Below is a compilation of 125 well-compensated Christian ministry executives, based on the most recent Form 990 filings provided by the ministries. This is not a definitive list of the highest earners; many pastors and church leaders may earn more but are absent from the list because churches aren’t required to disclose their Form 990s publicly. Notable individuals and organizations like Elevation Church, Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church, Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, and Kenneth Copeland are therefore not included.
Additionally, more ministries now classify themselves as churches to avoid releasing Form 990 information. Over 100 ministries in the Ministry Watch 1000 have chosen this route, such as CRU/Campus Crusade for Christ, The Navigators, Convoy of Hope, Compassion International, Gideons International, Willow Creek Association, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Joyce Meyer Ministries, Denison Forum, and Ethnos360/New Tribes Mission.
A Word About Timing
The data comes from the latest Form 990s available from the IRS, mostly from 2024. Due to IRS processing delays, some ministries’ information is from 2023 or even 2022 (such as David Jeremiah’s Turning Point for God).
A Few Notes of Interest
Some cases require extra context:
- Only Franklin Graham’s compensation from Samaritan’s Purse is listed, as Billy Graham Evangelistic Association doesn’t disclose his salary.
- At Inspiration Networks, certain executives are paid through their for-profit subsidiary, INSP LLC.
- The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, though not evangelical, draws significant support from evangelicals and is thus included.
- Prager University, also not a Christian group, receives considerable revenue from evangelicals.
Salaries are rising; the 100th highest salary on last year’s list was about $407,000, while this year it is approximately $439,100. Note that this list excludes salaries from Christian colleges and universities, which will appear in a separate report set for release in mid-January 2025.
