Gospel Communications International, Inc.

Summary

Gospel Communications International, Inc. ("GCI"), formerly known as Gospel Films, aims to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by producing, broadcasting, and distributing religious and educational films. Recently, the ministry has moved into internet broadcasting, content distribution and web hosting through the Gospel Communications Network. The ministry of Gospel Films is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world by 1) producing, broadcasting, distributing, enabling distribution of, and providing access to, without profit, on a world-wide basis, religious and educational films, videos, audio tapes, compact discs, books, audio and visual material, software and other computer based applications, including multimedia, digital and electronic communication technologies, and 2) the administration of sacerdotal functions both within and without traditional church structures. GCI is the founder and sponsor of the Gospel Communications Network, an alliance of Christian organizations dedicated to spreading the Gospel over the World Wide Web. This organization is a nonprofit, contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Contact Information: [ Back to top ]

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Gospel Communications International, Inc. ("GCI"), formerly known as Gospel Films, aims to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by producing, broadcasting, and distributing religious and educational films. Recently, the ministry has moved into internet broadcasting, content distribution and web hosting through the Gospel Communications Network. GCI was founded in 1950.

The ministry of Gospel Films is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world by 1) producing, broadcasting, distributing, enabling distribution of, and providing access to, without profit, on a world-wide basis, religious and educational films, videos, audio tapes, compact discs, books, audio and visual material, software and other computer based applications, including multimedia, digital and electronic communication technologies, and 2) the administration of sacerdotal functions both within and without traditional church structures.

GCI is the founder and sponsor of the Gospel Communications Network (www.gospelcom.net), an alliance of Christian organizations dedicated to spreading the Gospel over the World Wide Web. Gospelcom provides access to the Bible Gateway (a searchable online bible in various languages and translations), devotions, resources for over 230 alliance members, bible studies, movie reviews, online Christian radio, mission news, CrossSearch.com, parenting helps and humor.

This organization is a nonprofit, contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

The mission statement of the Gospel Communications International, Inc. is:

Being convinced that the responsibility for evangelizing the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the imperative task of dedicated Christians, and that films offer one of the most effective vehicles in the accomplishing of this task, we propose to operate a corporation, not for profit, known as Gospel Films, Inc.

The original declaration has since been expanded to include video, software, and digital/electronic media as well as film.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

During 1998 GCI provided Christ centered media resources throughout the world through its distribution of videos, films, and other materials. The organization was directly responsible for showings of videos and films to audiences of over 200 million people in schools, churches, homes, prisons, hospitals, open-air meetings and on television.

In 1999, Gospelcom had more than 780 million "hits" from Internet users in 216 countries and territories around the world. Gospelcom consistently ranks in the Media Metrix list of the 500 most-visited web sites, which is otherwise short of religious sites.

Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

Gospel Communications International, Inc. subscribes to the following statement of faith:

1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of lost and sinful men.
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by Whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live the Godly life.
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost - those who are saved to the resurrection of life, and those who are lost to the resurrection of condemnation.
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ, and the evidence of that unity being shown by how we love one another.

History [ Back to top ]

GCI was founded in 1950 as Gospel Films, Inc.

In the beginning - long before fiber optics, satellite uplinks, e-mail downloads, or color TV - there was 16-millimeter film. It was 1950 - the midpoint of the century and the debut of Gospel Films, Inc., a fledgling ministry dedicated to capturing the drama of the Christian story on celluloid.

Since that modest opening scene 50 years ago, the ministry has repeatedly outgrown its headquarters in this city along the Lake Michigan coastline. But it has held firm to its mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 1998, the ministry even outgrew its original name, Gospel Films. Now known as Gospel Communications International, Inc., a name that more accurately reflects the broad scope of their work. And today, GCI carries out its life-changing objectives by continuing its distribution of evangelistic film and video productions, as well as extending its influence through a fast-growing Internet outreach called Gospelcom.

In 1994, conversations between Gospel Films Director of Marketing Duane (Smitty) Smith and Calvin College Communications Professor Quentin (Dr. Q) Schultze, gave birth to an idea for spreading the Gospel on the Internet.

The idea was presented to Gospel Films President Billy Zeoli, who quickly caught the vision and had the team present the plan to the Gospel Films Board of Directors. The Board, under the chairmanship of Richard M. DeVos, also saw the great potential for ministry in this new medium. Leading the charge for GCI Board support of the plan was then board secretary Edgar D. Prince, who was sadly to pass away before the plan could see fruition.

Under Zeoli's leadership, the plan now included inviting other Christian ministries to join in an online alliance to:
1. promote cooperation among likeminded organizations,
2. minimize duplication of efforts, and
3. maximize online traffic. The GCI-sponsored alliance was to be called the Gospel Communications Network, and the project was dedicated to the memory of Ed Prince.

Launched in 1995, Gospelcom is the largest Christian web site on the Internet. The site had more than 780 million "hits" in 1999 from Internet users in 216 countries and territories around the world. Gospelcom consistently ranks in the Media Metrix list of the 500 most-visited web sites, which is otherwise short of religious sites. Gospelcom's free "Bible Gateway," with its seven searchable English translations and nine foreign translations, is the most popular area on the site.

Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.

Research Analysis

Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

Ranking Category	Rating	Overall Rank	Evangelism Support Sector
Overall Efficiency Rating		202 of 348	23 of 37
Fund Acquisition Decision		202 of 348	24 of 37
Resource Allocation Decision		of 348	11 of 37
Asset Utilization Decision		of 348	11 of 37