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2025-03-31-accounts

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH

TRUSTEES’ REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENT for the year ending 31 March 2025

Registered Address 22 New Street Milnrow Rochdale OL16 3PQ

Charity Registration Number 1135818

Approved by the Trustees on 28/12/25

Trustees

Julian Hurst (Elder) Dr Timothy Platts (Deacon) John Corbett (Treasurer and Deacon) Sam Cappleman-Lynes (Deacon)

Bankers H S B C 2 Yorkshire Street Rochdale OL16 1EE

Independent Examiner:

STANLEY OZGOWICZ MA (Cantab) CTA Atrament Limited 11 Sadlers Gate Wombwell Barnsley S73 8NG

Page 1

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

CHARITABLE OBJECT

The primary aims of the Trust are to fulfil the role of a Christian Church in the Rochdale and district area and to provide help to others in promoting the Christian faith in the United Kingdom and overseas.

THE CHURCH : ITS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Church is a gathering of ordinary people of different ages and backgrounds, whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour of the World.

The New Testament describes the Church as a community of people, properly taught and cared for, who by knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and loving and serving Him, are also committed to love and care for each other and to bring a blessing to the area in which they live.

Milnrow Evangelical Church, its Trustees and members are committed to the maintenance of these New Testament principles, as also are many other Churches, not only in this country, but also all over the world.

The powers of appointment or removal of Trustees rests with the Trustees. New Trustees are selected from within the elders and deacons of the Church and appointed in accordance with the Members’ Manual. This means that the Trustee body is wholeheartedly involved in fulfilling the mission of the Church worked out in practice. New Trustees are made aware of their responsibilities and of the legal and financial framework in which the Church operates.

The Church employs one Elder full time and one part time Administrator, but all members are involved in the work. Each member does what they are able as time and abilities permit. Some are involved in leading the worship services, or in a teaching ministry. Others are able to visit the sick and needy. All are involved in prayer for the work and in its financial support.

Page 2

THE YEAR: ITS OBJECTIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

During the year ending 31 March 2025, the church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and suffered one of its worst trials since it began. The great enemy of the church, Satan, caused division, which resulted in a significant number of people leaving the church. A proposal was brought to the whole membership, which was not carried. After this, three elders stood down from office and they and some members of the church left.

Two members went to be with the Lord and 24 others left. Despite this sad and painful experience, those who remained renewed their commitment to each other and the Lord’s work here in Milnrow and beyond and have pressed on together. We continued our various meetings and forms of outreach.

The main ways that the Church has sought to achieve the calling of Christ upon it and its charitable purposes for the public benefit have been as follows:

* Lord’s Day Services.

Our main Sunday services continued each Sunday at 11.00a.m. and 6.00p.m. We continued to ventilate the hall and sanitize our hands to limit the spread of germs. A time of fellowship was held after the evening service with refreshments.

We continued to live stream our services, and keep the video recordings on our church Facebook page and YouTube page.

* Morning Prayer Meetings.

This prayer meeting took place online using Zoom and met three mornings a week from 9.00am to 9.30am.

* Midweek Meetings.

On a Wednesday morning and evening the ladies meet for Bible study, fellowship and prayer. The morning meeting uses Zoom if some are not able to attend in person, but increasing numbers have met in person. The evening meeting is on Zoom.

On a Thursday evening at 7.45 p.m. there is a Bible Study and Prayer Meeting at the church building when the Home Groups are not meeting. Home Groups are typically on the first and third Thursday of each month.

Page 3

* Men’s Meeting.

The men met on Saturday mornings, twice a month. We had breakfast together and looked at a chapter of Christian book together. This stopped after June 2024, when numbers dropped.

* Trainee.

The church took on a self-employed trainee, called Paul Morgan, up until the end of September 2024, when his placement period ended. He was supported by the church and lived in the church flat. He helped with outreach, youth work and preaching.

* Missionary Support.

This year £20,034 was donated for the support of missionary work worldwide.

We agreed to lend £15,000 to Wilstead Evangelical Church in November 2022 to enable them to buy a new church building. The funds were transferred in February 2023 and were expected to be repaid within 12-18 months. A request for a 12 month extension was agreed in Summer 2024. As of 31 March 2025, the loan remained outstanding.

* Outreach.

Book table work. We continued our outreach using book tables. We offer Bibles, Gospels, Christian books and leaflets. We run 2 book tables in Rochdale town centre each week and help with another in Halifax once a week. These stopped once Paul Morgan finished his placement.

