## **LIFEWELL CHURCH**
**______________________________**
**REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
**_____________________________________**
**C Management Services 69 Velindre Road Whitchurch Cardiff CF14 2TF**
## **LIFEWELL CHURCH**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 CHARITY INFORMATION**
**Trustees:** Michael Ellens Simon Moores Christopher Screen Brian Farr Ruth James **Charitable position:** Registered Charity number 1072721 Registered on 2/12/98 **Governing Document:** Constitution last amended 22/9/13 **Address for correspondence:** Lifewell Church Pentremalwed Road Morriston Swansea SA6 7BP **Independent Examiner:** Paul Burnell ACMI C Management Services 69 Velindre Road CARDIFF CF14 2TF **Bankers:** Barclays Bank 70 The Kingsway Swansea SA1 5JB
||**CONTENTS**||
|---|---|---|
|||Page|
|Charity Information||2|
|Trustees Report||3-5|
|Independent Examiners Report||6|
|Statement of Financial Activities||7|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities||8|
|Notes to the Accounts||9|
2
## **LIFEWELL CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the period ended 31st December 2023
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
At Lifewell church we are committed to serving God and our community, to make a difference through experiencing & sharing the love of God.
This is made possible through the
- - Grace and Power of God.
- - Team at Lifewell church.
- - Support of members and friends.
- - Various organisations and networks.
- - Lifewell Church Governing documents, Specifically God’s Word (The Bible), Constitution and policies.
Lifewell Church is led by the Church Council which consists of the Senior Minister (Pastor) & Church Officers/Trustees, who direct, oversee and manage the ministries, property, funds and activities at Lifewell Church ensuring that what we do is done within Biblical and Legal guidelines and good practice.
Lifewell Church is part of the Assemblies of God network of churches and is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.
## **Objectives**
Our chief objective is to be the church that God wants us to be and that our world needs us to be, which is described in our constitution as follows :-
1 - To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement (AOG statement of faith) in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church council from time to time may think fit.
2 - To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church council from time to time may think fit.
3 - To advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the church council from time to time may think fit.
## **Achievements and Activities**
Since 1923 Lifewell Church (Previously known as Pentremalwed Church), has consistently sought to serve God and the local community, through Church services,
3
children’s and youth events and charity fundraisers, all to serve our community and to help people connect with God as the people and community that God created us to be.
We started 2023 with our vision verse for the year being ‘This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Psalm 118:24 NIV). We are mindful of certain challenges ahead but, believing for New Life & Laughter as we celebrated our 100[th] year.
We had a great year celebrating our 100[th] Anniversary, despite the cost of living, the church health challenge and a cancer journey with our Pastor’s wife. It was amazing to know God was with us through it all as we journeyed together.
The foundations of our connecting continue through our Sunday services, Tuesday Lifegroup and R-Gen groups, and we have seen an increase in attendance of all three services throughout 2023.
The year has been full of special events to celebrate the New year, Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, summer social events, Harvest, Light party and Christmas. Our Christmas special, ‘Shepherd’s invitation’, was one of our best Christmas services with a great attendance.
One of the highlights was the baptism service of two of our young people, which was of great encouragement and blessing.
Then, in terms of giving, we have continued to give to missions, giving monthly to support different Christian organisations throughout the year. In addition, our special offerings allowed us to give in response to the turkey Syria Appeal and the Bible Lands Appeal, helping Jews and Palestinians through the Bible Society.
God’s Word continually nourishes our souls making us into the men and women that God wants us to be.
So, we are looking forward to what God has in store. He is speaking and shaping things for the next chapter.
We would also like to say a big thank you to all who have journeyed with us, supporting and giving throughout the year.
## **Performance and goals**
Our overarching goal is ‘TO BE A PLACE OF REFRESHING WHERE ALL CAN
EXPERIENCE, ENJOY & SHARE The LIFE & LOVE found in JESUS!!! For JESUS SAID “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life”. John 4:14 [NIV]
We want to be a growing family of passionate disciples of Christ and a real and relevant expression of God’s church who love God, love life, love others and live worship. We want to reach the lost one person at a time, through teaching and learning, prayer, worship, fellowship, service, and outreach as individuals, small groups, and as a congregation (Church).
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We want to build the future in the here and now and see people:>Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose & Make a Difference. >Transformed by the love of God >Grow in Relationship with God & Others >Discipled to follow Jesus into Action
## **Financial Review**
All funds and property received and administered by Lifewell Church are entrusted to us by God, through the faithful financial support of Lifewell members and friends. Responsibility for the stewardship and use of funds and property rests with the team of trustees. The trustees oversee and manage Lifewell Church finances through the following practices:-
- - finance policies in place
- - monthly reports
- - quarterly reviews and
- - annual independent examination of accounts
## **Risk Management**
We recognise that working in an ever-changing social climate of society, there are risks. Situations may arise that could threaten and even halt our future ability to function as a church/charity and therefore affect our ability to meet the needs of beneficiaries. In view of both our Christian responsibility and compliance with Charity Law, it is important that we understand, limit and manage the risks that we could encounter as we undertake various activities including discipleship, mission and evangelism.
