{{Short description|Monthly Christian news magazine}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{independent sources|date=May 2011}} {{Infobox magazine | title = WORLD | image_file = WORLD Magazine cover March 16, 2019.png | circulation = 41,831<ref>{{cite journal |title=Statement of ownership, management, and circulation |journal=World |date=2024-10-01 |last=Martin |first=Kevin |volume=39 |issue=15 |page=118 |issn=0888-157X }}</ref> | frequency = Monthly | language = English | category = news, religion, culture, politics | company = World News Group/God's World Publications | editor = Leigh Jones | editor_title = Executive Editor | founder = Joel Belz | firstdate = 1986 | country = United States | based = Asheville, North Carolina | website = {{URL|https://wng.org/}} | issn = 0888-157X }} '''''World''''' (often stylized in all-caps as '''''WORLD''''') is a monthly Christian news magazine, published in the United States by WORLD News Group, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Asheville, North Carolina.<ref name="contact us">{{cite web | url=https://world.wng.org/contact | title=Contact | work=WORLD |access-date= 2019-04-23}}</ref> ''World''{{'}}s declared perspective is one of Christian evangelical Protestantism.<ref name="about us">{{cite web | url=https://world.wng.org/about | title=About Us | work=WORLD | access-date=2019-04-23 | archive-date=2021-04-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416215923/https://world.wng.org/about | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kellner |first1=Mark |title=Marvin Olasky preaches journalism through the lens of scripture, faith |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865611112/Bible-backed-Marvin-Olasky-preaches-journalism-through-the-lens-of-scripture-faith.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919133623/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865611112/Bible-backed-Marvin-Olasky-preaches-journalism-through-the-lens-of-scripture-faith.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 19, 2014 |access-date=22 April 2019 |publisher=Deseret News |date=September 18, 2014}}</ref>

Each issue features both U.S. and international news, cultural analysis, editorials and commentary, as well as book, music and movie reviews. ''World''{{'}}s end-of-the-year issue covers stories from the previous year, obituaries, and statistics.<ref name="about us"/>

==History== ''World'' was launched by Joel Belz in 1986 as a publication of ''The Presbyterian Journal'', a theologically conservative magazine founded in 1942.<ref name="years">{{cite web | url= https://world.wng.org/2001/03/publishing_by_design | title= Publishing... by design | work = World Magazine| first =Joel | last = Belz|date=March 24, 2001|access-date=2019-02-23}}</ref> However, due to low readership and financial difficulties, ''The Presbyterian Journal'' cancelled the publication that June.<ref name=welldone>{{cite web|url=https://wng.org/articles/well-done-good-and-faithful-servant-1704495586|title= Well done, good and faithful servant|last1=Dunn|first1=Lauren|last2=Henderson|first2=Kim|last3=Langdon|first3=Lynde|website=WORLD Magazine|date=February 4, 2024}}</ref> Belz convinced the board of ''The Presbyterian Journal'' to shut down operations and reallocate its resources to ''World'', which relaunched in 1987.<ref name="Christianity Today">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2024/february/obit-joel-belz-world-founder-christian-journalism.html|title=Died: Joel Belz, Founder of World Magazine|last=Silliman|first=Daniel|date=February 9, 2024|website=Christianity Today|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209155411/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2024/february/obit-joel-belz-world-founder-christian-journalism.html|archive-date=February 9, 2024}}</ref> It started with about 5,000 subscribers and the publishers initially requested donations in every issue to stay afloat. At its peak, ''World'' had a circulation exceeding 160,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://echo-media.com/medias/details/5256/world+magazine |title=Echo Media: Print Media Experts |work=World Magazine |publisher=Echo Media }}</ref>

