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2022-03-31-accounts

Charity no. 1016596

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

31 March 2022

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Reference and administrative details

For theyear ended 31 March 2022 For theyear ended 31 March 2022
Charity number 1016596
Registered office 24 Brixton Station Road
London
SW9 8PD
Trustees The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report
were as follows:
John Daniel
Dr Lily Daniel
Johannes Weidenmüller
Regina Weidenmüller
Bankers NatWest plc
Streatham Branch
54 Streatham High Street
London
SW16 1XE
Solicitors Cooke Matheson Solicitors
8/9 Gray's Inn Square
London
WC1R 5JQ
Independent Godfrey Wilson Limited
examiners Chartered accountants and statutory auditors
5th Floor Mariner House
62 Prince Street
Bristol
BS1 4QD

1

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Trust Constitution and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The objective of our charity, to advance the Christian faith and to actively promote and support the missionary cause abroad, particularly in developing countries, was carefully pursued in the period of the report:

Through our scheduled regular meetings and services

Mondays:

Tuesdays:

Wednesdays:

This meeting was done online by using Skype throughout the reporting period.

Sundays:

The services took place face to face throughout the duration of the reporting period. In addition several people received the Sunday Service as recordings. On a few occasions, Olu Falowo and Joel Srinivas have been sharing the Word of God in the Sunday Services. Open Air preaching was resumed again in the period under review. We resumed preaching at Hyde Park from August 2021 and proclaimed the Good News during November and December 2021 in Croydon’s pedestrian zone.

This meeting was and is conducted online. There are only one or two people in the meeting.

Monday - Saturday:

2

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Through our TV programmes

All through the period of this report, our TV programme “The Lord’s Challenge” was aired over two UK TV stations, Revelation TV (a Christian station) and CBS Reality TV (a secular station).

During the period of this report, we also continued to broadcast our programme with Rhein-Main TV. This station reaches all of Germany via satellite, is locally available via cable TV and has a livestream that can be watched via the internet during transmission time. The German station, Rhein-MainTV, can be received via Cable (in the state of Hessen) by c. 1 million households and in the Rhein-Main region by c. 2 million households via satellite. The theoretical technical potential of the station via satellite is 150m households in Europe. See www.rheinmaintv.de/ueber-uns/empfang/.

The UK-based stations broadcast via satellite. The Revelation TV station is believed to be a leading UK Christian station. The station told us that they did appreciate our programme because of its substance/content. During the year, we received a good number of calls in response to the content of the programmes. Some callers were counselled over the telephone. The viewers in most cases expressed their appreciation of the Word of God being made available and preached in a forthright way. Revelation TV broadcasts our programme on Tuesday night at 8:30pm. The programme can be received via Sky: Channel 581, Freesat: Channel 692 and Freeview HD: Channel 264. More information about that channel can be found on their website: www.revelationtv.com.

CBSReality broadcasts our programme on Sunday morning at 8.30am Sky channel 146. In addition, CBSReality’s +1 channel, Sky 246, repeats our programme one hour later at 9.30am. CBSReality is also on the Cable network (Virgin 148), on Freesat (135) and the +1 channel Freesat (136). When the Reality channel became available on Freeview (channel 67), the viewership increased by a considerable percentage.

Through our retreats and camps

Summer Retreat 2021: From 14 to 18 July, at Quinta Hall, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7LR did not take place as planned. The lockdown resulting from Covid was extended by the government to include this weekend and the retreat was called off.

Online Bible sessions for teenage boys and young men August 2021: Our camp for this group could not take place due to Covid. However we arranged several sessions for the boys and young adults in the week 9 - 13 August 2021.

Online Bible session for teenage girls and young women August 2021: Some sessions were conducted in the week 23 - 27 August for this age group. It was a profitable time.

In the sessions for the various groups the Word of God was taught. It is like sowing seed with the expectation that it will yield a rich harvest.

