Middle East Reformed Fellowship (England & Wales) 103 Merewood Avenue, Oxford, OX3 8EQ Registered Charity No: 1044672 ANNUAL REPORT 2024 Trustees: Dr. lain Wright, Orland Park (Hon. Chairman) Rev. Douglas Mccallum, Cambridge Mr. David Umpleby, Banbury Rev. Stephen Dancer, Solihull (Till 24 Nov 2024> Mr. John Mcclean, Antrim We are saddened to report the death of Rev Stephen Dancer and mourn his loss. He sepded as a Trustee from August 2022. Support Committee Members: Rev. Timothy Burden 15 employed by MERF {England/Walesl. He is a member of the Committee of Management of MERF and is full-tirne 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 supporting Christians in their service of Christ and 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 pastors and evangelists, evangelism, church planting, and the distribution of aid through the agency of indigenous churches. Our relationship with the Middle East Reformed Fellowship (our partner): Our partnership with MERF is 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 Standards {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 Standard5 on Auditing (ISAS). Operatlng Policy: 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 verifying end use of charitable funds: Robust mechanisms of management and a close working relationship between MERF (England/Walesl 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. Income: The total income for the work from churches and individuals in 2024 declined compared to income for 2023 by approximately 5%. Reserves Policy: MERF England/Wales is a grant-making charity and the bulk of income is submitted to MERF International Headquarters in Cyprus. Grant funds are transmitted to the bank account of MERF International when requested. At each submission a minimum of £40,000 is retained in the MERF England/Wales bank account to cover operating costs for a year. Operating costs encompa55 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 2,500 recipients in England, Wales and Scotland. The work of MERF is also promoted at meetings at supporting churches and conferences, and through the MERF {England/Walesl website {merf.org.uk). Statement of Public Benefit: MERF IEngland/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 language5, 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 missionarie5. However, in Muslim countries Christians are a minority grouping and, in some countries. they face severe repression and persecution. MERF works to strengthen their faith, build up their confidence to evangelise, and equip them to disciple new believers; and, as 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 possible. 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'S training centres that provide both language and theological training for Christian pastors and evangelists, a150 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 Educatlon.. MERF supports the education of more than 2750 children through the Nasim Memorial Calvin Academies in Pakistan, and funds a scholarship programme forTurkana children in Kenya. A number of the Bible-training centres also provide education in additional disciplines. 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 anirnal 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-sufficiency. 3. The Prevention or Relief 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. Kenya- 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 Sudan- 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 hospital; and supports two clinics in Lahore, Pakistan.
CURREMf 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. - Arnbic Media Ministry.. The Arabic Media Ministry bring5 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 file5 of Sunday School materials and numerous Christian e-books. Our partner churches in Egypt provide more than 50% of the Arabic Media costs. - Farsi Medio Ministry.. The Farsi Media Ministry reaches mi1Sions of Farsi-speaking people in Iran, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan; however, as it Is an internet service this ministry has a global reach. The ministry operates two websites: Rodio Shadkomi and Radio R05hdino. 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 Broadcasting.. 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); Amazight (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Niger, Mauritania) Bahasa, Javanese, Sundanese, Toraja, Bugis and Makassarese {Indonesia); and, Urdu {Pakistan). Bible Training Ministry: Bible-training is conducted at centres in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sulawesi, Java, Pakistan, Beirut and Egypt. MERF IEngland/Wales} continues to be directly involved in the bible-training work based at Lokichoggio, Kenya; and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Rev. rim Burden (employed by M ERF England/Walesl has overall responsibility for the Bible-training programme 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 producer5. Additional Field Ministries: Kenya - The international church at the training centre compound continues to grow and now ha5 hundreds 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 compound 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 I5,0 congregations. MERF supports poor pastors and evangelists. Millions of people have been displaced by the civil war (political/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 5UPPOrting 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-5cale destruction of crops and herds. Insecurities prevent farmin& 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 15 taught in two languages (Amharic and Oromo) and 15 directed at pastors and evangelists of existing churche5. 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 40% 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 & Malong 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 traurna-healing centre set-up at Palau to support survivors the 2019 tsunami continues its work, but has 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. Jova Work has continued to transfer the terrestrial broadcasting (in Javanese and Sundanese) to web-based radio broadcastin& allowing the senlce 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 centres continue to serve the churches, providing online instruction for church leaders and evangelists and, training Sunday School teachers and children's workers.
