The Urban Alternative / Tony Evans 
The information on this page was last updated 1/16/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
The Urban Alternative is a Christian Bible teaching and resource ministry founded by Dr. Tony Evans. We aim to spread the teaching of God's Word through Christian media with the goal of transforming lives. We offer sermons, sermon outlines, books, prayers, Bible studies and more on topics such as Christian living, marriage, discipleship, and spiritual growth, as taught by Tony Evans.
Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country's most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.
Contact information
Mailing address:
The Urban Alternative
PO Box 4000
Dallas, TX 75208
Website: www.tonyevans.org
Phone: 1-800-800-3222
Email: tonyevans.org/contact
Organization details
EIN: 751835253
CEO/President: Dr. Anthony T. Evans
Chairman: Dr. Anthony T. Evans / Robert Breunig
Board size: 7
Founder: Dr. Anthony T. Evans
Ruling year: 1982
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1992
Purpose
The first African American to graduate with a doctoral degree from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), he served as an associate professor in the Pastoral Ministries Department at DTS in the areas of evangelism, homiletics and black church studies. He continues to serve DTS on the Board of Incorporate Members. Dr. Evans is the former chaplain of the Dallas Cowboys and former chaplain of the Dallas Mavericks for over three decades, which is the longest standing NBA chaplaincy on record.
Dr. Evans holds the honor of writing and publishing the first full-Bible commentary and Study Bible by an African American.
Through his local church and national ministry, Dr. Evans promotes a kingdom agenda philosophy that teaches God's comprehensive rule over every sphere of life as demonstrated through the individual, family, church and society.
This philosophy connects biblical spirituality with social responsibility. Dr. Evans teaches that the church, not the government, is the best social service delivery system since it is closer to the needs of the people, offers the largest potential volunteer force, has facilities for outreach programs, and provides a moral and spiritual frame of reference for making right choices.
At the heart of this vision is the use of church and school partnerships to effect spiritual and social change in communities. Dr. Evans' church and school outreach philosophy has been attributed as a catalyst for former President George W. Bush's Faith-Based Initiative, which was his first formal act of office. Dr. Evans seeks to train churches, schools and volunteers in this philosophy, as well as in the functional practicalities, through the National Church Adopt-a-School Initiative which is a ministry underneath the umbrella of The Urban Alternative.
Mission statement
The Urban Alternative is a ministry that seeks to equip, empower and unite Christians to impact individuals, families, churches and communities for the rebuilding of lives from the inside out.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
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Transparency grade
C
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Educational Media
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1307 of 1435 | 41 of 47 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 1105 of 1435 | 36 of 47 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1002 of 1435 | 32 of 47 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1216 of 1436 | 42 of 47 |
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 11% | 14% | 9% | 12% | 13% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 10% | 13% | 8% | 11% | 12% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 94% | 95% | 93% | 95% | 90% | 95% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 12% | 16% | 13% | 15% | 17% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 6% | 5% | 7% | 5% | 10% | 5% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 80% | 75% | 72% | 74% | 74% | 74% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 94% | 89% | 80% | 64% | 75% | 75% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 74% | 66% | 57% | 47% | 55% | 55% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 6% | 11% | 20% | 36% | 25% | 25% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 6% | 5% | 11% | 29% | 26% | 29% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 14% | 12% | 13% | 11% | 9% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.82 | 0.36 | 0.43 | 0.46 | 0.68 | 0.79 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.33 | 1.57 | 1.54 | 1.17 | 1.22 | 1.36 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.50 | 0.56 | 0.66 | 0.54 | 0.83 | 1.08 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 11.67 | 14.25 | 10.07 | 10.35 | 7.17 | 12.14 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.08 | 0.07 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.14 | 0.08 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.67 | 19.90 | 16.50 | 20.11 | 12.46 | 10.19 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 12% | 5% | 6% | 8% | 11% | 9% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 3% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 88% | 267% | 220% | 199% | 131% | 116% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $8,540,646 | $9,230,468 | $15,482,706 | $16,065,630 | $11,818,049 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $729,397 | $1,362,939 | $1,124,929 | $1,630,115 | $778,978 |
