Registered number 5189539
Greater Life Trust Foundation
Trustees Report and Unaudited Accounts
31 December 2024
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 2024
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the twelve months ended 31 December 2024.
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.
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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 Chertsey & Surrey, surrounding area 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:
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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 three members of our congregation and a number in Pakistan.
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We hold various other meetings and gatherings including:
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Weekly prayer meetings in Staines or in Chertsey.
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Barbeques or social gatherings which is an opportunity to eat together and invite family and friends.
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Bible Training College led by Paul van Essen, continued weekly on Thursday evenings in Chertsey and Monday evenings at Faith Church Wales from September. It is anticipated to continue into 2025 and beyond.
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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.
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the Mighty Throng, a women’s group, to keep relationships prospering and encourage all to proclaim God’s message.
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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.
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‘Saturday Outreach’ continued involving some members reaching Staines every month, to share the gospel and pray for people, as well as visits to Meadowside, a retirement home for the elderly.
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involvement in Staines-upon-Thames Day where many volunteers help to offer free hand massages, balloons, and activities for children to meet and bless the local community. It is estimated that we reached 500 people on the day.
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This year, the charity began new initiatives in Chertsey, including leafleting and involvement at the Chertsey Black Cherry and Christmas Goose Fairs, where volunteers offered a variety of activities, including badge-making and ‘Free Hugs’ to engage with the local community. Feedback was extremely positive with both residents and local businesses.
The church leader and team provide personal pastoral care of people by telephone, visits, cards, email or other means.
A volunteer culture is an important part of advancing this cause. 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, hospitality, and the organisation and running of our weekly services. We estimate that a total of 50-60 voluntary hours per week are given.
Other objectives are :
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to relieve poverty and help those in need.
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to maintain a location with close access to the community in order to maximize impact and our ability to assist people as well as maximizing our community’s awareness of our work.
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to increase community awareness by use of Social Media, opportunities for cost-effective local signage, banners, flyers and engaging more proactively in a face-to-face manner with the community by way of regularly going into the community to personally meet with them and initiating positive relationships with other like-minded local charities and churches.
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to initiate relationships with local council and other local bodies to gain knowledge of the functioning of the local authorities in order to assist them in their work and to make them aware of ours.
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To continue our oversight and support of Greater Life Ministry in Faisalabad and Lahore, Pakistan, which brings teaching, pastoral care, hope, physical healing and practical living advice to several hundred people each year. Sadly, Sabastian Javed, the pastor in Faisalabad, died early this year, but we are pleased that his wife, Samina, has agreed to take his place and oversee the church and ministry there. George and Shazia John continue to lead GLM Lahore, and the charity now supports the education of 15 needy children in Lahore.
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we have continued support and oversight for Larry and Judy Gentis, in their mission to reach and help their local communities in KirkMichael, Blairgowrie and Pitlochry, Scotland.
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this year our food programme continued in Faisalabad to provide essential support for the poorest in its community, Christians and Muslims alike. Many of our congregation continue to pledge £25 per month to support a family in Pakistan enabling the charity to feed up to 10 families per month. We are pleased to report that we have received an average of £275.00 per month for the support of families in addition to the £300.00 per month general support for the ministry there.
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.
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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, but Paul increased to £12,000pa in September. The Trustees are mindful 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), as well as being Trustee and Elder at FCW, plus the running of two Bible Colleges and also being the Vice Chair 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, and although her salary is £40,000 prorata, the Trustees see her role as being worth £50,000. These exemplary sacrifices enabled the charity to improve its 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 £75,791 from the weekly services and the various additional donations, which was a little under the previous 12-month period. Grants to institutions decreased from £18,016 (2023) to £7,894. We continued to support GLC Pakistan, preaching donations for visiting ministers, and greater involvement with Wave Church, Virginia Beach.I
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 -£1,573 (2023). At end of year the balance is now -£35. This is an increase of approximately £1,500, despite Ministry trips to Wave Church in Virginia Beach, Global Revival (Christian Harfouche Ministries) in Pensacola, 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 approximately double that of 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 remained stable compared to 2023.
The Trustees’ rationale is that they must do all they can to maintain the health and wholeness of their staff and team, within their capabilities, to enable the mission and work of the charity to continue in health and positive influence.
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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:
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Continuing to find new ways to reach out with power, love and focus to as many new people as possible; training for this focus and services that renew this focus.
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To pro-actively reach, teach and empower young people primarily through Sunday youth meetings and other initiatives.
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Connecting with other larger groups of a similar spirit and mandate, especially in training and relationship, to enable us to be more effective.
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Careful financial planning and working towards seeing more financial support come in for the work we do.
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Expand influence of the Bible Training College.
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Increased focus on Chertsey.
