Crown Financial Ministries Welcomes New CEO
The world's largest Christian financial ministry has appointed a new CEO to lead its efforts to transform lives, reduce stress, improve marriages, and draw people closer to Christ.
On Wednesday, Crown Financial Ministries announced that the board of directors unanimously appointed Chuck Bentley as its third CEO following a succession process initiated by its co-founder and outgoing CEO Howard Dayton, together with its board two years ago.
"Before Crown's first CEO Larry Burkett passed away, Larry and I often talked about Chuck as his choice to succeed me in the CEO role," Dayton said in the ministry's official press release. "Chuck Bentley is extraordinarily competent and creative, but even more impressive is his deep commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and his love of the Bible. It is with great excitement and thankfulness that I transfer the leadership of Crown to Chuck Bentley."
According to the ministry, Bentley has served as senior vice president of Crown's Global Impact Group and, before that, as vice president of the U.S. Field Operations. He is also the co-creator of the Crown Money Map, which is used by more than 10,000 volunteer Money Mapcoaches to guide people through the personal budgeting process.
Bentley assumed the CEO duties effective September 1.
"I am walking in the shoes of giants, and I am humbled and honored that this important role has been entrusted to me," the new ministry head stated. "The ministry family is united in prayer as a new chapter begins for Crown, building on a strong foundation."
As an interdenominational Christian organization, Crown Financial Ministries has been dedicated to equipping people with biblical financial principles. With staff and volunteers actively serving on six continents, Crown has trained more than 162,000 pastors and business leaders on the principles of biblical financial freedom.
The ministry was formed in 2000 after the merger of Christian Financial Concepts, founded in 1976 by the late Larry Burkett, and Crown Ministries, founded in 1985 by Howard Dayton.
The organization has reached millions of people in nearly 40 nations with its small group and workshop curriculums, materials, and conferences. Its radio programs attract 2,000,000 listeners each week on approximately 1,500 stations across the United States, Canada, English-speaking Caribbean nations, Latin America, and Africa.
In the press release, Bentley noted that he looks forward to strengthening Crown's mission by helping people make and manage money to further the fulfillment of God's purpose in their life.
And Judy Burkett, wife of Cofounder Larry Burkett, said she is "confident God will use this godly couple (Bentley and his wife, Ann) to carry on the legacy of Larry and Howard's work to the next generation."
Since 1976, Crown has taught or equipped more than 50 million people in nearly 40 nations with the life-transforming message of faithfully living by God's financial principles in every area of their lives.