| Short-term investments | $18,846,965 | $16,295,587 | $13,488,690 | $3,512,678 | $1,157,671 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $28,117,008 | $26,888,994 | $30,096,325 | $21,208,423 | $13,754,698 |
| Long-term investments | $8,768,156 | $8,183,550 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $4,867,462 | $5,012,894 | $4,352,537 | $4,009,500 | $4,361,168 |
| Other long-term assets | $2,423,851 | $1,291,991 | $754,711 | $710,782 | $657,459 |
| Total long-term assets | $16,059,469 | $14,488,435 | $5,107,248 | $4,720,282 | $5,018,627 |
| Total assets | $44,176,477 | $41,377,429 | $35,203,573 | $25,928,705 | $18,773,325 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $1,013,619 | $1,623,096 | $1,775,463 | $1,854,231 | $1,133,196 |
| Other current liabilities | $959,434 | $1,046,175 | $1,131,211 | $1,103,753 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $1,973,053 | $2,669,271 | $2,906,674 | $2,957,984 | $1,133,196 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $471,908 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $41,598 | $8,748 | $43,873 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $41,598 | $8,748 | $43,873 | $0 | $471,908 |
| Total liabilities | $2,014,651 | $2,678,019 | $2,950,547 | $2,957,984 | $1,605,104 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $40,290,916 | $38,637,481 | $32,090,839 | $22,758,056 | $16,990,866 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,870,910 | $61,929 | $162,187 | $212,665 | $177,355 |
| Net assets | $42,161,826 | $38,699,410 | $32,253,026 | $22,970,721 | $17,168,221 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $16,922,697 | $20,512,406 | $24,164,646 | $21,272,490 | $18,974,026 |
| Program service revenue | $271,944 | $642,603 | $602,481 | $112,712 | $47,753 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $255,117 | $36,681 | ($133,335) | $245,681 | ($26,283) |
| Other revenue | $313,485 | $800,479 | $872,941 | $1,895,230 | $906,862 |
| Total other revenue | $840,546 | $1,479,763 | $1,342,087 | $2,253,623 | $928,332 |
| Total revenue | $17,763,243 | $21,992,169 | $25,506,733 | $23,526,113 | $19,902,358 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $11,809,974 | $12,598,395 | $12,072,164 | $12,948,045 | $10,990,650 |
| Management and general | $2,138,213 | $2,160,962 | $2,043,171 | $2,008,322 | $1,396,177 |
| Fundraising | $1,818,776 | $2,855,480 | $2,107,266 | $2,616,051 | $2,476,139 |
| Total expenses | $15,766,963 | $17,614,837 | $16,222,601 | $17,572,418 | $14,862,966 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,996,280 | $4,377,332 | $9,284,132 | $5,953,695 | $5,039,392 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,996,280 | $4,377,332 | $9,284,132 | $5,953,695 | $5,039,392 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Dr Anthony T Evans | President | $321,953 |
| Mrs Joy Glover | Director of Ministry Services | $145,098 |
| Mrs Heather Hair | Director of Marketing | $142,948 |
| Mr J Daryl Lee | Chief Financial Officer | $124,998 |
| Mr John Fortner | Director of TETC | $121,026 |
| Mr William E Collins | Vice President | $102,512 |
| Jonathan Evans | Director | $79,262 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2024
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 1/16/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
At the tender age of 24 (1973) Tony Evans, was contacted by a radio show producer from Houston (KHCB). This man had contacted Dallas Theological Seminary, where Tony was a junior in the ThM program, asking for great preaching content to put on his program for free. One of Tony's professors recommended him. Thus began the public broadcasting of Dr. Tony Evans. Recorded in a tiny studio on the seminary campus, Tony spent the next few years faithfully preaching into a microphone for a crowd unseen in Houston.
Nearly a decade later, The Urban Alternative was formed in 1981 when requests for Dr. Evans' sermons came in so frequently from his Houston and Dallas radio broadcasts that Mrs. Lois Evans, co-founder of the ministry, began fulfilling orders. Mrs. Evans used her business skills to organize, develop and expand the outreach and growth of the ministry.
In 1986, Tony was invited to preach at the National Religious Broadcasters annual conference. This drew enormous attention and encouragement to expand the ministry even further.
Not too long after that appearance at NRB, radio stations began to air Dr. Evans' program. Under the leadership of Dr. Lois Evans, Senior Vice-President of TUA, the radio ministry grew nationally and internationally. The reach of Tony's preaching now spans the world with his broadcasts airing on more than 1,400 radio outlets and in over 130 countries, reaching millions each week.
Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country's most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.
Program accomplishments
The Urban Alternative, a national organization that seeks to bring about spiritual renewal in urban America through the church. The Urban Alternative radio broadcast, "The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans" can be heard over 500 stations daily throughout the U.S. and in over 40 countries worldwide. The broadcast can also be seen on several television stations.