These ministries are the "best of the best," says MinistryWatch.com founder Rusty Leonard

Contact: Phillip Anderson, Christian Legal Society, 703-642-1070 ext. 3204, panderson@clsnet.org

SPRINGFIELD, Virg., Dec. 13 /Christian Newswire/ -- MinistryWatch.com has named Washington DC-based Christian Legal Society (CLS) one of 30 "Shining Light" Christian ministries. 

MinistryWatch.com compiles the annual list of 30 ministries from the nearly 500 ministries for which it has financial and other information.  This is the 1st year CLS has succeeded in meeting the difficult criteria required to make the MinistryWatch.com's "Shining Light" list.  Those ministries on the list have demonstrated outstanding effectiveness and efficiency in their ministry and financial operations.
 
"Christian Legal Society is truly one of the 'best of the best,'" said Rusty Leonard, founder of MinistryWatch.com.  "At a time when Sen. Charles Grassley is calling on some of the worst organizations to live up to their minimum responsibilities of financial self-disclosure, we are pleased to recognize Christian Legal Society as a ministry that goes well beyond the minimum.  The staff and supporters of Christian Legal Society can be justifiably proud of their fine organization."

MinistryWatch.com makes its annual selections based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, said Rod Pitzer, Managing Director of Research for MinistryWatch.com.  "Making the selection is challenging, given the selfless work so many fine ministries do," Pitzer said.  But he added that these ministries were truly "exemplary" in the following categories:

• They have a legitimate non-profit ministry and purpose.
• They treat donors fairly by earning a Transparency Grade of "A" from MinistryWatch.com
• They are unashamed of being identified as an evangelical Christian ministry.
• MinistryWatch.com knows of no issue that would be of concern to donors.

A complete list of the 30 "Shining Light" ministries is attached.

"CLS is here to serve," said CLS' CEO Sam Casey. "Like the lighthouse whose 'shining light' is in service to others, we hope our work helping the poor and the needy with their unmet legal needs,  defending the inalienable rights to life and religious liberty for all Americans, and offering the 'light' of Jesus' teachings and good example to all attorneys and law students provides just such a service." 

MinistryWatch.com is a donor advocate, with the mission of helping Christian donors make more informed and effective giving decisions. The organization's MinistryWatch.com website contains detailed financial and worldview information for nearly 500 of the largest Christian ministries in the country.  The site is viewed by more than 30,000 unique visitors each month, and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the major television and radio networks, and scores of local and Christian media outlets. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

MinistryWatch.com:  Warren Smith – 800-930-6949 x 711
Christian Legal Society (CLS): Phil Anderson, Christian Legal Society -- (703) 642-1070, ext. 3240; panderson@clsnet.org, www.clsnet.org.

Note to Editors:  Rusty Leonard and Rod Pitzer from MinistryWatch.com are both available for interviews.   Sam Casey, Christian Legal Society's Executive Director & CEO is also available for interviews.

The 2007 list of Shining Light Ministries

Following is a list, in alphabetical order, of the 2007 Shining Light ministries, as chosen by MinistryWatch.com

AmeriTribes
AnGeL Ministries
Answers in Genesis
Awana Clubs International
Bethany Christian Services
Bridges for Peace
Care Net
Child Evangelism Fellowship
Children's Hunger Fund
Christian Legal Society
Compassion International
Crown Financial Ministries
EvanTell
Fellowship International Mission
International Aid
JAARS
Medical Teams International
Military Community Youth Ministries
Moms In Touch International
New Tribes Mission
Prison Fellowship Ministries
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
Ron Hutchcraft Ministries
Scripture Union USA
Stand To Reason
Truth For Life
Turkish World Outreach
The Voice of the Martyrs
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Young Life