2022-09-30-accounts - Good Word Ministries

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Good Word Ministries, UK Good Word Christian Centre, Durham

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS

2022

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 to accomplish its aims and objectives.

We have thankfully moved beyond the larger part of the challenging impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic. Compared to 2020/2, the year 2021/2022 has mostly seen a steady return to many of our regular church services and activities, although with some cautions still in place because of COVID-19 safeguard guidelines.

The Church has by the grace of God successfully pursued and delivered on its aims and objectives. Through its programmes and activities, the Church remained resilient and as usual, members continued to show their unwavering supports for the church’s missions and work. This is positive news both the church and our local communities. Members support enabled us to continue our online and television broadcast, as well as our in-person church services and activities. Likewise, we were able to welcome new members as well as continue with providing spiritual supports and responding to needs where possible within our community. These were in the effort to fulfil the aims and objectives of the Church.

The programmes and activities of financial year 2021/22 were similar to the previous year as things were only just opening up again after the COVID-19 pandemic. But, we invested a little more in our Christian TV broadcast ( Voice of Hope ) and social media broadcasts to reach more people in the homes who were unable to attend church just yet. Instead of focusing on in-house conferences and missions as we have done in the past before the Pandemic, it became necessary to focus on TV and online ministries. We also supported small missions, and undertook a limited number of outdoor activities including water baptism.

we acknowledge here again with gratitude the continuing supports of members of the Church throughout. Members have remained very supportive in their voluntary activities and their charitable giving toward the work and the programmes of the Church. This has helped immensely, and there was no need to recourse to public fund raising. The church has always managed to keep its operational costs as low as possible through the support of members and leaders of the church. Some volunteered in various capacities to ensure success in achieving our aims and objectives.

Having our own rented church premises has also been an immense advantage. This has accorded us both convenience and the necessary space to host weekly church services. The same building serves as a hub for majority of our programmes and activities. Unlike, short-term hired venues, we current rented premises inspires confidence and ensure stability in the running of the Church. Financial savings are also being made in addition to enjoying safety due to having exclusive use of our present church premises.

A brief outline of some of the important works and activities of the financial year are set aside below. These are a select key highlights and summaries of activities in accordance with the Church’s aims and objectives, and in realisation of Public Benefit requirements for the financial year 2021/2022. Note, these are of course, in addition to the Church’s regular weekly services, programmes, and activities.

The Secretary’s Report, and Accounts for Financial Year 2021/22 together with Decisions for the next financial year will also follow hereafter under their specific headings below.

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 have 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. 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

“Voice of Home” the church’s Christian television weekly broadcast which was launched on UK Sky TV and Freeview Channel in July 2020, continues to air via Faith World Television platform. The TV broadcast and our online screening are both for Public Benefit actions and in fulfilment of the Church’s aims and objectives. These broadcasts do not only further our missions’ efforts, they also complement our in-person churches services making them accessible to families across many parts of the world and members who are not able to physically attend services at the church for various reasons. 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.

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

D) Community Day Project

In 2022, the church successfully held its traditional 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 Hollyday Park in Durham. We returned to the Meadowfield sports ground this year. The event was also preceded by the Church’s Baptismal Service and witnessed the baptism of some members who had been eagerly waiting to be baptised.

These events fulfil important aspects of Good Word Ministries’ aims and objectives, and also are important gestures of public benefit from the Church. The purpose of Community Day Project of which these events are a part, is to foster friendship, and to promote community, health and wellbeing at all levels through exercise and community outreach activities.

E) 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, a vital part of the Church’s outreach services was held in August 2022. Its aims are to celebrate diversity, cultures, and friendship within the church and our local community. Overall, Good Word outreaches and community conferences combine to deliver the church’s aim and objectives and its public benefits agenda.

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 and 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

We continued working with likeminded churches and Christian missionaries, having forged positive friendships with them and their pastors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We pray for one another, share Christian fellowship and where possible support mission works and missionaries by sending small gifts to encourage them. This is not only biblical, it fosters the aims and objectives of the Good Word Ministries, and also delivers on the Church’s public benefits agenda.

Report of the Treasurer /Secretary on Behalf of the Trustees

III. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year Ended 30[th] September 2022

1. Introduction

The following are the Statement of Receipts and Payments Accounts for the financial year ending 30[th] September 2022. They are the final accounts and as usual have been checked by both carrying out bank reconciliation and have been independently reviewed by 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 2021 are:

Whereas in 2021 our total receipts were £61,230.31our total receipts in 2022 was £39,224.85
Compared to 2021, the total receipts in 2022 was less by £22,005.46
The difference in the total receipts for the year is due to decrease in church members’ voluntary donations in tithes and offerings along with the accompanying gift aid (Repayments) for qualified donations. In 2021/2022, church attendance fell sharply as part of the continuing impact of COVID-19, and so was the amount in tithes and offerings. Furthermore, in the previous year, there were a couple of significant oneoff voluntary donations in tithes and offerings to assist the Church during crunch of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current total receipts is also agreeable to the pre-pandemic year-on-year average receipts of the Church.
Note: As usual, in 2022, there was no public fund raising, or donations from outside sources. The Church limited its receipts to church members’ tithes, offerings, and accompanying gift aid repayments on qualifying totals.

