Contact: Ty Mays, 770-256-8710
WINCHESTER, Va. Sept. 30, 2013 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Today ECFA's Board of Directors approved Harvest Bible Chapel as its newest accredited church. ECFA now accredits five of the 15 largest churches in the U.S. and 25 of the largest 100 churches.
"We are pleased to welcome Harvest Bible Chapel as ECFA's newest member church," said Dan Busby, ECFA president. "By meeting the stringent criteria ECFA applies to all applicants, this communicates to supporters of the church and the public that Harvest Bible Chapel, Harvest Christian Academy and Walk in the Word (broadcast ministry) meet the highest standards of financial ethics, stewardship and accountability. We are proud to offer our accreditation to Harvest Bible Chapel and its ministries. ECFA's seal confirms the integrity that undergirds the governance and fiscal policy of the church."
"We have worked very hard through the years to ensure that we are above reproach in all our financial dealings. It is essential to us that our congregation and friends around the world can confidently give to our ministries knowing their gift will be leveraged for the highest and most Christ-honoring kingdom purposes," said Pastor James MacDonald. "By intentionally inviting the scrutiny of ECFA, we communicate our desire to build the church of Jesus Christ with continued conformity to the highest ethical standards."
MacDonald is founding pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel (
www.harvestbiblechapel.org), which is one of the largest and fastest growing churches in the country. His preaching is heard around the world on radio and Internet. Through its mission arm, Harvest Bible Fellowship, they have planted almost 100 like-minded churches around the world. "Walk in the Word" broadcasts Pastor James' teaching on more than 1,100 stations and won the Billy Graham award for excellence in broadcasting at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in 2012.
Every organization privileged to display the ECFA seal of approval agrees to operate on the foundation of God-honoring, biblical principles. ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™ include transparency in all fiscal matters, acting on the intent of givers and in their best interests, sound governance and responsible use of resources and compliance with laws. Adherence by all members is verified by an annual review process.
ECFA, founded in 1979, provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with the ECFA standards pertaining to financial accountability, fundraising and board governance. To learn more about ECFA, including information about accreditation and a listing of ECFA-accredited members, visit www.ecfa.org or call 1-800-323-9473.
