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2021-09-30-accounts

Good Word Ministries, UK Good Word Christian Centre, Durham

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS

2021

CHARITY NUMBER: 1115842

1. Pastor’s Report

2. Treasurer/ Secretary’s Report, Statements of Receipts and Payments Account for the Year Ended 30[th] September 2021 On Behalf of the Trustee Board

3. Conclusion and Decisions

Pastor’s Report

Preamble:

I . The Journey

The aims and objectives of Good Word Ministries (the Church) are ‘to advance Christianity and its charitable activities throughout the United Kingdom and the world’. As such, the works and activities of God Word Ministries are tailored and aimed to establish its aims and objectives.

In 2020/21, COVID-19 Pandemic and associated challenges sadly continued with many difficulties for all. However, the Church by God’s grace successfully pursued and delivered on its aims and objectives. As with many challenges, the Pandemic presented both constraints and opportunities for ministries. Through its programmes and activities, the Church remained resilient and as usual, members showed our unflinching supports to the cause of the church even under UK’s generalised COVID-19 lockdown restrictions by responding positively to our communities. Through our viable online, television and in-person church community, we have continued to welcome everyone, providing spiritual supports, and responding to needs where possible within our community in delivering the aims and objectives of the Church. In this regard, we have had to innovate to remain accessible and to be able to reach out to as many people as possible.

Consequently, the activities and outcomes of the financial year 2020/21 reflect for example more happening regarding our Christian TV broadcast and social media to ensure a wider reach within and beyond our immediate community. Instead of focusing on in-house conferences and missions as we have done previously pre-pandemic, it became necessary to focus on TV and online ministries, and providing small missions assistances due to social distancing requirements. However, as soon as churches were permitted to hold in-person services again, we carefully opened to the public and were able to hold our customary activities while observing all government COVID guidelines.

A brief outline of some of the important works and activities of the financial year are set aside below. Not to forget though, that the year was different in many ways for church activities because ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

Before then, we acknowledge here again with gratitude the unwavering supports of members of the Church before during this long Pandemic. Members have remained very supportive in their voluntary activities and their charitable giving toward the work and the programmes of the Church.

As a result, as usual the Church has had no need to recourse to public fund raising. We have kept our operational costs as low as possible through the

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support of members and leaders who volunteered in various capacities to ensure success in achieving our aims and objectives. Having our own rented church premises has been an immense advantage also with space to host weekly services and to serve as a hub for majority of our programmes and activities. This has been abundantly helps for example to forestall unforeseen disappointments and inconveniences that often come with short-term hiring of venues and equipment. In addition, having our own rented premises inspires confidence and ensure stability in the running of the Church. Financial savings are also being made. Particularly, during, the course of the Pandemic, having exclusive use of a church premises have been a big help to the Church, allowing us to reopen safely and to ensure COVID guidelines compliance.

Key highlights and the summary of activities in accordance with the Church’s aims and objectives, and in realisation of Public Benefit requirements for the financial year 20209/2021 will now follow below here. (Of course, these are only in addition to the Church’s regular weekly services, programmes, and activities.)

Also, the Secretary’s Report, and Accounts for Financial Year 2020/21 together with Decisions for the next financial year are presented below here.

II. Church Programmes & Public Benefit Activities: Some Highlights

A) Food Bank Project (Good Word Community Food Bank)

The Church’s Food Bank initiative, which was launched in March 2018 as an outreach to members of the Church and members of the public continues. Its aim is to help anyone who may be in need of small assistance to tie them over. The response from members and their contribution in kind and food stuff donations is greatly welcomed. The project helps fulfil our Public Benefit strategy and is well encouraged. Presently, it operates on a small scale, and we continue to assess the demand and suitability for the long term. In addition, members are encouraged to support those among us who may fall in need of food or material assistance (such as clothes, shoes, toiletries), and such generosity of course are not unusual among members of the church who naturally show kindness to one another and visitors.

B) Christian Television Broadcast: Sky TV, Freeview and Social Media

For Public Benefit actions and in the interest of the Church’s aims and objectives, we stepped up during the COVID-19 Pandemic and launched Good Word Ministries’ “Voice of Hope” Christian broadcast on UK Sky TV and Freeview Channel through Faith World Television in July 2020. Beginning initially with a single 30 minutes weekly broadcast, we added an additional 1hour airtime on Sunday in order to reach more people and to make-up for lack of in-person services during the pandemic restrictions.

