The Timothy Initiative 
The information on this page was last updated 3/30/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
The Timothy Initiative (TTI) is an international church planting organization which was established with the purpose to train and equip "Timothy's". We specifically target church planters lacking the means and/or availability to receive a balanced Biblical and theological training throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Each church planter trained is expected to plant at least one multiplying and reproducing church in their region.
Contact information
Mailing address:
The Timothy Initiative
PO Box 98177
Raleigh, NC 27624
Website: ttionline.org
Phone: (919) 761-5760
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 800472803
CEO/President: Dr. Jared Nelms / Dr. David Nelms
Chairman: Jeff Forester
Board size: 11
Founder: Dr. David Nelms
Ruling year: 2011
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2013
Purpose
Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations. That's why we're committed to getting the Gospel to every place and people group.
Vision: In obedience to Jesus and through Kingdom partnerships, The Timothy Initiative's vision is to see multiplying, disciple making churches in every place and people group.
Mission statement
The Timothy Initiative exists to advance Christ's Kingdom by multiplying disciples and disciple making churches around the world.
Statement of faith
The Essentials We Believe: The following is a list of what TTI considers to be the essential beliefs. Removing any one of these items will lead to false doctrine and teaching. They are all essential and foundational.
THE TRINITY (GODHEAD)
There is one God, co-existent, co-equal, and co-eternal in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4). Christianity teaches that God is Triune (Trinity), which means, God is one and in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This view of God is different than any other religion's perspective of god. No other religion teaches that their god is one and exists in three persons. Because God is Triune, He can be the foundation for all things. God experiences within the Trinity perfect love, joy, relationship, communication, etc.
THE FATHER
The first person of the Trinity orders and directs all things according to His own purpose and pleasure. He authored, created, and sustains all things in the universe without any means other than His own pure nature and power. By His grace, He involves Himself in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all that come to Him through Jesus Christ. Matthew 6:9, Ephesians 1:3, John 5:19.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
He existed eternally as the second person of the Trinity. By His virgin birth, He came to earth as fully God and fully man, living a sinless life. He authored, created, and sustains all things in the universe without any means other than His own pure power. His death on the cross, paid the penalty for man's sin, evidenced by His bodily resurrection from the dead. He physically ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and He will return in power and glory. John. 1:14, Colossians. 2:9, Acts 2:33, Colossians 1:16.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
He existed eternally as the third person of the Trinity. He convicts men of sin, regenerates, baptizes, indwells, instructs, and sets apart believers unto a holy life. We encourage all believers to seek a life of obedience to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We believe this step is essential for empowering believers for victorious living and ministry through the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God. Titus 3:5, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 3:16.
THE BIBLE
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the complete, inerrant (without error) in the original manuscripts, divinely inspired, infallible (trustworthy) Word of God. The Bible is the supreme authority and guide for our Christian faith and living. (2 Peter. 1:20, Hebrews. 4:12). There are many ways we are to interact with God's Word: Hear (2 Timothy. 4:2), Read (2 Timothy 3:16-17), Study (2 Timothy 2:15), Memorize (Psalm 119:11), Apply (Ezra 7:10) and Meditate (Psalm 119). Obey (John 4:17).
THE NATURE OF MANKIND
Mankind was directly created in God's image. He voluntarily fell into sin by personal disobedience to the will of God; as a result, all people are spiritually dead apart from Jesus Christ. The fall of humanity was a once-for-all historical fact. Its effect spread to all men, each of whom is born with a sinful nature and needs salvation. Ephesians 2:1, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23-24.
THE NECESSITY OF SALVATION
Salvation (justification) is by grace, a gift of God apart from works. Salvation (justification) includes repentance, a turning from one's own way to God's way. All who receive Jesus Christ are born-again, regenerated (made new) by the Holy Spirit, and become the children of God. Our relationship with Christ is secure not by our actions but by the sustaining power and love of God. A changed life follows the work of God in a person's salvation (sanctification). (Titus 2:11, 1 John. 1:9, 1 Peter 2:2).