In 2005, Nick Eicher replaced Joel Belz as CEO and ''World'' considered moving its headquarters to a different city.<ref name="Martin">{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Kevin |url=https://wng.org/articles/planted-in-a-small-city-1706150403 |title=Planted in a small city |work=World Magazine |location=Asheville, NC |publisher=World News Group |date=2024-01-25 |page=6 }} Retrieved February 9, 2024.</ref> Eicher made the decision to move the company's business model away from focusing on ad sales. (By 2025, the company said nearly 90 percent of its revenue is derived from subscriptions and charitable contributions.)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Kevin |date=July 2025 |title=World Notes |work=World Magazine |page=6}}</ref> In 2008, ''World'' switched from publishing weekly to biweekly.<ref name="biweekly">{{cite web |last=Eicher |first=Nickolas |date=January 12, 2008 |title=A changing World |url=https://world.wng.org/2008/01/a_changing_world |access-date=2019-04-23 |work=World Magazine |archive-date=2019-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423221750/https://world.wng.org/2008/01/a_changing_world |url-status=dead }}</ref> That same year Eicher was succeeded by Kevin Martin. In July 2011, ''World'' moved its office from Innsbruck Mall in Asheville to a former bank building in Biltmore Village.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandford |first=Jason |date=2011-07-05 |title=Asheville-based World Magazine moving from Innsbruck Mall to new offices in Biltmore Village |url=https://ashvegas.com/asheville-based-world-magazine-moving-from-innsbruck-mall-to-new-offices-in-biltmore-village/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=Ashvegas}}</ref>

In 2012, ''World'' began referring to itself as ''World News Group'', which includes its print, digital, and broadcast properties.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} In 2014, Nick Eicher became Chief Content Officer, responsible for all editorial content for the organization.

In 2021, Marvin Olasky's tenure as editor-in-chief of ''World Magazine'' ended, but he continued working with the magazine until 2022, and he hoped to continue working with World Journalism Institute beyond that time.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wng.org/articles/goodbye-1641710065 | title=Goodbye }}</ref>

In July 2024, ''World'' changed its magazine from printing biweekly to monthly.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Kevin |date=2024-04-04 |title=Big changes ahead |url=https://wng.org/articles/big-changes-ahead-1712203017 |access-date=2024-09-30}}</ref> Three months later, in late September, ''World''<nowiki/>'s two buildings in Biltmore Village were destroyed during Hurricane Helene.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Langdon |first=Lynde |date=2024-09-29 |title=Pray for WNC and WNG |url=https://wng.org/sift/pray-for-wnc-and-wng-1727638441 |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=World Magazine}}</ref>

==Editorial team== [[File:World News Group offices in Asheville.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Offices in Biltmore Village, Asheville, destroyed in Tropical Storm Helene.]]

World News Group's editorial staff is led by an editorial council of senior editors and producers. The current members of the editorial council are Brian Basham (Program Director-World Watch), Paul Butler (Training Director), Rebecca Cochrane (Editorial Director-God's World News), Leigh Jones (Executive Editor-Features and Editor-WORLD Magazine), Tim Lamer (Executive Editor—Commentary and Digital); Daniel James Devine (Executive Editor-News); and Nick Eicher (Executive Producer--WORLD Radio).

Unlike ''World'''s business staff, which works almost entirely in Asheville, the majority of its editorial and production staff live elsewhere.<ref name=Martin />

=== Editors of ''World Magazine'' ===

# Joel Belz (1986-1994) # Marvin Olasky (1994-2001) # Nick Eicher (2001-2004) # Mindy Belz (2004-2015) # Tim Lamer (2015-2020) # Michael Reneau (2020-2022) # Tim Lamer (2022, interim) # Lynn Vincent (2022-2024) # Les Sillars (2025) # Leigh Jones (2026 - present)

==Coverage of evangelical controversies== ''World'' has received positive critical commentary from the ''New York Times'' regarding its investigative reporting on controversies within the evangelical Christian community.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oppenheimer |first1=Mark |title=A Muckraking Magazine Creates a Stir Among Evangelical Christians |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/08/us/a-muckraking-magazine-creates-a-stir-among-evangelical-christians.html |access-date=22 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=November 7, 2014}}</ref>

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".<ref>{{cite web | url= https://world.wng.org/2009/08/all_in_the_family | title= All in the family |work= World Magazine | first1 = Emily | last1 = Belz | first2 = Edward Lee | last2 = Pitts|date=August 29, 2009|access-date=2019-04-23}}</ref> 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."<ref name = "noted">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.harpers.org/archive/2009/08/hbc-90005550 | title= Reporting on C Street|magazine= Harper's Magazine | first = Scott | last = Horton|date= August 17, 2009|access-date=2009-12-28}}</ref> 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.'"<ref name = "said">{{cite web | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32461660 | title= The Rachel Maddow Show | type = transcript | work = NBC News | first = Rachel | last = Maddow| date= August 17, 2009| access-date= 2009-12-28}}</ref>

