Middle East Reformed Fellowship (England & Wales)
44 Hamilton Road. Hayes, Middlesex. UB3 3AS
Registered Charlty No: 1044672
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Trustees:
Dr. lain Wright, Orland Park (Hon. Chairman)
Rev. Douglas Mccallum, Cambridge
Mr. David Umpleby, Banbury
Rev. Stephen Dancer, Solihull
Mr. John Mcclean, Antrim
Support Committee Members:
Rev. Timothy Burden is employed by MERF (En8land/Wales). He is a member of the Committee of
Management of MERF and is full-time co-ordinator of the Augustine Biblical Training Programme.
Carol Jesudason is the Treasurer.
The Deed of Trust is dated 5th February 1995 and registered with the Charity Commission in England
and Wales with the aim of promoting the spread of the Christian Faith in Arab lands and beyond
through work of the Middle East Reformed Fellowship (MERF).
MERF is a gospel-centred, evangelistic Fellowship of indigenous churches, workers, and their
supporters. It is a non-profit and non-political charitable organization, serving in the Muslim world on
behalf of churches and believers worldwide. It exists to promote the Christian Faith as embodied in the
MERF Statement of Faith, by encouraging fellowship and fostering co-operation between Reformed
Churches. training and supporting national pastor5 and evangelists, evangelism, church planting, and
the distribution of aid through the agency of indigenou5 churches.
Our relationship with the Middle East Reformed Fellowship (our partner):
Our partnership with MERF 15 governed by a Grant Agreement which is subject to annual review and
approval at the AGM. MERF is incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus as a Charitable Foundation. Their
annual accounts and financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standard5 {IFRSs} as adopted by the European Union. The annual accounts are audited by a
firm of Certified Public Accountants and Registered Auditors in accordance with International Standards
on Auditing (ISAS).
Operating Pollcy:
All gifts are used in accordance with the donor's wishes or, if undesignated, placed in General Funds to
be used for the greatest needs as determined by MERF. No funds are transferred to countries subject
to UK/EU or US sanctions.

Monitoring and verifylng end use of charltable funds:
Robust mechanisms of management and a close working relationship between MERF (England/Wales)
and MERF ordinarily ensure a good degree of monitoring of projects and verification that grant funds
are spent on the projects for which they were intended. The global pandemic (2020-2022) curtailed
some aspects of monitoring our activity which will be restored as restrictions continue to be lifted.
Income:
The total income for the work from churches and individuals in 2023 rose compared to income for 2022
by approximately 9%.
Reserves Policy:
MERF England/Wales is a grant-making charity and the bulk of incorne is submitted to MERF
International Headquarters in Cyprus.
Grant funds are transmitted to the bank account of MERF International when requested. At each
5ubrnission a minimum of £40,000 is retained in the MERF England/Wales bank account to cover
operating costs for a year. Operating costs encompass primarily the salary of one employee with
associated employment costs, and costs of travel. Other costs (postage, stationery, etc) are minimal.
MERF (England & Wales) Promotional work:
The bi-monthly newsletter is produced and distributed to 3,000 recipient5 in England, Wales and
Scotland. The work of MERF is also promoted at meetings at supporting churches and conferences, and
through the MERF (England/Wales) website (merf.org.ukl.
Statement of Publlc Benefit:
MERF {England/Wales) works to promote the spread of the Christian Faith in Muslim lands and beyond
through work of the Middle East Reformed Fellowship and their partnerships with indigenous churches
and workers. In every field of operation, the primary purpose of MERF is the advancement of Reformed
Christian Faith in accord with the MERF Statement of Faith (which is a summary of the historic Christian
faith as expressed in the early Christian creeds and the confessions of the Calvinistic Reformation}.
Operating in more than 16 countries and 14 languages, MERF seeks to work with indigenous churches
as the best body to reach a population. Indigenous Christians live permanently as part of the culture and
know the language, and so face fewer of the barriers that impede the work of foreign missionaries.
