Oadby Evangelical Free Church
North Memorial Hall Stoughton Road Oadby Leicester LE2 4FL Tel: 0116 271 3805 email: info@oefc.co.uk web: www.oefc.co.uk
## **Trustees’ Annual Report for 2022**
## **(1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022)**
|Charity name|: Oadby Evangelical Free Church|: Oadby Evangelical Free Church|
|---|---|---|
||(common abbreviation: OEFC)||
|Charity registration number|: 1030055||
|Governing Document|: Church Constitution||
||(original version 1974; revised version adopted 21 March 1997)||
|Minister|: Gary Stephen Prickett||
||(in post from 1 October 2022)||
|Church leaders|: the minister, who also serves as an elder of the church||
||: other elders, who also serve|as the only trustees of the charity|
||Lance Atter
founder member of the church||
||Stuart J. Glover
acting treasurer of the church||
||Steven J. Green
from 25 May 2022||
||: former elders and trustees, who left office on 25 May 2022||
||Luke Carter-Whittley||
||Paul Whalley||
||: deacons, who do not act as trustees of the charity||
||Judith Chinnery
from 25 May 2022||
||Alejandro Joya
from 25 May 2022||
|Church property|: the church does not own any property||
|Charity Commission contact|: Stuart J. Glover, at the church’s address||
|Website|:www.oefc.org.uk||
|Banks|: Barclays Bank plc||
||25, The Parade||
||Oadby||
||LE2 5BB||
||Nationwide Building Society||
||92, The Parade||
||Oadby||
||LE2 5BF||
|Independent Examiner|: Heather Wells MIAB||
|of Accounts|||
_Affiliated to the_ Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches O.E.F.C is a Registered Charity: Number 1030055
## 1. **Purpose/Object**
The church was established in the mid-1970s to promote the advancement of the Christian faith, as is defined in its Basis of Faith, particularly but not exclusively in the Leicestershire town of Oadby.
The Basis of Faith is identical to that of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), and comprises the basic truths of historic, Biblical Christianity.
## 2. **Organisation**
The Church’s Constitution describes the rules governing the leadership and membership of the church, the conduct of its formal ‘business’ meetings, the two sacraments it observes (believers’ baptism and communion) and the basic aspects of its financing (by means of freewill offerings, which are carefully recorded and independently examined).
The post of minister of OEFC is full-time and remunerated; other members of the church who serve as elders, deacons or in other ways do so on a voluntary basis and, unless agreed otherwise by members of the church at a formal meeting, without payment.
In 2022, the church held four business meetings for church members. At the end of the year, the church had an admitted membership of 49, with one application for membership to be considered at at the church members’ meeting to be held in March 2023.
The church is independent of any other organisation but maintains a positive interest in and links with other evangelical churches and Christian organisations. In particular, it is affiliated to the nationwide Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).
## 3. **Public Benefit Statement and Church Activities**
The Trustees of the church have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. In particular, the church seeks to benefit the local community by pursuing its main purpose through a range of activities appealing to a wide cross-section of ages and interests.
Each Sunday, and normally twice on that day, the church meets for public worship; it also arranges special services at Christmas, Easter and on other occasions. The church no longer live-streams its services, but video recordings of most of them are released promptly on its YouTube channel.
Each week the church runs at least one mid-week meeting for Bible Study and prayer, sometimes with an invited missionary or other guest speaker. Other regular mid-week sessions include an Art group, a coffee morning with activities or presentations, a play session for pre-school children and their carers, a table-tennis session for men, an afternoon ‘Knit and Knatter’ session for older people and a walking group.
The church’s various activities are well advertised in the church, on the web and by means of a weekly _Bulletin_ which is issued both electronically and on paper. All of the church’s activities, save its business meetings for members only, are open to the public, and several of them attract people who are neither formal members of the church nor regular members of its congregation.
Most of the church’s activities and events are held at the North Memorial Hall, which is located on Stoughton Road in Oadby and forms the communal space for an estate of homes originally built in 1920s to house disabled warriors from the Great War. The church rents this historic property, which it has significantly improved and extended, under the terms of a 35-year exclusive lease granted to it by the Trustees of another local charity – the North Memorial Homes.
In addition to its concern for the people of Oadby, the church actively supports Christian outreach and missionary work, as well as humanitarian aid projects. Donations received for special collections taken up in 2022 were sent to local charities and foodbanks as well as to recognised Christian missions working in needy places around the world. As an example, we once again supported the ‘shoebox appeal’ organised by the Blythswood Care charity, and were able in November 2022 to pass on 53 shoeboxes, filled with simple Christmas gifts, for needy families in eastern Europe.
