THE LIFE CHURCH – MAIDSTONE Charity Number 1123130
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2023
Objects of the Charity
The Trust seeks to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by advancing the Christian faith, relieving sickness and financial hardship and promoting and preserving good health, and advancing education, in all such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the trustees may from time to time think fit.
Page 1
Government
The policy and operating decision of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the Charity.
Objectives and activities
The Life Church is a gathering of people who are committed to love and care for each other and the community they live in, as was taught by Jesus Christ, believing that lives can be changed and bettered by Godly and Biblical principles.
The church employs Mr. Christopher Eke as full-time minister and he serves the church together with Mr. David Thompson (accredited Assemblies of God minister). As the church is growing, it was felt necessary to employ someone to minister to the needs of young people and Mr. Charlie Olliver was employed as from 2[nd] October 2022. The church is supporting Mr. Olliver in a 2 year theological and leadership training course. The Trustees remain as Mr. C Eke, Mr. David Thompson, Mr. Alan Pitt and Mrs. Jennifer Rhodes.
The Sunday morning services are very well attended and the congregation has grown to almost 200 adults and young adults. As a result of families attending, the number of children has increased and the children are ministered to at Children’s Church each Sunday from 11.15am-12.15pm. The teenagers attend their own meeting between these times too. The Sunday morning service is available live on YouTube and all the Sunday services are available to view on the church website. There are about 500 hits each week.
All the workers in the church, including the Trustees and ministers are DBS checked through ThirtyOne:Eight.
Midweek services include times for prayer and Bible study. The Little Sparkles Club for babies and toddlers and their parents/carers meet each Thursday morning during term times and the teenagers attend an after school club each Wednesday between 3pm and 6pm. An Alpha Course is in progress. The building is used twice each week by Alcoholics Anonymous.
The church is affiliated to Assemblies of God and Evangelical Alliance organisations and we regularly support other charities: Starfish Malawi, the Salvation Army food bank, and Emmanuel Press. It has been decided to support more local charities in the next financial year including The Family Trust and Crossline Counselling.
The building is generally kept in good order. As a result of storm damage, the roof over the main church hall was replaced at a cost of £73371: this included replacing a window and decorating. An insurance claim provided £5602 and there were personal gifts of £3686. The fund kept from the sale of the Manna Christian Fellowship manse in 2018 was used to cover the remainder of the costs. It has been necessary to soundproof a wall of the room used by the young people on Sundays and this has been completed at a cost of £2940. We are grateful that we have a building that can be adapted and realise that the costs of change are great but we need to accommodate our growing church.
The shop area used by the church to sell handmade crafts has continued to provide support for Starfish Malawi and over £2000 was transferred to the charity. The monthly Saturday morning ‘Sat Chat’ has proved beneficial in procuring funds and providing friendship and fun for church members and the public.
Approved by the Trustees of The Life Church :
Page 2
Independent Examiner’s report
Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2023
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and they consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the Independent Examiner’s statement
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 these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required for 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 matter has come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act, or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 12[th] June 2023
Signed:
Stephen Hendy
Page 3
Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total Prior year funds funds funds funds funds total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Incoming resources from charitable activities Other incoming resources Total income Resources used Cost of generating funds Cost of generating voluntary income Fundraising trading cost of goods sold and other costs Charitable activities Governance costs Other resources used Total expenditure Gains / losses on investment assets Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Other recognised gains / losses Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Represented by Unrestricted General fund Pastor Designated Charity Cards Little Sparkles Mother/Toddler group Starfish Malawi Ministry TLC Building fund Visiting Ministry YOUTH Restricted Cafe Refurb Gifts for persons, etc. King's Storehouse Lifelines Contact Options Pregnancy/PostAbortion Support Philippines Shop deposit Tender Loving Craft Weekend Away Women's Refuge YOUTH |
88,545 5,387 10 — 93,942 57,048 — 1,652 2,446 — 4,098 2,521 175 — — — 175 69 13,020 5,702 — — 18,722 8,134 |
| 101,740 12,741 2,456 — 116,938 67,774 6,354 — — — 6,354 4,161 4,782 120 237 — 5,139 7,287 — 85 2,695 — 2,781 1,182 6,681 489 — — 7,171 4,630 63,962 82,423 — — 146,385 52,603 — — — — — — |
|
| 81,781 83,117 2,932 — 167,831 69,864 — — — — — — |
|
| 19,959 (70,376) (476) — (50,893) (2,090) — — 295 — 295 — (227) (68) — — (295) — — — — — — — |
|
| 19,732 (70,444) (181) — (50,893) (2,090) |
|
| 66,674 81,201 399 — 148,276 150,366 |
|
| 86,407 10,757 218 — 97,382 148,276 86,407 — — — 86,407 66,674 — — — — — — — — — — — 153 — 188 — — 188 276 — — — — — — — 8,959 — — 8,959 79,042 — 1,609 — — 1,609 1,729 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 218 — 218 399 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — |
Page 4
Balance sheet
| Total funds Prior year funds |
|
|---|---|
| Current assets Investments Cash at bank and in hand Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets less liabilities Represented by Unrestricted General fund Pastor Designated Charity Cards Little Sparkles Mother/Toddler group Visiting Ministry Starfish Malawi Ministry YOUTH TLC Building fund Restricted King's Storehouse Cafe Refurb Weekend Away Lifelines Contact Shop deposit Tender Loving Craft Women's Refuge YOUTH Options Pregnancy/PostAbortion Support Gifts for persons, etc. Philippines Funds of the church |
15,058 5,000 82,323 143,276 |
| 97,382 148,276 |
|
| 97,382 148,276 |
|
| 97,382 148,276 |
|
| 97,382 148,276 86,407 66,674 — — — 153 188 276 1,609 1,729 — — — — 8,959 79,042 — — — — — — — — — — 218 399 — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| 97,382 148,276 |
Statement of assets and liabilities
| General Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year |
|
|---|---|
| Current assets - Cash at bank and in hand Current account - Petty Cash - Business Select Account - Shawbrook Bank 12 month fixed rate Saver - Totals Current assets - Investments Hampshire Trust Bank - Totals Grand total |
69,743 (68,261) 1,723 — 3,205 58,175 2,017 (428) (1,505) — 83 174 79,034 — — — 79,034 84,926 (79,446) 79,446 — — — — |
| 71,348 10,757 218 — 82,323 143,276 15,058 — — — 15,058 5,000 |
|
| 15,058 — — — 15,058 5,000 |
|
| 86,407 10,757 218 — 97,382 148,276 |
Page 5
Fund movement by type
| Opening Incoming Outgoing Transfers Gains/losses Closing |
|
|---|---|
| Cards - Charity Cards Designated Sub-total for Cards KingStore - King's Storehouse Restricted Sub-total for KingStore LifeCont - Lifelines Contact Restricted Sub-total for LifeCont LitSpark - Little Sparkles Moth Designated Sub-total for LitSpark Ministry - Visiting Ministry Designated Sub-total for Ministry Shop - Shop deposit Restricted Sub-total for Shop Starfish - Starfish Malawi Mini Designated Sub-total for Starfish TLCraft - Tender Loving Craft Restricted Sub-total for TLCraft WRefuge - Women's Refuge Restricted Sub-total for WRefuge Youth - YOUTH Designated Restricted Sub-total for Youth General - General fund Unrestricted Sub-total for General Build - TLC Building fund Designated Sub-total for Build Pastor - Pastor Unrestricted Sub-total for Pastor Options - Options Pregnancy/Po Restricted Sub-total for Options Gifts - Gifts for persons, e Restricted Sub-total for Gifts Philipps - Philippines Restricted Sub-total for Philipps Cafe - Cafe Refurb Restricted Sub-total for Cafe Wkend - Weekend Away |
153 — 85 (68) — — |
| 153 — 85 (68) — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — 276 401 489 — — 188 |
|
| 276 401 489 — — 188 1,729 — 120 — — 1,609 |
|
| 1,729 — 120 — — 1,609 — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — 399 2,446 2,695 68 — 218 |
|
| 399 2,446 2,695 68 — 218 — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — 66,674 101,740 81,781 (227) — 86,407 |
