Life Outreach International Association of Churches
The information on this page was last updated 2/11/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
LIFE Outreach International is a Christian, faith-based organization committed to expressing God's love in both word and deed. This commitment is in answer to Jesus' challenge to spread the Good News of His salvation to all people and every nation.
We do this by proclaiming God's love through our media ministry and evangelistic efforts and demonstrating His love through deeds of compassion.
Through all of our ministry outreaches - the LIFE TODAY television ministry, evangelistic outreaches, LIFE Centers, feeding programs, water well drilling, disaster relief and other mission projects - we share the love of Christ.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Life Outreach International
PO Box 982000
Fort Worth, TX 76182-8000
Website: lifetoday.org
Phone: 1-800-947-5433
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 752684727
CEO/President: Mr. James Robison
Chairman: Mr. James Robison
Board size: 7
Founder: Mr. James Robison
Ruling year: 1997
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1993
Purpose
LIFE Outreach works with mission partners all over the world to share the Good News of Christ's life and spread love to the lost and the hurting.
Mission statement
LIFE Outreach International is a Christian organization dedicated to sharing the transforming truth of God's love in word and deed. The ministry encourages the support of missions and relief programs in areas of need throughout the world. Utilizing the tremendous potential of broadcast media to fulfill the mission, LIFE Outreach inspires believers to share the promise of life and hope with others.
Statement of faith
Life Outreach International is a Christian, faith-based organization focusing its outreach and ministry on the basic truths of the Christian faith, including:
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired and infallible Word of God.
There is one God, existing eternally in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus is the Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit and virgin born, the Son of God, the one and only Savior, the Lord of all.
Christ sacrificially died on the cross and shed His blood as the atonement for sin.
God raised Him from the dead bodily; He ascended into Heaven, and He will visibly return in glory according to His promise.
Salvation is God's gift of eternal life, presented to all who, by faith, accept Jesus Christ as Savior and receive spiritual new birth by the Holy Spirit.
Abundant Christian living is possible only for those who continually yield their lives to the power and control of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Jesus issued Christians a "Great Commission": to spread the Good News of His salvation to all peoples and every nation. To fulfill this commission, Christians must not only proclaim the love of God, but demonstrate it through deeds of compassion, such as feeding the poor and hungry, providing for orphans and the homeless and assisting the sick and distressed as God directs.
Donor confidence score
This organization does not file a Form 990.
Show donor confidence score detailsTransparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Educational Media
This ministry has not been rated.
Click here to read Life Outreach International Association of Churches' response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 18% | 20% | 21% | 20% | 20% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 7% | 17% | 19% | 20% | 19% | 19% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 93% | 93% | 95% | 95% | 95% | 95% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 7% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 18% | 18% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 7% | 7% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 81% | 73% | 74% | 74% | 75% | 75% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 94% | 88% | 101% | 108% | 104% | 103% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 77% | 64% | 75% | 81% | 78% | 77% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 6% | 12% | -1% | -8% | -4% | -3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 27% | -4% | -21% | -8% | -6% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 12% | 8% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.78 | 1.77 | 2.42 | 2.40 | 2.03 | 1.98 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.48 | 1.30 | 1.48 | 1.45 | 1.37 | 1.38 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.47 | 2.29 | 3.56 | 3.47 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 14.32 | 8.77 | 5.27 | 6.68 | 7.45 | 9.18 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.11 | 0.19 | 0.15 | 0.13 | 0.11 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.92 | 4.63 | 2.73 | 2.94 | 3.75 | 3.92 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 9% | 13% | 10% | 10% | 8% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 98% | 51% | 36% | 37% | 44% | 47% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $17,797,416 | $10,654,462 | $12,187,276 | $16,808,290 | $18,646,732 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $2,725,366 | $3,152,796 | $2,972,039 | $3,172,694 | $3,091,707 |
| Short-term investments | $2,354,932 | $2,075,815 | $1,724,553 | $1,876,807 | $1,600,392 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $22,877,714 | $15,883,073 | $16,883,868 | $21,857,791 | $23,338,831 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $6,764,665 | $7,552,776 | $7,515,221 | $8,014,647 | $8,887,628 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $6,764,665 | $7,552,776 | $7,515,221 | $8,014,647 | $8,887,628 |
| Total assets | $29,642,379 | $23,435,849 | $24,399,089 | $29,872,438 | $32,226,459 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $2,608,980 | $3,015,521 | $2,527,010 | $2,776,837 | $2,339,198 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $157,187 | $202,622 |
| Total current liabilities | $2,608,980 | $3,015,521 | $2,527,010 | $2,934,024 | $2,541,820 |
| 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 | $2,608,980 | $3,015,521 | $2,527,010 | $2,934,024 | $2,541,820 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $27,033,399 | $20,420,328 | $21,872,079 | $26,938,414 | $29,684,639 |
| With donor restrictions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $27,033,399 | $20,420,328 | $21,872,079 | $26,938,414 | $29,684,639 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $55,964,967 | $52,862,895 | $51,391,857 | $55,453,445 | $58,760,813 |
