World (magazine)

Launched by Joel Belz in 1986 as a replacement for The Presbyterian Journal, a publication issued over the previous 44 years that had been founded specifically "to challenge the assumptions and activities of the liberals and to return the Southern Presbyterian denomination to its biblical moorings", World was intended to serve "an educational rather than an ecclesiastical task—a vision focused on the importance of a biblical worldview for all of life". It started with about 5,000 initial subscribers and only 12,000 after three years.[6] The publishers initially requested donations in every issue to stay afloat. It has grown in the years since, and as a non-profit organization it continues to accept donations.[7] In 2008, Kevin Martin became CEO, replacing the retiring Joel Belz. In 2012, World began referring to itself as World News Group, which includes its print, digital, and broadcast properties.

The corporate heads are Kevin Martin, CEO, and Nick Eicher, Chief Content Officer.

Offices in Biltmore Village, Asheville

World News Group's editorial staff is led by Marvin Olasky, Editor in Chief, and Mindy Belz, Senior Editor. Timothy Lamer is Editor of World magazine, Jamie Dean is National Editor, Daniel James Devine is Managing Editor, and Janie B. Cheaney, Susan Olasky, Andrée Seu Peterson, and Lynn Vincent are magazine contributors. The magazine reporting staff includes Emily Belz, June Cheng, Charissa Crotts, Angela Lu Fulton, Sophia Lee, and Harvest Prude. The magazine's art director is David K. Freeland, with Robert L. Patete serving as associate art director.[8]

World magazine received national media attention in 2009, when its then features editor Lynn Vincent was chosen to collaborate on former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's memoir, Going Rogue: An American Life.[9][10][11][12]

World has received positive critical commentary regarding its investigative reporting on controversies within the evangelical Christian community.[13]

In an August 29, 2009, cover story, World reported on the C Street Center in Washington, D.C., and the secretive organization behind it, the Fellowship, a.k.a. "The Family".[14] Scott Horton of Harper's Magazine praised the piece, saying the magazine's "attitude is critical and exacting. The piece looks like serious journalism, much like the publication's exposé work on Ralph Reed and other scandals in the past."[15] Rachel Maddow, on her August 17, 2009, show said, "The article exposes The Family's mysterious money trail and describes the C Street scandals using the word 'scandal' and argues that The Family subscribes to a, quote, 'muddy theology' and it harbors, quote, 'a disdain for the established church.'"[16]

The magazine reported that Christian apologist and conservative political commentator Dinesh D'Souza had shared a hotel room with his fiancee prior to filing for divorce from his previous wife.[17] After World broke the story, D'Souza resigned as president of New York's The King's College in response.[18][19]

In December 2018, World's investigative report[20] on Harvest Bible Chapel and its pastor, James MacDonald, led to a shakeup at the suburban Chicago megachurch. The article written by freelance writer Julie Roys included detailed information on financial mismanagement and a culture of deception and intimidation at the church. On February 13, 2019, the elders of the church announced the firing of MacDonald.[21][22]

World's digital properties are headed up by Executive Editor Mickey McLean with Lynde Langdon serving as Managing Editor. In addition to magazine content and podcasts, The World website includes online-only articles, including daily news briefs called "The Sift,"[23] weekly news roundups[24] and editorial cartoons.[25] World's magazine content is also available through its apps for iOS, Android, and Amazon Kindle devices.[26]

On August 6, 2011, World launched a weekly two-hour radio news program called The World and Everything in It.[27][28] Hosted by executive producer Nick Eicher and senior producer Joseph Slife, the program aired weekends on several U.S. stations and featured reports, interviews, and analysis from the magazine's editorial team. In May 2013, The World and Everything in It became a 30-minute daily program and is now available as a podcast and via online streaming. Slife left the program in May 2017 and was replaced as co-host by Mary Reichard.

In January 2014, World Radio launched a weekly interview program hosted by Warren Cole Smith called Listening In. It is available as a podcast and streams online.

• Official website