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Live video broadcast of our recorded services continue to be simultaneously aired on Youtube and Facebook platforms, and has carried on since March 2020. As always, the programs continue to inspire hope in many viewers in our community as well as around the world with strengthening messages of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its benefits were invaluable at the height of the Pandemic under UK full COVID-19 lockdown, and has continued today being particularly helpful in reaching homes, and families, including among people around the world who may normally not be able to attend regular church services.

C) Community Day Project

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, we were unable to hold our annual Community Day Project in 2020. However, in 2021, with restriction lifted for outdoor gathering, we were able to successfully hold a modified mini version in September 2021, while observing government’s guidelines for safe outdoor gathering. The event usually brings together families and friends from the community for a day’s event of outdoor sports, picnic, and fun at the Holly Park in Durham. This year’s event combined our Church Baptismal Service, and witnessed the baptism of some members who had been eagerly waiting to be baptised. The event was crucial to Good Word Ministries’ aims and objectives, a gesture in public benefit from the Church, which makes its work and contribution highly relevant within our existing community. The purpose of Community Day Project is to foster friendship, and to promote ‘community’, health and wellbeing at all levels through exercise and community outreach activities.

D) Church Outreaches and Community Conferences

Good Word outreaches and community conferences are designed to host both local and external guest speakers drawn from various backgrounds and expertise, and are strategically aimed at empowering members and people of our community. They comprise activities ranging from divine healing services to life coaching sessions, and our flagship ‘Family & Friends’ activities with focus on ‘befriending’ and opening our church doors to our community. Good Word “International Day” celebration aimed at celebrating diversity, cultures, and friendship, is definitely a highlight. Overall, Good Word outreaches and community conferences combine to deliver the church’s aim and objectives and its public benefits agenda. Regrettably, these events did not take place this year, understandably because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions including travel bans, etc.

E) Free Bibles for Church and Community

The Church’s free Bible gift delivery is still ongoing. These are NKJ Bibles, complete with Old and New Testament delivered to anyone within our local community. It aims at creating awareness and public education about the

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Christian faith through the delivery of full-size Bibles as part of Good Word Ministries’ aims, objectives and public benefits in Christian education.

F) Modern Gym for Church and Community

An active community is a healthy community. The Church’s gym, equipped with modern gym equipment continues to help members and the community to meet their health and fitness needs in relation to physical exercise, while also providing a unique setting for socialisation. This fulfils Good Word Ministries’ aims and objectives and fulfils our public benefits requirements.

G) Multi-purpose Church Premises & Programmes

The Church’s rented premises has multi-functions. It houses the church’s gym, hosts the weekly church services, Sunday schools, conferences, and is open to the public. The premises is officially approved for holding wedding ceremonies and the Church has a resident ‘Appointed Person’. These functions and activities afford Good Word Ministries the opportunity to serve the community ranging from individual to family life needs within our community. In so doing, Good Word Ministries is delivering successfully on its established aims and objectives and fulfilling its public benefit requirements.

H) Solidarity with Missionaries and Churches

This area of focus for the Church has been significant, without exception, during the extraordinary challenge posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic. This financial year, especially in the absence of our in-person missions and conferences, we have however stood with fellow Christians and likeminded believers and supported mission works and missionaries by sending small gifts to encourage and to help ease the impact of the Pandemic on their livelihood. This was also encouraging to the Church to know that their small donations were making some difference in the lives of those in need. In so doing, we were able to continue to pursue the aims and objectives of the Church, and to also deliver on our public benefits agenda.

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Report of the Treasurer /Secretary on Behalf of the Trustees

III. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year Ended 30[th] September 2021

1. Introduction

The following are the Statement of Receipts and Payments Accounts for the financial year ending 30[th] September 2021. They are the final accounts and as usual have been checked by both carrying out ‘bank reconciliation’ and have been independently reviewed by members of the Trustee Board. Examiner’s report is attached.

The Trustees are asked to receive and to note the financial activities and position for the year and the financial position of the Church and the decision noted in section IV.

2. Main Features of the Year

Receipts

A summary of the main changes in receipts compared to previous financial year 2020 are:

Payments

A summary of the main changes in payments compared to financial year ending 2020 are:

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See Table 2 for breakdown and itemised Receipts and Payments accounts

3. Results for the Year

The outcome for the year ending 2021 is a net income of £2,532.31 (the difference between total Receipts & total Payments for the year). A snapshot of the accounts and financial position at the end of September 2021 is as follow: total Checking Account bank balance of £7,409.92; total Saving Account bank balance of £1,061.08, making a total (assets) of £8,471.00 at the end of the year.