However, in Muslim countrie5 Christians are a minority grouping and, in some countries, they face
severe repression and persecution. MERF work5 to strengthen their faith, build up their confidence to
evangelise, and equip them to disciple new believers. and, a5 the Bible is central to the growth of the
Christian, MERF seeks to equip churches through biblical training. MERF also supplies diaconal aid via
indigenous churches to meet immediate practical need in a crisis but always with the aim of equipping
people to be as self-sufficient as is po55ible.
In pursuing these goals, the charity engages in many projects that serve the public benefit including the
advancement of religion, the advancement of education, the prevention and relief of poverty, and the
promotion of health.

l. The Advancement of Religion..
MERF is a gospel-centred, evangelistic Fellowship of indigenous churches, workers, and their
supporters. It exists to promote the Christian Faith as embodied in the MERF Statement of Faith, by
encouraging fellowship and fostering co-operation between Reformed Churches, training and
supporting national pastors and evangelists, evangelism and church planting.
The majority of MERF funding is directed to evangelism through gospel broadcasting by terrestrial and
internet-based radio, literature distribution and the regular preaching, teaching and pastoral ministries
of indigenous churches. MERF broadcasts the gospel in fourteen languages. MERF'5 training centres that
provide both language and theological training for Christian pastors and evangelists, also operate as
locations for international churches and host regular services of public worship and Sunday schools for
the spiritual education of children.
2. The Advancement of Educotion..
MERF supports the education of more than 2750 children through the Nasim Memorial Calvin
Acadernies in Pakistan, and funds a scholarship programme for Turkana children in Kenya. A number of
the Bible-training centres also provide education in additional discipline5, For example, students at
Lokichoggio also benefit from intensive instruction in the English language; students at the training
centres in Indonesia also receive instruction in animal husbandry and crop cultivation; students in
Pakistan also receive instruction in animal husbandry, crop cultivation and sewing. The teaching of these
additional skills is intending to facilitate greater self-sufficienry.
3. The Prevention or Rellef of Poverty..
Diaconal aid (i.e. humanitarian aid} is distributed to and through local churches.
Indonesia - Diaconal aid is regularly distributed through local churches for the relief of poverty.
Diaconal Aid was specifically directed to the relief of suffering in different regions caused by floods and
drought. Instruction is given in animal husbandry and crop cultivation, and a co-op start-up scheme
supports students in becoming self-sufficient, and creating a more resilient community.
Kenyo- MERF grants to local Turkana people free daily access to potable water from the borehole at
the teaching centre and has distributed maize several times in relief of drought and famine.
- South Sudon- Aid is regularly distributed to poor pastors and evangelists. Also, tents, maize and
fishing nets have been distributed to people displaced by the civil conflict and suffering the effects of
flood and famine.
4. The Promotlon of Health..
MERF supported the Baraka Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem in supplying 12 oxygen machines for
high priority patients at the local h05Pital; and supports two clinics in Lahore, Pakistan.

CURRENT MERF PROJEcrs:
Grant funds are used in support of the full range of charitable activities of MERF:
Gospel Broadcasting:
The MERF broadcasts are designed to make known the full impact of human sinfulness and the remedy
found in the riches of the redemptive grace of Christ. Personalized follow-up of listeners responding to
the broadcasts is provided by means of Skype, correspondence, literature and, where possible, pastoral
visitation and discipling by trained local Christians. As a result of these broadcasts many have come to
faith in Christ, in places where no church or foreign missionary is permitted to exist.
- Arabic Medic Ministry..
The Arabic Media Ministry brings God's Word to millions of Arabic-speaking people in the Middle East;
as it is an internet service this ministry has a global reach. The ministry has been extended with the
introduction of new programmes in Specific Arabic dialects. A new YouTube channel has been launched
broadcasting live interactive programmes four days each week and which receives fruitful and
encouraging responses. In addition to downloadable audio files of past programmes and biblical
teaching on many subjects, the websites also host downloadable pdf files of Sunday School materials
and numerous Christian e-books. Our partner churches in Egypt provide more than 50% of the Arabic
Media costs.
