Contact: Lorri Silvera, Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc., 636-349-0303, Mediacontact@joycemeyer.org
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. ("JMM") has received an inquiry letter regarding the ministry's financial integrity from the Republican staff of the Senate Finance Committee.
JMM continues in its desire to be transparent, and has posted its 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 audited financial reports on the ministry website. Also available for viewing are the 2004, 2005 and 2006 annual reports. (www.joycemeyer.org)
Following a recent Internal Revenue Service tax inquiry, during which the IRS requested extensive financial information for the years 2004 to 2006, the IRS found that JMM continues to qualify for tax exemption. The October 10, 2007 letter from the IRS to JMM stated:
"Thank you for providing information about your organization's activities during the period January 1, 2004 through December 31,2006, in response to our recent church tax inquiry concerning your continuing exempt status under section 501(c)(3) and non-private foundation classification under 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code.
"We used the information you provided to determine whether you meet the requirements for exemption from Federal income tax. We determined that you [Joyce Meyer Ministries] continue to qualify as an organization exempt from Federal income tax under IRC section 501(c)(3)."
JMM is committed to conducting itself with excellence and integrity, choosing to go above and beyond the level of accountability required by law and/or that expected by most donors. Since 1995, JMM has voluntarily undergone an independent annual financial audit.
JMM has been committed to helping hurting people for more than 20 years, and is proud to point out that in 2006, 82% of its total expenses were used for outreach and program services directed toward reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as attested by independent accounting firm Stanfield & O'Dell, LLP.
JMM provided more than 11 million meals in 2006, and built nearly 200 freshwater wells and churches in underdeveloped countries. The ministry fully funds and operates more than 50 orphanages around the world, and presents the Gospel to a potential audience of 3 billion people every day via its television program.
JMM is honored to be a small part of spreading God's love and His Word to millions of people around the world. The ministry strives to conduct all activities with excellence and integrity, just as it has for more than 20 years.
Thomas J. Winters
Attorney at Law
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Joyce Meyer Ministries' Statement:
Joyce Meyer Ministries is committed to financial transparency. We are diligently working on the presented requests and will continue to take the necessary steps to maintain our financial integrity.
If you would like more information about our finances, please visit the Financial Accountability section of our website. There you can view our financial information from years 2003 to 2006. You will also see that in 2006, 82% of our total expenses were used for outreach and program services directed toward reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as attested by independent accounting firm Stanfield & O'Dell, LLP.