## 4. **Ministerial Appointment**
The church had been without a minister for a few years when, in February 2022, it was put in contact with a Canadian pastor who had undeertaken theological training in Oxford and sensed a call to ministry in England. In due course – after a series of electronic and face-to-face meetings, interviews and the taking up of references – the church called Gary Prickett to the pastorate at Oadby; he accepted that call and assumed his work at the church, on a full-time basis, on 1 October 2022.
## 5. **Financial Position**
The church accounts for the year 2022 have been signed off by an independent examiner. They show that, including monies reclaimed under the Gift Aid scheme, the church has maintained a surplus of income over expendiure. This means that the church’s reserves have increased modestly, but this is considered prudent given that the fellowship now has a full-time minister to support and remains without a building of its own.
## **6. Future Developments**
The church has occupied the North Memorial Hall in Oadby under the terms of a 35-year lease granted to it by the Trustees of the North Memorial Homes. That lease expired in mid-2022 but was extended to January 2023 to allow negotiations to take place regarding a possible new lease. Those negotiations had not concluded by the end of the calendar year 2022, but are of importance for the future physical location of the fellowship.
The church is minded to register as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, but work on this project will not be resumed until negotiations regarding a new lease on the North Memorial Hall have been concluded satisfactorily or alternative accommodation located.
_Signed on behalf of the Trustees of Oadby Evangelical Free Church:_
_Lance Atter, 1 June 2023_
Oadby Evan8ellcal Free chh.. Indep•Trdent Examlnerfs Report
Independent Examiner's Report
on the accounts of Oadby Evangelical Free Church
(charity number 10300551
for year ending 31st December 2022
Church Offlcers. Report
These attDur>ts have been prepared on a receipts and payments b3515. In the opinion of the chartty
trustees the accounts are an accurate reflettion of the financial position of the charity and Comply
with legal requirements and have our unanimous approval.
Slgned on behalf of the trustees
Name
Office held
Signature
Date
stuart Glover
Elder & Interim Treasurer
KT.
Independent Examinerfs Report
I report on the accounts of Oadby Evangelical Free Church for the year ended 31 December 2022
whlch are set out below.
Responslbllitles and basls of report
As the charity tru5tee5. you are responsible forthe preparation of the accounts in accordance with
the Charitie5 Act 20111"the ACV,).
I report In respert of my examination of the charlvs accounts carrled out under 5ectlon 145 of the
2011 Act and in carrying out my examlnatlon, I have followed all the applicable Direction5 given by
the Charity Commission under sedion 145{5llbl of the Act.
Independent examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materlal rnatters have come to my attention in
connection with the examination which gives me cause to belleve that In, any material respect,-
the accounting records were not kept in accordan wlth Section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the èccount5 did nr)t comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and
content of accounts set out In the Charitles (Accounts and Reportsl Regulation5 2008 other
than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter
considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concems and have me acr055 no other matters in connection with the examination to
which attention should be drawn In this reF)Ort in order to enable a proper understanding of the
attounts to be aChed.
Name
Relevant professlonal
qualifications/bDdy
Member of the Instltute of
Accountant5 and Bookeepers IMIAB}
Slgnature
Date
Heather Wells
1,123
Addre55'.