Open Airs. We continued with our open airs once a month in Rochdale, meeting on a Saturday. We have Gospel messages preached with the help of visual aids, hand out Christian literature and have discussions with any who show interest.

Door to door visitation. We have restarted door to door visitation now that covid concerns have eased. We do this when the weather is not suitable for the book tables and during our Week of Outreach. This stopped being a regular activity once Paul Morgan finished his placement.

Leaflet Distribution. We continue to deliver Christian literature and invitations to various church meetings. These are mostly done in connection with special events; including Christmas, Spring, Easter and our ‘Week of Outreach’ in August.

Page 4

Personal Bible Studies. We run personal Bible studies for those who want to understand more about the Christian faith. In particular, we often run ‘Christianity Explored’ for those who are desiring to be baptised and join the church to ensure that they understand clearly what being a Christian means.

Our annual Week of Outreach took place in late August / early September as usual. We ran a normal programme of outreach in 2024 with an encouraging number of helpers and gospel conversations. We ran a Summer Barbecue which was well attended by the church with many visitors..

We continued running our meetings for mothers / fathers / carers and their young children, called Stay & Play . The purpose of this meeting is to build relationships with local families and seek opportunities to share the gospel.

We continued running our youth work . This included Good News Club for primary school age children and JETS, for secondary school aged children.

During the month of December we had a Christmas Supper, a Carol Service and a Christmas Day service to which neighbours and friends were invited.

* Word of Hope Ministries.

This work continues to be in demand, with orders coming for the literature from various parts of the country and a number of requests coming from abroad.

This work is maintained by a group of devoted volunteers who give many hours of their time each year.

* Hospitality.

Hospitality was given regularly on both an organized and spontaneous basis.

* Church Website.

The church website (www.milnrow.org) continues to be a valuable asset to members of the church and viewers from outside. MP3 audios and MP4 videos are regularly accessed through the website. These include messages preached at the church on Thursdays and Sundays, by various speakers. Videos are available to watch, sharing personal stories of faith in Jesus Christ, and answers to life’s questions.

Page 5

Activities of the church are advertised using this platform; from Youth Groups to Seasonal Suppers.

The website continues to be linked to other sites such as www.the christiananswer.org; which provides more educational materials on the Christian faith, resulting in a number of requests for Christian literature. Jesus-islam.com is another; providing information for the many who enquire into the Christian faith from a Muslim background. It is now available in English, French, Arabic, Urdu and Persian. AndyMcIntosh.org is another website that provides helpful information on science and creation.

The church’s website is updated by a member of the church skilled in the area of IT.

The church also has a Facebook page and YouTube page on which most meetings are livestreamed. These videos are then available for people to watch at any time.

Help is provided to a number of other churches and organizations, particularly in support of their outreach;

Chorlton Evangelical Church . We supported their week of outreach, which was in June 2024, with helpers and in prayer.

Droylsden Independent Church . We supported their week of outreach in September with helpers and in prayer.

Halifax Grace Baptist Church : Members of our church help weekly on a Thursday with general outreach. This stopped after Paul Morgan finished his placement. We also helped in their annual outreach week in September. United Beach Missions . Church members are involved in leadership of and participating in teams throughout the year. These teams operate in the UK and also in continental Europe.

Many from our church helped the Christian Answer (CA) team in London in May 2024, as well as other CA teams around the UK over the summer period.

The Open-Air Mission . Members support their week of outreach in Manchester in late September.

We also assist other local churches by providing preachers from the church to assist them in their ministry.

Page 6

* Food Bank and Samaritan’s Purse

We have an ongoing voluntary collection of food from members, which is donated to the local food bank. In addition, some members fill shoe boxes in December and donate them to Samaritan’s Purse.

* Pastoral Care.

During the year our pastors have also been involved in the support of a number of members and others who attend the church who have had a variety of problems.

* Personal Bible studies.

These studies have continued in person and online with the use of Zoom if preferred.

* Safe-Guarding Policy.

The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted with regards to their suitability for their work, including all necessary legal checks. The safeguarding policy is reviewed annually.

* Public Benefit.

The Trustees have read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and are satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrates that the church is providing a benefit to the public.

* Trustees.

This year, there was one resignation from the trustees. That was from the deacon and trustee, Edgar Moreira.

Page 7

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The work of the church during this past year has been both challenging and encouraging. We have sought to press on with both evangelistic activities and discipleship training through our various meetings.

