## The Gateway Church @ Leek Trustees Report 

## Year ending 31 December 2023 

The Gateway Church @ Leek: Registered charity No. 1052556 (In fellowship with the Assemblies of God) 

Charity objects: 

- i. The advancement of the Christian religion by the proclamation and furtherance of the gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ the Lord and the preaching and teaching of the word of God by the church in accordance with the statement of fundamental truths of the Assemblies of God in Great Britain and Ireland as approved by the general council from time to time (the statement). 

- ii. Such other charitable purposes as shall further the attainment of the above objects of the church or any of them. 

- iii. The furtherance of the other charitable work of the church consistently with the statement. 

- iv. The furtherance of the work of Assemblies of God in Great Britain and Ireland and the promotion of the spiritual teaching and the maintenance of the statement and promotion of religious observances that manifest the statement. 

Over the last year the church has sort to fulfil the objects in the following ways: - 

In 2023 we also had a conference that celebrated 92 years as a church in Leek. Through our ongoing connection with Arena Church Ilkeston, we were able to have Kristian Thorpe from that church as well as Dek Dudfield who is the AOG zone leader, from Excel Church, Bilston, Mark Sherratt lead pastor at Milton Keynes Christian Centre and Mark Birch-Machin from Speakers of Life prophetic network. 

The church meets Once on a Sunday at 10.30am where we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and teach the word of God to all who attend. At the morning service we also give every opportunity to all who come along to worship and take communion together as a community of believers. We have a membership of 42 adults with about 65 people who regularly attend church. 

This year we, again, did a Sunday morning family/all age service on a Sunday morning. We ran 3 of these events run by the various children’s ministry teams in the church. 

2023 saw us launch an event called “What’s the Story?” This is an event aimed at bringing the good news of Jesus Christ through music, personal stories and teaching in an informal setting that is open to everyone in the community. 

We have a ministry team of 8 members who discuss & agree upon the teaching themes for each month and a number of people within our fellowship who take responsibility for teaching and preaching, and we also had input from regular visiting speakers as well as a visit from the missions organisations Open Doors and Wycliffe Bible Translators. 

On a Tuesday evening we hold our church bible study/prayer meeting where we come together to pray for any church, local community and global needs and we also go deeper into learning from the bible. Also, all our members are encouraged to attend our fortnightly Connect groups which take place in host houses and the church café and are a place for pastoral care and mutual spiritual growth. 



## The Gateway Church @ Leek Trustees Report 

## Year ending 31 December 2023 

On the first Saturday morning of every month we have a men's breakfast where we seek to grow together in our faith & practice of Christianity. We also have a separate monthly ladies breakfast for the same reasons. The ladies also have quarterly coffee mornings for fellowship & instruction from the scriptures. 

Throughout the week we open the church to provide activities and services for the community. The church runs a mother and toddler groups on a Wednesday morning that is open to all and has an attendance of approximately 35 toddlers plus parents/guardians, and on a Friday evening we provide two children's clubs that are open to all young people between the ages of 4 - 8 years and 9- 13 years. At these groups we promote a safe environment where young people can grow and learn together in appropriate year groups. The activities at these clubs are designed to promote mutual respect, teamwork and our personal worth and value to God and we also promote and teach the word of God relevantly by various means and overall approximately 50 young people attend.  All our children's & youth workers are DBS checked. 

We have developed a close relationship with our umbrella organisation at the Assemblies of God in the form of local area ministers’ meetings, Zone meetings, area and national events. Additional to this we are in a partnership for leadership development with a larger church in Ilkeston. Through this partnership we attend 3 in person events per year. 

We baptised 2 people into the faith and have had a number of new people attending church as well as new members. 

We support several missionary activities around the world and in the UK. We again had a visit in the year from the organisation "Open Doors" that seeks to raise awareness of the plight of Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. They spoke to us about this and encouraged us to support the persecuted church in prayer and through other practical means. We have a visit once a year and also in "in-house" presentation on the work of "Open Doors" presented by all members' from our missions’ department 6 months after their visit. 

Other notable events were the church leading a local Christian service in the town square called “Club Day”. 

Quiz nights and church walks were added to the life of the fellowship too, as well as other family events. 

The Church contributes to Christian mission overseas supporting a variety of organisations, individuals and work in such places as Eastern Europe, Brazil, Israel, Pakistan, Asia, Russia, Africa, and Peru. These works all include the advancement of the Christian faith as well as providing relief work against poverty and disaster, Education, care of orphans, building homes and community facilities and information services. 

