Changes

In 1993, GFA World began organizing its own network of congregations in Asia,<ref>Asian and Pentecostal: The Charismatic face of Christianity in Asia. Regnum Books International. ISBN 1-870345-43-6</ref> and established them under an independent entity called Believers Eastern Church which uses an Episcopal Polity form of governance.<ref>https://www.bec.org/</ref>

In 1993, GFA World began organizing its own network of congregations in Asia,<ref>Asian and Pentecostal: The Charismatic face of Christianity in Asia. Regnum Books International. ISBN 1-870345-43-6</ref> and established them under an independent entity called Believers Eastern Church which uses an Episcopal Polity form of governance.<ref>https://www.bec.org/</ref>

Scholar Michael Bergunder considers it to have been “One of the most influential new foundations in the second half of the twentieth century.”<ref>Bergunder, Michael (2008), The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, page 53</ref>

Scholar Michael Bergunder considers it to have been “One of the most influential new foundations in the second half of the twentieth century.”<ref>Bergunder, Michael (2008), The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, page 53</ref> However, this has been criticized by those who argue that GFA has been primarily supported by Evangelical churches, which generally have congregational (or elder-led) governance and which might not have supported GFA if they had known about Believers Eastern Church's organizational structure.

In the 2010's, GFA was involved in a lawsuit by former donors which claims that GFA has not fulfilled its pledge to send 100% of donations to the causes designated (a key component of its fundraising was that 100% of donations would go to the field and only where specifically designated).  The Federal District Court judge certified two classes and appointed a Special Master to review accounting records (and sanctioned GFA for conduct by ordering it to pay for the Special Master).<ref>https://www.wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Class-Cert-1.pdf</ref>  The parties later settled the suit for a payment of $37 million to donors and class counsel.<ref>https://www.wthrockmorton.com/2019/03/01/gospel-for-asia-settles-rico-lawsuits-agrees-to-37-million-settlement/</ref>

In the 2010's, GFA was involved in a lawsuit by former donors which claims that GFA has not fulfilled its pledge to send 100% of donations to the causes designated (a key component of its fundraising was that 100% of donations would go to the field and only where specifically designated).  The Federal District Court judge certified two classes and appointed a Special Master to review accounting records (and sanctioned GFA for conduct by ordering it to pay for the Special Master).<ref>https://www.wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Class-Cert-1.pdf</ref>  The parties later settled the suit for a payment of $37 million to donors and class counsel.<ref>https://www.wthrockmorton.com/2019/03/01/gospel-for-asia-settles-rico-lawsuits-agrees-to-37-million-settlement/</ref>