The membership has seen a significant reduction in size. Two of our older members died. Twenty four members resigned. The total membership thus reduced by 26 to 36. Those who have remained have stepped up to fill any gaps by those who have left. Despite the sadness of seeing people leave, we have seen many visitors and have made contact with those seeking God and have pressed on to serve the Lord where He has put us. We saw one profession of faith after our Summer Barbecue and a number of others have expressed interest in being baptized and joining the church.

The various mid-week meetings continue to be well attended by those able to attend.

We have supported a church revitalization project in Rochdale by allowing a Christian worker, called Joost from Holland, to stay in the flat after Paul Morgan vacated it. He is helping revitalize Hope Chapel in Rochdale, whose building has been refurbished and was opened to the public on 20[th] December 2024.

THE NEW YEAR

The spiritual goals of the church are to continue to be faithful to the Lord, His Word and His great commission, and to pray that He will restore the years that the locusts have eaten and do far above and beyond all that we ask or imagine (Joel 2:25, Ephesians 3:20).

Page 8

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The church is entirely dependent upon the generous giving of its members as we have no collections, but there is an offering box at the back of the church. The full financial results for the year are set out in the accompanying financial statement.

The Trustees have set a policy of retaining reserves sufficient for the foreseeable needs of the church to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year.

In view of the departure of a significant number of members in June 2024, the trustees reviewed the churches income and outgoings, and recommended changes to our missionary giving to reflect our change in circumstances. These were agreed by the members. This has ensured that the church’s finances are now stable and sustainable, subject to any future changes.

The Trustees have made an assessment of the major risks facing the church, and are satisfied that there are insurance policies in place to minimize these risks. All major insurable risks are subject to normal Churches and employers’ insurance.

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the church and of the profit and loss of the Charity for that period. The Trustees confirm that the accounts comply with the current statutory requirements and those of the Charity’s Trust Deed.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 28/12/25.

Page 9

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH Year ended 31 March 2025

GENERAL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

Notes
INCOME
General Giving (for general fund)
MEC Gift Aid Scheme
1
Stewardship/CAF (for general fund)
Rental of 22a New Street
2
Bank Interest
Flat Utilities (Joost)
Sale of Minibus
EXPENSES
Pastoral - Julian & Ruth Hurst
3
Pastoral – Expenses
4
Visiting Preachers/Deputations
Missionary Support
5
Young People's Work
6
Outreach
7
Building Repairs & Renewals
8
Insurance
Utility Services
9
Welfare
10
Minibus
11
Materials/Publications
12
Audit of Accounts
Bank Charges
General Expenses
14
Net surplus for the year
2024/25
£
12,592
67,621
4,495
6,360
199
50
0
91,317
27,148
4,682
3,400
20,034
1,417
1,709
5,650
2,260
8,320
163
0
1,295
210
163
1,315
77,766
13,551
2023/24
£
7,776
79,132
6,730
6,360
173
0
3,000
103,171
25,945
4,879
2,330
25,781
537
1,899
11,147
2,215
8,060
0
1,460
1,900
230
167
2,870
89,420
13,751

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH Year ended 31 March 2025

GIFT AID ACCOUNT

Notes
OPENING BALANCES
General
African Pastors Conference
Adamu
Jyoti
Dan Hill
Ukraine Appeal
INCOME
General Fund
Dan Hill
Hicham & Elizabeth
African Pastors Conference
Adamu
Jyoti
Bosco
Bank Charges
HMRC
HMRC - General Fund
Hicham & Elizabeth
Dan Hill
African Pastors Conference
Adamu
Jyoti
Bosco
Ukraine Appeal
Transfers to No1 Account
CLOSING BALANCES
General
African Pastors Conference
Adamu
Joyti
Bosco
Dan Hill
2024/25
£
10,380
5,700
3,000
2,000
20
0
21,100
52,724
2,940
320
6,000
3,000
2,000
5,020
30
72,034
14,897
110
760
1,425
750
500
1,250
0
2,060
2,060
21,100
21,100

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH Year ended 31 March 2025

MEC WORD OF HOPE MINISTRIES

Notes
CASH ACCOUNT
Opening Balance
Less uncleared cheques
Payments received
Less: Purchases and Expenses
Plus uncleared cheque
Closing Balance
Outstanding amount owed to the church at the year end
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
Sales
Stock increase/(decrease)
Publications & Postage
Gross profit
Audit Fees
Annual Website
Bank Charges
Other costs
Expenses
Net Profit
2024/25
2023/24
£
£
4,719
1,903
(225)
(90)
6,577
7,011
11,071
8,824
11,071
8,824
(4,212)
(4,330)
0
225
6,859
4,719
643
779
5,937
6,711
1,930
(661)
7,867
6,050
(3,651)
(4,016)
4,216
2,034
2,034
120
100
120
105
79
90
262
0
(581)
(295)
3,635
1,739
120
120
79
262

