THE LIFE CHURCH – MAIDSTONE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2024
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.
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). The church also employs Mr. Charlie Olliver as minister to the teenagers and young people of the church. Mr.Olliver is in his second year of the theological and leadership training course and will graduate in the summer of 2024. Mr. Peter Jackson was accepted as an Elder/Leader and Trustee as from 1[st] February 2024; the other Trustees being 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 300 adults and young adults. To allow for seating in the church hall, it was decided to extend the hours of the Children’s Church for the whole of the Sunday morning service, 10.30am – 12.15pm. The teenagers attend their own meeting from 11.15 – 12.15. The Sunday morning service is available live on YouTube and all the Sunday services are available to view on the church website. The number of subscribers is good. 2 separate services on Sundays is being considered to accommodate the growing congregation.
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. The two Alpha courses were appreciated and a success.
The building is used twice each week by Alcoholics Anonymous and once each week by Cocaine Anonymous.
The church is affiliated to Assemblies of God and Evangelical Alliance organisations and we regularly support other charities: Starfish Malawi, Open Doors ministry, the Salvation Army food bank, the Family Trust and Crossline Counselling; the last 3 being local charities.
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The building is generally kept in good order. The walls of the main hall were rough and marked by water stains. As the roof was replaced last year solving the problem of leaks, the walls of the hall have been drylined and decorated. The Café Room and the Children’s Church Room, as well as some of corridors and stairs have been renovated, decorated and new carpets fitted. The premises are extensive (originally being 3 separate buildings) and the improvements are appreciated by the congregation. A total of £70500 has been spent on the renovations and repairs.
The shop area used by the church to sell handmade crafts has continued to provide support for Starfish Malawi and £3000 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 and signed on their behalf:
Independent Examiner’s report
Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2024
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
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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.
Signed:
Stephen Hendy Date: 30[th] May 2024
Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted Designated | Unrestricted Designated | Restricted Endowment | Restricted Endowment | Total | Prior year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | funds | total funds | |
| Incoming resources | ||||||
| Incoming resources from generated funds | ||||||
| Voluntary income | 146,892 | 1,736 | 750 | — | 149,379 | 93,942 |
| Activities for generating funds | — | 2,085 | 3,426 | — | 5,511 | 4,098 |
| Incoming resources from charitable | 825 | — | — | — | 825 | 175 |
| activities | ||||||
| Other incoming resources | 16,961 | 30 | — | — | 16,991 | 18,722 |
| Total income | 164,680 | 3,851 | 4,176 | — | 172,708 | 116,938 |
| Resources used | ||||||
| Cost of generating funds | 7,535 | — | — | — | 7,535 | 6,354 |
| Cost of generating voluntary income | 5,188 | 900 | — | — | 6,088 | 5,139 |
| Fundraising trading cost of goods sold | — | — | 3,220 | — | 3,220 | 2,781 |
| and other costs | ||||||
| Charitable activities | 9,929 | 959 | — | — | 10,889 | 7,171 |
| Governance costs | 89,455 | 70,335 | 490 | — | 160,281 | 146,385 |
| Other resources used | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total expenditure | 112,109 | 72,195 | 3,711 | — | 188,015 | 167,831 |
| Gains / losses on investment assets | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Net income / (expenditure) resources | 52,571 | (68,343) | 465 | — | (15,306) | (50,893) |
| before transfer | ||||||
| Transfers | ||||||
| Gross transfers between funds - in | 114 | 63,264 | 300 | — | 63,678 | 295 |
| Gross transfers between funds - out | (63,314) | (114) | (250) | — | (63,678) | (295) |
| Other recognised gains / losses | ||||||
| Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| own use | ||||||
| Net movement in funds | (10,629) | (5,193) | 515 | — | (15,306) | (50,893) |
| Total funds brought forward | 86,407 | 10,757 | 218 | — | 97,382 | 148,276 |
| Total funds carried forward | 75,777 | 5,564 | 733 | — | 82,075 | 97,382 |
| Represented by | ||||||
| Unrestricted | ||||||
| General fund | 75,777 | — | — | — | 75,777 | 86,407 |
| Pastor | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Designated | ||||||
| Charity Cards | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Little Sparkles Mother/Toddler group | — | 273 | — | — | 273 | 188 |
| Starfish Malawi Ministry | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| TLC Building fund | — | 4,925 | — | — | 4,925 | 8,959 |
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| Visiting Ministry | — | 709 | — | — | 709 | 1,609 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOUTH | — | (343) | — | — | (343) | — |
| Restricted | ||||||