Over the last year we have continued to make our building available for the furtherance of the local Foodbank and they use a few rooms in our building as their warehouse and distribution centre. This Foodbank is run under the umbrella of The Trussell Trust and has continually served needy people in 



## **Profit and Loss** 

The Gateway Church For the year ended 31 December 2023 

## **Balance Sheet** 

The Gateway Church As at 31 December 2023 

## **Funds Analysis** 

The Gateway Church As at 31 December 2023 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Account 2022 Account 31-Dec-23<br>Turnover<br>Designated income - Little Treasures 497.50 Fixed Assets Building Fund 915.22<br>Designated income - Missions 8,504.60 Tangible Assets Church 14,457.37<br>Gift Aid 10,554.11 Buildings - West Street Property 250,000.00 Coffee Bar 430.62<br>Interest Income 105.95 Computer Equipment 4,506.17 Creche 1.53<br>Other Revenue 2,190.86 Contents 77,451.85 Emergency Need Fund 246.00<br>Tithes and offerings 54,524.41 Less Accumulated Depreciation on Computer Equipment -            3,336.86 Gateway Kids -         273.65<br>Total Turnover 76,377.43 Less Accumulated Depreciation on Contents -          67,745.05 Lion Club -         267.69<br>Less Accumulated Depreciation on Plant and Machinery -               206.40 Little Treasures -           91.17<br>Cost of Sales Plant & Machinery 2,175.57 Missions - C Felix 61.00<br>Direct Expenses 2,998.78 Total Tangible Assets 262,845.28 Missions - Emericks 30.00<br>Direct Wages 15,448.20 Total Fixed Assets 262,845.28 Missions - Feba -<br>Visiting preachers 2,300.00 Missions - General 3,420.45<br>Total Cost of Sales 20,746.98 Current Assets Missions - J & C 80.00<br>Cash at bank and in hand Missions - J & PG -<br>Gross Profit 55,630.45 Cash 982.17 Missions - L/Russia -<br>Current Account 17,919.54 Missions - Open Doors 636.00<br>Administrative Costs Reserve Deposit Account 11,235.71 Missions - Sat 7 -<br>Advertising & Marketing 937.94 Total Cash at bank and in hand 30,137.42 Missions - Christmas 430.00<br>Audit & Accountancy fees 1,421.20 Accounts Receivable 0.00 Missions - B Wilson 50.00<br>Cleaning 2,556.34 Total Current Assets 30,137.42 Reserves 10,000.00<br>Consulting 175.00 Restricted funds -<br>Depreciation Expense Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Room Hire -<br>Missions 7,476.00 Accounts Payable 2,615.33 Source 28.91<br>Food and drink 1,905.92 PAYE Payable 443.12 Zone -         173.18<br>General Expenses Pensions Payable 52.15<br>Insurance 2,613.96 Rounding -             0.07<br>IT Software and Consumables 307.45 Wages Payable - Payroll 0.20 Total 29,981.41<br>Legal Expenses 803.88 Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 3,110.73<br>Light, Power, Heating 14,054.10<br>Postage 9.10 Net Current Assets (Liabilities) 27,026.69<br>Printing & Stationery 101.98<br>Water Rates 935.76 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 289,871.97<br>Repairs & Maintenance 41,861.60<br>Staff training 774.49 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year<br>Subscriptions 2,177.00 Loan (10.00)<br>Telephone & Internet 401.91 Total Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (10.00)<br>Travel - National 705.44<br>Total Administrative Costs 79,219.07 Net Assets 289,881.97<br>Operating Profit (23,588.62) Capital and Reserves<br>Current Year Earnings -          23,588.62<br>Retained Earnings 313,470.59<br>Total Capital and Reserves 289,881.97<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Members/Trustees of The Gateway Church, Leek, Staffordshire.** 

I report on the accounts for the period ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages …… to …… 

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Independent Examiner - 

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 

It is my responsibility to: 

- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; 

- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and 

- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. 

## **Basis of independent examiner’s report** 

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. 

## **Independent examiner’s statement** 

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: 

- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and 

- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act 

have not been met; or 

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

**Signed:** J Alexander **Name: John Alexander ACMA CGMA Address: 12, Cosby Drive, East Leake, Loughborough, LE12 6AD Date: 03 March 2024** 