The Trustees are responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing the risks that Lifewell Church could face, in all areas including, finance, governance, operation and reputation. The Trustees annually allocate time to identify, record and review the risks that we could encounter. They also consider any risks in association with new ventures, activities or opportunities. A Risk Management policy and Assessment along with other policies and documents as deemed beneficial to mitigate identified risks with regards to (for example) :-
- the charity's objectives, mission and strategy.
- the nature and scale of the charity's activities.
- external factors that might affect the charity such as legislation and regulation.
- the charity's reputation with it’s major funders and supporters.
- governance.
- law and regulation compliance risk including new legislation and requirements.
Paul Burnell was appointed as our Independent Examiner for this year’s accounts.
Signature: Date: 2nd October 2024
Name: Christopher Screen Position: Pastor and Trustee
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## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **LIFEWELL CHURCH**
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the period ended 31[st] December 2023, which are set out on pages 8 to 10.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and 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 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities 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 material matters have come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## Paul Burnell
Paul Burnell ACMI
For and on behalf of:
C Management Services (trading name of C Mgmnt Services Ltd) 69 Velindre Road
Cardiff CF14 2TF
Date: 2[nd] October 2024
6
## **LIFEWELL CHURCH**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023**
|Note
**RECEIPTS**
_Receipts from generated funds_
2
_Receipts from charitable_
_activities_
3
_Other receipts_
4
Interest received
Total Receipts
**PAYMENTS**
Charitable activities
5
Governance costs
Total payments
**Net Receipts/(Payments)**
Transfers between funds
Fund balances at 1stJanuary
2023
Fund balances at 31st
December 2023|Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
Funds
2023
£
Total
Funds
2022
£
26,938
-
26,938
26,403
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
175
-
175
17|
|---|---|
||27,113
-
27,113
26,420|
||29,395
-
29,395
27,192
-
-
-
-|
||29,395
-
29,395
27,192|
||(2,282)
-
(2,282)
(772)
-
-
-
-
22,675
-
22,675
23,447|
||20,393
-
20,393
22,675|
The notes on page 10 form part of these accounts.
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## **LIFEWELL CHURCH**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
|**1. Fixed Assets**
The value of assets owned are:
Buildings
Equipment
**2. Bank & Cash Balances**
Cash at bank and in hand
**3. Other Assets and Liabilities**
_Assets_
Gift aid tax recovery not yet received
_Liabilities_
Unbilled fee for Independent Examination|Insurance value
2023 2022
£ £
1,000,370 893,187
37,884 33,825
1,038,254
927,012
2023 2022
£ £
20,393 22,675
20,393 22,675
2023 2022
£ £
3,951 2,173
150
150|
|---|---|
The accounts were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf on 2[nd] October 2024 by Christopher Screen
Signature:
The notes on page 10 form part of these accounts.
8
## **LIFEWELL CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023**
## **1. Accounting Policies**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis with a statement of assets and liabilities
|**2. Voluntary receipts**
Gift Aid Donations
Other donations
Gift Aid reclaimed
_3. Receipts from charitable activities_
Conferences and events
**4. Other Receipts**
Grant received
Other sundry receipts
**5. Charitable activities**
**a. Direct Charitable Costs**
Salaries & staff expenses
Speaker expenses
Mission giving
Ministry expenses
**b. Support and Administration**
Premises expenses
Hospitality & subscriptions
Insurance
Admin|Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
2023
£
Total
2022
£
15,803
6,836
4,299
-
-
-
15,803
6,836
4,299
14,835
7,547
4,021|
|---|---|
||26,938
-
26,938
26,403|
||-
-
-
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
2023
£
Total
2022
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
||-
-
-
-|
||Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
2023
£
Total
2022
£
20,226
50
1,900
622
-
-
-
-
20,226
50
1,900
622
19,046
100
2,300
255|
||22,798
-
22,798
21,701|
||3,074
-
3,074
2,428
2,626
-
2,626
2,263
897
-
897
800
-
-
-
-|
||6,597
-
6,597
5,491|
## **6. Staff and Trustees**
The charity has one full-time employed members of staff, Chris Screen, who is paid in his capacity as the Pastor of the church and he is also a Trustee. Its activities are generally carried out by volunteers. No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
No remuneration or trustee expenses were paid to any other trustee during the year, nor to any person connected to them.
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