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← Good Word Ministries

2023-09-30-accounts

Good Word Ministries, UK Good Word Christian Centre, Durham

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS

2023

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 2023 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.

The Church is by God’s grace successfully delivering on its aims and objectives, with practical steps to ensure its continuing relevance in and beyond our present local community. 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 for the church and our local communities. Members support enabled us to continue our growing online and television broadcast, as well as our in-person church services and activities. This account year 2023, saw the beginning of a steady growth in the membership of the church after the COVID-19 Pandemic. This is in testimony to God’s continuing grace that the church is enjoying and also the faithful of members in creating an enabling environment where everyone feels welcomed and a sense of belonging. We are successfully providing spiritual supports and responding to needs where possible within our community, and at times beyond it when necessary. These are important parts of our collective efforts to ensure that the aims and objectives of the Church are always met.

The programmes and activities of the financial year 2022/23 followed the standardized schedule for the year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and we are glad for this progress. Our Christian television broadcast, the Voice of Hope continues to lead the way for us reaching more and more people with the Good News of our LORD Jesus Christ. Our social media presence is also growing with now over a 140 individual Christian video messages on our page for people to view free of charge. The TV and online ministries afford us many opportunities including reaching those at home with the Gospel to provide healing, comfort, and hope. They are ways that we also compliment and reinforce the in-house worship services, by members being able to revisit the messages that are preached in church during our weekday and weekend service. Beyond these tools, we were able to partner with other Christian brothers and sisters who are involved with small Christian missions’ outreaches in different localities. It is also heartwarming to note that our flagship programmes including Good Word Power Conference and our annual Water Baptism outdoor celebrations are back on track.

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

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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.

Again, we should reiterate that 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.

For the purposes of demonstrating what the year was like, a select outline of some important works and activities of the financial year are set aside below. There were more, but these were only chosen to highlight key programmes and activities of the year, all of which are in keeping with the Church’s aims and objectives, and the realisation of the Public Benefit requirements for the financial year 2022/2023. Again, members are to note that these highlights or programmes of activities are only in addition to the Church’s regular weekly services, programmes, and activities which were not specified in this report.

Finally, the Secretary’s Report, the Accounts for the Financial Year 2022/23 together with Decisions for the next financial year will follow hereafter under their specific headings below.

II. Church Programmes & Public Benefit Activities: Some Highlights

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

Our Christian television broadcast continues to gain a growing public viewership. The evidence is seen in the growing number of viewers’ statistics that are displayed on the live App broadcast of Faith Television, and the testimony of those who confirm to be watching our broadcast on Sunday mornings.

“Voice of Home” the church’s Christian television weekly broadcast which was launched on UK Sky TV and Freeview Channels in July 2020, continues to air via Faith World Television channel 588 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

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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.

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

Although the Food Bank initiatives are still operational, it has lately slowed down from its initial scale when demands were more significant. This could represent a positive if it represents a drop in the level of hardship in our community. It may also mean a need to work on creating awareness about the project.

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.

C) Free Bibles for Church and Community

This year has realised a marked growth in delivering free Bible and Christian literature to members and enquirers. These are NKJV 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. This year we received several used Christian books, devotionals and Bibles from a house clearing that augmented our supplies.

D) Community Day Project and Bus Trip

The church successfully held its traditional outdoor gathering. The year’s event brought together families and friends from the community for a day’s event of outdoor sports, picnic, and fun at the Hollyday Park. The event was also preceded by the Church’s Baptismal Service and witnessed the baptism of several new and continuing members of the church.

In addition, the Church successfully organised a Bus trip away to spend a day in Scarborough, a popular holiday destination in the UK. This afforded church members and their families to spend quality time together and promoted friendship among us and those we invited.

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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

This year we successful held more outreaches than normal: 24[th] October 2022 our Power Conference; 27[th] November 2022, Thanksgiving Day services; 5[th] February 2023, the “STRONG” youth meeting, and 7[th] April 2023 which was our Power and Glory event.

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 June 2023. 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

Good Word Ministries operates a gym which is manned by a professional trainer, who is a member of the church. 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.

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H) Solidarity with Missionaries and Churches

We continue to work informally with likeminded churches and Christian missionaries, whom we have forged positive friendships with over the years. We pray for one another, share Christian fellowship and where possible support Christian mission works and missionaries by sending small gifts to assist them to them in carrying out the work of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ based on the Bible. This is not only biblical, it fosters the aims and objectives of the Good Word Ministries to help spread the teachings of Jesus, and also delivers on the Church’s public benefits agenda for those who receive such an education.