33 Acorn Way, Wigston, Leicester5hlre, LE18 3YA
Oadby EvanBelkal Free Chtrth.. kcouffttsfor2022
Oadby Evangelical Free Church
Account5 & financial statement
st
Period covered: I" January 2022- 31 December 2022
Summary of receipts and payments
5t
(I" January- 31 December 2022)
Receipts
Unrestricted fund5
2022
1£)
60.136.87
62.54
1.452.12
19,395.74
Z021
Oonations
Bank interest (Deposlt accoL4ntsl
Other income
Glft AidlGift Aid small
donation scheme IGASDSI
57,771.70
124.96
1,488.00
1.520.81
Restricted funds
Giving for
mi55ionary/speclfic causes
Other income
8,286.00
18.647.22
0.00
so.00
Total
89.333.27
79.602.69
Payments
Unre5trirted funds
2022
2021
1£)
2,879.74
8,712.57
Employment
Events/activitles
Equipment
Admlnlstration
Building
Utilities
Giving to missionary and
other causes
Miscellaneous
16.936.38
5,961.00
2,057.67
7,304.65
27.259.99
5,962.12
6,010.00
3,487.83
12.241.56
2,680.79
6,031.05
130.00
200.00
Restrfrted fund5
Misslonary giving
Donatlons for Emmanuel
Christian School Lelcester
5,357.35
4.237.50
5,006.22
17,707.50
Total
81,216.66
59,351.71
Surplus/lDeliclt) of
recelpts over payments
8,116.61
20.250.98
Page2of6
Oadby Evangellcal f r& Church: Actountsfor2022
Breakdown of receipts
(1° January- 31° December 2022)
Unrestrirted funds
2022
(£1
60.136.87
36,250.00
14.941.21
2021
Donation5
57,771.70
33,2.00
17,669.32
Bank transfer
Giving via
CAFIStewardship
Offering box
Note I
8.945,66
6.812.38
Tax Teclalm
19.a95.74
1,520AI
oiher Income
IA52.12
150.C(I
1.488.00
loo.00
138.00
0.00
1,250.00
Hall use
Refunds from SUP
Away day
Youthwork
Ilers
581.98
0.00
Bank Interest
62.54
124.96
TOTAL
81,047.27
60.905.47
Restricted funds
2022
1£)
4.486.lY)
0.00
0.00
0.00
940.00
685.00
2,861.00
2021
(£}
4.521.22
1,745.00
1,470.62
835.60
470.00
0.00
0.00
Missionary causes
Note 2
2020 Chrlstmas offering
2021 Easter offering
2021 Harvest offering
2021 Christmas offering
2022 HaNest offering
2022 Christmas offerln
Note 3
Note 4
Note S
Notè 6
Note 7
other giving
3.800.00
3.650.00
14.176.OD
14,126.00
Donations for Emmanuel
Chrlstlan School Leicester
Contribution to fees &
expenses for visiting
speakers
Donatlon for Blythswood
Care shoebox appeal
0.00
50.00
150.
0.00
TOTAL INCOME TO RESTRicfED FUNDS
8,286.00
18.697.22
TOTAL RECEIPTS
89,333.27
79.602.69
Pa8e3of6
Oadby Evangellcal Free Church.. A¢countsfor2022
Breakdown of payments
(I" January- 31" December 2022)
Unrestrlcted funds
2022
2021
Employment
16,936.38
7,004.70
8,800.53
2.879.74
2,879.74
0,00
stsff worker contributions
Minister salary. tax and
pension contributions
Book allovmnce
Relocatlon costs
51.00
1,080.15
0.00
o.oo
Events/actfvities
s,961.•
1,901.23
579.CMI
121.91
239.94
13.00
3,045.30
60.62
8.712.57
1,022.50
0.00
50.00
19.79
0.00
7,023.23
597.05
Visiting preacher expenses
Away day
Worshlp seNices
Catering
Christian Union church fair
Outreach
Youthwork
Note 8
Equlpment
2.057.67
242.28
1,781.44
33.95
0.00
404.45
200.48
0.00
0.00
203.97
AudioVi5ual
Computing
Telephony
Covid safety
Mlsslonary causes
5,760.00
1,440,00
1.440.00
1,440.00
1.440.00
6,031.05
1,440.00
1,440.00
1,440.00
1,711.05
Carcassonne
Latln Link
Mandritsara
Valathi
Glfts to other cause5
250.00
loo.00
150.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Leicester Uriiverslty CU
Emmanuel Church Leftwich
building project
Administratlon
Note 9
7,304.65
3,987.59
85.00
1,293.38
293.00
1,344.00
172.68
129.
