Summary
Truth for Life provides radio-based programming as well as on the Internet. The radio broadcast ministry can be heard by millions around the world and features the Bible teaching of Alistair Begg, Senior Pastor at Parkside Church in Ohio.
Truth for Life is a nonprofit organization and contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. In addition, it is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | P.O. Box 398000
Solon, OH
44139-4139 |
| Website: | www.truthforlife.org |
| Phone: | (440) 708-2160, (888) 588-7884 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 341787585
| CEO/President: |
Rev. Alistair Begg |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
Mr. Steve Terrell |
Fiscal Year End: |
December 31 |
| Board Size: |
6 |
Financial info from: |
Audit |
| Founder: |
Rev. Alistair Begg |
Member of ECFA: |
Yes |
| Year Founded: |
1994 |
Member of ECFA since: |
2005 |
Truth for Life provides radio-based programming as well as on the Internet. The radio broadcast ministry can be heard by millions around the world and features the Bible teaching of Alistair Begg, Senior Pastor at Parkside Church in Ohio.
Truth for Life is a nonprofit organization and contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. In addition, it is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Truth for Life uses the following to communicates its mission:
We are committed to teaching the Bible with clarity and relevance so that:
Unbelievers will be converted,
Believers will be established,
Local churches will be strengthened.
Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
Truth for Life uses the following to communicate its accomplishments:
Truth For Life produces and distributes biblical teaching programs on radio stations across the country. It also produces and distributes books, audio tapes and other materials containing biblical teaching. These programs and materials are designed to lead non-Christians to a saving knowledge of and Faith in Jesus Christ, and to encourage Christians to grow in their faith and understanding of Christ and Christian faith.
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
Truth for Life uses the following to express its statement of faith:
We accept the scriptures as our only authority in matters of faith and practice and our interpretation of Bible Doctrine leads us inexorably to believe:
(1) The scriptures of the Old and New Testament as being verbally inspired by God and inerrant and infallible in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority.
(2) In one God eternally existing in one essence, yet co-equal persons, the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(3) That Jesus Christ was begotten by God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary.
(4) In the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, Who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He is the life of the believer and He empowers the preaching and teaching of the Gospel.
(5) That mankind was created in the image of God, sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death, but spiritual death, which is separation from God, and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.
(6) That the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the basis of His shed blood.
(7) In the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, His ascension into heaven and His present life there as High priest and Advocate for us.
(8) In the blessed hope, which is the personal, visible and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
(9) That all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again by the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God and heirs of eternal life.
(10) In the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in hell and the fellowship of the saved in heaven.
(11) In the existence of a personal devil, who is still working in the world to destroy the souls of men and that he and all his angels and all who do not receive Christ as their personal Savior will eternally perish in the lake of fire.
(12) In the Church, whose mission it is to preach the Scriptures to all the world, all of its endeavors being guided by multiple leadership and supported by the wise stewardship of God's people.
(13) That the ordinances of the Church, given by the Lord, are Baptism and the Lord's Table (Communion).
TFL was legally incorporated in 1994 as a listener funded radio ministry organized to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The 25 minute daily broadcast began on February 27, 1995 and the program can now be heard throughout the week by radio listeners all across the United States and throughout the world on the internet. All programs feature the Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. The IRS recognizes all gifts given to the work of TFL as tax deductible. TFL operates under the direction of a five member, independent, volunteer board of trustees who are responsible for achieving its stated mission.
Truth for Life has the following needs:
1. Prayer:
Pray that the Truth for Life staff would remain faithful to God's word, to God's call, and to their families.
2. Infrastructure Growth:
Truth for Life has the willingness to continue the growth that God has started for the infrastructure of the ministry and desire to add to their three full-time employees and volunteers.
3. Program Growth:
Truth for Life would like to expand their reach, both nationally and international with the truth of the Gospel.