The Charity also acknowledges the positive influence, support and friendship of other like-minded charities and churches. This includes WAVE CHURCH (Virginia Beach USA), C3 CHURCH (Narara NSW, Australia), CHURCHES TOGETHER IN SPELTHORNE, FAITH CHURCH NEWPORT & WALES, and CHRISTIAN HARFOUCHE MINISTRIES (Pensacola, Florida, USA).
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:
02 September 2025
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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 2024, 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:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (Accounts and Audit) Order 2015.
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
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and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
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:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and section 44 (1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act and section 44 (1)(b) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 8 of the 2008 Accounts Regulations
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
02 September 2025
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Greater Life Trust Foundation
Statement of Financial Activities including Income and Expenditure Account For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| 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 2024 Fund balances at 31 December 2024 |
2024 £ 75,791 75,791 1,268 74,523 45,986 26,999 74,253 - 1,538 (1,573) (35) |
2023 £ 76,136 76,136 153 75,983 48,792 27,779 76,724 - (588) (985) (1,573) |
|---|---|---|
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
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Greater Life Trust Foundation Registered number: 5189539 Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
| 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 |
2024 £ 761 4,310 2,485 6,795 (7,591) (796) (35) (35) (35) |
2023 £ 631 1,241 1,460 2,701 (4,905) (2,204) (1,573) (1,573) (1,573) |
|---|---|---|
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 2 September 2025
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GREATER LIFE TRUST FOUNDATION Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
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
| 1 Donations and legacies Donations and gifts Unrestricted funds |
2024 £ 75,791 75,791 |
2023 £ 76,136 76,136 |
|---|---|---|
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GREATER LIFE TRUST FOUNDATION Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
2 Total resources expended
| Staff Costs Depreciation Other Costs Grant Funding Total 2024 £ £ £ £ £ Expenditure on raising funds Costs of raising donations and legacies 1,268 1,268 Charitable activities Church service, ministerial & pastoral costs Activities undertaken directly 7,615 - 19,996 27,611 Grant funding of activities - - - 7,894 7,894 Support costs - 588 9,893 - 10,481 Total 7,615 588 29,889 7,894 45,986 Support costs 21,065 - 5,934 - 26,999 28,680 588 37,091 7,894 74,253 |
Total 2023 £ 153 22,247 18,016 8,529 48,792 27,779 76,724 |
|---|---|
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
| 3 Costs of raising donations & legacies 2024 £ Advertising costs 1,268 1,268 4 Activities undertaken directly 2024 £ Other costs relating to church service, ministerial & pastoral costs comprise: Premises rental - Church running expenses & hospitality 3,239 Web fees & internet services 1,680 Clergy expenses 11,537 Education and training expenses 2,324 Pastoral expenses - youth/ children work 77 Leaders expenses - Training & hospitality 1,139 19,996 |
2023 £ 153 153 2023 £ 684 2,089 1,966 6,869 2,673 122 1,306 15,709 |
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GREATER LIFE TRUST FOUNDATION
Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| 5 Grants payable 2024 £ Church service, ministerial & pastoral costs 7,894 Grants to institutions relating to church service, ministerial & pastoral costs comprise: GLC Pakistan 6,081 Compassion UK 424 Preaching donations 120 Bethel Leadership Network - Flow Church 100 Churches Together 50 Wave Church - Community Outreach 790 Cannon J John 39 Gifts to individuals 290 7,894 6 Support costs 2024 £ Rent rates & administrative expenses 9,893 Depreciation 588 10,481 |
2023 £ 18,016 8,766 352 250 582 - - 310 261 - 7,495 18,016 2023 £ 7,846 2,453 10,299 |
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7 Trustees
None of the Trustees received any remuneration during the year, except for Paul van Essen who was paid a salary of £7,615 including employer's National Insurance and Pension Contributions.
8 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| Ministry of religion Employment costs Wages and salaries Pension costs Financial & administration |
2024 Number 1 1 2 2024 £ 27,467 1,213 28,680 |
2023 Number 1 1 2 2023 £ 26,323 1,223 27,546 |
|---|---|---|
No employees were paid annual remuneration of £60,000 or more.
The company provides a defined contribution "Workplace" pension scheme as is required by law. The pension provider is NEST.
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GREATER LIFE TRUST FOUNDATION Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
9 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 January 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 Depreciation charged At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 10 Debtors Income tax recoverable Other debtors 11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Bank overdrafts Creditors Taxes and social security costs Accruals |
2024 £ 4,210 100 4,310 2024 £ 1,740 2,786 1,166 1,899 7,591 |
Fixtures, fittings & equipment £ 31,896 718 - 32,614 31,265 588 31,853 761 631 2023 £ 1,141 100 1,241 2023 £ 278 1,836 500 2,291 4,905 |
|---|---|---|
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