Through Literature ministry, Preaching and other forms of Ministry

The Christ is Victor magazine was printed six times in this period. The magazine aims to encourage readers to seek and to live a dynamic life for God. Besides messages on the Word of God, it contains testimonies and accounts pertaining to Christian living. Many copies of the magazine are given to customers of Beautiful Books. The content for each issue is compiled by a volunteer of our ministry in London. After the content is approved, the layout and printing is done in the UK. The print run of this bimonthly magazine in the period under review varied from 5,000 - 10,000 copies, depending upon the hands ready for distribution.

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Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Our bookshop Beautiful Books is located in Brixton Market (a well known and ill-famed location in South London) and is stocked with Bibles, Christian literature, media and diverse gifts. Amongst our clients are pastors, elders, deacons, missionaries, and Christians of many different denominations. Many Bibles and books bought at Beautiful Books are sent or taken to different parts of the world, predominantly to Africa and the Caribbean. Every year our volunteers serve thousands of hours in the shop. We would like to aim to stock the very best Christian resources available. We have clients that come from distant places while others passing through London make it a point to visit us. There is steady activity in the shop. It is heartening to see people buy literature in bulk in order to present copies to their friends or brothers and sisters in church, desiring to share the blessing they have received by reading a publication that spoke to their own heart first. The last covid related lockdown lasted into April 2021. From Monday 12 April we were free to reopen the shop and have then been open all along.

Friends of Beautiful Books: A book recommendation for the year 2021 was printed and distributed. This recommendation was sent to more than 400 addresses by mail, and many more copies were handed out, mainly to bookshop customers.

How did we actively promote and support the missionary cause abroad?

During the period under review, some help was given with the production of a Scripture wall calendar to our branch in Paris.

Outlook and perspective

With the help of God, we want to continue all the existing ministry and we want to be open for developing and extending the Work of God. While we acknowledge our need for the deepening of our own faith, we also need to be prepared for a widening of the work.

In the period under review, our small team had to carry out the task of supplying the weekly Gospel messages to 3 TV stations. A lot of time goes into the editing of these messages before they are sent to the stations. The TV episodes edited in London are also made available in Guyana, South America, one station in India and one station based in the US, called Inspiration TV, whose coverage extends to many nations of the world.

Many of the edited messages have been published on YouTube. All the English language episodes are also uploaded to the Vimeo website. We have evidence to state that some of our episodes edited in London find distribution through other sites (e.g. Sermonindex).

Through representatives of publishing/wholesale companies, interaction with publishers, whose products we stock at Beautiful Books, is possible.

During the period covered by this report, a scripture wall calendar was published by Beautiful Books in the English language. The print run was 4,000 copies. Some of the calendars are passed on to our brothers and sisters in US, Canada and Germany. Orders for the calendars also come in through our website.

The adminstration of our charity is done on a voluntary basis. The work involves bookkeeping (to the stage of reconciling the accounts), payment of bills, correspondence with the local authorities, etc.

Maintenance work also has to be carried out by our volunteers at the freehold property of the charity at 77 Telford Avenue.

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Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Our objective to further the Christian faith and to support the missionary cause in other countries is upheld. The emphasis on keeping the ministry of the Word of God as a priority along with prayer is very important to us and only by these means can we fulfil our objectives.

Financial review and reserves policy

Total income in the year ending 31 March 2022 was £161,013, which is an increase of £16,319 on the prior year. Total expenditure in the year was £167,599, which is an increase of £14,113 on the prior year. Total funds at 31 March 2022 were £173,700.

Financial risk: Since we avoid all speculation and engage only in fair trading and the sincere ministry of furthering the Christian faith, we expose neither our charity nor our assets to the risks arising out of speculation or going into debt.

Going concern: The trustees consider that the charity will continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which these financial statements approved for the following reasons:

Reserves: The reserves that we hold are vested in our assets, stock in the shop, backup stock of our own book publications, and the property held by this charity.

Structure, governance and management

Decision making: We make such decisions as are necessary for the promotion of our objectives in an atmosphere of prayer.

Relationships: We have good relationships with a number of Christian wholesalers and retailers. Some other Christian bookshops have bought our products. We are constantly meeting Christians from many different denominations and backgrounds through our work in the bookshop, the Lunch Hour Bible Study, the Children’s Bible Club, and the wider ministry.

