## **ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING – 2025** ## **REPORTS 2024** ## Revitalisation The possibility of an exercise to "revitalise" DREC was first suggested several years ago. The exercise was being led by Partnership, now merged with Counties, both organisations being closely associated with the Church Growth Trust, our building Trustees. Progress has been slow, due principally to resource issues within Partnership/Counties — the "Project Coordinator" in the North West of England is on his own, and only works 3 days each week for Counties. ## Church Health Check The Church Health Check was completed early last year, with input from members of the Fellowship, and the Project Coordinator’s report received and circulated to members of the Fellowship. The report was comprehensive, with analysis of our strengths and weaknesses, and was discussed at a specially convened meeting of the Fellowship. A number of recommendations were made, some of which are being followed through. ## Vision and Mission Statement The Vision and Mission Statements have been prepared and been communicated to the Fellowship. A plaque has been prepared and is displayed in the foyer, they are also displayed on the notice board outside, on the front of the Church building. ## Dunelm Café Group A group of 3 to 5 of us have been meeting weekly on Monday mornings from 10.30 to 11.30 for fellowship (including coffee/cakes) and Bible Study. It is now apparent that we have been "noticed" although we have not, as yet, been approached by any other patrons of the café. On Monday 11th we gave out invitations to our Quiz Night, although there was no response. On Monday 25th we gave out copies of booklet, 'Why Easter?", which were mostly well received. ## Leadership and Culture Among the Coordinator’s observations were issues relating to Leadership and Culture. He offered to help us in this regard, and is coming to talk about these matters on a Sunday in June. ## Assistance from other local Evangelical Churches The Associate Pastor at Emmanuel, Northwich, and the Senior Pastor at City Church, Manchester, have both been approached for advice and assistance. ## Samaritan's Purse ## Clean Water Project (Turn on the tap) Samaritans Purse Clean Water Project. We are so thankful, once again, for all those who donated their small change to our water bottle. Over the past year we collected, and sent £49.17. Samaritans Purse are always very grateful for all the donations, so they can provide safe water for so many people, who would otherwise have to drink dirty water. Thousands of people die each year from diseases caused by dirty water. As well as providing wells, rainwater tanks, and BIOS and water filters, Samaritans Purse also provide health and hygiene education. “As our teams work in crisis areas of the world, people often ask, “Why did you come?” The answer is always the same: “We have come to help you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our ministry is all about Jesus— first, last, and always. As the Apostle Paul said, “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV). ## Operation Christmas Child Operation Christmas Child. A big thank you to all who filled a shoebox with gifts for the children. We delivered 22 boxes to the local collection point. From the cash donations we also received, we were able to make up 3 boxes online, with a donation for the Greatest Journey. After receiving a shoebox gift, children have the opportunity to enrol in The Greatest Journey - 12 fun and interactive Bible lessons, where they get the chance to discover who Jesus is and how to begin their own journey of faith. So, once again, thank you so much for your support. ## Take-A-Break report It continued to be a pleasure to meet with our TAB ladies on Wednesday mornings during the three school terms in 2024. Numbers, only significantly dropping due to wintry weather, resulted in an average attendance of 14 ladies each week plus team members. No change of team members from 2023 which is encouraging. Two others come when free and are a blessing