The magazine reported that Christian apologist and conservative political commentator Dinesh D'Souza had shared a hotel room with his fiancée prior to filing for divorce from his previous wife.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Warren Cole|title=King's crisis|url=https://world.wng.org/2012/10/kings_crisis|access-date=23 April 2019|newspaper=World|date=16 October 2012}}</ref> After ''World'' broke the story, D'Souza resigned as president of New York's The King's College in response.<ref name="breaking">{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/nyregion/dinesh-dsouza-is-out-as-kings-college-president-in-scandal.html | title = Star Commentator Is Out as Christian College President After Scandal|work=The New York Times| first =Ariel | last = Kaminer|date=October 18, 2012|access-date=2012-10-20}}</ref><ref name="story">{{cite web | url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/10/18/dinesh-d-souza-resigns-presidency-of-the-king-s-college.html | title= Dinesh D'Souza Resigns Presidency of The King's College|work=The Daily Beast| first =David | last = Sessions|date=October 18, 2012|access-date=2012-10-20}}</ref>

In December 2018, ''World''{{'}}s investigative report<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roys |first1=Julie |title=Hard times at Harvest |url=https://world.wng.org/2018/12/hard_times_at_harvest |access-date=22 April 2019 |issue=December 29, 2018 |publisher=WORLD Magazine |date=December 13, 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=The Elders of Harvest Bible Chapel |title=February 13, 2019 Elder Update |url=https://www.harvestbiblechapel.org/2019/02/13/february-2019-elder-update-2/ |website=Harvest Bible Chapel |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425152031/https://www.harvestbiblechapel.org/2019/02/13/february-2019-elder-update-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Anne |first1=Libby |title=The Harvest Bible Chapel Scandal in a Nutshell (And Why You Should Care) |url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2019/02/the-harvest-bible-chapel-scandal-in-a-nutshell-and-why-you-should-care.html#disqus_thread |access-date=22 April 2019 |publisher=Patheos |date=February 20, 2019}}</ref>

==World Digital== ''World''{{'}}s digital properties are headed by Executive Editor Tim Lamer. The ''World'' website includes daily news stories, including daily news briefs called "The Sift,"<ref>{{cite web |title=The Sift |url=https://world.wng.org/sift |website=WORLD |publisher=WORLD News Group |access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref> weekly news roundups<ref>{{cite web |title=Roundups |url=https://world.wng.org/roundups |website=WORLD |publisher=WORLD News Group |access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref> and editorial cartoons.<ref>{{cite web |title=WORLD Editorial Cartoons |url=https://world.wng.org/news-illustrated |website=WORLD |publisher=WORLD News Group |access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref> ''World's'' magazine content is also available through its apps for iOS, Android, and Amazon Kindle devices.<ref>{{cite web |title=Read WORLD Magazine On Your Device |url=https://world.wng.org/content/read_world_magazine_on_your_device |website=WORLD |publisher=WORLD News Group |access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref>

==World Radio== On August 6, 2011, ''World'' launched a weekly two-hour radio news program called ''The World and Everything in It''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://srnonline.com/the-world-and-everything-in-it | title=The World and Everything in It |work=Salem Radio Network|access-date=2011-08-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ntsmediaonline.com/?p=32053 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007113910/http://www.ntsmediaonline.com/?p=32053 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=October 7, 2011 | title=SRN Debuts 'The World And Everything In It' |work=NTS MediaOnline|author=Al Peterson|date=July 13, 2011|access-date=2011-08-28}}</ref> Hosted by executive producer Nick Eicher and senior producer Joseph Slife, the program aired weekends on U.S. stations and featured reports, interviews, and analysis from the organization's editorial team. In May 2013, ''The World and Everything in It'' became a 30-minute daily podcast. Slife left the program in May 2017 and was replaced as co-host by Mary Reichard.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{official website|https://wng.org/}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:World (Magazine)}} Category:News magazines published in the United States Category:Biweekly magazines published in the United States Category:Christian magazines published in the United States Category:Conservative magazines published in the United States Category:Magazines established in 1986 Category:Magazines published in North Carolina