LIGHT in the
DARKNESS
LIGHT in the
DARKNESS
RELIANT 2023 ANNUAL MINISTRY REPORT
Together, we are bringing the light of the gospel into the world
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus tells his followers, “You are the light of the world.” In 2023, Reliant partnered with over 300 ministry partners to mobilize roughly 900 workers to bear the light of Christ. Our heart at Reliant is to continue making ministry possible in dark places across the world. Your partnership is empowering this ministry. Together, we are making a difference. The light of Jesus is going into darkness.
RELIANT 2023 ANNUAL MINISTRY REPORT
Together, we are bringing the light of the gospel into the world
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus tells his followers, “You are the light of the world.” In 2023, Reliant partnered with over 300 ministry partners to mobilize roughly 900 workers to bear the light of Christ. Our heart at Reliant is to continue making ministry possible in dark places across the world. Your partnership is empowering this ministry. Together, we are making a difference. The light of Jesus is going into darkness.
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FROM OURPresident and CEO |
Our report highlights the stories of lives changed, communities transformed, and darkness dispelled through the love and message of Christ. These stories are not just testaments to our collective efforts but also to God’s faithfulness and the enduring power of His Word to shine brightly in the darkest corners of our world.
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FROM OURPresident and CEO |
Our report highlights the stories of lives changed, communities transformed, and darkness dispelled through the love and message of Christ. These stories are not just testaments to our collective efforts but also to God’s faithfulness and the enduring power of His Word to shine brightly in the darkest corners of our world.
Dear Friends and Family,
The theme of this year's report is "Light in the Darkness," based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:14-16:
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and giving light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
These verses remind us of our calling and mission as Christ followers. We are called to be the light of the world, shine the Gospel of grace and truth in the midst of darkness, demonstrate God's love and compassion, and glorify God through our good deeds and faithful witness. Reliant Mission and its partners have been doing this for over 30 years. By God's grace and power, we have seen thousands of lives transformed by the Gospel, churches planted and multiplied, communities developed and empowered, and leaders equipped and sent.
Our report highlights the stories of lives changed, communities transformed, and darkness dispelled through the love and message of Christ. These stories are not just testaments to our collective efforts but also to God's faithfulness and the enduring power of His Word to shine brightly in the darkest corners of our world.
As you read through these pages, I invite you to celebrate with us the victories won, the challenges overcome, and the lives touched by the Gospel. Let us also remember the work that lies ahead and the call to be bearers of light in a world that so desperately needs it. May we be encouraged and inspired to continue shining brightly, reflecting the light of Christ in all we do. Thank you for your partnership, prayers, and generous support, which have been instrumental in every success we share. Together, we are making a difference for the Kingdom, one life at a time.
In Christ's unwavering light,
Tom Mauriello | President & CEO
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
MATTHEW 5:14-16
OUR REACH
OUR REACH
905FIELD
|
40COUNTRIES |
38U.S. STATES |
905FIELD WORKERS |
40COUNTRIES |
38U.S. STATES |
 | 905FIELD WORKERS |
In 2023, we added 261 new field workers and grew to over 900 staff for the first time in Reliant’s history. Whether it is on local college campuses or in an unreached people group, together, we are making ministry possible all over the world.
STORIES FROM
THE FIELD
STORIES FROM
THE FIELD
The 905 Field Workers at Reliant represent countless stories of God at work. Lives are changing, communities are transforming, and the light of the gospel is penetrating darkness around the world.
The 905 Field Workers at Reliant represent countless stories of God at work. Lives are changing, communities are transforming, and the light of the gospel is penetrating darkness around the world.
Gilchrist Family
LIGHT-BEARERS AT A CHURCH IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
The one thing that can penetrate this darkness is Jesus, as it says in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
As followers of Jesus, we are His ambassadors and have the honor of representing Him in our everyday lives to be the light of Christ. This reality is what initiated our move to New Hampshire in 2022. Over the years, we have had a few opportunities to share the light of Christ with others. One unique time was when Michael met Brad, who had a broken-down car on the highway off-ramp near our house...
