Add ministry to your portfolio

Pioneers, Inc.

Rating
Sector:

Foreign Missions

Total
Revenue:

$32,411,000

Total
Expenses:

$32,033,000

Net
Assets:

$14,248,000
Email us here to send electronic copies of updated IRS Form 990 and/or Audited Financial Statements. You may also request changes to any of the non-financial content for a given ministry. Please be as specific as possible for any changes.

Profile Contents

Research Analysis
Financial Information

Ministry Pie Chart

Database Avg This Ministry
Program 84% 81.1%
General & Admin 12.5% 13.8%
Fundraising 6.8% 3.9%
Savings -4.4% 1.1%


Ministry Pie Chart

Ministry Pie Chart

Age Size Box:

>50
Yr(s)25-50
<25
<$1m$1m-
$5m
>$5m

Summary

Pioneers, Inc. ("Pioneers") strives to evangelize and plant churches among the major blocks of unreached people worldwide. Pioneers work in areas of the world where few or no churches exist. Pioneers works through innovative strategies, often using non-traditional methods to initiate church planting movements among the least reached peoples around the globe. Pioneers was founded in 1979 by Ted and Peggy Fletcher.

This organization is an international non-denominational mission 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 ]

Mailing Address:10123 William Carey Dr.
Orlando, FL
32827-6020
Website: www.pioneers.org
Phone:(407) 382-6000, (800) 755-7284
Email:You need to enable javascript to see the email

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

EIN: 521206938
CEO/President: Mr. Steve Richardson Tax Deductible: Yes
Chairman: Dr. William Newbrander Fiscal Year End: September 30
Board Size: 10 Financial info from: Audit
Founder: Ted and Peggy Fletcher Member of ECFA: Yes
Year Founded: 1976 Member of ECFA since: 1987

Purpose [ Back to top ]

Pioneers, Inc. ("Pioneers") strives to evangelize and plant churches among the major blocks of unreached people worldwide. Pioneers work in areas of the world where few or no churches exist. Pioneers works through innovative strategies, often using non-traditional methods to initiate church planting movements among the least reached peoples around the globe. Pioneers was founded in 1976 by Ted and Peggy Fletcher.

This organization is an international non-denominational mission 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 ]

Pioneers uses the following to communicate its mission:

Pioneers mobilizes teams to glorify God among unreached peoples by initiating church planting movements in partnership with local churches.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

The following are some of the ministry's accomplishments:

  1. Innovative businesses resulting in Asian church-plants and a growing church in an Eastern European city.

  2. Maintaining steady and strong growth during a time of overall weakness in personnel recruitment among mission agencies; IFMA statistics show PIONEERS among the top organizations of its kind in North America.

  3. Eighty-one candidates were appointed to missionary service in 1999.

  4. A significant recent milestone was the appointment of Steve Richardson as U.S. Director/President. His leadership experience and knowledge of PIONEERS will be invaluable as he leads PIONEERS-USA into the new millennium.

  5. The completion and occupancy of the 10,000 square foot US headquarters office. This building has been fully funded.



    PIONEERS programs and services include evangelism and church planting, ministry to constituents, training, short-term overseas ministries, and membership development.

    Following are explanations of how PIONEERS implements each of these methods. The percentages refer to the approximate proportion of total time/energy/money expended on each method.

    METHOD 1 (40%). Friendship Evangelism.

    The missionaries’ task is to build relationships with local people as a natural part of their ministry. It is out of these relationships that people come to know Christ. This approach begins with language and culture learning and continues through the daily activities of life as a missionary.

    METHOD 2 (30%). Disciple New Believers.

    The process of discipling begins as part of evangelism and continues after conversion until the new believer is mature enough to take on the responsibilities of discipleship. Every context will present different challenges to the discipling process, but the goal of mature believers is the same.

    METHOD 3 (15%). Develop Local Church Leadership.

    As churches are formed through the evangelism and discipleship, leadership must be identified and developed in order to guide the church. These are critical responsibilities of each missionary and church leader. Developing leadership includes the ongoing mentoring of the leaders, education and training, and developing programs and structures to facilitate the growth of the church. Typically, this process starts soon after the new believers show evidence of gifting in areas of leadership.

    METHOD 4 (15%). Community and Economic Development and Education.

    A natural part of the missionary task is demonstrating the love of God within the communities in which the missionary works. The goal of community development is to facilitate projects which empower individuals and bring sustainable development to the wider community. Development projects include educational programs, health, agriculture, natural resource development, small businesses and a range of other projects within the context of a local community.

    Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

    Pioneers uses the following to express its statement of faith:

    WE BELIEVE that the Holy Scriptures, consisting of Old and New Testaments, were originally given by God, divinely inspired, without error, infallible, and are entirely trustworthy and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice.