Report of the Treasurer /Secretary on Behalf of the Trustees

III. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year Ended 30[th] September 2023

1. Introduction

The following are the Statement of Receipts and Payments Accounts for the financial year ending 30[th] September 2023. 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 the previous financial year 2022 are:

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the accompanying gift aid (Repayments) for qualified donations. In 2022/2023, church attendance rose numerically, which also reflected the amount in tithes and offerings. This also reflects a stabilisation in Church members' offerings and tithes.

Payments

A summary of the main changes in payments compared to the financial year ending 2022 are:

See Table 2 for a breakdown and itemised Receipts and Payments accounts.

3. Results for the Year

The outcome for the year ending 2023 is a net income of £1,582.51 (the difference between total Receipts & total Payments for the year only). A snapshot of the accounts and financial position at the end of September 2023 is as follows: Checking Account bank balance of £1810.28; Saving Account bank balance of £262.81, making a total (current assets) of £2,073.09 at the end of the year.

Note : There was no outstanding liability to show, therefore the Church’s account balance at the end of the financial year 2023 for both saving and checking accounts stands at £2,073.09 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.

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4. Church’s Financial Position and Overall Goal

The Church’s accounts reflect its financial standing relative to its present membership strength. We are grateful for God adding numerically to His church and advancing its works. We have been able to support other Christian brothers and sisters in God’s mission and purpose of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. The Church has shown resilience in the face of all the challenges that caused even businesses to fold completely. The church continues to be financially self-supportive without recourse to public funds through public fundraising campaigns. Overall, the trend also indicates unwavering commitments from members of the Church through their support and voluntary offerings. This trend equally shows a promising prospect for the future of the church. The present account is also evidence of the church members’ eagerness in their continuing support for the achievement of the aims and objectives of the Church.

The Church wholeheartedly appreciates members’ unwavering voluntary support and contribution to the church’s works and aims. We anticipate that in the coming years, we will continue to do more to expand and to offer essential services in agreement with the church’s aims and objectives, and its charitable Public Benefit agenda: advancing the Christian faith and serving the general public in ways that support health, well-being, and the alleviation of poverty.

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Table 1

Good Word Ministries Statement of Financial Position As of September 30th, 2023

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

Interest (Lloyds TSB Savings A/C)
Total Equity
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY		 Sep 30, 23
1810.28
262.81
262.81
2073.09
2073.09
£2073.09
489.01
1,582.51
1.57
2,071.52
£2,073.09

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Table 2

Good Word Ministries Statement of Financial Income and Expense 1[st] October 2022 to 30[th] September 2023

Oct ‘22 – Sept. ‘23 Oct ‘22 – Sept. ‘23
ORDINARY INCOME/EXPENSE
Income
Tithes/Offerings 50,407.72
Others [Refunds etc] 680.32
Repayments [Members’ Gift Aid] 8,132.31
Total Income 59,220.35
GROSS RECEIPT 59,220.35
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES / EXPENSE
Refreshments / Special Church Services 630.87
Service Charges 825.60
Christian TV Broadcast /Evangelism 2,847.00
Advertising 14.00
Support and Giving to Others
Assistance to churches /Missionaries 1124.30
Assistance to Individuals / Members 400.96
Total Support and Giving to Others 1,525.26
Computer and Internet Expenses 365.45
Missions and Conferences 2,276.60
Operations
Miscellaneous Expense 237.23
Supplies 243.23
Operations - Other 60.00
Total Operations 540.46
Other Types of Expenses
Public Liability Insurance 336.98
Total Other Types of Expenses 336.98
Payroll Expenses & Staffing Cost 29,144.58

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Rent Expense
Small Tools and Equipment
Utilities
Water
Electricity
Total Utilities
TOTAL EXPENSE
Net Ordinary Income
NET INCOME		 15,000.00
593.92
269.63
3,267.49
3,537.12
57,637.84
1,582.51
£ **1,582.51 **

IV. Conclusions and Decisions for 2024

The Church appreciates the continuing support and services of members. The Trustees are to note the following for the coming financial year 2024 :

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 available for members’ information. The Independent Examiner’s Report is also here attached.

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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 is 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 2023 , 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 12
Date: 8thMay 2024		 Meadowfield, Durham
DH7 8SE