to the group. We were grateful for speakers connected to the church. A church member helped us take part in Samaritan’s Purse shoebox project. Outside speakers came from The Sweet Pea Society, Age UK and we tasted foods from Australia. The Autumn Fayre raised £175 including an uplift from sale of greetings cards. The Summer Fayre raised £147. All funds went into our Mission Action account. From this and our takings and gifts we supported a child through World Vision each month and donated £200 to Leprosy Mission £200 to Trafford Youth For Christ £200 to Renewal North West £200 to Christians Against Poverty. We provided a lunch at the end of each term. Thank you to all who helped by both generous giving and effort. We met for ‘coffee in the lounge’ during July and August, always a good time for sharing together with the ladies. We were encouraged by the good support from the ladies for Easter and Christmas services, Harvest Supper, Quiz nights and a special favourite the good Friday meal and a member’s loving and delicious hospitality. It continues to be difficult to get more ladies to attend our regular Sunday services Thank you to church members for faithful continued prayer that God will bless our witness of his love in word and deed, and bring many to trust Jesus as their Saviour. ## **MISSION AID** The Mission Aid Fund is funded by the sale of goods and preserves during the year. This enables us to meet the cost of sponsorship of a child in Ethiopia, Africa. It also helps towards the cost of sending the boxes of baby packs and hygiene packs to Christian Mission International Aid (CMIAID) in Moldova. All the items are donated, and our sincere thanks to all who have contributed. ## **DEACONS** **Over the past year we have continued to address some of the requirements of the trustees’ survey, most recently the new ramp and replacement fire exit door.** **We've had a few events during the year. The quiz nights have been well received, and special thanks for the hard work in organising these. It was particularly encouraging to see a few new faces at the most recent one. We also had a musical evening, and hope to organise another musical evening this autumn. We would like to thank you all for your prayers and support over the past year. Particular thanks go to those involved for letting people into the church and locking up throughout the year.** ## **FINANCIAL REPORT** The year 2024 accounts have again been audited by a former member of the church to whom we are very grateful for his assistance and we did this year send a gift to his church for completing this task. Receipts for the year 2024 were back to the more normal annual amount after the great increase in 2023 due to a member’s very substantial gift of £50,000. General Fund expenditure for the year was very similar to 2023, due to more capital expenditure as specified in the Deacon’s report. Again, owing to very generous gifts to the Missionary Fund and the gift to the Special Missionary Fund, payments to missionaries and missionary organizations amounted to £5590. In additions there were donations and gifts made from the General Fund amounting to £3293. The Mission Aid Account shows a healthy balance with the help of a transfer of funds from ‘Take A Break’. ## **SECRETARY’S REPORT** I again wish to start by thanking all those who give so much of their time and energy in serving the Lord in the church, in spiritual service and also in practical matters which have to be attended to in order for the church to be maintained and services to be conducted safely and successfully. We are truly very grateful and thank you all for your ministries. We are always pleased to welcome new people as members of the church, so it was great to welcome a new couple. Others came for a week or so, but did not continue in coming. Another couple have now moved to the North East to be near family and we appreciated all the help they gave to the fellowship while they were with us. The number of those attending on a Sunday morning has increased slightly, although there are some Sundays when