Conservative Christian ministry Focus on the Family announced Friday it is eliminating 49 jobs in the latest of several rounds of layoffs in response to ongoing economic pressures.

The family-counseling center in Colorado Springs had a $105 million budget this fiscal year ending Sept. 30, but officials project it will receive donations of only $90 million to $95 million.

This new 7 percent staff reduction brings the employee number to 650, down from a 2002 peak of 1,400 people. In the last few years, Focus has let go almost 500 workers.

Read more at denverpost.com.

Focus on the Family’s Colorado Springs headquarters Monday, November 17, 2008. Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE FILE

MARK REIS