Apologetics TV Ministry Loses Financial Accreditation Over Fundraising
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A television ministry with the most-watched Christian apologetics program has been ejected from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) for insufficient oversight and dishonest fundraising.
The Ankerberg Theological Research Institute, which produces The John Ankerberg Show, failed to meet three ECFA standards, according to an ECFA investigation. The apologetics ministry reportedly did not have an independent board, did not have adequate internal controls, and did not truthfully represent the intended use of the funds it raised.
“In securing charitable gifts, all representations of fact … must be current, complete, and accurate,” the ECFA standards say.
According to MinistryWatch, The John Ankerberg Show raised about $20 million for audio Bibles but kept 80 percent. John and Darlene Ankerberg said the money went to producing and distributing the TV program, which cost about $2 million in 2022, according to tax records. No mention of this was made during the on-air fundraising appeals.
Content retrieved from: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/august/ankerberg-financial-allegations-misuse-funds-audio-bibles.html.