- Fatsi Media Ministry..
The Farsi Media Ministry reaches millions of Farsi-5peaking people in Iran, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan,
Afghanistan and Pakistan: however, as it is an internet seniice this ministry has a global reach. The
ministry operates two websites: Radio Shodkami and Rodio Roshdino. In addition to its daily broadcasts,
it hosts several hundred videos and numerous Christian e-books and booklets, many of which have been
downloaded many times. Personalized follow-up of listeners responding to the broadcasts is provided
by means of Skype, correspondence and literature.
- Terrestrlal Broudcastlng..
In addition to internet-based media, MERF terrestrial broadcast teams also reach millions of people in
East Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan and Indonesia in their native tongue, broadcasting in fifteen
languages: Arabic; Dinka and Nuer (South Sudan)," Amharic, Oromo, and Somali (Ethiopia & Somalia}'
Farsi (Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iran); Arnazight (Morocco, Algeria. Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali,
Niger, Mauritania) Bahasa, Javanese, Sundanese, Toraja, Bugis and Makassarese (Indonesia); and, Urd
(Pakistan).
Bible Training Ministry:
Bible-training is conducted at centres in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sulawesi, Java, Pakistan, Beirut and Egypt.
MERF (England/Wales) continues to be directly involved in the bible-training work based at Lokichoggio,
Kenya; and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Rev. Tim Burden {employed by MERF England/Wales) has overall
responsibility for the Bible-training prograrnme in Kenya and Ethiopia, and is involved in planning to
extend the training programme to Egypt and Indonesia. During the past year Rev. Burden has continued
to produce course textbooks and a series of teaching videos for use at the training centres and online,
and has been providing training to the Nuer radio producers.
Additional Field Ministries:
Kenya- The international church at the training centre compound continues to grow and now exceeds
300 in regular attendance. In January 2021 twenty-five converts were baptised. 98 children attend
Sunday School and shelters are being built in several villages to house meetings.
Diaconal aid {maize distribution) has been distributed several times during the year and local Turkana
are given free access to fresh water from the MERF compoLtnd bore hole.
MERF continues to fund a scholarship programme for local Turkana children.

South Sudan- MERF continues to work in support of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan which has
15,000 congregations. MERF supports poor pastors and evangelists. Millions of people have been
displaced by the civil war Ipolitical/tribal division) that has continued for several years. In these
distressing circumstances, MERF contributes to the material support of PCOSS ministers and
evangelists, and provides Diaconal aid to the displaced. Diaconal Aid in the form of food, blankets and
canvas tarps was distributed in areas of Pochalla county and Wanding of Akobo where many lost
homes and stored food in the flooding. MERF broadcasts in the Nuer language to South Sudan,
Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. Enquirers who respond to the broadcasts receive follow-up by email if
personal follow-up is not possible. Phone cards loaded with radio broadcasts, sermons, songs and
studies have been a useful resource in supporting those who have been displaced.
-Training is provided for church officers, and children & youth workers.
Ethiopia -The work in Ethiopia has faced several challenges during 2021. conflict between the Federal
and regional governments has displaced 2 million and led to large-scale destruction of crops and herds.
Insecurities prevent farming, markets and basic services. The UN estimates > 5 million in need of aid.
Intertribal violence has spread in several regions. In the south, drought and famine increased with >30
million affected. Persecution of churches and individuals has increased; several churches have been
burnt, and many families suffer social and economic difficulties. Full-time ministers struggle to survive.
Each week the MERF team make three 30-minute radio programmes in the three major languages of
Ethiopia (Amharic, Oromo, & Somali).
The Biblical Training Programme is taught in two languages (Amharic and Oromo) and is directed at
pastors and evangelists of existing churches. Seminars are organised for various church workers,
especially youth ministry training. 208 people are enrolled on a course introduced specifically for
Muslim-background converts to the Christian faith.
