East-West Ministries International
The information on this page was last updated 4/28/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
East-West seeks to multiply followers of Jesus in the spiritually darkest areas of the world through mobilizing the Body of Christ to evangelize the lost and equip local believers to multiply disciples and churches among the unreached. Using simple, biblical, and reproducible tools, we train and send believers from various backgrounds across cultures to start church planting movements among the unreached.
Contact information
Mailing address:
East-West Ministries International
2001 West Plano Parkway
Suite 3000
Plano, TX 75075
Website: eastwest.org
Phone: 972-941-4500
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 752486132
CEO/President: Dr. Kurt Nelson
Chairman: Stacy Smith
Board size: 16
Founder: John Maisel and Bud Toole
Ruling year: 1993
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1999
Purpose
The vision of East-West is to glorify God by multiplying followers of Jesus in the spiritually darkest areas of the world.
Mission statement
The mission of East-West is to mobilize the Body of Christ to evangelize the lost and equip local believers to multiply disciples and churches among the unreached.
Statement of faith
We believe the Bible to be the fully inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God (Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21).
We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: (1 Thessalonians 1:3-6; 1 Peter 1:1-3; John 14:7-11; Hebrews 1:1-3; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-5, 14-17).
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:58, 10:30).
-- His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:27-35)
-- His sinless life (1 Peter 2:22; Matthew 4:1-11)
-- His miracles (Matthew 4:25-33, John 20:30-31)
-- His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood (Hebrews 2:17, Romans 5:8, 1 John 2:2)
-- His bodily resurrection (Acts 2:22-24; Luke 24:5-6; 36-43; John 20:27-29)
-- His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Luke 24:50-51)
-- His personal return in power in glory (Revelation 9:11-16)
We believe that salvation is totally dependent on God and His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23, Acts 16:30-31).
We believe that the new birth of the believer comes through faith in Christ alone (John 1:12; 3:16, 18; 5:24; 14:6; Acts 13:39; 16:31; Romans 1:16-17; 3:22, 26; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:8,9).
We believe that repentance* is a vital part of saving faith in Jesus Christ and not a separate work. We do not believe that any actions-such as baptism, prayer, a reformed lifestyle, or faithful service-can be added to repentant faith as a condition for eternal salvation (Acts 20:21, Hebrews 6:1, 2 Peter 3:9).
*Repentance (Greek metanoia), as used in New Testament theology, means to change your mind at a heart level (mental, emotional, and spiritual transformation) about God, Jesus, sin, and dead works.
We believe it is the privilege of all who are born again by the Spirit, through faith in Christ, to be assured of their salvation from the very day they take Him to be their Savior as revealed in Scripture (Luke 10:20; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-8; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:13; John 5:24).
We believe that all true believers everywhere, once saved, shall be kept saved forever (John 5:24, 10:29; Ephesians 1:3-14).
We believe that Christians are free from law and that the Christian life is to be lived by God's grace through the Holy Spirit's power (Romans 6:14; John 1:17, 14:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:8; Galatians 5:24-25).
We believe, however, that God is a holy and righteous Father and cannot overlook the sin of His children. When they persistently sin, He will chasten them and correct them in His infinite love (Proverbs 3:11-12, Isaiah 6:1-5, Romans 3:25-26, Hebrews 12:9-11, 1 John 2:1-2, Revelation 3:19).
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit-who indwells and enables every Christian to live a godly life and minister to others in divine power (John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:4-7; Galatians 5:22-25).
We believe in the bodily resurrection and judgment of all men. Believers will be resurrected to enjoy eternal life with God, and unbelievers will be resurrected to suffer eternal judgment and separation from God (Luke 16:19-26, 23:39-43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Jude 6-7; Revelation 20:11-15).
We believe all who are united to the risen and ascended Son of God are members of Christ's invisible and universal church (Matthew16:16-18; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:19b-23, 2:19-21, 4:3-6; Colossians 3:14-15).
We believe that the local expressions of the church, as the Body of Christ, are essential in the plan and purpose of God (Acts 14:23; Ephesians 2:15b-16, 4:15-16; Colossians 1:6; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 1 Peter 2:5).
We believe the primary responsibility of all who are saved is to work toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission. All worldly and personal ambitions should be lower in priority than the supreme command of making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 17:18, 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
We believe that human betterment and biblical justice are essential products of the gospel (Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8, Galatians 6:10, Hebrews 13:3, James 1:27, 1 John 3:17-18).
Donor confidence score
This organization does not file a Form 990.
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Transparency grade
D
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
This ministry has not been rated.