Read More
Mike Calhoun
Equipping the next generation of leaders for ministry
My ministry oversees the Summit Institute; this year, we trained forty-five men and women for future global ministry.
My name is Mike Calhoun, and I am the Pastor of Ministry Training at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, NC. When I began the Institute, I knew I wanted our students to experience faith-based support ministry. I heard about Reliant, and our church entered a partnership with them...
Read More
Daniel Pirkle
taking the light of the gospel to college campuses.
We had the pleasure of seeing students come to Christ, and 30 people took the step of obedience to follow Jesus in baptism.
At H2O Cincy, we are happy to partner with Reliant as the way in which all of our staff raise the support necessary to serve on our campus. . . .
Read More
The Sessi Family
Serving Muslim Refugees
Had it not been for a missionary, sent and supported by a team of prayer and financial supporters, I would not know this life-changing, eternity-giving Light.
Working among Muslims, we regularly see people encounter the Light through dreams, visions, and miracles. They testify of experiencing an overwhelming peaceful presence. We count it our greatest honor to have baptized 35 Muslims in the last five years...
Read MoreRELIANT PARTNERS
RELIANT
PARTNERS
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353active partners |
Reliant partners with missional churches and Gospel-centered ministries to mobilize support-based workers committed to bearing the light of Christ in the world’s darkest corners. We could not do this without generous donors like you.
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353active partners |
Reliant partners with missional churches and Gospel-centered ministries to mobilize support-based workers committed to bearing the light of Christ in the world’s darkest corners. We could not do this without generous donors like you.
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77NEW PARTNERSHIPS |
Here are a few of the new ministry partnerships formed in 2023:
INTERNATIONAL
40 NEW PARTNERS ADDED IN 2023
The International Team focuses on all our partners located outside the U.S. These partners include churches sending missionaries worldwide, missional networks, and a wide range of global ministries.
 | Global Harvest Collective |
Reaching the next generation where Jesus isn’t known.
The Collective’s vision is to plant indigenous churches in cities with low access to the Gospel. The Collective primarily focuses on reaching the next generation in-country and mobilizing the next generation in America. Learn More
US Churches & Ministries
26 New Partners Added in 2023
The U.S. team partners with church plants, established churches, ministries, and nonprofits across the United States, empowering missional ministry workers in diverse contexts.
 | Love Thy Nerd |
Love Nerds + Engage Culture + Build Community
Love they Nerd exists to be the love of Jesus to Nerds and Nerd Culture. LTN wants to speak redemption, hope, truth, and love into the parts of nerd culture that have often been alienated, demonized, dismissed, or simply ignored by Christians through thoughtful content, intentional community, and relational outreach. Learn more
Residencies & Internships
10 New Partners Added in 2023
The Fixed Term team serves church-based residencies that range from leadership development to church-planter training. These partners are often churches and organizations focused on empowering and equipping the next generation of Gospel workers.
 | Grace Bible |
Teach Truth - Form Character - Experience Ministry - Sharpen Vision
The Grace Fellows Program is a two-year educational and ministry leadership program designed to train leaders for a lifetime of ministry. Focused on developing the character, skills, knowledge, and vision necessary for a lifetime of ministry, while assisting the various Grace ministries in fulfilling its vision of helping people find and follow Jesus. Learn more
Collegiate Ministry
1 New Partner Added in 2023
The Collegiate team serves the Collegiate Church Network, Historic GCM churches, and other campus churches and ministries. This includes partners on various-sized campuses, all aimed at reaching the next generation.
 | Taproot Church |
Impacting San Antonio and Beyond
Taproot desires to see college students become mature disciples of Christ, with a life-long commitment to the Great Commission. They are focused on the college focused and community-friendly church, reaching out to the University of Texas at San Antonio and the surrounding area. Learn more
FIELD WORKERS
TRAINED
FIELD
WORKERS
TRAINED
FIELD WORKERS
TRAINED
 | 280FIELD WORKERS TRAINED |
One of the first things new staff experience at Reliant is our industry-leading training on how to raise support. Our training has evolved into a combination of online self-paced learning with live interactive workshops. Our courses cover everything from the biblical foundation of support raising to the practical components of giving a presentation. Most importantly, we believe that support raising is ministry, and our joy is empowering others to see it the same way.