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH Year ended 31 March 2025

BOOKSTALL ACCOUNT

Notes
2024/25
£
CASH ACCOUNT
Opening Balance
0
Sales
0
0
Less: Purchases and Expenses
Written off on closure
Closing Balance
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
Sales
0
Gifts of Books
0
Closing Stock
0
0
Purchases
Opening Stock
0
0
Gross Profit/(Loss)
Expenses
0
Gifts of Stock
0
0
Net Profit/(Loss)
DESIGNATED GIFTS ACCOUNT
Notes
2024/25
£
Opening Balance
2,460
Gifts Received
13
25,820
28,280
Payments made
(26,266)
Closing Balance
2,014
2024/25
£
0
0
2023/24
£

(235)

0

0
(235)
(235)
0
0
0
235
0
0

0



0
0
0


0
0
0
0
0



0
0
0
0
0
2023/24
£

3,454

29,495

32,949

(30,489)

2,460
2023/24
£

(235)

0

0
(235)
(235)
0
0
0
235
0
0

0



0
0
0


0
0
0
0
0



0
0
0
0
0
2023/24
£

3,454

29,495

32,949

(30,489)

2,460
0
0
0
0
0


0

0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0

28,280
(26,266)
2,014

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH as at 31 March 2025

BALANCE SHEET

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Property - Butterworth Hall, 22 New Street, Milnrow
Other Tangible Fixed Assets
15
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at Bank and In Hand
16
MEC Word of Hope Ministries Stock
Bookstall
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors net of debtors
17
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
REPRESENTED BY:
Gift Aid Account
MEC Word of Hope Ministries
Bookstall
General Fund
2024/25
£
800,000
700
800,700
56,270
11,154
0
67,424
13,629
81,053
881,753
2,060
18,013
0
861,680
881,753
2023/24
£
800,000
603
800,603
52,545
9,224
0
61,769
13,319
75,088
875,691
21,100
13,943
0
840,648
875,691

During the year ended 31 March 2023 the church undertook a revaluation of its property at New Street, Milnrow.

The revaluation was carried out by an independent valuer and he valued the property at £800,000 Its historical cost is £500,000 and its rebuild cost is £2,400,000 which was previously shown as the market value

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH Year ended 31 March 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1. MEC GIFT AID SCHEME
For General Fund
HMRC – General Fund
2. RENTAL INCOME FROM 22a NEW STREET
Rental
Use of Gas, Electricity and Water
3. PASTORAL, JULIAN & RUTH HURST
Julian Hurst Salary
Ruth Hurst Salary
Pension – NEST
4. PASTORAL EXPENSES
J.H. Mileage
Conferences/Training Days
J.H. Christian Answer Fee
Parking
Paul Morgan Leaving Gift
Paul Morgan Payment for Services Rendered
5. MISSIONARY SUPPORT
UFM -Kevin & Susan Matthews
UFM - Hicham & Elizabeth
Mark Penner
Philip & Margaret McIntosh
Dan Hill
Bosco & Heidi
2024/25
2023/24
£
£
52,724
61,784
14,897
17,348
67,621
79,132
2,980
2,980
3,380
3,380
6,360
6,360
16,320
16,320
9,522
8,319
1,306
1,306
27,148
25,945
817
462
555
555
0
61
10
1
500
0
2,800
3,800
4,682
4,879
3,780
7,440
5,166
7,440
2,772
2,717
2,772
2,728
2,772
2,728
2,772
2,728
20,034
25,781

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH Year ended 31 March 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

6. YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK
Sunday School
JETS
Stay and Play
YPF
Good News Club
7. OUTREACH
Reaching Rochdale Team
Reaching Rochdale Meals/Ancillaries
Answers in Genesis Conference
Ark Conference
Carol Service/Supper
Spring Supper
8. BUILDING REPAIRS AND RENEWALS
Gas Services
Fire Safety Inspection
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Lighting
Fire Alarm
Plumber
Burglar Alarm
Miscellaneous
Electricity Safety Checks
Electrician
Roof
Audio/Visual
Repointing, Fencing, Toilet Upgrades
Gardening Supplies
Repairs
Piano Tuner
Piano Repair
Decorator
22a repairs
Phones
Paving
2024/25
2023/24
£
£
189
54
776
443
172
8
142
32
138
0
1,417
536
500
650
1,029
204
0
555
0
350
180
0
0
140
1,709
1,899
0
312
354
422
61
0
16
749
0
96
192
537
434
371
99
0
224
205
0
78
80
0
652
0
0
2,410
0
26
2,055
260
40
75
0
80
1,393
2,800
0
126
50
0
0
2,600
5,650
11,146