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Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 5% | 9% | 8% | 9% | 7% | 8% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 9% | 8% | 9% | 7% | 8% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 99% | 100% | 103% | 101% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 9% | 8% | 10% | 8% | 7% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 0% | -3% | -1% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 85% | 79% | 78% | 78% | 80% | 80% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 98% | 99% | 98% | 94% | 110% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 83% | 77% | 78% | 77% | 75% | 88% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 6% | -10% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | 6% | 2% | 4% | 15% | -19% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 9% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 12% | 12% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.59 | 2.29 | 2.28 | 2.18 | 2.09 | 2.17 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.14 | 1.03 | 1.04 | 1.06 | 1.15 | 1.19 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.42 | 2.37 | 2.37 | 2.32 | 2.41 | 2.58 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 22.36 | 1006.94 | 83.95 | 251.58 | 24.86 | 55.91 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.03 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.04 | 0.02 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.85 | 5.07 | 5.00 | 5.16 | 4.78 | 4.56 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 4% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 3% | 2% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 57% | 44% | 43% | 46% | 46% | 45% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Cash | $7,518,397 | $2,482,244 | $3,782,221 | $2,406,208 | $554,661 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $406,254 | $456,152 | $291,705 | $276,214 | $409,489 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $4,566,915 | $3,064,315 | $3,765,256 | $4,276,023 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $7,924,651 | $7,505,311 | $7,138,241 | $6,447,678 | $5,240,173 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $101,591 | $139,735 | $223,377 | $791,061 | $784,425 |
| Other long-term assets | $158,400 | $158,400 | $228,400 | $205,680 | $205,680 |
| Total long-term assets | $259,991 | $298,135 | $451,777 | $996,741 | $990,105 |
| Total assets | $8,184,642 | $7,803,446 | $7,590,018 | $7,444,419 | $6,230,278 |
| Liabilities | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $7,870 | $89,401 | $28,374 | $259,317 | $93,719 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $7,870 | $89,401 | $28,374 | $259,317 | $93,719 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $7,870 | $89,401 | $28,374 | $259,317 | $93,719 |
| Net assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Without donor restrictions | $2,300,749 | $2,504,438 | $2,714,240 | $3,229,982 | $2,690,813 |
| With donor restrictions | $5,876,023 | $5,209,607 | $4,847,404 | $3,955,120 | $3,445,746 |
| Net assets | $8,176,772 | $7,714,045 | $7,561,644 | $7,185,102 | $6,136,559 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Total contributions | $18,948,063 | $17,962,032 | $17,261,258 | $16,768,272 | $12,261,810 |
| Program service revenue | $26,849 | $33,949 | $85,760 | $10,237 | $12,528 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $11,630 | $27,466 | ($359,883) | $23,463 | $53,535 |
| Other revenue | $218,016 | ($64,235) | ($159,543) | ($207,646) | $27,645 |
| Total other revenue | $256,495 | ($2,820) | ($433,666) | ($173,946) | $93,708 |
| Total revenue | $19,204,558 | $17,959,212 | $16,827,592 | $16,594,326 | $12,355,518 |
| Expenses | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Program services | $14,838,562 | $13,920,798 | $12,906,299 | $12,485,280 | $10,888,862 |
| Management and general | $2,168,184 | $2,383,011 | $2,021,415 | $1,827,564 | $1,630,656 |
| Fundraising | $1,735,085 | $1,503,002 | $1,598,402 | $1,232,939 | $1,011,053 |
| Total expenses | $18,741,831 | $17,806,811 | $16,526,116 | $15,545,783 | $13,530,571 |
| Change in net assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $462,727 | $152,401 | $301,476 | $1,048,543 | ($1,175,053) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $462,727 | $152,401 | $301,476 | $1,048,543 | ($1,175,053) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Kurt Nelson | CEO | $306,635 |
| John Maisel | Chairman Emeritus/Founder | $201,067 |
| Seth Kolb | Exec. VP of Operations | $140,904 |
| Robert West | VP of Evangelism | $129,583 |
| Mario Zandstra | President | $104,973 |
| Kathryn Berney | Secretary/Exec Assitant to | $69,927 |
Compensation data as of: 9/30/2017
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 4/28/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
In 1993, John Maisel and Bud Toole stepped out in bold obedience to launch a ministry focused on taking the gospel to the spiritually darkest places in the world. For more than 30 years, God has worked through East-West to take the gospel to millions of unreached people and multiply scores of disciples and churches.
East-West has grown from operating in one Soviet-era nation to working in more than 40 nations and partnering with thousands of local believers where the name of Jesus is unknown. We do this with one goal in mind-glorifying God by multiplying followers of Jesus in the world's spiritually darkest areas.
1985 - John Maisel travels behind the Iron Curtain for the first time
1993 - East-West Ministries International is founded
1995 - East-West expands ministry beyond Russia to Central Asia
1997 - Ministry begins in Latin America and Europe
1999: Ministry begins in East Asia
2002: Ministry begins in Africa
2003: Ministry begins in Southeast Asia
2005: Ministry begins in South Asia
2007: East-West launches church planting movement strategies on the field
2007: Ministry begins in the Middle East
2008: Ministry begins in North America
2010: Kurt Nelson becomes President and CEO
2012: East-West narrows its ministry focus to disciple making strategies
2018: East-West celebrates 25 years of ministry
2019: East-West acquires NEXT Worldwide, expanding missions opportunities for students
2021: East-West Ministries International rebrands to East-West
2023: East-West celebrates 30 years of ministry
2023: Kristen Shuler named President of East-West, Kurt Nelson remains CEO
Program accomplishments
As of 2024:
292 million people have been reached with the gospel
1.8 million leaders have been trained
371,000 churches have been planted
Needs
East-West is constantly seeking individuals who are willing to:
-- Pray for the unreach
-- Give to the mission
-- Go to the nations
Learn more and get involved by visiting www.eastwest.org.