numbers fluctuate with new people visiting the church and members away or unwell. We had great time of fellowship on Good Friday and Easter Day services, when we commemorated the Saviour’s death and rejoiced in a living Lord Jesus on Easter Sunday. Christmas was celebrated with a Carols by Candlelight service which took place on Sunday morning 22nd December. There were about 30 people present, church members and a number of women from the Wednesday ‘Take-A-Break’, and other visitors. There were carols, readings, a DVD drama, with the meaning of Christmas explained at the conclusion. Coffee, tea and mince pies were then served. May we all experience the Lord’s continual blessing on all that we seek to do for His glory in the coming year. We particularly pray that the Lord will provide all the resources we need especially families with children and mature Christians to assist with the leadership of the church. Devonshire Road Evangelical Church Accounts for the ygar endod 31st December 2024 GRAND TOTAL G•n•rnl Ml••fjoMry Fund Fund Il•Mion 8pKial Fund Spxi*l Aid Fund D••¢oM Ml••fjon•ry Fund Totsl 2024 Total 2023 Re￿[pts Payments Net rec*ipts Transfer5 OpeniTh3 bak•Tri* Closing balanc• 2fj389.10 22,347.99 3,941.11 3.190.00 5,590.00 12,400.¢XII 1400.00 $76.20 423.80 152.60 30.055.30 30.232.38 11TT.oei 0.00 64,957.12 $4.780.04 71.584 40 38.463 20 39.121 20 0.00 15.835.92 54,957.12 370.79 1370.791 1,$00.00 11,500.001 ¢Z.400.¢￿Tr 8,000.00 100.00 17.647.$4 21.$18.65 29.088.64 2J.717.85 373J4 RECONCILIATION 8ank Accouni Llo>th 8ankirwJ Gro￿ curMtNA￿Jn1 u0￿$ Bankiry Group T￿￿re1&Ac￿￿n1 Uoyds Savings Aco)unt Uoyds FrAe Tern Depjsrt SalltaThJer Curwi NwrentsJ 31 t*corr*er 2024, ￿iCkn ar8 Set out on page$ 1 10 6. Basil of Fnd•p•nd•ntex•mln•rf• r•port My exarnlnab'￿ In¢Judes a re¥￿ ofthe accountiry rncwds kept by the thurth and a Cfmnparwi of the 8coJunts pr858nied with those records. 11 also indudes con3*Jeratw of any unusual iteftL* or d6dosures in ￿ fina￿la1 stst8rn8nts aTrJ 588kirMJ 8wLanabon$ ¢tsn¢•ming any SUL* matters. The proc*dure5 uTrJèrtak8n do not pro¥KYe 811 ts e¥thn￿ that ￿kj ￿ rBqu¥&J ￿ an 3￿J11 arK1 conSeq￿ty I do not expres8 an 8udil Opin￿Tr on th• gNen by the financ￿1 stawnents. In connethon IMih my exarniThatK¥I ol IM thurth funts. nolhmg rarre to my attenkn gave rne cause to be*M otrthre than that the finanoal staternents accord wth Ihe aCt￿nI)ng records of Ihe church. l am ￿?t awart of any matter to attent*)n shoU￿j be dravm in order to enabb a proper underslandiThJ ofthe fina[￿1 stslem•nts 10 te roatt*J. Slgned by tho Indepvnd•nt Ex•1￿. Name •nt1 ¥ddYM• of the Indepondont Ex•rnin•r. Colin Watts FCW 48 St AndrEw5 Chxe. Feamw. Wariw. c￿8. WA2 OEJ. 12 April 2025 Pa Devonshirn Road Evangelical Church Accounts for the yoar ondod 31st December 2024 GENERAL FUND 2024 2023 RECEIPTS GIft￿d Non Gift Aij Offering Box Tax from Gfft Aid 5 Other Gfft5 10.562.52 12.592.52 2,760.00 2,760.00 2￿29.00 2,444.00 2,354.06 1.032.99 26.17 5C().00 1CM).00 372.87 3.850.00 0.00 150.00 0.00 9.10 23.828.55 Jnazon Smile Audrting N£counts . F￿d.$ Lane Maureen Davies, Funeral Bank Inte￿$t BuildirrfJ Rental Music Evening Pollirs Station Qurz night Totsl Income 1JXIO. Other Incorr 769.52 SJ21.1)0 283.00 320.00 PAYMEpirs Bank Charges Capital Items Church Activrb'es Donations & Gffts Fire Training Course General RunniTr3 Expenses Repairs & Maintenance Subscn'ptions & Licenses Total Paymonts 68.24 6.845.78 1.589.34 3.055.00 274.80 6,332.01 5,7CK).97 2,377.15 3,088.81 748.72 723.30 7.99 21346.24 6,889.91 2.707.20 3,293.00 Transfer to mlMloMry fund Net Re¢•ipts Op¢nlng 8alanc• Closlng 8alan¢o (4Cw).00} 3,941.11 2.082.31 17,647.54 15,565.23 21588.65 17.647.54 Devonshire R¢>ad Evang•lirAI Church Accounts for the year ended 31st Dtt•mbor 2024 GENERAL FUND PAYWJE14T DETAILS 2024 2023 BANK CHARGES Transfer Fees 68.24 68.24 CAprrAL rrEPIS A￿lrteCtUral SeNtes Basement Surnp & Pump Building Imp￿vements Cupboards for Lounge Gas Boiler Fire Equipment Fire Risk Assessment Poster Elecrical TestiThJ & Repairs 0.00 0.00 5.915.