Contact: Sheila Thompson, 770-534-1000 ext. 400

GAINESVILLE, Ga., Sept. 5 /Standard Newswire/ -- Crown Financial Ministries, the world's largest financial ministry, has appointed Chuck Bentley as its new CEO following a succession process initiated by Cofounder and CEO Howard Dayton with the ministry's board of directors two years ago. Howard stated, "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. 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."

Crown's board chairman Ron Blue recently shared with ministry staff that he acknowledged a "great sense of gratitude to Howard Dayton for his leadership, integrity, character, and his passion for teaching biblical financial principles. Howard led and presided over one of the most significant ministry mergers ever with grace and skill, and his mark will always be on Crown." Crown will continue to utilize Howard to host the Money Matters nationally syndicated radio program, to write and to serve the ministry in numerous ways.

Chuck Bentley assumed the CEO duties effective Sept. 1, having served as Senior Vice President of Crown's Global Impact Group and, before that, as Vice President of the U.S. Field Operations. Chuck is the co-creator of the Crown Money Map, used by more than 10,000 volunteer Money Map coaches to guide people through the personal budgeting process. Chuck first experienced Crown's teaching in 2000 as a successful business owner in Dallas, Texas, and the direction of his life was entirely changed.

Crown Financial Ministries represents the 2000 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 staff and volunteers actively serving on six continents and has trained more than 162,000 pastors and business leaders on the principles of biblical financial freedom. Judy Burkett, wife of Cofounder Larry Burkett, stated, "Congratulations to Chuck and his wife, Ann. I'm confident God will use this godly couple to carry on the legacy of Larry and Howard's work to the next generation."

Crown is an interdenominational Christian organization dedicated to equipping people with biblical financial principles. Crown's ministry is used by God to transform lives, reduce stress, improve marriages, and draw people closer to Christ. 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 million listeners each week on approximately 1,500 stations across the United States, Canada, English-speaking Caribbean nations, Latin America, and Africa.

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. "I am walking in the shoes of giants, and I am humbled and honored that this important role has been entrusted to me. The ministry family is united in prayer as a new chapter begins for Crown, building on a strong foundation."