Payments

A summary of the main changes in payments compared to financial year ending 2021 are:

Whereas in 2021 our total payments were £58,698.00, in 2022 our total payments came up to £46,406.89
The difference in total payments for 2022 compared to 2021 was £12,291.11. The Net Income (the difference between total receipts and total payments) was £-7,182.04
The change in total payments is mainly explained by change in the following accounts: increase in Utilities (Electricity), but there was significant savings in Small tools and Equipment accounts, TV Broadcast/Media; Staffing costs, and Assistance to Missions, among others.

See Table 2 for breakdown and itemised Receipts and Payments accounts

3. Results for the Year

The outcome for the year ending 2022 is a net income of £-7,182.04 (the difference between total Receipts & total Payments for the year only). A snapshot of the accounts and financial position at the end of September 2022 is as follow: Checking Account bank balance of £227.77; Saving Account bank balance of £261.24, making a total (assets) of £489.01 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 2022 for both saving and checking accounts stand at £489.01 in total.

Tables 1&2 on pages 8, 9 & 10 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

The Church’s accounts reflect its financial standing relative to its present membership strength, and a steady recovery from the deep economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic challenges which we felt globally. The Church has shown resilience in the face of all the challenges that caused even businesses to fold up completely. The church continued to be financially selfsupportive 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 even better prospect after the end of

the COVID-19 pandemic, and an eagerness in continuing supports for the achievements of the aims and objectives of the Church.

The Church appreciates 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.

Table 1

Good Word Ministries Statement of Financial Position As of September 30th, 2022

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 Savings withdraw Net Income Total Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY	Sep 30, 22 227.77 261.24 261.24 489.01 489.01 489.01 8,471.05 (800.00) (7,182.04) 489.01 £489.01

Table 2

Good Word Ministries Statement of Financial Income and Expense 1[st] October 2021 to 30[th] September 2022

ORDINARY INCOME/EXPENSE Income Tithes/Offerings Others [Refunds etc] Repayments [Members’ Gift Aid] Total Income GROSS RECEIPT CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES / EXPENSE Refreshments / Church Services Service Charges Christian TV Broadcast /Evangelism Advertising 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 ‘21 – Sept. ‘22 32,658.14 815.06 5,751.65 39,224.85 39,224.85 232.68 825.60 2,884.00 40.00 391.15 391.15 492.71 78.62 179.43 233.56 491.61 584.19 584.19 22,700.00 15,000.00 178.77 170.17 2,416.01	Oct ‘21 – Sept. ‘22 32,658.14 815.06 5,751.65 39,224.85 39,224.85 232.68 825.60 2,884.00 40.00 391.15 391.15 492.71 78.62 179.43 233.56 491.61 584.19 584.19 22,700.00 15,000.00 178.77 170.17 2,416.01

		39,224.85
		39,224.85 232.68 825.60 2,884.00 40.00 391.15
		391.15 492.71 78.62 179.43 233.56
		491.61 584.19
		584.19 22,700.00 15,000.00 178.77 170.17 2,416.01

Total Utilities TOTAL EXPENSE Net Ordinary Income

NET INCOME

2,586.18 46,406.89

(7,182.04) (£ 7,182.04)

IV. Conclusions and Decisions for 2023

The Church appreciates the continuing supports and services of members. The Trustees are to note the following for the coming financial year 2023 :

We agreed, the Trustee Board will continue to work with the church leaders and congregation to encourage church growth, and to assist the Church’s stated aims and objectives. The Trustees will continue to lend their unwavering support to the on-going activities of the Church in seeking to work hard to serve its members as well as the general public, and to continue to successfully deliver on its Public Benefit agenda.
We agreed, the current assets / funds deemed as unrestricted or that are specified for specific objectives should be appropriated as such. This is in line with the present church policy to use church income/receipts for the continuing works of Good Word Ministries and its charitable activities under the aims and objectives stated above. Donations given and received for special projects and the Church’s outreach programmes deemed to be restricted will be used in accordance with the terms of their restrictions.
We agreed, the Church will continue in its efforts to explore ways and means by which it can advance the Christian faith, to expand and to continue to serve more and more people. Good Word Ministries will continue to work towards acquiring its own permanent premises, the Good Word Christian Centre.

NB: Copies of the breakdown of the Church’s payments and receipts accounts, financial position for the year including balance sheet and bank reconciliation are available for members’ information. The Independent Examiner’s Report is also here attached.

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:

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 2022, 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:

Examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act
Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under
section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act
State whether particular matters have come to my attention.

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:

That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act
That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records
That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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	12 Date: 19thMarch 2023	Meadowfield, Durham DH7 8SE