MinistryWatch Podcast

On today’s program, one of the women accusing Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard of sexual misconduct has been dropped from the case for gathering evidence illegally. We’ll have details. Plus, a hard look at child safety policies at Christian schools. What actually happens when a child reports abuse? We’ll take a look. And, ministries we recommend donors NOT give to.   But first, a...

Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first? Warren One of my “must reads” is Phil Cooke. His observations about media and...

If you’ve spent much time in the worlds of poetry, faith, or the imagination, you’ve almost certainly encountered the work of Malcolm Guite. He’s one of those rare figures who moves comfortably between the academy, the church, and the arts. Guite is an Anglican priest, acclaimed poet, singer-songwriter, and Life Fellow of Girton College, where he served as chaplain for seventeen...

Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first?   Warren William Bennett famously said, “The plural of anecdotes is not data.”...

Evangelical Christians should earnestly hope for, pray for, and work for revival. Maybe that’s why we’re always looking for and too often declaring, with only limited evidence, that revival has broken out. We want it to be true, so we declare it to be true with just the slightest encouragement. We should also not be ignorant to the fact that many purveyors of revival talk have financial incentives...

On today’s program, a former Truett McConnell president is suing, claiming the university breached his employment contract when it fired him amid claims that he mishandled sexual abuse allegations. We’ll take a look. And, Ed Young retired as pastor of Second Baptist Church of Houston after nearly 50 years. Now, he’s launched a new teaching ministry drawing from his decades of sermons and writings....

Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first? Warren The Episcopal Church Center in Midtown Manhattan, commonly referred to...

On today’s EXTRA episode, MinistryWatch President Warren Smith shares observations from a trip he recently made to Knoxville, Tennessee, to observe the 10-year anniversary of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview. The Colson Center has grown to become one of the most consequential Christian organizations in the nation. Warren explains how and why. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McInt...

On today’s program, the Assemblies of God is disputing liability in abuse cases — claiming local church autonomy shields it from the Daniel Savala sex abuse lawsuits. And, a movement to void nondisclosure agreements in cases of child sexual abuse is gaining ground — on both the local and national levels. The laws limiting NDAs are called Trey’s Laws. We’ll take a look. Plus, Southwestern Baptist T...

Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first? Warren Microfinancing is taking a beating in the media these days. In the 1990...

Today’s guest is Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief, one of the world’s largest Christian humanitarian organizations. Serving in nearly 20 countries and across the United States, World Relief works at the intersection of disaster response, refugee resettlement, economic development, and church-based ministry, partnering with local congregations to serve vulnerable communities around th...

On today’s program, Christian curriculum publisher Orange has released investigation findings after its founder was accused of sexual misconduct—and it’s highlighting key lessons other ministries can learn. We’ll take a look. Plus, the 2026 annual meeting for the Southern Baptist Convention was this week, putting some core tensions on display. From sexual abuse reforms to immigration and women pre...

Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first? Warren Last Friday, just days before the Southern Baptist Convention gathered...

MinistryWatch has long been a proponent of what some call the “New Paradigm” of missions. This New Paradigm has several components, but at its core is the notion that well-trained indigenous missionaries are better positioned to evangelize their neighbors than American missionaries who come from thousands of miles away with little knowledge of the language or culture of the people they hope to eva...

On today’s program, Trey Falwell — the son of former Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. — is suing the school, claiming he is owed $1.75 million in unpaid wages. We’ll have details. And, an Ohio pastor resigned from his post amid allegations of financial misdealings, leaving the church in a state of upheaval…a year later, members are still waiting for answers, and an audit. We’ll take...

Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first? Warren Ministry Brands , the leading provider of church management software an...

For 50 years, the pro-life movement was united in a common goal: overturn Roe v. Wade. Today, the movement is splintering over questions of funding, accountability, and strategy. In this EXTRA episode, Warren Smith offers advice to the movement to keep it moving forward in the years ahead…forward toward the goal of making abortion not just illegal, but unthinkable. To read Warren’s “Editor’s Noteb...

On today’s program, a new lawsuit claims that church leaders participated in a $200 million ‘sham’ drug program. We’ll take a look.   Plus, sports gambling. Online sports betting continues to explode, causing all kinds of fallout…but many churches have decided it’s not a battle worth fighting. We’ll have details. And, this week’s look at private jet usage by pastors and ministries. But first, the...

Christina   Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first? Warren I subscribe to Kate Bowler’s Substack and read this week that she had...

American institutions are facing a crisis in confidence. Those institutions include religious institutions. That’s why it seems to me that now is a good time to talk about TRUST. How does one build trust? How is trust maintained? What happens when trust is betrayed? How do we know who we should trust? That’s why I thought a primer on the mechanics of trust would be helpful. That’s the topic of tod...

On today’s program, the Central Indiana Teen Challenge—associated with the widely known Adult & Teen Challenge addiction recovery ministry—is facing allegations of trafficking and forced labor. Nine young women have filed a lawsuit claiming they were victims of abuse. We’ll have details. And, a look inside Zoe Ministries. Led by self-proclaimed “Master Prophet” E. Bernard Jordan, the ministry...

Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first? Warren Fidelity Charitable has released an interesting study.   Among the find...

MinistryWatch has long been a proponent of what some call the “New Paradigm” of missions. This New Paradigm has several components, but at its core is the notion that well-trained indigenous missionaries are better positioned to evangelize their neighbors than American missionaries who come from thousands of miles away with little knowledge of the language or culture of the people they hope to eva...

On today’s program, Minnesota pastors—a husband and wife team—have been accused by the Attorney General’s Office of misusing more than $2 million of ministry funds for personal use. We’ll take a look. And, author and speaker Jada Edwards on how her journey to radical generosity reshaped her marriage, ministry, and faith. We’ll have details. Plus, Daystar TV co-founder Joni Lamb dies after health c...

Christina Hello, everyone, I’m Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today’s extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what’s up first? Warren Christian colleges are facing a federal challenge. Emily Belz is report...