| Cafe Refurb | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gifts for persons, etc. | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| King's Storehouse | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lifelines Contact | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MEDIA | — | — | 59 | — | 59 | — |
| Options Pregnancy/PostAbortion Support | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Philippines | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shop deposit | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tender Loving Craft | — | — | 424 | — | 424 | 218 |
| Weekend Away | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Women's Refuge | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| YOUTH | — | — | 250 | — | 250 | — |
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 Philippines Cafe Refurb Weekend Away Lifelines Contact MEDIA Shop deposit Tender Loving Craft Women's Refuge YOUTH Options Pregnancy/PostAbortion Support Gifts for persons, etc. Funds of the church |
— 15,058 82,075 82,323 |
| 82,075 97,382 |
|
| 82,075 97,382 |
|
| 82,075 97,382 |
|
| 82,075 97,382 75,777 86,407 — — — — 273 188 709 1,609 — — (343) — 4,925 8,959 — — — — — — — — — — 59 — — — 424 218 — — 250 — — — — — |
|
| 82,075 97,382 |
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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 |
87,243 (73,483) 2,239 — 15,998 3,205 1,995 (398) (1,505) — 91 83 65,985 — — — 65,985 79,034 (79,446) 79,446 — — — — |
| 75,777 5,564 733 — 82,075 82,323 — — — — — 15,058 |
|
| — — — — — 15,058 |
|
| 75,777 5,564 733 — 82,075 97,382 |
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 Media - MEDIA Restricted Sub-total for Media 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 |
— — — — — — |
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — 188 386 302 — — 273 |
|
| 188 386 302 — — 273 — 250 490 300 — 59 |
|
| — 250 490 300 — 59 1,609 — 900 — — 709 |
|
| 1,609 — 900 — — 709 — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — 218 3,426 3,220 — — 424 |
|
| 218 3,426 3,220 — — 424 — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — |
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| 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 Restricted Sub-total for Wkend Grand total |
— — 608 264 — (343) — 500 — (250) — 250 |
|---|---|
| — 500 608 14 — (93) 86,407 164,680 112,109 (63,200) — 75,777 |
|
| 86,407 164,680 112,109 (63,200) — 75,777 8,959 3,465 70,385 62,886 — 4,925 |
|
| 8,959 3,465 70,385 62,886 — 4,925 — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — |
|
| 97,382 172,708 188,015 — — 82,075 |
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Analysis of income and expenditure
| Analysis of income and expenditure | 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 73,711 — — — 73,711 55,790 Gift aids 58,858 — — — 58,858 24,481 Gifts — — — — — 10 Little Sparkles — 386 — — 386 401 Youth Ministry — — 500 — 500 — Small Donations 11,623 — — — 11,623 9,673 Technical/Media 2,699 — 250 — 2,949 — Church renovation — 1,350 — — 1,350 3,586 Starfish Malawi ministry — — — — — — Gifts - bequeathed — — — — — — Total 146,892 1,736 750 — 149,379 93,942 Incoming resources from generated funds - Activities for generating funds Venue receipts — 2,085 — — 2,085 1,652 Cards sold for charity — — — — — — Tender Loving Craft — — 3,426 — 3,426 2,446 Total — 2,085 3,426 — 5,511 4,098 Incoming resources from charitable activities Event receipts 825 — — — 825 175 Total 825 — — — 825 175 Other incoming resources Sundry receipts 16,961 30 — — 16,991 18,722 Loan — — — — — — Total 16,961 30 — — 16,991 18,722 |
|
| 825 — — — 825 175 16,961 30 — — 16,991 18,722 — — — — — — |
|
| 16,961 30 — — 16,991 18,722 |
|
| INCOME TOTAL | 164,680 3,851 4,176 — 172,708 116,938 |
| EXPENDITURE Cost of generating funds General Expenses 2,985 — — — 2,985 3,190 Stationery & printing 2,636 — — — 2,636 1,812 Pastor expenses 1,693 — — — 1,693 1,239 SumUp 219 — — — 219 111 Total 7,535 — — — 7,535 6,354 Cost of generating funds - Cost of generating voluntary income Ministry and Gifts 5,188 900 — — 6,088 5,139 Total 5,188 900 — — 6,088 5,139 Cost of generating funds - Fundraising trading cost of goods sold and other costs Tender Loving Craft — — 3,220 — 3,220 2,781 Total — — 3,220 — 3,220 2,781 |
2,985 — — — 2,985 3,190 2,636 — — — 2,636 1,812 1,693 — — — 1,693 1,239 219 — — — 219 111 |
| — — 3,220 — 3,220 2,781 |
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| Charitable activities Youth expenses Church events Sundry expense Sparkles baby group Childrens ministry Hospitality Alpha Youth Ministry Starfish Malawi expenses Total Governance costs Salaries Church Electricity Gas Water Waste Insurances Licences Telephones Internet Building expenses Accommodation for Pastor Technical Bank charges Total Other resources used Loan Total |
2,661 — — — 2,661 445 3,237 — — — 3,237 1,134 1,624 — — — 1,624 4,162 — 302 — — 302 489 1,793 49 — — 1,842 611 210 — — — 210 129 — — — — — — 402 608 — — 1,010 198 — — — — — — |
|---|---|
| 9,929 959 — — 10,889 7,171 45,464 — — — 45,464 29,743 7,818 — — — 7,818 3,891 3,925 — — — 3,925 4,588 7,254 — — — 7,254 5,912 1,875 — — — 1,875 1,712 — 70,335 — — 70,335 82,537 19,200 — — — 19,200 18,000 3,916 — 490 — 4,406 — — — — — — 0 |
|
| 89,455 70,335 490 — 160,281 146,385 — — — — — — |
|
| — — — — — — |
|
| EXPENDITURE TOTAL | 112,109 72,195 3,711 — 188,015 167,831 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 52,571 (68,343) 465 — (15,306) (50,893) |
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