 | “The Reliant training has equipped me to share my story and to trust Jesus boldly with my future.” — JOHN CORONADO | January 2023 |
 | “Each part of our training felt incredibly valuable to me. The practical and biblical teaching laid strong foundations for me to feel confident to begin my support-raising journey.” — CAROLINE GLATH | March 2023 |
 | “I left Reliant training feeling 100% prepared and even excited to start sharing about what the Lord is doing in our ministry!” — SARAH PINTO | July 2023 |
 | “Reliant training equipped me with a community of others who were preparing to support raise, a vision for how Jesus views support raising, and the tools to build a team for a mission bigger than myself.” — JACK MULLEN | January 2023 |
CHARITABLE
GIVING
CHARITABLE
GIVING
CHARITABLE
GIVING
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$53.1 M2023 TOTAL GIVING |
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$53.1 M2023 TOTAL GIVING |
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$53.1 M2023 TOTAL GIVING |
Your Giving Made More Ministry Possible
Donors like you gave generously in 2023. Reliant processed a record amount of financial gifts for yet another year, empowering gospel work worldwide.
Your Giving Made More Ministry Possible
Donors like you gave generously in 2023. Reliant processed a record amount of financial gifts for yet another year, empowering gospel work worldwide.
 | From ourChief Financial Officer |
Reliant Mission is profoundly thankful for your faithful partnership. Through generous donors like you, God graciously supplies the financial resources needed for Reliant and our ministry partners' work.
We never take this generous provision for granted. The ministry of Reliant continues to flourish because of dedicated partners like you. Even during a period of global political and economic instability, we are grateful to see how God continued to provide for Reliant field workers and the people whom they serve! Your gifts make it all possible, propelling the work of Reliant and our ministry partners to bring love, hope, and healing to a hurting world in desperate need of the gospel!
I would like to take this opportunity to underscore several key aspects of Reliant’s organizational governance. Our guiding principles emphasize operational excellence and accountability. With this in mind, our board of directors and Audit Review & Finance Committee are comprised of outstanding professionals from ministry and business contexts who provide strategic leadership, long-term thinking, risk management, and accountability for Reliant management. Since 1992, we have been a committed member of the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA), which represents and reflects our pledge to transparency, careful oversight, and honoring charitable expectations. As always, our 2023 financial records were audited by an independent accounting firm. In the past year, Reliant’s board of directors took the additional step of changing auditors to Forvis, a national leader in nonprofit accounting and auditing and one of the largest public accounting firms in the country. Although our previous auditor had served Reliant well for many years, our board felt that a fresh perspective from a new firm would enhance the overall governance of the ministry. The 2023 audit report from Forvis Mazars is available on our website, reliant.org, in addition to prior years’ audit reports. For additional information on Reliant’s governance and accountability, please click here.
One thing you may note in our financial results for 2023 is that we experienced a net deficit of approximately 1.5%. Although unusual for Reliant, the deficit was anticipated in our board-approved budget for 2023 in order to fund certain important one-time investments needed in Reliant systems and processes. We believe that these investments were worthwhile and effective in positioning the ministry for continued financial health, strong operations, and responsible stewardship in the future.
Thank you again for your financial support of Reliant and our ministry partners.
James Kaufman | CFO
2023 Financials
Thank you for your generous support this year. Our partnerships, field workers, and giving were at an all-time high.
Together, we are making more ministry possible. And it is not just due to our collective efforts but also to God’s faithfulness and the enduring power of His Word to shine brightly in the darkest corners of our world.
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Board of Directors
Mark Brett | Board Vice Chair & Secretary
Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Southwest Michigan Region
Sarah Gritter, MD
Attending Physician and Director of Quality
at Emergency Physicians Medical Group