-The MERF team are involved in the translation of numerous theological books to be used as text books
on the training course, and inclusion in a new study library for the use of pastors and church workers.
Diaconal aid is used to support > 614 poor full-time ministers. and their families {3,070 individuals).
- There is an evangelistic work among Somali people in Ethiopia and Somalia.
Indonesia-The work in Indonesia raises more than 400A of its own income through a co-op start-up
scheme that helps farmers purchase and raise pigs and grow dragon fruit. The small profit-share is
repaid and re-invested to support others in becoming self-sufficient.
MERF also provides scholarships for less privileged children to attend school.
Sulawesi & Malang
Work has continued to transfer the terrestrial broadcasting {in Makassarese, Toraja, and Bugis) to
web-based radio broadcasting, allowing the service to be expanded.
Radio programming in Sundanese has been expanded with additional staff appointed.
- The MERF trauma-healing centre set-up at Palau to support survivors the 2019 tsunami continues
its work, but ha5 been converted into an additional training centre.
The Bible training centres continue to serve the churches, providing instruction for church leaders, and
training children's workers and staff who teach Christianity in state schools.
Java
- Work has continued to transfer the terrestrial broadcasting (in Javanese and Sundanese) to web-based
radio broadcasting, allowing the service to be expanded.
Short videos have been produced for easy-sharing on internet and by smartphones.
A study library has been opened to support pastors in their teaching ministry.
The Bible training centre5 continue to serve the churches, providing online instruction for church
leaders and evangelists and, training Sunday School teachers and children's workers.

Pak15tsn-Through the MERF partnershlp with the 'Blble-believlng Church of Lahore", MERF support5
tr4lnSn8 at thelr seminary whlch provldes tralnin8 for pastors and church workers. These pastors and
workers are Involved In church-plant1￿ prO￿ttS and runnln8 numerous Ilteracy centres.
- There are four Nasim Memorlal Cal¥ln Hl8h Schools teachln8 more rhan 2750 children; two clinics; and
several sewlnB ontres where women are tsu8ht skills to enable them to be self.supportiftB.
Lebanon- Worklng with the Lebanon Refomied Fellpwshlp, frAERF has been teachln8 ond tralnlng many
Kurdlsh and Druze people who have professed falth In Jesus Chrlst and fomied churche$ In Lebanon.
Many Musllms have been attendln8 serylces.
- thconal ald has been used to relleve the sufferlng of refts8ees; to provlde PTSD counselllng to
refugees. and to asslsttheir return to thelr hoDKland fOll￿NIng the cessotlon of h¢)stilitles.
Moro¢co-A new fteld has opened up ITr MrKocco wlth a team of Chrlrtlan$ entlrely composed of
former Musllms. Presentty the team is c0n¢entrntl￿ upon the productlon of programmes In
Amazi8hL the language of Berber people ￿Ing in Morocco, A*erfa, Tunlsla, Ubya, E8VPL Mall, Nlger.
and Maurlt•nla. Thi5 rnlnlstry operates via soclal medla platform (eg. Facebook). Personallzed follow-
up of Ilslen¢rs respondlng to the broadcasts ss pr￿Med by means Of Skype, correspondence and
literature whlch b produced In Mornccan Arablc and Arn*ighL
-The Heidelberl Catechlsm translation project continues and Is made •vailable online as a ￿1.
Iraq-The Gulf Wars and the subsequent Insurgenw led to the destruction offlve of the slx
chur¢hes MERF partnered wlth in Iraq. The reMaIni￿ thurth isonly IIY% Its fonner 5trengttrL
The Arabk medka mlntstry ts effect￿ Di encouraginB the Chrlsllans remalnir4 In Ir49.
The Trustee5 are pleased wlth what has been achleved thls year. We ackrtowledge with thankfulness the
SUC￿ of the stated aimg of the Fellowshlp In Its Nimerous mlftlstrfes, and the vrdy In whkh these have
been sustslned.