Paklstan- Through the MERF partnership with the "Bible-believlng Church of Lahore", MERF supports tralning at their seminary which provides tralnin8 for pastors and church workers. These pa5tor5 and workers a Involved in church-planting projects and runnlng numerous literacy centres. - There are four Nasim Memorial Calvin High Schools teaching more than 2750 chlldren: two cllnlcs; and several sewing centres where women are taught skills to enable them to be self-sUPPOrting. Lebanon - Working with the Lebanon Reformed Fellowship, MERF has been teaching and tralninE many Kurdish and Druze people who have professed faith in Jesu5 Christ and fornied churches In Lebanon. Many Muslims have been attending services. Dlaconal aid ha5 been used to relieve the suffering of refugees. to provide PTSD counselling to refugees. and to a55i5t their retum to their horneland following the cessation of hostllltles. Moro¢¢o- A new field has opened up in Morocco with a team of Christians entirely composed of former Muslims. Presently the tearn is concentratlng upon the productlon of prograrnmes in Amazight. the language of Berber people livin8 in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia. Libya, Egypt, Mall, Niger, and Mauritania. This ministry operates via social media platform {eg. Facebook). Per50nalized follow- up of listeners respondin8 to the broadcasts is provided by means of Skype, correspondence and literature which is prodUd Sn Moroccan Arabic and Arnazight. -The Heidelberg Catechism translation project continue5 and is made available online as a pdf. Iraq-The Gulf Wars and the subsequent insurgency led to the destruction of five of the slx churches MERF partnered with in Iraq. The remaining church is only 10% Its fomier strength. The Arabic media ministry is effectlve In encouraging the Christians remalnln8 in Iraq. Con¢ludlng remarks: The Trustees are plea*d wlth what has been achieved this year. We acknowledge with thankfulness the success of stated aims of the Fellowship in its numerous ministries, and the way in whlch these have been sustained. We are grateful to be able to continue playing an active role In the organization and extension of the trainlng programmes through the support of key workers, and that prornotional materials developed for Use in England and Wales have proved 50 Useful in the promotional work of other national sUPPOrt committees. We give thanks to God for the on-going generosity of Christian people in England and Wales who have faithfully sUPPOrted our work. and for the willingness of friends to serve in support of gospel mlnlstry in Muslim lands. Auth0ri5ed Signatorles: Dr lain WrSEht {Chaimion of Trustee5) Mr David Umplebv ITru5tee)
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLIND AND WALES Middle East Wormed Fellowship IEngland & Wales) 11)44672 Recei ts and a ments accounts CC16a For the perlod from 0110112024 3111212024 To Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest to tho nearest£ tothe nearest £ lo thè nr•st £ to t nearest £ A1 Recei Donati£$.. Genervl Fund$ lincl tèx 81Ml Donalion5.' Diatonal learthquakesl Donal1$". Dl8conal lotherl Dtsnalions.. &"Nic41 Trainir¥J Donallons.. Broadcastry Oonation5.' Natn41 Evangelists Donalions.. LiteralLre- Ta)zanl8 162,367 162,367 157 225 18,838 1,157 6.451 5.340 300 260 6,451 610 ss incofne or AR) 162,367 11412 174,779 183,488 an nves men sa es, tota 74,779 3,488 A3 Pa ments Grant6- General grfl Grants- Ok9conal LebarK Gr8frt5- Oia(x)nal Seuth Grarts- Diaconal Pakis Gr8nis- OJacoTral Earfhquskes CTants- Dcoral other Grarts- Bi11 Training Gr3frts- Broadc&sting & Evangelism Lrterai¢Jre- T802arsra Ini'l Bible Tra1n9- siartosts kKludkngtra¥el Cyptu$ ministry Insurance 80.000 50,0 300 260 15 15.448 691 5,856 870 3,388 5,894 4.240 650 124 124 51,031 828 670 897 6,865 154,845 51.031 826 670 897 6,665 140,089 56.323 1,132 711 2,781 6,116 140,402 Promotion Running cosls Sub total 14558 A4 As8et and investment Sub total Total payments 140,089 14.556 154,645 140,402 Net of receipts/(payments) AS Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 22.278 2.144 20,134 43.08 9,925 7.780 90.244 110,378 47,159 90,244 102,59
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period IjMe5tr1G1 R¢BtrIGt¢d Detslls fub¥l8 n••r••t Endirnmfiii Categorie¥ 7A27 95,154 Total cash funds lo18 7.780 (sll Detalls l• nnr••t£ to wro•t£ Pfytalls lopuor Detalls Fund du• DetalS8 Print Name DoI rf th• trustr Dr laln Wr*ht Mrowkl ilrnpi•by
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Independent Examiner's Report J, Report to the trusteesl members of MIDDLE EAST REFORMED FELLOWSHIP (ENGLAND & WALES) On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charity no (rf any) 1044672 Set out on pages Annual Report, Receipts and Payments Account pages 1 to 8 I report to the trustses on my examinatlon of the accounts of the abova charity (Ihe Trusf} for the year ended 3111212024. Responsiblllties and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are r65ponslble for the preparation basls of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acl.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examlnation. I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attenllon in connection with the examination which gtves me cause to believe thal in, any material resFect.' accA)unting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examinerfs statement I have no concems and have como across no other matters in connectlon with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 2511012025 Name: A C Wright Relevant professional qualiflcation(s) or body (if any): FMAAT Address: Unit 4 Green Farm, Fritwell, BiGester OX27 7QU IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern {see CC32, Independent examination of charty accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brlef detslls of any items that the examiner wlshe$ to disclose. IER October 2018