3A87.83
150.00
40.99
1.203.44
259.33
1.518.00
187.07
129.00
Fees
Prlnting and stationery
Insurance
Copyright licence
FIEC membership
Zoom Subscription
Child protection}
safe
ardi
Page4of6
Oadby Evangellcal FreeChuTch.. Accounts for 2022
Bulldlng
27,259.99
6.680.00
1,317.25
73.72
13,590.00
1,002.08
256.20
3.204.00
932.98
123.76
so.00
12.241.56
6,680.00
3,368.00
25.45
0.00
0.00
93.42
1,703.00
371.69
Rent
Building fabric
Cleaning
Decoratln
Electrlcal work
Fire safety
Gardeni)Ig
Gas work
Plumbing work
Wlndowtle8ning
0.00
Utllltles
5,962.12
814.79
4.505,72
492.46
149.15
2,680.79
0.00
2,088.32
446.59
145.88
Electricity
Gas
Phonelbroadband
Water
Miscellaneous
Ne 10
130.00
loo.00
30.00
200.00
Gifts to Individuals
Training
0.00
Total payment5 from unrestrlcted funds
71,621.81
36,637.99
Restricted funds
2022
1£)
5,357.35
2021
1£)
5,006.22
2,428.75
1.643.12
934.35
0.00
0.00
0.00
Mi$51onary se$
Note 11
2020 Christmas offering
2021 Easter offering
2021 Harvest offering
2021 Christmas offerlng
2022 Harvest offering
2022 Chrlstmas offering
Blythswood Care Shoebox
appeal
Note 12
Note 13
0.00
1.113.75
867.35
3,226.25
150.00
Note 14
Note 15
Note 16
Gifts to other causes
4,237.50
4,237.50
17.707.50
17.707.50
Emmanuel Christian School
Leicester
Total payments from restrfcted fvnds
9,594.85
22.713.72
TOTAL PAYMENTS
81.216.66
59,351.71
Pa8eSof6
OadbyEvangeNcal Free Chwch: Acc¢yJnts for 2022
Notes on receipts and payments
Includes £110 collected by Art@Oadby group and £100 from Coffee Break group.
2020 Chrlstsnas offerlng wa5 to SIM for Lydla Klng's work In Jos. Nlgerla. Flgure does not Include fjlft
d clalmed on appllcable donatlon5.
2021 Easter offerlng was to UFM for Brandon NÈlson'5 work in the USA. Fi8ure does not include Gift
Aid claimed on applicable donations.
2021 HaThest offerSng was to SIM for their work in Jos. NiBeria. Figu does not include Gift Ald
clalmed on appllcable donatlons.
2021 Christmas offering was to Barnabas Fund workfor work in Afghanistan. Flgure does not Include
Gift Aid claimed on applicable donations.
2022 HaThestofferlng was to SIM for the work of Matt & lisa Wallis in J05, Nigeria. Flgure doe5 not
inc1Le Glft Aid claimed on applicable donatlons.
2022 Christmas Dfferlng was to European Missionary Fellowship for the Bibles and blankets for
Ukraine appeal. Figure does not include GiftAid rlaimed on applicable donatlons.
Purchase and distribution of LIFE magazine.
Feeto independent examlner1£1501. Solicitorfs fees {£3,755.601 and bank fees1£81.991.
Stèff worker leaving gift.
2020 Christmas offerin8 was to SIM for Lydia King'5 work In Jos. Nigeria. Fi8ure includes Gift Aid
claimed on appltcable donations.
2021 Easter offerlng was to UFM for Brandon Nelson's work in the USA. Flgure includes Gift Aid
claimed on applicable donations.
2021 Harvestofferin8 wa5 to SIM fortheirwork In Jos, Ntgeria. Figure includes Glft Aid clalmod on
applicable donattons.
2021 Chrlstmas offerlng was to Barnabas Fund work for work In Af8han15tan. Flgure Indude5 Gift Aid
clalmed on applScable donations.
2022 Harvest offerlng w35 to SIM for the work of Matt & Llsa Wallls In 105, NlÈerla. Flgure IDclude5
Glft Ald claimed on applicable donatlon> Includes £53.60 visltlng preachlng fee donated to Ihis causÈ
by the Speaker.
2022 Christma5 offering was to European Missionary Fellowship for ihe Bibfes and blankets for
Ukraine appeal. Figure include5 Glft Aid whlch wlll be claimed on applicable donations In followlng
financlal year. Includes £50.00 visitlng preachlng fee donated to this tause by the speaker.
io
li
12
13
14
15
16
Statement of assets and liabilitie5 at 315t December
2022
(£1
55,877.79
89,670.29
145.548.08
2021
Current account
Deposlt accounts
Totsl
47.823.72
89.607.75
137,431A7
Fund5
Unrestricted Igenerall fund
Restrirted funds:
Bullding fund
2021 Christmas offerlng
2022 Chrlstmas offerln
Total
123.918.08
115.931.47
21,500.00
440.00
130.00
145,548.08
21.500.00
470.00
137N31.47
Llabllities
Amount due within l year
1,669.28
Flxed assets
The Church does not own any land, bulldings or vehicles. Fixed assets held by the church indudes
books, offlce equlpment and other fixtures and fittings whlrh am belong to the general fund.
PagÈ6tsf6