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← Greater Life Trust Foundation

2023-12-31-accounts

Registered number 5189539

Greater Life Trust Foundation

Trustees Report and Unaudited Accounts

31 December 2023

Greater Life Trust Foundation Report and accounts Contents

Page
Company information 1
Trustees Report 2
Accountants' report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance sheet 9
Notes to the accounts 10

GREATER LIFE TRUST FOUNDATION

Legal and Administrative Information

Trustees Owen Aghedo
Raymonde Lucille Payet
Paul William van Essen
Administrator Mrs C van Essen
Secretary Mrs C van Essen
Charity number 1106280
Company number 5189539
Principal address 20 Windsor Street
Chertsey
Surrey
KT16 8AS
Registered office 20 Windsor Street
Chertsey
Surrey
KT16 8AS
Independent Examiner Sheila Barnes
Sheila Barnes Accountancy Services
Maple Cottage
Forest Road
Onehouse
Stowmarket, Suffolk
IP14 3ER

1

Greater Life Trust Foundation Registered number: 5189539 Trustees Report For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the twelve months ended 31 December 2023.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, the Statement of Recommended Practice FRS102, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Charities Act 2011 (Accounts and Audit) Order 2015.

Structure, Governance & Management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee established under a Memorandum and Articles of Association, incorporated on 26 July 2004 as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. The trust was registered with the Charity Commission on 12 October 2004.

Trustees

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:

Owen Aghedo Raymonde Lucille Payet Paul William van Essen

The Board of Trustees, which is currently made up of three members administers the Charity. The Board shall consist of such individuals who, in the opinion of the existing Trustees are interested in and committed to the aims and objectives of the charity. Other considerations for appointment of new Trustees includes their standing in the Church, their interest and willingness to be involved in the local community, and their particular skill sets and their experience.

All new Trustees shall be approved by the existing Trustees before taking their role as a new Trustee/member. A person may terminate his or her membership of the Company by giving to the Secretary of the company notice in writing to that effect in such form as Trustees shall require.

None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £100 in the event of a winding up.

New Trustees receive a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, history of the trust, information on the recent financial report of the charity and copies of the Minutes of the last 12 months with access to any previous Minutes that they request. New Trustees are supplied with the Charity Commission's guidance 'The Essential Trustee:: What you need to know' and 'Charities and Public Benefit' and are encouraged to visit the Charity Commission's website for information and to attend external training events.

Trustees are appointed annually for a 12-month term from January to December, but they can serve for multiple years.

The board is mindful of the Commission's guidance as it relates to public benefit, and meets a minimum of four times per year, and more often as may be necessary, to agree the general strategy, areas covering development, activity and performance as well as the policies of the charity. The General Manager appointed by the Trustees is delegated to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity and a finance administrator has been appointed to administer accounts payable and receivable on a day-to-day basis.

2

The Trustees are mindful of their duty to assess the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and must be satisfied that systems are in place to provide reasonable assurance against major risks.

Objectives and Activities

The charity's main objectives are:

a) The advancement of Christianity in Greater London and elsewhere by any lawful means or medium that is or becomes available in accordance with the provision of clause 10 of its memorandum.

b) To relieve poverty and help those who are in need because of sickness or age or some other reason.

c) To advance education both general and vocational for children or adults but always within the principles of the Christian faith.

d) To promote such other charitable objects as the Trustees shall from time to time consider appropriate.

The Charity’s primary expression in achieving these goals is through the ministry, service and the lives of the individual people that comprise the family and community of Greater Life Church. The Trustees are committed to affecting positive change within the community and to encourage as many people as possible to engage in worship, teaching and to experience life-changing environment and relationships within the Greater Life Church community. They are intentional in embracing, empowering and blessing all people in the communities we impact regardless of their personal position of faith.

The achievement of advancement of Christianity comes through a number of channels:

  1. Regular weekly services where the Christian faith and the practical outworking of that faith are clearly taught, along with worship, children’s care and education, social time together and prayer for the needs of people. These meetings are open to all. The usual meeting time is 10:30am on Sundays. This year we baptised seven members of our congregation and 15 in Pakistan.