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : A |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 100 | 11/14/2008 2:44:05 PM: Organization made financial information available less than 5 ½ months after their fiscal year end. |
| Financial Information: | 100 | 11/14/2008 2:44:11 PM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough. |
| Foundational Clarity: | 100 | 11/14/2008 2:44:18 PM: Descriptive information was abundant and thorough. |
| Level of Cooperation: | 100 | Proactive in sending information. |
Click here to compare ministries on transparency and other stats
Click here to learn more about how ministries are graded
MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
| Ranking Category | Rating | Overall Rank | Educational Media Sector |
|---|
| Overall Efficiency Rating |  | 22 of 352 | 2 of 40 |
| Fund Acquisition Decision |  | 46 of 352 | 7 of 40 |
| Resource Allocation Decision | | 18 of 352 | 2 of 40 |
| Asset Utilization Decision | | 93 of 352 | 6 of 40 |
Learn how the ratings are calculated for this ministry
Learn how ratings are calculated in general --
or here for a longer explanation
Click here to compare ministries
2008 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry list2007 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry list
Truth for Life listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2008 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.
MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary.
This ministry is one of the “best ministries” and outstanding examples when we consider Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. No one is able to give to every ministry that one values as we are not possessed of unlimited resources. It is best to make an assessment of our options and make discerning decisions. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list:
- Transparency
- Truth Claims
- Values/ Worldview
- Sectors/Functions
- Resourcefulness
- Red Flag Issues
- Consultation
A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those “ministries” that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.
Inclusion on this Shining Light list does not mean this ministry or other listed ministries are perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list. Only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose to the top.
This is just another step in our mission of encouraging Christians to give more of their talents and resources to Kingdom-building efforts. In short, we wish to help spread the Gospel of Christ by helping Christians give more and more effectively to the works of the Lord. If the Lord uses our list as part of that process, we will have been a blessing to both those ministries who have been ‘good and faithful servants’ with the Lord’s resources and to Christian donors who are seeking to be good stewards of their giving.
====================================
MinistryWatch.com’s Take
April 2005
By J. Andrew Preslar
The Reformed Pastor
In his introduction to
The Reformed Pastor, a now classic piece of 17th century Puritanism, Richard Baxter humbly but forcefully rebukes his fellow English ministers for neglecting the work of “catechesis” (i.e., formal Christian instruction). Although, in context, Baxter is admonishing them to take up the work of teaching families on an individual basis (the modern reader may think of his or her “small group” Bible study), many of his comments are relevant to all forms of pastoral ministry – especially for children of the Protestant movement. Baxter opens his masterpiece by quoting Acts 20:28: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Among the foremost duties of the good overseer are teaching and preaching (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Strict adherence to this principle, however difficult it might be (practically and theologically), is indeed the litmus test of a Puritan minister.
The “reformed pastor” must not only teach the Word, he must handle it rightly. It will not do for a pastor to use the Bible as a pretext for whatever he really wants to talk about.
Alistair Begg, senior pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio and founder of
Truth For Life (a nationwide radio broadcast ministry), believes that pastors can best avoid the subjectivism and/or slavish traditionalism inherent in “proof-text” preaching by utilizing the “expository method.” The expository method is basically a means of sermon construction which is based upon a verse-by-verse analysis of a biblical text, seeks to make the meaning of the text clear to the listeners, and helps them to see how that meaning ought to shape their thinking and actions.
The Word of God and the World of Man
Begg bemoans the fact that many evangelical pastors do not preach expositorily. (see the chapter, “Whatever Happened to Expository Preaching?” in Begg’s “Preaching for God’s Glory”). He believes that “[t]he absence of expository preaching is directly related to an erosion of confidence in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture.” According to Begg, things such as “the so-called extra-biblical ‘prophetic word’,” “psychological theory,” and politics have been allowed to take center stage in many churches. The result is that the culture dictates what is said in the pulpit, instead of the pulpit speaking to, and challenging when necessary, the world on the basis of the inerrant Word of God. On the other side of the equation, there are some preachers who are so involved in the intricacies of the text that they lose sight of how the Scriptures apply to everyday life in the 21st century – thus failing to address their congregation’s need to understand the times so that they might know what to do (cf., 1 Chronicles 12:32). In contrast to both extremes, “[e]xpository preaching means unfolding the text of Scripture in a way that makes contact with the listeners’ world while exalting Christ and confronting them with the need for action. . . .” This is what Begg attempts to do in his preaching ministry.