Risk factor: There is a certain risk factor working in inner cities, more so in the Brixton area that is well known for its high crime rate and drug scene. Over the year volunteers and trustees have experienced abuse especially in connection with their service at Beautiful Books. One way of dealing with this type of risk is wise interaction with aggressive people and watchfulness with criminals (thieves).

God in His mercy has saved us from serious incidents although the neighbourhood from which we operate on a daily basis, viz. Brixton Market, has a record of violence, drug dealing and abuse.

Public benefit: As a charity we seek to advance the Christian faith and to actively promote and support the missionary cause abroad. We fall within the charitable purpose category under advancement of religion.

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Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

This report would have made it clear that our work produces identifiable benefits. To name some of these, we produce, publish, and distribute Christian literature, teach and preach the Word of God in various ways from one-to-one counselling to TV broadcasts, and run a shop which is open daily to the public. Thereby people are invited to get to know God and to deepen their relationship with God. The activities also help people to serve Christians in their respective churches and to be ‘salt and light’ by word and example to friends, colleagues and the general public. These benefits relate to the charity’s aim of advancing the Christian faith and of promoting and supporting the missionary cause abroad. These benefits are largely of a spiritual nature; detriment or harm does not arise.

The benefits of our ministry are to the public locally, nationally, and internationally. Locally, they come through our meetings, the bookshop, and outreach in certain areas within the UK; nationally, they come through our TV broadcasts, literature, and retreats; internationally, they come by maintaining a TV programme abroad and annually sending literature or calendars to countries such as India, the USA, and Germany. The beneficiaries will benefit from our aims as set forth in the objectives of this charity.

Reporting serious incidents: Fraud, serious theft, or significant loss of funds or other property did not occur. There were no significant sums of money or other property donated to the charity from an unknown or unverified source, and we also have not been subject to a criminal investigation.

Conflict of interests: The governing document makes provision for remuneration of professional services by trustees in clause 10. Johannes Weidenmüller receives remuneration for his work of video editing for the TV programmes, his input into running Beautiful Books, and the publishing that is done by LEF UK (Christ is Victor magazine, Wall calendar, etc). Most of the time he has to prepare 2 TV episodes every week. The German episode is especially labour intense. He receives £1,000 per calendar month (purchasing this video editing service would cost the charity a much higher price).

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure, of the charity for the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

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Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to the charity during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 15 July 2022 and signed on their behalf by

Johannes Weidenmüller - Trustee

7

Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2022, which are set out on pages 9 to 17.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 19 July 2022 Laura Richards ACA Member of the ICAEW

For and on behalf of:

Godfrey Wilson Limited

Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

8

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Note
Income from:
Donations
2
Charitable activities
3
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
5
Net expenditure and movement in funds
6
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 2022
£
30,161
130,847
5
161,013
167,599
167,599
(6,586)
180,286
173,700		 2021
£
71,292
73,384
18
144,694
153,486
153,486
(8,792)
189,078
180,286

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. All income and expenditure pertain to unrestricted funds in the current and prior reporting periods.

9

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2022

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Current assets
Stocks
9
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
11
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
Unrestricted funds
Total charity funds		 £
65,365
16,470
46,654
128,489
(9,951)		 2022
£
55,162
118,538
173,700
173,700
173,700		 2021
£
58,926
66,097
4,458
56,229
126,784
(5,424)
121,360
180,286
180,286
180,286

Approved by the trustees on 15 July 2022 and signed on their behalf by

Johannes Weidenmüller - Trustee

10

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves and having considered the impact of the previous year's fall in sales due to the bookshop closure during Covid lockdowns. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Bookshop sales revenue is recognised when goods are delivered and legal title has passed.

d) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

e) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity. The charity currently only has unrestricted funds.

f) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

11

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

1. Accounting policies (continued)

g) Allocation of support and governance costs

h) Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Fixtures and fittings 4 years straight line
Freehold property 50 years straight line
Leasehold improvements 10 years straight line

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500.

i) Stock

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value.

j) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

k) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

l) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

m) Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

n) Foreign currency transactions

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Balances denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the year end.