  2. We hold various other meetings and gatherings including:

  3. Weekly prayer meetings in Staines or in Chertsey.

  4. Barbeques or social gatherings which is an opportunity to eat together and invite family and friends.

  5. Bible Training College taken by Paul van Essen, continued weekly on Thursday evenings in Chertsey and Monday evenings at Faith Church Wales. This will continue into 2024 and beyond.

  6. Regular training meetings for those that are a part of the ‘leadership team’ to equip people to grow in their love for God, for people, their leadership skills and strategising together for the achievements of the goals.

  7. the Mighty Throng, a women’s group, to keep relationships prospering and encouraging all to proclaim God’s message.

  8. regular Saturday Seminars covering various topics including Spiritual Gifts, relationships and Personal Growth. Paul van Essen and Larry Gentis held regular specialist Seminars on Zoom, focussing on building strong relationships. Larry is an author, minister and part of the church based in Scotland.

  9. ‘Saturday Outreach’ continued involving some members going into Staines on a monthly basis to share the gospel and pray for people, as were visits to Meadowside, a retirement home for the elderly.

3

Additionally, the church leader and team are involved every day in the personal pastoral care of people by telephone, visits when possible, cards, email or other means

A volunteer culture is an important part of advancing this cause also. Every week 15-20 people give varying amounts of time and energy in the areas of adult and child education, youth activities, community aid, worship, music and sound, and the organisation and running of our weekly services. We estimate that a total of 30-40 voluntary hours per week are given.

Other objectives are :

Achievements and Performance

This has been a very significant year for the Charity, and we have again experienced some excellent success in this period. We have initiated a number of real and positive changes.

Paul and Caroline continued to hold Sunday services, prayer meetings and BTC in their home, which the Trustees and the church at large are thankful for.

4

The Trustees once again wish to acknowledge the sacrificial lifestyle exhibited by both Paul and Caroline. For much of this year that Paul voluntarily offered to maintain his salary at the very low rate of £6,000pa. Despite a few significant givers having moved or withdrawn their previous level of support the Trustees decided to keep PvE at 6k and trust God for the provision needed in the coming months. The Trustees are miindful that when the financial situation improves both Paul and Caroline's salaries will be adjusted and compensated.

The Trustees note that Paul’s ministry influence has grown and matured in accordance with the purpose of God. They now see him as an apostolic minister and leader with responsibilities not only to oversee GLC Staines & Surrey, but also Faisalabad, Lahore and Scotland, and with significant influence in Faith Church Wales (FCW) and also in New Life Church Dieppe as well as being Trustee and Elder at FCW, plus the running of two Bible Colleges and also being the Vice Chairman of Churches together in Spelthorne, (job description is accordingly adjusted). As a result, they consider his real value is in excess of £70,000.

Caroline also worked consistently in excess of her hours. These exemplary sacrifices enabled the charity to improve their financial standing overall and to continue to use available funds to support the work of the mission. The Trustees appreciate and honour her stance of faith and service.

Financial Review

The major source of finance for the charity is giving. The Trustees would like to thank and acknowledge those who provided the donations and grants during the year. It must again be noted that without this support, the quality services provided by the team and volunteers of the Charity would not have been possible

In the period the Trust generated a total of £76,136 from the weekly services and the various additional donations, which was a little over the previous 12-month period despite some members moving out of the area so ceasing to give, and other members taking lower paid jobs or retiring. Grants to institutions increased from £11,856 (2022) to £18,016. We continued to support GLC Pakistan, preaching donations for visiting ministers Bethel Leadership Network to facilitate meaningful ministry relationships in the UK and greater involvement with Wave Church, Virginia Beach. We officially disconnected with Acts in August 2023 with no bad feeling nor issues of concern.

