Briefs: North America

LARRY BURKETT, CEO of Christian Financial Concepts, and HOWARD DAYTON, CEO of Crown Ministries, merged their two organizations in September to form Crown Financial Ministries, now the world’s largest Christian financial ministry. Burkett and Dayton will lead the organization jointly until May 2001, when Dayton will become CEO. The combined ministry plans to offer new programs that include urban, collegiate, and youth initiatives, as well as an international program that will help churches abroad to become financially self-sufficient.

KEN CONNER has been appointed the new president of the Family Research Council, a prolife public-policy organization in Washington, D.C. A trial attorney in Florida and a prolife leader, Conner replaces Gary Bauer, who led the council for 11 years.

FERDINAND MAHFOOD, founder of Food for the Poor, has resigned amid reports of sexual and financial misconduct. Reporting that he suffers from a bipolar disorder, Mahfood admitted to inappropriate behavior with female ex-employees, and he turned control of the organization over to his brother, Robin. Food for the Poor provides assistance for the impoverished population, focusing on the Caribbean. His resignation followed a lawsuit made by a former employee who claimed Mahfood diverted organizational funds to women employees. Those funds have been restored.The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability reported after its own inquiry that the organization’s membership is in good order. National Religious Broadcasters says it will continue to encourage its members to work with the organization.

BERTEN A. WAGGONER, 58, has been appointed national director of the Board of Association at Vineyard Churches. Waggoner will continue to serve as senior pastor at The Vineyard Church in Sugar Land, Texas, while assuming additional duties in Houston as national director. He replaces Todd Hunt, who resigned in May to start a new church.

JOHN PAULK has been removed as board chairman of Exodus International, a Christian organization that encourages homosexuals to change their behavior. An ex-gay leader who works for Focus on the Family, Paulk was photographed visiting a gay bar in Washington, D.C., in September. He will remain as a board member of Exodus, but on a probationary status.