|
| 66,674 101,740 81,781 (227) — 86,407 79,042 12,340 82,423 — — 8,959 |
|
| 79,042 12,340 82,423 — — 8,959 — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — 10 237 227 — — |
|
| — 10 237 227 — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — |
Page 6
| Restricted Sub-total for Wkend Grand total |
— — — — — — |
|---|---|
| — — — — — — |
|
| 148,276 116,938 167,831 — — 97,382 |
Analysis of income and expenditure
| Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Incoming resources from generated funds - Voluntary income Offerings 55,790 — — — 55,790 27,075 Gift aids 23,081 1,400 — — 24,481 22,550 Gifts — — 10 — 10 480 Little Sparkles — 401 — — 401 659 Youth Ministry — — — — — — Small Donations 9,673 — — — 9,673 6,283 Church renovation — 3,586 — — 3,586 — Starfish Malawi ministry — — — — — — Gifts - bequeathed — — — — — — Total 88,545 5,387 10 — 93,942 57,048 Incoming resources from generated funds - Activities for generating funds Venue receipts — 1,652 — — 1,652 940 Cards sold for charity — — — — — — Tender Loving Craft — — 2,446 — 2,446 1,581 Total — 1,652 2,446 — 4,098 2,521 Incoming resources from charitable activities Event receipts 175 — — — 175 69 Total 175 — — — 175 69 Other incoming resources Sundry receipts 13,020 5,702 — — 18,722 8,134 Loan — — — — — — Total 13,020 5,702 — — 18,722 8,134 |
Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Incoming resources from generated funds - Voluntary income Offerings 55,790 — — — 55,790 27,075 Gift aids 23,081 1,400 — — 24,481 22,550 Gifts — — 10 — 10 480 Little Sparkles — 401 — — 401 659 Youth Ministry — — — — — — Small Donations 9,673 — — — 9,673 6,283 Church renovation — 3,586 — — 3,586 — Starfish Malawi ministry — — — — — — Gifts - bequeathed — — — — — — Total 88,545 5,387 10 — 93,942 57,048 Incoming resources from generated funds - Activities for generating funds Venue receipts — 1,652 — — 1,652 940 Cards sold for charity — — — — — — Tender Loving Craft — — 2,446 — 2,446 1,581 Total — 1,652 2,446 — 4,098 2,521 Incoming resources from charitable activities Event receipts 175 — — — 175 69 Total 175 — — — 175 69 Other incoming resources Sundry receipts 13,020 5,702 — — 18,722 8,134 Loan — — — — — — Total 13,020 5,702 — — 18,722 8,134 |
|---|---|
| 175 — — — 175 69 13,020 5,702 — — 18,722 8,134 — — — — — — |
|
| 13,020 5,702 — — 18,722 8,134 |
|
| INCOME TOTAL | 101,740 12,741 2,456 — 116,938 67,774 |
Page 7
EXPENDITURE
| Cost of generating funds General Expenses 3,190 — — — 3,190 1,256 Stationery & printing 1,812 — — — 1,812 1,692 Pastor expenses 1,239 — — — 1,239 1,212 SumUp 111 — — — 111 — Total 6,354 — — — 6,354 4,161 Cost of generating funds - Cost of generating voluntary income Ministry and Gifts 4,782 120 237 — 5,139 7,287 Total 4,782 120 237 — 5,139 7,287 Cost of generating funds - Fundraising trading cost of goods sold and other costs Tender Loving Craft — 85 2,695 — 2,781 1,182 Total — 85 2,695 — 2,781 1,182 Charitable activities Youth expenses 445 — — — 445 — Church events 1,134 — — — 1,134 840 Sundry expense 4,162 — — — 4,162 2,784 Sparkles baby group — 489 — — 489 534 Childrens ministry 611 — — — 611 380 Hospitality 129 — — — 129 28 Alpha — — — — — — Youth Ministry 198 — — — 198 — Starfish Malawi expenses — — — — — 61 Total 6,681 489 — — 7,171 4,630 Governance costs Salaries Church 29,743 — — — 29,743 20,445 Electricity Gas 3,891 — — — 3,891 2,374 Water Waste 4,588 — — — 4,588 989 Insurances Licences 5,912 — — — 5,912 6,957 Telephones Internet 1,712 — — — 1,712 2,684 Building expenses 114 82,423 — — 82,537 2,651 Accommodation for Pastor 18,000 — — — 18,000 16,500 Bank charges 0 — — — 0 — Total 63,962 82,423 — — 146,385 52,603 Other resources used Loan — — — — — — Total — — — — — — |
3,190 — — — 3,190 1,256 1,812 — — — 1,812 1,692 1,239 — — — 1,239 1,212 111 — — — 111 — |
|---|---|
| — 85 2,695 — 2,781 1,182 445 — — — 445 — 1,134 — — — 1,134 840 4,162 — — — 4,162 2,784 — 489 — — 489 534 611 — — — 611 380 129 — — — 129 28 — — — — — — 198 — — — 198 — — — — — — 61 |
|
| 6,681 489 — — 7,171 4,630 29,743 — — — 29,743 20,445 3,891 — — — 3,891 2,374 4,588 — — — 4,588 989 5,912 — — — 5,912 6,957 1,712 — — — 1,712 2,684 114 82,423 — — 82,537 2,651 18,000 — — — 18,000 16,500 0 — — — 0 — |
|
| 63,962 82,423 — — 146,385 52,603 — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — |
|
| EXPENDITURE TOTAL | 81,781 83,117 2,932 — 167,831 69,864 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 19,959 (70,376) (476) — (50,893) (2,090) |
Page 8