We are zratefvl to be able to ￿fitInUe playing an artlve role in the oryanlzatlon and extenslon of the
traInI￿ progrnmmes throu8h the support of kty workers and that promotlonal matsrlals developed for
use England Wale5 have proved $0 useful in tbe promotlonal work of other natlonal support
¢ommtttee$. We 8lve thanks to God for the on*olng 8¢neros1ty of Chfistian people in E￿￿nd and
Wales who have falthfvlty supported ourwork and for the wllllngness of frlends to Serve In support of
gospel mlnlstry in Musllm land5.
Dr laln Wtlghf
fchqlrnwn of Tru5teésl
Mf Davld Um
If. Iz. 102¥

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES
Middle East Reformed Fell¢)wship IEngland & Wales)
1044672
Recei
ments accounts
CC16a
For the period
from
0110112023
3111212023
To
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds
Restrl¢ted
funds
to tho nearest£
Endowment
funds
to the nearest £
Total funds
Lastyear
to the nearest
to the neamt£
to the nearest£
A1 Recel ts
t)Qnali￿$. Geneia Funds ta¥ rèjaifftsl
Donaiions.. Dlaconal18arthgAes1
c￿natIons.. Diaconal Ictherl
Oonalions.. Bibh'cal TfainiT¥J
tJonalion5.' 8roadr2siing
Donations.. National EV￿9￿181$
Dorbatiorts.. Ltterature- TarEonla
157,225
159.674
18.836
1.157
5.101
610
18,8
1,157
5,101
610
1,275
4.740
1.170
180
2.01)0
tota
ross income
or
AR)
157.225
26.263
183,488
169,039
an
see table .
nves
en
sa
A3Pa
ments
Grarpis. GenErd gfft
Grarts- Diaconal Lebarv)n
Graftts- Oiaconal Soth StxJa)
Grants- Oia(wo1 Pak15t
Granls- DlaconBI Earthquakes
GrBrrts- Diatx)Tral othar
Grarrts- BibliG81 Training
Grarrts- Bro￿l¢￿S¢1￿g & Evaroelism
lrfl BibleTr¥AniTYJ- Siafcosl8 Inc￿dIng travel
Cypnts ministry
Insur￿8
50,0(
90,000
22.000
30.640
300
160
15
15,448
691
5.856
870
300
160
15
15.448
691
5,856
870
56.323
1.132
711
2,781
6,116
140,402.41
34.405
2S.420
60,86S
43.498
56.323
1.132
711
2.781
6.116
117,063
604
2,230
8.937
315,793
Pr¢Jmotion
Ruming costs
Sub total
23.340
A4 Asset and investment
Sub total
117,063
23,340
140.402
315.793
Not of receIpt￿(paYMents)
AS Tran8f8rs between funds
A6 Cash funds last year 8nd
Cash funds this year end
40,162
2.92
43,085
146,7
40,158
80,320
01
47,
90,244
9.925
47,15

Scctioii, B Stateiiieiit of assets and liabilities at tlic eiid of tlie perioil
Unr••th¢t•d
nd•
C￿60011•5
BI Cmh fund•
17
Tol•l 6Y•h
08ts119
PiiitNwn•
I￿Tr

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examinerfs
report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the tru8tsesl
members of
MIDDLE EAST REFORMED FELLOWSHIP (ENGLAND & WALES)
On accounts for the year
ended
31 De￿mber 2023
Charity no
(if any)
1044672
Set out on pages
Annual Report, Receipts and Payments Account pages 1 to 8
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 3111212023.
Responsibllities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the weparation
basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 nhe Acr).
I report in resped of my examinatlon of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in canying out my examination. I
have followed the applicable Diredions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have
come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me
cause to believe that in, any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of
the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
Independent
examiner's statement
I have no COn￿mS and have come across no other matters in connection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order lo enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Date:
1511212024
Name:
A C Wright
Relovant professlonal
quallficatlon(s) or body
(rf any):
FMAAT
Address:
Unit 4 Green Fami, Fritwell, Bicesler OX27 7QU
IER
October 2018