Special gifts were received for Lachlan Shankland from WAVE CHURCH. These were initiated by Ps Steve Kelly and his team in view of the notable difficulty and financial needs for Caroline, Paul and family.

The finances remain limited and the balance between the expenditure required to achieve the goals and the real income of the charity means all decisions were taken carefully.

The opening balance was -£985 (2022). At end of year the balance is now -£1,573. This is a decrease of approximately £600 which can largely be explained by givers leaving, a change in the building situation (see explanation below ), an increase in church activities and giving, plus Ministry trips to Pakistan and Australia.

As a result of church gatherings including Bible College, Sunday meetings, Leadership meetings and Prayer meetings being held in the van Essen’s home, the Trustees agree that as they are saving money by not renting a building, the use of the van Essen’s home for church purposes should remain at 40% of mortgage interest, utilities, and council tax.

In addition, significant increases in energy costs throughout the UK meant that standard utility rates were between double and triple from previous years and these account for a greater percentage of outgoings to building rental/costs. Grocery prices further increased during the year, which inflated spending on the church cafe and hospitality. However, it should be noted that income was an improvement on last year with a 4% increase in funds, continuing the upward trend.

5

The Trustees’ rationale is that they must do all they can to maintain the health and wholeness of their staff, within their capabilities, to enable the mission and work of the charity to continue in health and positive influence.

Plans for the future

After the consultation with the Senior Leader/Minister and the leadership team late last year, the proposed adjustments were enacted with a good degree of success. In short, the Trustees plan to continue to implement these ideas but with some further plans. Specifically:

The Charity also acknowledges the positive influence, support and friendship of other like-minded charities and churches. This includes WAVE CHURCH (Virginia Beach USA), BETHEL CHURCH/ BLN (Redding, California), C3 CHURCH NARARA NSW, AUSTRALIA, CHURCHES TOGETHER IN STAINES and FAITH CHURCH WALES.

The Trustees note that these connections have been helpful and a key part of a mutual empowering and we anticipate further growth and development in these networks in the next period with an expected result of steady increase in line with our goals and objectives.

On behalf of the board of Trustees

Paul William van Essen

Trustee

Dated: 20 September 2024

6

Greater Life Trust Foundation

Independent Examiner's Report

To the Trustees of Greater Life Trust Foundation

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2023, which are set out on pages 8 to 13.

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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (Accounts and Audit) Order 2015 and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiners 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 the requirements:

have not been met, or, to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Sheila Barnes Accountant

Maple Cottage Forest Road Onehouse Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 3ER

20 September 2024

7

Greater Life Trust Foundation

Statement of Financial Activities including Income and Expenditure Account For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Notes
Incoming and endowments from generated funds
Donations & legacies
1
Total incoming and endowments
Expenditure on
Costs of raising funds
3
Net income
Charitable activities
Church service, ministerial and pastoral costs
Support costs
Total Expenditure
2
Bank Interest Income
Net movement in funds
Fund balances at 1 January 2021
Fund balances at 31 December 2023		 2023
£
76,136
76,136
153
75,983
48,792
27,779
76,724
-
(588)
(985)
(1,573)		 2022
£
73,121
73,121
463
72,658
53,431
26,206
80,100
-
(6,979)
5,994
(985)

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

8

Greater Life Trust Foundation Registered number: 5189539 Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
11
Net current assets/ (liabilities)
Total assets less current
liabilities
Income funds
Unrestricted funds		 2023
£
631
1,241
1,460
2,701
(4,905)
(2,204)
(1,573)
(1,573)
(1,573)		 2022
£
498
2,916
1,862
4,778
(6,261)
(1,483)
(985)
(985)
(985)

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.

The accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The profit and loss account has not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

Paul William van Essen Trustee Approved by the board on 20 September 2024

9

GREATER LIFE TRUST FOUNDATION Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts.

The charity has an overdraft facility which is repayable on demand.

The nature of the charity's activities are such that there can be considerable unpredictable variation in the timing of cash inflows.

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is a small charity.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the second edition published October 2019 , the Companies Act 2006, and with the Charities act 2011.