    WE BELIEVE in one God, Creator of all things, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

    WE BELIEVE in our Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, His virgin birth, sinless life, divine miracles, vicarious and atoning death on the cross, bodily resurrection, ascension and exaltation, mediatorial work, and personal, imminent, and visible return in power and glory.

    WE BELIEVE that Adam and Eve, created in the image of God, were tempted by Satan, the god of this world, and fell; that their sin has passed to all people, who as a result are lost, are unable to save themselves from the wrath of God, and need to be saved.

    WE BELIEVE that salvation is a gift of God to those who repent and personally believe in Jesus Christ; that it is accomplished by God's grace through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

    WE BELIEVE in God the Holy Spirit who indwells all believers enabling them to live holy lives, and to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ despite opposition from the world, the flesh, and Satan.

    WE BELIEVE in the spiritual unity of all true believers, the universal Church, the Body of Christ.

    WE BELIEVE in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of eternal life with God, they that are lost unto the resurrection of eternal condemnation separated from God.

    WE BELIEVE that Christ commanded the Church to go into all the world and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching those who believe to obey all that Christ commanded.

    History [ Back to top ]

    PIONEERS was founded in 1976 by Ted and Peggy Fletcher. In 1994, World Outreach Fellowship merged with PIONEERS, and today the organization continues to grow as it brings the gospel to unreached people groups.

    Ted met Christ at a Billy Graham Campaign during the Korean War. At that time he began thinking about God’s concern for all peoples and began praying for a part in reaching people of other cultures with the gospel. As a promise, God gave him Psalm 2:8, "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." From a successful business career and a rise to the position of national sales manager with the Wall Street Journal, Ted and Peggy stepped out in faith to found a new mission agency–PIONEERS. Their vision was to mobilize missionaries to reach the unreached peoples of the world.



    1976 Founded as World Evangelical Outreach in Sterling, VA by Ted and Peggy Fletcher

    1979 First career missionaries sent to Nigeria

    1979 First summer missionaries sent to Papua New Guinea

    1980 Opened the field of Papua New Guinea under the direction of Asia Pacific Christian Mission (APCM)

    1982 PIONEERS-India began, a ministry by nationals

    1983 First Candidate Orientation Program held

    1984 Name changed to PIONEERS

    1988 John Fletcher appointed as Executive Director

    1992 Relocated U.S. mobilization base from Washington, D.C. to Orlando, FL

    1993 International Leadership Team established

    1994 Incorporated World Outreach Fellowship into PIONEERS ministries

    1994 PIONEERS-Canada became a mobilization base

    1994 PIONEERS-USA purchased property in Orlando, FL for future headquarters/training site

    1994 Began process of formally internationalizing the mission

    1994 PIONEERS-Africa established, based in Ghana, West Africa

    1997 Cooperation of Asia Pacific Christian Mission and South Pacific Partners to form PIONEERS of Australia and PIONEERS-New Zealand

    1998 Dr. C. Douglas McConnell appointed first International Director.

    1998 PIONEERS-USA moves into new administrative facilities.

    1999 Steve Richardson appointed as U.S. Director/President.

    2001- Action Partners, an Australian mission agency, joins the Pioneers family, and a new mobilizatio base begins in Brazil.

    2002- Pioneers sends 162 summer missionaries and dedicates the Frizen Missionary Training Center.

    2003- John Fletcher begins term as Pioneers sencond international director.

    Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

    PIONEERS expresses its needs as follows:

    Prayer:
    PIONEERS wants to glorify God in places where the name of Christ has not been known. This will only happen as we move forward as people of prayer. PIONEERS is trusting God for significant new breakthroughs in days to come. Your prayers are vital. Daily prayer requests can be obtained by requesting the PIONEERS Touch the World prayer guide.

    GO:
    PIONEERS mobilizes teams of missionaries to go where there are no churches capable of reaching the people for whom Christ died. We are not dissuaded by the difficulties in achieving our mission, no matter how large they seem. We will use innovative means to enter and stay until people are presented with the gospel and brought to a saving knowledge of Christ. Our commitment does not stop there. We are called to see those new believers formed into churches with a clear vision and understanding of how to further the mission by planting other churches among their own people and beyond. PIONEERS workers serve God in over 45 countires. We invite you to join us in fulfilling this exciting task. We have long-term, short-term, and summer opportunities.

    Give:
    PIONEERS ministries are funded through the faithful contributions of individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations. Funding opportunities are available for both field and administrative needs.