| Program service revenue | $3,536,720 | $2,550,036 | $2,697,079 | $2,684,826 | $2,914,214 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $342,232 | $365,652 | ($86,932) | $302,368 | $111,416 |
| Other revenue | $12,346 | $56,555 | $88,504 | $66,310 | $134,358 |
| Total other revenue | $3,891,298 | $2,972,243 | $2,698,651 | $3,053,504 | $3,159,988 |
| Total revenue | $59,856,265 | $55,835,138 | $54,090,508 | $58,506,949 | $61,920,801 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $38,127,723 | $41,936,483 | $43,601,644 | $45,434,169 | $47,597,550 |
| Management and general | $4,401,317 | $4,170,495 | $4,143,034 | $4,155,344 | $4,389,228 |
| Fundraising | $9,968,947 | $10,511,689 | $10,886,892 | $10,970,967 | $11,738,664 |
| Total expenses | $52,497,987 | $56,618,667 | $58,631,570 | $60,560,480 | $63,725,442 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $7,358,278 | ($783,529) | ($4,541,062) | ($2,053,531) | ($1,804,641) |
| Other changes in net assets | ($745,207) | ($668,222) | ($525,273) | ($692,694) | ($688,556) |
| Total change in net assets | $6,613,071 | ($1,451,751) | ($5,066,335) | ($2,746,225) | ($2,493,197) |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
LIFE Outreach International Association of Churches, Inc. expresses strong concern and disagreement with the assessment and rating done by Wall Watchers. Each ministry is different as are its purposes and the methods used to accomplish its mission. Resource development and program delivery costs vary based on qualitative factors such as the appeal of a particular cause and the relative difficulty and cost of meeting objectives. This evaluation does not consider costs in respect to the nature and medium of development or ministry delivery nor in light of program accomplishments. Accordingly, management believes it is not a fair evaluation of stewardship, efficiency or effectiveness and is misleading in that it presents an incomplete picture.
LIFE Outreach International Association of Churches, Inc. is a member of ECFA and is committed to accountability and financial disclosure. Our audited financial statements are available to the public upon request as well as other information about our ministry. We welcome the opportunity to present the complete picture of our ministry and answer any questions about the worthiness of the ministry to receive support.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 2/11/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Reminding the children of Israel of how they were led when God brought them out of captivity in Egypt, Moses said, "(God) goes before you on {your} way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go" (Deuteronomy 1:33).
They dared not move until the pillar of cloud or the pillar of fire moved. And then they moved only in the direction and to the place that the cloud or the fire led them.
Throughout the course of his ministry, James Robison has sought God's will and direction. As a result, the course of his ministry resembles the path drawn by the Israelites as they followed the Lord in the wilderness and the Promised Land eons ago: Instead of a straight-line progression from point to point in a single direction, James' journey has been a winding path with unexpected, sometimes unexplainable twists and turns
To some, this kaleidoscopic effect is confusing. People have sometimes asked: "Why don't you select one thing to do and stick with it?" Or even: "Do you really know what God is leading you to do?"
Through the years, James' response to such criticism has evolved as his understanding of the Christian life has grown. He has come to see that, in charting the life history of a believer, God does not lead randomly, as the winding course of God's calling on James' life is evident not only in the broader pattern of things, but also in LIFE's year-by-year, month-by-month and day-by-day operations.
At one point, the ministry's major emphasis may be on Africa. A short time later, it may be on Romania, China or a new crisis area. Not only does the locale of ministry emphasis often change, but also the form and duration. Sometimes the humanitarian assistance provided along with the Gospel may be in the form of emergency relief items. Sometimes it may be in the form of seed, tools, education or training. Some projects may be short-term; others long-term.
God directs the emphasis according to the needs He brings to LIFE's attention and the provision He makes, through the prayers and support of caring people , for LIFE to respond.
God has led LIFE Outreach to see its role as that of "lampstand." Rather than going out to be "the light of the world" with its own organization, personnel and resources, LIFE finds and supports reputable, effective missionaries to partner with in ministry efforts. These mission partners, already established and proven, are then supported by LIFE so that they can serve as "the light," save more lives and draw more souls to Christ.
While the goal is to always follow God's guidance, LIFE's mission is to help shine the light of God's truth to those who are in darkness, to help them become "lights" in their own right, and to lift them from the valley to the hilltop where they can be seen by the whole world
Currently, LIFE ministers in 35 nations across five continents. Throughout Africa, LIFE helps feed more than 350,000 children in crisis areas and assists with school feeding programs to encourage school attendance and education. According to reports from the field, Mission Feeding has helped save the lives of more than 18 million starving children.
Medical clinics, orphanages, fruit and vegetable farms and food processing plants are also part of LIFE's outreach in Africa. As a result of LIFE-sponsored crusades and the ministry that occurs at the feeding centers, there have been more than 12 million decisions for Christ since 1990. The ministry has also helped provide more than 6200 water wells for people in desperate need of clean water through the Water for LIFE outreach, which began in 2000.
As LIFE continues to expand its ministry outreach, we will work to establish and strengthen effective outreaches in every population center throughout the world.
Program accomplishments
Needs
Life Outreach has some of the following needs:
Funds for media outreach.
Desire to expand as well as maintain the outreach through the various stations worldwide.
Funds to expand and feed more children by addressing their various physical needs.
Funds to continue the operation of orphanages and job training programs and well drilling and evangelistic training and outreach.