Incoming resources

Donations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable, except insofar as they are incapable of financial measurement.

Resources expended

Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is an obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure (including the cost of generating funds) is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT, and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Charitable activities include both direct costs and support costs associated with the running of charitable programmes undertaken during the year.

Support costs (previously referred to as governance costs) include those incurred in the governance of the trust and its assets and are primarily asociated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at a rate calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life.

Fixtures, fittings & equipment 33% straight line basis

10

GREATER LIFE TRUST FOUNDATION Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

1
Donations and legacies
Donations and gifts
Unrestricted funds
2
Total resources expended
Staff Costs Depreciation
Other
Costs
Grant
Funding
£
£
£
£
Expenditure on raising funds
Costs of raising
donations and legacies
153
Charitable activities
Church service, ministerial & pastoral costs
Activities undertaken
directly
6,538
-
15,709
Grant funding of activities
-
-
-
18,016
Support costs
-
683
7,846
-
Total
6,538
683
23,555
18,016
Support costs
21,008
-
6,771
-
27,546
683
30,479
18,016		 2023
£
76,136
76,136
Total
2023

£
153
22,247
18,016
8,529
48,792
27,779
76,724		 2022
£
73,121
73,121
Total
2022
£
463
31,415
11,856
10,160
53,431
26,206
80,100

Support costs includes payments to the independent accountants of £750 (2022: £750) for their fees. 2023 accounts show a cost of £450; in 2021 and 2022 we accrued £900 but actual fees were £750 for each year.

3
Costs of raising donations & legacies
Advertising costs		 2023
£
153
153		 2022
£
463
463

11

GREATER LIFE TRUST FOUNDATION

Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

4
Activities undertaken directly
2023
£
Other costs relating to church service, ministerial & pastoral costs comprise:
Premises rental
684
Church running expenses & hospitality
2,089
Web fees & internet services
1,966
Clergy expenses
6,869
Education and training expenses
2,673
Pastoral expenses - youth/ children work
122
Leaders expenses - Training & hospitality
1,306
15,709
5
Grants payable
2023
£
Church service, ministerial & pastoral costs
18,016
Grants to institutions relating to church service, ministerial & pastoral costs comprise:
Acts Churches
-
Compassion UK
352
GLC Pakistan
8,766
Preaching donations
250
Bethel Leadership Network
582
Global Legacy
-
Wave Church
310
Community Outreach
261
Dieppe Church Building
-
Gifts to individuals
7,495
18,016
6
Support costs
2023
£
Rent rates & administrative expenses
7,846
Depreciation
683
8,529		 2022
£
351
2,526
2,378
8,478
5,302
30
2,222
21,287
2022
£
11,856
375
709
8,120
550
575
299
446
282
500
-
11,856
2022
£
7,707
2,453
10,160

7 Trustees

None of the Trustees received any remuneration during the year, except for Paul van Essen who was paid a salary of £6,538 including employer's National Insurance and Pension Contributions.

8 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Ministry of religion
Financial & administration		 2023
Number
1
1
2		 2022
Number
1
1
2

12

GREATER LIFE TRUST FOUNDATION

Notes to the Accounts

For the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Pension costs
No employees were paid annual remuneration of £60,000 or more.		 2023
£
26,323
1,223
27,546		 2022
£
27,969
1,075
29,044

The company provides a defined contribution "Workplace" pension scheme as is required by law. The pension provider is NEST.

9 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Depreciation charged
At 31 December 2023
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022
10 Debtors
Income tax recoverable
Employer's NICs to reclaim
Other debtors
11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Bank overdrafts
Creditors
Taxes and social security costs
Accruals		 2023
£
1,141
-
100
1,241
2023
£
278
1,836
500
2,291
4,905		 Fixtures,
fittings &
equipment
£
31,080
816
-
31,896
30,582
683
31,265
631
498
2022
£
2,220
596
100
2,916
2022
£
2,128
1,240
-
2,893
6,261

13