    Research Analysis

    Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

    Transparency Grade of : A
    Criteria categoryGradeOther Comments
    Timeliness:100
    Financial Information:100
    Foundational Clarity:
    Level of Cooperation:
    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 CategoryRatingOverall RankForeign Missions Sector
    Overall Efficiency RatingStarStarStarStar93 of 348    19 of 54
    Fund Acquisition DecisionStarStarStarStar93 of 348      19 of 54
    Resource Allocation Decision of 348      31 of 54
    Asset Utilization Decision of 348      31 of 54
    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

Ministry Statement or Response [ Back to top ]

This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with an official statement or response for their profile. This area is meant as a mechanism for the profiled ministry to communicate anything they may choose. It is open ended as to the topic, issues, facts or news to address. It is not negative if there is no official statement as many don’t have anything to add than what is already on the profile. This section is not tied to transparency or to communication in general. Many very open and talkative ministries with us choose not to post an official statement. This section is just an open ended offering to the profiled ministry for anything extra to say as they may choose.

Financial Information:

Financial Ratios[ Back to top ]

Funding RatiosDatabase Average20092008200720062005
Return on FR Efforts10%4%4%0%0%0%
Fundraising Cost Ratio7%4%4%0%0%0%
Contributions Reliance83%96%99%0%0%0%
Fundraising Expense Ratio7%4%4%0%0%0%
Other Revenue Reliance17%4%1%0%0%0%
Operating RatiosDatabase Average20092008200720062005
Program Expense Ratio80%82%82%0%0%0%
Spending Ratio104%99%101%0%0%0%
Program Output Ratio84%81%82%0%0%0%
Savings Ratio-4%1%-1%0%0%0%
Reserve Accumulation Rate4%3%-2%0%0%0%
General & Admin Ratio12%14%14%0%0%0%
Investing RatiosDatabase Average20092008200720062005
Total Asset Turnover2.91x2.16x1.94x0x0x0x
Degree of L-T Investment3.1x2.04x1.95x0x0x0x
Current Asset Turnover5.56x4.41x3.79x0x0x0x
Age of Assets10.5yr(s)0.0yr(s)0.0yr(s)0.0yr(s)0.0yr(s)0.0yr(s)
Liquidity RatiosDatabase Average20092008200720062005
Current Ratio3306.32x12.11x4.29x0x0x0x
Current Liabilities Ratio.39x.08x.23x0x0x0x
Liquid Reserve Level4.91x2.5x2.43x0x0x0x
Solvency RatiosDatabase Average20092008200720062005
Liabilities Ratio.3x.04x.12x0x0x0x
Debt Ratio.07x0x0x0x0x0x
Reserve Coverage Ratio81%44%45%0%0%0%

Financials[ Back to top ]

Balance Sheet
Assets20092008200720062005
Cash$1,254,000$2,823,000$0$0$2,011,000
Receivables, Inventories & Prepaids$541,000$927,000$0$0$196,000
Short-Term Investments$5,473,000$4,316,000$0$0$4,496,000
Other Current Assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total Current Assets$7,269,000$8,067,000$0$0$6,703,000
Long-Term Investments$0$0$0$0$0
Fixed Assets$7,579,000$7,682,000$0$0$6,257,000
Other Long-Term Assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total Long-Term Assets$7,579,000$7,682,000$0$0$6,257,000
TOTAL ASSETS$14,848,000$15,749,000$0$0$12,960,000
Liabilities20092008200720062005
Payables & Accrued Expenses$600,000$564,000$0$0$49,000
Other Current Liabilities$0$1,315,000$0$0$0
Total Current Liabilities$600,000$1,879,000$0$0$49,000
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$600,000$1,879,000$0$0$49,000
Assets20092008200720062005
Unrestricted$5,333,000$5,214,000$0$0$5,943,000
Temporarily Restricted$8,914,000$8,655,000$0$0$6,968,000
Permanently Restricted$0$0$0$0$0
NET ASSETS$14,248,000$13,870,000$0$0$12,911,000
Revenue and Expenses
Revenue20092008200720062005
Total Contributions$31,069,000$30,011,000$0$0$22,872,000
Program Service Revenue$579,000$607,000$0$0$526,000
Membership Dues$0$0$0$0$0
Investment Income$416,000($785,000)$0$0$481,000
Other Revenue$346,000$563,000$0$0$77,000
Total Other Revenue$1,342,000$385,000$0$0$1,085,000
TOTAL REVENUE$32,411,000$30,397,000$0$0$23,958,000
Expenses20092008200720062005
Program Services$26,300,000$25,036,000$0$0$18,276,000
Management & General$4,440,000$4,349,000$0$0$2,696,000
Fundraising$1,292,000$1,228,000$0$0$834,000
TOTAL EXPENSES$32,033,000$30,613,000$0$0$21,807,000
Change in Net Assets20092008200720062005
SURPLUS (DEFICIT)$378,000($216,000)$0$0$2,150,000
Other Changes in Net Assets$0$0$0$0$0
TOTAL CHANGE IN NET ASSETS$378,000($216,000)$0$0$2,150,000