedience to Him will receive eternal rewards at the judgment seat of Christ. God disciplines believers who disobey Him with temporal consequences and a loss of eternal rewards. (John 17:17, 19; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 6:1-22; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 3:16-19; 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10, 16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 12:4-11; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 2 Peter 1:5-11.)
We believe the ultimate glorification of believers is assured on the basis of the unchanging character of God and His sovereign work in their lives. God glorifies all whom He has called and justified when believers get to Heaven. His character and work guarantee the believer's final conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. (John 17:24; Romans 8:17, 28-30; Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2.)
We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are therefore secure in Christ forever. All true believers everywhere once saved shall be kept saved forever. Believers should be confident and rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word. The confidence of our assurance of salvation is not to be used as an excuse for sinful and carnal living. (John 5:24; 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; 17:11; Romans 8:1, 31-39; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24; 1 John 5:13.)
We believe that those who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the universal church, of which Christ is the head. We believe that the local church is an organized, autonomous gathering of believers. The church began on the Day of Pentecost and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture.
The local church gathers for the purpose of instruction in the Word of God, prayer, worship, fellowship, exhortation, encouragement and the observance of the ordinances (communion and baptism). We believe that believers are to use their spiritual gifts for the body of Christ, and that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. (Acts 2:1-21, 38-47; Acts 14:23-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 15:51-52; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 4:16; Hebrews 10:25; 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5.)
We believe the Scriptures teach two ordinances for the church: water baptism and communion. Believers are to be baptized in water by immersion as a testimony to their spiritual identification with Christ's death and resurrection. In corporate worship, believers are to celebrate regularly the Lord's Supper in remembrance of His death on the cross and in anticipation of His return. We believe the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ. Because the Lord's Supper is actual communion with the risen Christ who indwells every believer, it follows that Christ is present, fellowshipping with his people. These important physical reminders of the work of Christ are not prerequisites to justification. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-32.)
We believe that physical death for the saved person involves the soul passing immediately into the presence of Christ; that there is a separation of soul and body until the rapture. The souls of the unsaved at death are kept under eternal conscience punishment until the second resurrection, when the soul and resurrection body will be reunited at the Great White Throne Judgment and then cast into hell, the lake of fire, for eternity.
We believe in the personal bodily return of Jesus Christ at the rapture when He removes the church from the earth. These saved go to Heaven with Christ for the celebration of the saints at the marriage feast. The unsaved go through seven years of tribulation where the righteous judgments of
God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world. These judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth. The anti-Christ and false prophet will be overcome and Satan will be bound for the thousand year millennium. After the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David and to establish His messianic kingdom for a thousand years. During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth.
We believe that following the release of Satan after the 1,000 year reign of Christ, Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from Heaven. Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire where he will be tormented day and night forever. Christ the judge will judge the unsaved at the Great White Throne Judgment and commit the unbelievers to an eternity of suffering in their resurrected bodies prepared for eternal punishment. After the Great White Throne Judgment, the saved will enter the eternal state after the earth is dissolved and made new with a new heavenly city coming down for the saints to live with God forever. (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8-10; Acts 1:10-11; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Revelation 19:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, 50-54; Romans
8:10-11; Daniel 12:1-3, 19-31; John 5:28-29; Luke 16:19-31; Matthew 25: 31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Matthew 24:15-31, 25:31-46; Philippians 3:21; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:1-15, Revelation 21:1-27; 22:1-21; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.)
We believe the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus who created, owns, and rules
everything. Therefore, Jesus has authority over our lives and we owe Him loyalty, obedience and worship. (Psalm 103:19; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16.)
God is absolutely and perfectly holy. He cannot commit or approve of evil. According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin so we are incapable of understanding, loving or pleasing God on our own. God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death. (Psalm 51:2-5; Romans 3:10-12, 6:23; 1 John 1:9.)
Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." God's justice demands death for sin, but His love and Christ's perfect life provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners. Christ will forgive and save those who place their faith in Him. (John 17:3; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:3.)
Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful confessing your sins to Him and making a conscious choice to turn from sin. True believers should pursue Christ and obey Him. (Luke 13:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Matthew 11:28-30.)
We believe that when a person exercises faith in Christ, he passes immediately out of spiritual death into spiritual life and from the old creation into the new - born into the family of God. Saving faith goes beyond intellectual belief to a personal relationship with God that is based on faith that trusts and obeys God's Word. A genuine believer is eternally secure; he cannot lose his salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 10:27-28; 1 John 5:13.)
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Transparency grade
C
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Christian Growth
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 193 of 1420 | 10 of 72 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 60 of 1420 | 5 of 72 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 111 of 1420 | 5 of 72 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 993 of 1421 | 52 of 72 |
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 4% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 74% | 98% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 4% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 26% | 2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 80% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 94% | 99% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 69% | 85% | 85% | 91% | 68% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 69% | 84% | 84% | 85% | 68% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 31% | 15% | 15% | 9% | 32% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | 21% | 12% | 13% | 7% | 29% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 6% | 1% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.11 | 0.49 | 0.68 | 0.73 | 0.65 | 0.63 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.43 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.89 | 0.49 | 0.68 | 0.73 | 0.65 | 0.63 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 10.83 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 447.06 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.77 | 24.74 | 17.63 | 16.38 | 18.56 | 18.90 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 9% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 72% | 206% | 146% | 136% | 155% | 158% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $594,675 | $414,748 | $407,304 | $353,246 | $329,485 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Short-term investments | $34,083 | $49,728 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $628,758 | $464,476 | $407,304 | $353,246 | $329,485 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $0 | $0 | $287 | $573 | $859 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $287 | $573 | $859 |
| Total assets | $628,758 | $464,476 | $407,591 | $353,819 | $330,344 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $737 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $737 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $2,485 | $500 | $680 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $2,485 | $500 | $680 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $0 | $2,485 | $500 | $680 | $737 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $547,542 | $389,941 | $368,300 | $307,846 | $294,611 |
| With donor restrictions | $81,216 | $72,050 | $38,791 | $45,293 | $34,996 |
| Net assets | $628,758 | $461,991 | $407,091 | $353,139 | $329,607 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $429,915 | $373,395 | $352,129 | $251,981 | $305,457 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $9,670 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $9,670 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total revenue | $439,585 | $373,395 | $352,129 | $251,981 | $305,457 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $301,343 | $311,821 | $296,172 | $214,334 | $206,788 |
| Management and general | $3,666 | $4,239 | $2,204 | $14,115 | $1,981 |
| Fundraising | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total expenses | $305,009 | $316,060 | $298,376 | $228,449 | $208,769 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $134,576 | $57,335 | $53,753 | $23,532 | $96,688 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $134,576 | $57,335 | $53,753 | $23,532 | $96,688 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Benjamin M Dale | Executive Director | $68,209 |
| James S Welles | President | $24,000 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2025
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 11/18/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Program accomplishments
In 2024 alone, 24,131 manuals were provided to children in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea, India, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. We are grateful that the CMRI manuals were in the languages that children could use: English, French, Swahili, and Telugu.