This ministry is the centerpiece of Truth for Life, which broadcasts Begg’s sermons on more than 900 radio outlets each day. These broadcasts can also be listened to online at www.truthforlife.org. Truth for Life produces and distributes these sermons in the form of 25-minute biblical teaching programs. It also produces and distributes books, audio tapes and other materials featuring Begg’s teaching. These programs and materials are designed to lead non-Christians to a saving knowledge of and faith in Jesus Christ, encourage Christians to grow in their faith and understanding of the Bible, and to help churches grow strong through providing leadership instruction, materials and encouragement to pastors.
Life Resources
The Truth for Life radio program is a consistent testimony to Begg’s commitment to expository preaching. This does not mean, however, that Begg refuses to address specific cultural, moral, spiritual and theological issues. He simply builds his teaching in these areas from a strong Scriptural base. Truth for Life offers numerous resources dealing with a variety of topics. Each of these resources is a “Bible study” in the sense that each follows the expository method and is based upon a particular book of the Bible. Each series is topical in the sense that Begg chooses to focus especially on a major issue presented in that part of Scripture. Major areas of focus include doctrine, the spiritual life, pastoral ministry, character studies, and family matters.
A major part of Truth for Life’s goal of helping churches grow strong is its annual “Basics” pastor’s conference, hosted by Parkside Church. This conference features internationally acclaimed speakers who gather together with pastors from across the country for three days in order to “express their partnership in the gospel and to renew their commitment to the
basics of prayer and the Word of God – those indispensable activities so easily neglected.”
Truth for Life describes the purpose of its 2005 conference in this way:
“Basics 2005 welcomes men of various responsibility and experience (senior, solo, youth, college, singles, outreach, care, etc.). We especially encourage the attendance of younger men who aspire to the pastoral ministry. Our aim is to equip and encourage one another in what is both an immense privilege and an arduous work. When alluring success stories and attractive methodologies get so much attention we need more than ever to be reminded
what ministry is about– to make time to meet with one another; to hear God’s Word afresh; to be driven to our knees in prayer; to be renewed in our passion to know Christ and to make him known.”
Supporting Truth for Life
Truth for Life is primarily a listener-supported ministry. The organization does raise approximately 15 percent of its total income through sales of materials (i.e., book and audio resources). Truth for Life raises financial support through inviting its listening audience and visitors to its website to participate in the ministry through making a donation. They also produce and distribute a Resource Guide featuring Bible study materials, and a quarterly newsletter containing ministry updates, articles and advertisements for Truth for Life resources. In each of these venues – radio, Internet and print – the fund-raising activity is presented in a low-key, no-pressure manner in which the focus is primarily on the importance of the work of proclaiming the Word of God through expository preaching. Those who benefit from this work as done by Alistair Begg and Truth for Life are simply and graciously invited to give. People can choose to become a regular supporter (“Truthpartner”) or simply give a one-time donation.
This irenic and tactful approach is clearly manifested in the ministry support section on Truth for Life’s website:
“The best way to support the radio program is to become a Truthpartner. These are people who sustain the radio ministry in prayer and with regular monthly support so that more people can hear the truth of God’s Word around the world. When you enroll as a Truthpartner with a gift of $20 or more, we will send you two special gifts: 1) a brand new edition of the classic ‘Morning and Evening’ by Charles H. Spurgeon revised and updated by Alastair Begg. 2) the ‘One Year NIV Devotional New Testament.’ In addition to this, you’ll receive a special message of the month from Alastair Begg as well as many opportunities to receive special resource materials that Alastair and the TFL team have found particularly helpful. If you cannot commit to becoming a Truthpartner at this time, but would still like to support our ministry, you can give a one-time gift as well. Because Truth for Life is committed to strengthening the local church, we want to encourage you to give to your local church first. After you have cared for your obligations there would you prayerfully consider supporting TFL?”