The Urban Alternative/Tony Evans 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 2/7/2022. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
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 the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, founder and president of The Urban Alternative and author of over 100 books, booklets and Bible studies. The first African American to earn a doctorate of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, he has been named one of the 12 Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World by Baylor University. Dr. Evans holds the honor of writing and publishing the first full-Bible commentary and study Bible by an African American. His radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on over 1,400 radio outlets daily and in more than 130 countries. Dr. Evans' sermons are also streamed and downloaded over 20,000,000 times annually.
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: 9
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 Urban Alternative ("Urban Alternative") is an inter-denominational Christian evangelistic organization providing biblical solutions to issues facing urban America. It seeks to equip, empower and unite Christians to impact individuals, families, churches and communities for the rebuilding of lives from the inside out. Its activities include ministries through radio programs on over 200 stations, 31 independent television stations and 1,400 cable outlets on the ACTS television network, written publications, teaching tapes and training conferences, and seminars for church leaders and urban families. Project Turn-Around and Citylight are programs of the ministry aimed at "rebuilding communities from the inside out." Another program is The First Lady Ministry. It grew out of a desire of Lois Evans to encourage, support and train senior pastors' wives to fulfill their ministry role and to provide networking opportunities for women of like vocation. Support and revenue for the ministry are primarily derived from sales of ministry-related products and contributions from individuals and other organizations.
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
The Urban Alternative has the following statement of belief:
WE BELIEVE the answers to life's problems can be found in God's Word, the Bible. That's why The Urban Alternative bases its ministry on what God's inerrant word teaches.
WE BELIEVE real transformation begins with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, who died on the cross for the sins of mankind, bodily arose from the dead and who is coming again.
WE BELIEVE strengthening the family is the single greatest need in our society. That's why The Urban Alternative is a teaching ministry, providing Christian resources for the home that will heal and renew relationships.
WE BELIEVE the Church is the best organization of people to rebuild our battered communities. That's why The Urban Alternative focuses much of its work on uniting, equipping, and encouraging pastors and Christian leaders.
WE BELIEVE Christians across the country can influence their cities for good through prayer, partnerships with churches, and support of The Urban Alternative. That is why we call Christians to join us in bringing light and hope to people plunged in darkness and despair.
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 | | 836 of 1022 | 40 of 53 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 844 of 1024 | 45 of 53 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 705 of 1024 | 37 of 53 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 572 of 1022 | 25 of 53 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 14% | 13% | 12% | 13% | 10% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 7% | 13% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 10% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 92% | 92% | 94% | 94% | 91% | 93% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 7% | 15% | 14% | 13% | 13% | 12% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 8% | 8% | 6% | 6% | 9% | 7% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 81% | 75% | 73% | 75% | 75% | 75% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 87% | 86% | 90% | 93% | 83% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 74% | 66% | 63% | 68% | 70% | 62% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | 13% | 14% | 10% | 7% | 17% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 9% | 18% | 20% | 15% | 11% | 29% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 10% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 13% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.93 | 1.07 | 1.11 | 1.19 | 1.19 | 1.15 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.35 | 1.65 | 1.92 | 1.96 | 1.79 | 1.64 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.74 | 1.77 | 2.14 | 2.33 | 2.13 | 1.89 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 9.50 | 9.39 | 8.44 | 6.16 | 8.11 | 7.50 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.10 | 0.11 | 0.12 | 0.16 | 0.12 | 0.13 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.93 | 6.05 | 4.95 | 4.32 | 4.93 | 5.52 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 12% | 11% | 12% | 16% | 17% | 18% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 4% | 6% | 8% | 10% | 10% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 84% | 83% | 79% | 70% | 69% | 71% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Cash | $6,622,366 | $4,524,680 | $4,332,280 | $4,063,551 | $3,935,258 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $556,757 | $384,232 | $424,593 | $413,955 | $421,657 |
| Short-term investments | $981,147 | $885,963 | $9,241 | $14,310 | $21,705 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $8,160,270 | $5,794,875 | $4,766,114 | $4,491,816 | $4,378,620 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $4,681,999 | $4,749,504 | $4,047,093 | $3,074,342 | $2,401,084 |
| Other long-term assets | $620,096 | $596,145 | $509,608 | $462,399 | $415,416 |
| Total long-term assets | $5,302,095 | $5,345,649 | $4,556,701 | $3,536,741 | $2,816,500 |
| Total assets | $13,462,365 | $11,140,524 | $9,322,815 | $8,028,557 | $7,195,120 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $868,759 | $686,503 | $773,245 | $553,762 | $583,848 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $868,759 | $686,503 | $773,245 | $553,762 | $583,848 |
| Debt | $587,144 | $635,327 | $724,780 | $810,287 | $694,234 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $35,060 | $34,574 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $587,144 | $635,327 | $724,780 | $845,347 | $728,808 |
| Total liabilities | $1,455,903 | $1,321,830 | $1,498,025 | $1,399,109 | $1,312,656 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Without donor restrictions | $12,006,462 | $9,818,694 | $6,519,975 | $5,179,870 | $4,481,939 |
| With donor restrictions | $0 | $0 | $1,304,815 | $1,449,578 | $1,400,525 |
| Net assets | $12,006,462 | $9,818,694 | $7,824,790 | $6,629,448 | $5,882,464 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $15,343,083 | $13,555,850 | $11,526,278 | $9,455,158 | $9,282,084 |
| Program service revenue | $126,266 | $458,229 | $66,634 | $57,193 | $40,748 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $25,385 | $25,633 | $27,784 |
| Investment income | $25,556 | $14,555 | $2,277 | $2,167 | $3,350 |
| Other revenue | $1,094,342 | $320,777 | $674,320 | $805,197 | $617,160 |
| Total other revenue | $1,246,164 | $793,561 | $768,616 | $890,190 | $689,042 |
| Total revenue | $16,589,247 | $14,349,411 | $12,294,894 | $10,345,348 | $9,971,126 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Program services | $10,902,011 | $9,084,909 | $8,368,009 | $7,226,141 | $6,227,940 |
| Management and general | $1,417,141 | $1,538,511 | $1,331,915 | $1,157,410 | $1,058,877 |
| Fundraising | $2,148,202 | $1,764,561 | $1,399,628 | $1,203,915 | $968,471 |
| Total expenses | $14,467,354 | $12,387,981 | $11,099,552 | $9,587,466 | $8,255,288 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $2,121,893 | $1,961,430 | $1,195,342 | $757,882 | $1,715,838 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $2,121,893 | $1,961,430 | $1,195,342 | $757,882 | $1,715,838 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Dr Anthony T Evans | President | $197,359 |
| Mr J Daryl Lee | Chief Financial Officer | $125,945 |
| Mr William E Collins | Vice President | $116,460 |
| Dr Lois I Evans | Senior Vice President | $40,257 |
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 2/7/2022. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
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.