## **LIBERTY CHURCH UK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021** The Trustees have the pleasure of submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021. ## **Objects of the charity** The charity, which is a church, is governed by a trust deed and is constituted as a trust. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are: a) To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees from time to time may think fit. b) To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees from time to time think fit; and c) to advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees from time to time may think fit. ## **Aim and purpose** To reach unchurched people from a position of strength in Christ, transforming them into Christcentred believers. We want to be a Church that Loves God, Loves People and Loves Life. ## **Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements** To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows: This year has seen Liberty Church add the ground floor of 98 Sandling Road in Maidstone to its existing lease which is now a rolling contract with a 6-month break clause. The ground floor is in the process of being renovated and once complete will be the venue for our Sunday morning experiences. The church has seen new individuals, couples and families join the Sunday morning experience and financially the church is meeting all of its payments. The church continues to reach and serve the families in the community and surrounding villages, teaching them about the Christian faith. This has been achieved by hosting regular events and meetings promoting the Christian faith in a fun, inclusive and educational way. Activities include both online and in-person: Sunday Experiences including children's programmes, Monthly Prayer meetings, Weekly Youth and young adult meetings and Life Enrichment courses. In 2021 we were awarded a grant by National Lottery to develop and run a Mental Well-being course. This course has been developed by a qualified coach with the church and 2022 has seen the course run for the first time with much interest being shown in it being used in different formats. The course is insightful, engaging and accessible to all people regardless of background. In 2021 Liberty Church became a member church of the Assemblies of God Great Britain. We are blessed at present with 5 full status AOG ministers within our church and trustees (DJ & Karen Mcphail, Grant Small, Stuart Keir and Jonathan Jankowski) in September 2021 our Lead Pastors, Stacey and Craig Kohler, have started on the AOG Ministers in Training programme which is a 3-year course culminating in becoming an AOG minister. Revolutions Youth launched in late 2019 has continued through 2020 and 2021 in various formats. For periods this has been online only but the second half of 2021 has seen weekly in-person youth meetings on a Friday evening. T Revolutions Youth is for secondary aged young people and provides a fun, relevant, secure and safe environment for young people to engage with each other and God. The Youth is open to all young people regardless of their religion or experience. The Youth is led by our youth Pastors Chris and Larisha Reddy and their team continues to grow in capacity and leadership. As a church and leadership, we are still committed to seeing churches planted in the UK and Europe and are looking for opportunities in this regard. We would like to thank our volunteers and all our donors for a great year. We are happy to report that the church is financially, emotionally and spiritually healthy and ready to take on the challenges of a new year and see many lives changed through the life-giving message of Jesus Christ. In planning the activities, the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission. ## **Impact of Covid-19** Covid-19 has impacted the church through 2020 and well into 2021. During a large portion of this time, we took everything we do as a church and moved it online. This proved effective with an increase in opportunities for the church to connect. Church income was largely unaffected during this time as we reduced our spending, received 9 monthly discounts on our venue rental and also saw an increase in giving from the congregation. in 2021 In-person experiences did not resume until March but have been consistent since then. ## **Financial review** During the year total receipts increased to £118,300 (2020: £104,300), an increase of £14,000, and total payments increased to £99,400 (2020: £75,300), an increase of £24,100. As a result, the total cash funds held by the charity increased by £18,900 (2020: £28,900). Including within the above figures, during the year Liberty Church received a new grant of £9,400, to be used towards Wellbeing Counselling of which £4,100 was used in the year for this purpose, leaving £5,100 to be used in 2022. All other funds are unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose. ## **Reserves policy** The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £30,000 (which equates to about 3 months of unrestricted expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and/or expenditure vary adversely. At the year-end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £58,800 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy. ## **Administration, Governance and Management** Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rests with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. New trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees after a majority vote. The current list of trustees is set out below. In 2021 Trustees were: DJ Mcphail Craig Kohler Grant Small Stuart Keir The trustees met four times during the year to discuss church policy, direction and strategic management. Contact details for Liberty Church are Name: Liberty Church Maidstone Address: 98 Sandling Road, Maidstone. ME14 1AA Email: info@libertychurchuk.org Phone number: 01622 910060 Website: www.libertychurchuk.org Responsibilities of trustees Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. ## **Approval** This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by: Craig Kohler Date: 26th May 2022