Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:15, KJV)

ETC Ministries’ purpose is to go beyond the milk of the Word and teach for the purpose of spiritual growth and maturity. Another purpose is outreach programs such as feeding the hungry, providing for the poor, visiting the elderly, those in prison, and the unhealthy.

The IRS option of filing 501(c)3 was implemented in the U.S. tax code in 1954 through the prodding of then Senator Lyndon B. Johnson. Most church businesses have opted to go as 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations. Johnson was not an ally of church causes. He saw them as an affront to shaping public policy. His political machine purposely and covertly convinced Congress to pass his agenda for the primary purpose of silencing the church organizations and eliminating their influence among the politician’s constituents.

Although Johnson tendered this tax-exemption option as a so-called “favor” to church organizations, he made sure there were certain shackles attached. The resultant implications are easy to see; they have had devastating effects upon church organizations. Under 501(c)3, church organizations are prohibited from engaging and protesting in any tangible means against government sponsored immorality such as homosexuality and abortion. And, this includes the denial of freedom of speech, which is supposedly granted under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Consequently, church organizations are not allowed to promote a particular politician, political view, or vital social issues of the day from the pulpit, publications, or establishing associate organizations. Under 501(c)3 church businesses are not allowed to participate in protests against government laws that are obviously in conflict with the church’s stand and belief system, especially on controversial issues as abortion and homosexuality.

If a church business, previously filed as a 501(c)3 organization goes out on a limb and participates against in protest to government-sponsored immorality, then the church business is subject to losing their IRS tax-exempt status.

ETC Ministries does not feel the need to be shackled by the IRS or any part of the government and denied its First Amendment right to exist and speak out against government-sponsored immorality and abominations in the sight of God. Secondly, ETC Ministries does not need to file as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization because it is not a charity, it does not ask for donations, it is not a religious business, nor does it peddle the Word of God for profit.

Lyndon Baines Johnson, a.k.a. "LBJ" (36th President) pushed the tax-emption through Congress in 1954 with the sole purpose of quashing church organization's protests and activities against social reform that they considered misaligned to the laws of God.

As a side note, LBJ was known to try to purchase all of the High School Yearbooks because his nickname, "BSer", may have had a play in ruining his political career.


Steve Nestor, a retired IRS Sr. Revenue Officer stated, "I am not the only IRS employee who’s wondered why churches go to the government and seek permission to be exempted from a tax they didn’t owe to begin with, and to seek a tax deductible status that they’ve always had anyway. Many of us have marveled at how church leaders want to be regulated and controlled by an agency of government that most Americans have prayed would just get out of their lives. Churches are in an amazingly unique position, but they don’t seem to know or appreciate the implications of what it would mean to be free of government control."


The Apostle Paul did not have board members, treasurers, and other people of business while he preached the Gospel. And Paul refuted the selling or peddling the Word of God for proifit. ETC Ministries holds to the same beliefs and actions.