THE CHURCH
The church is the body of believers consisting of all born-again persons without respect to race, culture, age, or background. Directed by Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church is taking the Good News of salvation to the whole world. Our fellowship is inclusive rather than exclusive and stresses love for God and one another, the unity of all believers, and obedience to the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-21, Ephesians 3:10)
ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 3:16; 14:17, Romans 6:23; 8:17-18, Revelation 20:15, 1 Corinthians 2:7-9)
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 831 of 1104 | 104 of 143 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 835 of 1105 | 107 of 143 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 479 of 1105 | 63 of 143 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 833 of 1104 | 100 of 143 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 9% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 6% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 9% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 6% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 100% | 97% | 96% | 98% | 98% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 9% | 9% | 7% | 6% | 8% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 0% | 3% | 4% | 2% | 2% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 86% | 85% | 86% | 86% | 86% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 95% | 48% | 55% | 69% | 71% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 82% | 41% | 47% | 59% | 61% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 5% | 52% | 45% | 31% | 29% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 3% | 41% | 42% | 33% | 31% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 8% | 5% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 6% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.32 | 0.65 | 0.38 | 0.50 | 0.72 | 0.75 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.21 | 1.01 | 1.01 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.96 | 0.66 | 0.38 | 0.50 | 0.72 | 0.75 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 18.81 | 47.48 | 84.84 | 45.97 | 115.08 | 51.97 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.67 | 17.72 | 30.83 | 23.43 | 16.52 | 15.79 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 68% | 150% | 259% | 196% | 138% | 132% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $21,625,066 | $20,433,776 | $15,296,269 | $8,731,410 | $5,948,956 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $294,825 | $114,701 | $35,825 | $35,777 | $0 |
| Short-term investments | $4,704,974 | $5,117,072 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $26,624,865 | $25,665,549 | $15,332,094 | $8,767,187 | $5,948,956 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $308,788 | $177,359 | $4,684 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term assets | $64,326 | $26,789 | $17,519 | $17,519 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $373,114 | $204,148 | $22,203 | $17,519 | $0 |
| Total assets | $26,997,979 | $25,869,697 | $15,354,297 | $8,784,706 | $5,948,956 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $560,791 | $302,533 | $333,542 | $76,186 | $114,478 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $560,791 | $302,533 | $333,542 | $76,186 | $114,478 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $35,829 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $35,829 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $596,620 | $302,533 | $333,542 | $76,186 | $114,478 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $9,455,547 | $8,489,154 | $1,036,976 | $782,189 | $590,493 |
| With donor restrictions | $16,945,812 | $17,078,010 | $13,983,779 | $7,926,331 | $5,243,985 |
| Net assets | $26,401,359 | $25,567,164 | $15,020,755 | $8,708,520 | $5,834,478 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $18,551,259 | $19,793,910 | $13,492,699 | $8,989,971 | $6,121,070 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $0 | $138,426 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | ($67,171) | $485,837 | $499,839 | $195,268 | $106,490 |
| Total other revenue | ($67,171) | $624,263 | $499,839 | $195,268 | $106,490 |
| Total revenue | $18,484,088 | $20,418,173 | $13,992,538 | $9,185,239 | $6,227,560 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $15,154,194 | $8,394,744 | $6,610,510 | $5,403,296 | $3,797,557 |
| Management and general | $855,974 | $601,387 | $538,438 | $513,091 | $266,777 |
| Fundraising | $1,639,725 | $875,633 | $531,951 | $394,810 | $369,454 |
| Total expenses | $17,649,893 | $9,871,764 | $7,680,899 | $6,311,197 | $4,433,788 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $834,195 | $10,546,409 | $6,311,639 | $2,874,042 | $1,793,772 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $834,195 | $10,546,409 | $6,311,639 | $2,874,042 | $1,793,772 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| David Nelms | President | $185,652 |
| Jared Nelms | CEO & Vice P | $164,086 |
| Justin Sogoian | Regional Dir | $151,742 |
| Gary Schneider | Regional Dir | $145,634 |
| Fregy John | Int'l Minist | $100,658 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2022
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 3/30/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
2007: David Nelms (Founder), alongside local leaders Joshua and Harsha, start a church planting training program. Harsha tragically dies weeks before the official launch.
2008: By God's grace, the training launches with 3,075 church planters.
2009: The program becomes The Timothy Initiative (TTI), as the disciple-making movement spreads across Asia. TTI expands into Africa.
2010: TTI's 10 book curriculum is developed, along with the expectation that each disciple plants one church by the end of their training.
2011: 7,000 church planters are trained.
2012: TTI spreads into 30 countries.
2013: A new multiplicative model for training is implemented, called Disciple Making Disciples.
2014: Emphasis is added on the local church caring for orphans & widows. TTI crosses 25,000 churches planted, and 500,000 new disciples to date.
2015: TTI and partners rebuild 100 homes following the devastating earthquake in Nepal.
2016: TTI targets 500 Unreached People Groups and 50 Unengaged, Unreached People Groups.
2017: TTI expands into Southeast Asia. TTI reaches 150 staff worldwide.
2018: 1,000,000 New disciples and 50,000 churches planted to date.
2019: The Master Trainer's Manual, written by TTI's international leaders, is implemented. This tool provides church planting trainers with ongoing leadership development. 60,000+ churches planted.