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH Year ended 31 March 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

9. UTILITY SERVICES
Gas/Electric (combined)
Water
Telephone
10. WELFARE
Payments Made
Less Gifts Received
11. MINIBUS (sold during 23/24 financial year)
Depreciation
Insurance
Insurance Refund following sale
Repairs
Tax
MOT
12. MATERIALS/PUBLICATIONS
Photocopier
Holiday Churches - ET
Microsoft Office
Stationery/Copier Paper
Literature
Easter
Advertising
CCLI Licence
13. DESIGNATED GIFTS
Bosco
Dan Hill
African Pastors Conference
Kevin & Susan
Adamu
Ukraine Appeal
Hicham & Elizabeth
Jyoti
2024/25
2023/24
£
£
6,388
6,586
1,533
1,093
399
381
8,320
8,060
163
0
0
0
163
0
0
1,477
0
434
0
(451)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,460
92
78
60
0
80
80
45
143
147
1,101
36
0
0
115
835
383
1,295
1,900
6,270
0
3,745
3,870
7,125
6,461
0
1,000
3,750
3,750
0
6,250
430
1,850
4,500
6,314
25,820
29,495

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH Year ended 31 March 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

14. GENERAL EXPENSES
Christian Safeguarding Services
Connected Conference
Carey Conference
ICO Registration Fee
Postage
COVID Supplies
Zoom
DBS Check
Men's Breakfast
Train tickets for Jyoti
Legal Fees (Trust Deed Amendment)
50th Anniversary
Flowers
Catering (Food)
Catering Supplies (Plates, cups etc)
Cleaning Products
Travel, Insurance etc for El Mostain visit
Toiletries
Depreciation – General
15. FIXED ASSETS
Overhead Projector at 31/3
Cooker – Flat at 31/3
Piano at 31/3
Projectors (2) at 31/3
Dishwasher at 31/3
Colour Copier at 31/3
16. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
General cash in hand
Current Account
Uncleared Cheques
Gift Aid Scheme Account
MEC Word of Hope Ministries Account
Deposit Account
2024/25
2023/24
£
£
343
100
125
150
0
195
35
35
27
13
0
40
156
144
0
9
304
462
0
250
0
630
12
0
0
38
223
258
0
173
58
0
0
0
130
205
(98)
168
1,315
2,869
331
131
26
33
68
76
26
33
138
172
111
158
700
603
0
0
37,232
16,531
(310)
(34)
2,060
21,100
6,859
4,718
10,429
10,230
56,270
52,545

MILNROW EVANGELICAL CHURCH Year ended 31 March 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

17. CREDITORS/(DEBTORS)
Designated Gifts
Word of Hope Ministries
Wilstead
18. CHURCH FUNDS
Designated Gifts
General Fund
MEC Word of Hope Ministries
Gift Aid Scheme Account
2024/25
2023/24
£
£
2,014
2,460
(643)
(779)
(15,000)
(15,000)
(13,629)
(13,319)
2,014
2,460
45,337
24,267
6,859
4,718
2,060
21,100
56,270
52,545

Name: Name: | STANLEY STANLEY OZGOWICZ OZGOWICZ

Relevant Relevant professional professional qualification(s) qualification(s) or or body body (if (if any): any): Address: Address: | 11 11 SADLERS SADLERS GATE GATE WOMBWELL WOMBWELL BARNSLEY BARNSLEY[S73] S73 8NG 8NG

IER IER

1 1 October October 2018 2018

Section Section B B Disclosure Disclosure

Only Only[complete] complete if[if] the[the] examiner examiner needs[needs][to] to[highlight] highlight matters[matters] of of concern concern (see[(see] CC32,[CC32,] Independent independent examination examination[of] of charity charity accounts: accounts: directions directions and and guidance guidance for for examiners). examiners).

Give Give here here brief brief details details of[of] any any[items] items[that] that[ the] the examiner wishes examiner wishes to[to] disclose. disclose.

October October[2018] 2018

IER IER

2 2