12

Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

1. Accounting policies (continued)

o) Accounting estimates and key judgements

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The key sources of estimation or uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements include depreciation (see note 1h).

p) Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities as they fall due.

2. Income from grants and donations

Donations and offerings
Covid support grants (note 4)
3.
Income from charitable activities
Bookshop sales
Mail order sales		 2022
£
30,161
-
30,161
2022
£
130,834
13
130,847		 2021
£
31,006
40,286
71,292
2021
£
73,251
133
73,384

4. Government grants

The charity did not receive any government grants during the year (2021: the charity received Covid support grants from Lambeth London Borough Council totalling £40,286).

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Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

5. Total expenditure

Total expenditure
Bookshop premises and utilities
Printing and design
Stock purchases
TV broadcasting
Salaries (note 6)
Telephone
IE and accountancy
Bank charges
Depreciation
Print, post and stationery
Miscellaneous costs
Foreign exchange (gain) / loss
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure		 £
£
16,778
-
3,516
-
75,746
-
49,248
-
-
12,000
-
671
-
1,225
-
1,569
-
3,764
-
1,939
-
1,059
-
84
145,288
22,311
22,311
(22,311)
167,599
-
Support and
governance
costs
Charitable
activities		 Total
2022
£
16,778
3,516
75,746
49,248
12,000
671
1,225
1,569
3,764
1,939
1,059
84
167,599
-
167,599

Total governance costs are £975 (2021: £950).

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Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

5.
Total expenditure (continued)
Prior year comparative
Bookshop premises and utilities
Printing and design
Stock purchases
TV broadcasting
Salaries (note 6)
Telephone
IE and accountancy
Bank charges
Depreciation
Print, post and stationery
Miscellaneous costs
Donations
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure		 £
£
21,822
-
2,659
-
43,287
-
52,385
-
-
12,000
-
626
-
1,281
-
1,155
-
3,764
-
3,182
-
232
11,093
-
131,246
22,240
22,240
(22,240)
153,486
-
Charitable
activities
Support and
governance
costs		 Total
2021
£
21,822
2,659
43,287
52,385
12,000
626
1,281
1,155
3,764
3,182
232
11,093
153,486
-
153,486

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Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

6. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Depreciation
Operating lease payments
Trustees' remuneration
Independent examiner's remuneration		 2022
£
3,764
18,126
12,000
975		 2021
£
3,764
13,595
12,000
950

During the year one trustee received remuneration of £12,000 (2021: £12,000) for professional services to the charity. This comprises a monthly salary of £1,000 which is permitted under the charity's governing document. There are no other staff costs. No trustees were reimbursed expenses during the current or prior year.

7. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

8. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2021
Additions
At 31 March 2022
Depreciation
At 1 April 2021
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2022
Net book value
At 31 March 2022
At 31 March 2021
Stock
Goods for resale		 £
21,414
-
21,414
21,414
-
21,414
-
-
Fixtures and
fittings		 £
£
84,732
37,630
-
-
84,732
37,630
42,362
21,074
1,694
2,070
44,056
23,144
40,676
14,486
42,370
16,556
2022
£
65,365
Leasehold
improvements
Freehold
property		 Total
£
143,776
-
143,776
84,850
3,764
88,614
55,162
58,926
2021
£
66,097

9. Stock

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Laymen's Evangelical Fellowship UK

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

10. Debtors

Debtors
Prepayments
VAT
Accrued income		 2022
£
12,417
2,312
1,741
16,470		 2021
£
796
2,014
1,648
4,458

11. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year

Trade creditors
Accruals
Other creditors		 2022
£
6,761
1,975
1,215
9,951		 2021
£
3,268
1,950
206
5,424

12. Operating lease commitments

The charity had operating leases at the year end with total future minimum lease payments as follows:

Amount falling due:
Within 1 year
Within 2 - 5 years		 2022
£
27,190
135,949		 2021
£
18,126
126,886

13. Related party transactions

During the year Johannes Weidenmüller, trustee, received remuneration of £12,000 (2021: £12,000) for professional services to the charity, per note 6.

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