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 540.00 70.20 320.58 457.81 0.00 3h86.00 2,057.10 CHURCH ACTMTIES Annual Church Meeting Meal Biiyesl 8ooksl Study Materials lerature Musical Evening Outreach Literature Revitalisation Expenses Speakers ExFenses 8 Sunday Club Travdling Expenses 19.99 236.00 0.00 0.00 125.00 o.oo 1.185.00 23.35 0.00 1.589.34 228.00 125.00 1290.00 100.00 2,707.20 DONATIONS AND GIFTS AdOp1-￿hl1d Bntish Youth For Christ Donation for Bibles Echoes Intemational Manchester City Mission Maritsme Christian MinistrEs Med￿1 Miswnary Nev#8 Outreach UK Slavic Gospel Asscriation 10 SportsReach 11 Trafford Youlh For Christ 12 Trafford Ywth For Chr6t quii night 100.00 180.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 200.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 2,175.00 0.00 3 055.00 180.00 120.00 283.00 100.00 100.00 2,400.00 90.00 EDUCATION Fire Training Course 274.80 274.80 Continued on next Devonshire Road Evangelical Church Accounts for tho year ended 318t December 2024 GENERAL FUND PAYMENT DETAILS 100.00 100.00 256.00 90.00 366.00 175.00 Offering Box Tax from Grft Ayj Harvest celebrat 6 Quiz n￿ht 135.00 3 487.00 MONTHLY PAYMENTS January February March 4 April 5 May June Juty August September 10 October 11 November 12 December John & Beryl van den Hogen Far Eastem Broadcasting Associa TEAR FUT Andre Furmanov Rob & Janet Dann Trafford Good rws for everywe Hannah Coombes Echoes of Service 41100 345.00 385.00 635.00 430.00 460.00 400.00 460.￿) 400.00 465 00 410.00 400.00 410.00 875.00 545.00 410.00 400.00 430.00 400.00 420.00 430.00 420.00 410.00 SAT-7 The Bth So¢*ty Seamen's Christian FI￿r¥j S(K OTHER PAYMENTS Sièrra Leone TEAR Fund 256 1)0 30.00 286.00 0.00 om TOTAL PAYMENTS 5,487.00 Total Incom8 Totsl Paym•nts Transfer from Genornl Fund Tr•n$f•r from Speclal Ml¥slonary Fund Net Rec•ipts Openlng Balonc• Closing Balance 3.190.00 3,487.00 15,590.00) (5,487.00 400.00 1,600.00 2MOO.OQ 0.00 0.00 0.00 oJ)o P8 Devonshire Road Evangellcal Church Accounts for the year ended 31st Dec•m1￿r 2024 MISSION AID FUND 2024 2023 R0¢0lpts Sale of PreseTh 101.20 145.35 Autumn Fayre Take A Break Gift Totsl Recelpts 176.C 300.00 576.20 0.00 123.50 268.85 pa￿Tronts Sponsorship of Oumarou & Nafta 2 Sponsorship of Dubai Foc*J Par¢els Donation Total Paym¢nts 205.20 68.40 0.00 45.00 318.60 273.80 120.00 30.00 423.60 . Chiklren's Educalion Net Roc¢ipts Openlng 8ol•n Closin9 BalanGg 152.60 220.94 373.54 (49.751 270.69 220.94 SPECIAL FUNO - DEACON 2024 2023 Re¢olpl• Slewardship Individual Total Recoipts 0.00 39.000.00 1 000.00 0.00 40 000.00 Paymon18 Buffalo Pie Cabinet Car Park ResurfaciNJ A4 Literature Rack Not￿ebOard Totsl Payment• 370.79 0.00 0.00 10,386.00 0.00 179.88 0.00 345 48 370.79 10 911.36 (370.79) 29.088.64 0.00 28 717.85 29,088.64 Opgnlng Balance Closing Balanc• SPECIAL MISSIONARY FUND 2024 2023 R•¢•lpts Stewardship IndNidual Total R•celpts 9.500.00 soo.00 0.00 10 000.C Payments G￿ Hanw &"ble pur¢hases Renewal NW Revival Movement Asx¢. 4 Share Africa 5 Sha￿d Hope T¢)tsl Paym•nts 200.00 400.00 400.00 200.00 200.00 400. Not Rocelpts Openlng Balance Translar to Ml$¥ion¥ry Ald Fund Clo8ing Balance 11.500.00) 9.600.CAI 8.000.00 2,400.00 1600.00 Pa ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** I report to the trustees on the accounts of Devonshire Road Evangelical Church for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 1 to 6. ## **Basis of Independent Examiner's report** My examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the church and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements. ## **Independent Examiner's statement** In connection with my examination of the church funds, nothing came to my attention which gave me cause to believe otherwise than that the financial statements accord with the accounting records of the church. I am not aware of any matter to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. ## **Signed by the Independent Examiner:** ## **Name and address of the Independent Examiner:** Colin Watts FCMA, 48 St Andrews Close, Fearnhead, Warrington, Cheshire, WA2 0EJ. 07 August 2025 Pag