Note : There was no outstanding liability to show, therefore the Church’s account balance at the end of financial year 2021 for both saving and checking accounts stand at £8,471.00 in total.

Tables 1&2 on pages 7, 8 & 9 contain the figures, breakdown, and results of how the Church account performed overall. They also indicate the Financial Position overall.

4. Church’s Financial Position and Overall Goal

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic challenges, the Church’s accounts reflect a strong financial standing relative to its present membership strength, which is highly commendable. The church has continued financially self-supportive without recourse to public funds. Overall, the trend also indicates unwavering commitments from members of the Church through their support and voluntary offerings. It also indicates a growing strength in membership number.

The Church appreciate immensely members’ continuing voluntary support and contributions at every level and anticipates that in the coming years, it will continue to do more to expand and to offer essential services in agreement with its aims and objectives, and its charitable Public Benefit agenda: advancing the Christian faith and serving the general public in ways that support health, wellbeing, and the alleviation of poverty.

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Table 1

Good Word Ministries Statement of Financial Position As of September 30th, 2021

ASSETS
Current Assets
Checking & Savings
Lloyds TSB (Checking A/C)
Lloyds TSB (Savings A/C)
Total Lloyds TSB Savings A/C
Total Checking & Savings A/Cs
Total Current Assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Equity
Unrestricted Net Assets
Net Income
Total Equity
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY		 Sep 30, 21
7,409.92
1,061.08
1,061.08
8,471.00
8,471.00
8,471.00
5,938.69
2,532.31
8,471.00
£ 8,471.00

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Table 2

Good Word Ministries Statement of Financial Income and Expense 1[st] October 2020 to 30[th] September 2021

ORDINARY INCOME/EXPENSE
Income
Tithes/Offerings
Others [Refunds etc]
Repayments [Members’ Gift Aid]
Total Income
GROSS RECEIPT
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES / EXPENSE
HMRC
Refreshments
Service Charges
Christian TV Broadcast /Media
Advertising and Evangelism
Awards and Grants
Assist to Individuals / Missions
Total Awards and Grants
Computer and Internet Expenses
Operations
Miscellaneous Expense
Supplies
Operations - Other
Total Operations
Other Types of Expenses
Public Liability Insurance
Total Other Types of Expenses
Payroll Expenses & Staffing Cost
Rent Expense
Small Tools and Equipment
Utilities
Water
Electricity		 Oct ‘20 – Sept. ‘21
49,145.48
1,517.54
10,567.29
61,230.31
61,230.31
551.33
79.55
825.60
4,098.00
191.40
1,514.11
1,514.11
304.19
42.19
301.27
158.95
502.41
448.57
448.57
30,200.00
15,000.00
3,223.93
146.09
1,612.82		 Oct ‘20 – Sept. ‘21
49,145.48
1,517.54
10,567.29
61,230.31
61,230.31
551.33
79.55
825.60
4,098.00
191.40
1,514.11
1,514.11
304.19
42.19
301.27
158.95
502.41
448.57
448.57
30,200.00
15,000.00
3,223.93
146.09
1,612.82
**61,230.31 **
61,230.31
551.33
79.55
825.60
4,098.00
191.40
1,514.11
1,514.11
304.19
42.19
301.27
158.95
502.41
448.57
448.57
30,200.00
15,000.00
3,223.93
146.09
1,612.82

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Total Utilities TOTAL EXPENSE Net Ordinary Income

NET INCOME

1,758.91 58,698.00 2,532.31 £ 2,532.31

IV. Conclusions and Decisions for 2022

The Church appreciates the continuing supports and services of members. The Trustees are to note the following for the coming financial year 2022 :

NB: Copies of the breakdown of the Church’s payments and receipts accounts and financial position for the year including balance sheet and bank reconciliation are attached for members’ information.

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Trustees Endorsement:

On behalf of Trustees

Rev. Dr. Bernard O. Appiah___

Senior Pastor’s Endorsement: On behalf of Church Leadership

Pastor Saye Didi Dolopei ___

Cc: All Trustees By signing, this report has been verified and passed as final. A copy of the Independent Examiner Report provided below here:

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE CHARITY TRUSTEES OF GOOD WORD MINISTRIES (THE TRUST)

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 30[th] September 2021, which are set out on pages 5 to 9.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHARITY TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is my responsibility to:

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.

My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:

  1. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act

  2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records

  3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act

  4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT

I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Name: Mr. Kevin Taylor Signed: Address:
General Operative 2 Central Avenue
Mears, UK 11
Date: 23rdMarch 2022		 Meadowfield, Durham
DH7 8SE