The MIDLANDS GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP TRUST ## **ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** for the year ended 31[st] August 2022 ## **CONTENTS** ||**Page**| |---|---| |**Report of the Trustees**|**1**| |**Receipts and Payments Accounts for year ended 31st August 2022**|**7**| |**Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees**|**9**| Midlands Gospel Partnership Annual Report and Accounts 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** _**Charity Name**_ The Midlands Gospel Partnership Trust _**Status**_ Trust Registered Charity with effect from 12[th ] November 2010 Registered Charity Number 1138999 _**Registered Office**_ Stapleford Baptist Church Albert Street Stapleford NG9 8DB ## _**Trustees**_ Trustees who served during the year are set out below: - Rev C Hobbs Rev R Hopkins (Chair) Mr J James Mr J Russell Mr P Sweeting Mr A Upton None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the Trust and all served without remuneration in their capacity as Trustees. _**Administrator**_ A Deane ## _**Independent Examiner**_ Mr S Adam 1 Sherroside Close, Allestree, Derby DE22 2HN _**Bankers**_ Lloyds TSB Bank plc - Commercial Banking P O Box 10000 Bexhill BX1 1LT 1 Midlands Gospel Partnership Annual Report and Accounts 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 ## **Trustees Annual Report for the period 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022** The trustees are pleased to present this Annual Report and Financial Statements for The Midlands Gospel Partnership (charity number 1138999) for the year ending 31[st] August 2022. ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## _Governing Document_ The Trust is a registered charity governed in accord with its Declaration of Trust dated 25[th] May 2010. The Charity Commission granted registered charity status on 12[th] November 2010. ## _Organisational structure_ The Trust is governed by a Steering Committee (Trustees) comprising of those involved in the leadership of evangelical churches across the Midlands. They meet on a quarterly basis to set policy and review the activities of the Trust. ## _Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees_ Trustees are elected by nomination and resolution of the existing Trustees. Trustees don’t receive remuneration or any other benefits from their work with MGP. ## _Trustees Induction and Training_ New Trustees are given training and an induction process that is overseen by the existing Trustees, who may delegate certain elements of the induction process to staff members. ## _Risk Management_ The Trustees examine the major strategic and operational risks which the Trust faces at each of their quarterly meetings. ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** The Trustees apply the income of the Trust in furthering the following objects, namely for the promotion and the advancement of evangelical, protestant, reformed Christian religion (“the Faith”) including in particular but not so as to limit the generality of the foregoing by:- - i) The support and furtherance of the religious and other charitable work of congregations meeting for religious worship in the counties of Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, and such other counties as the Trustees may from time to time determine. - ii) The establishment, support and furtherance of new congregations meeting for religious worship in the said or such other counties by way of Church plants and otherwise. - iii) The support of presbyters, deacons, youth workers, pastoral workers, teachers, evangelists, musicians, and administrators. - iv) The advancement of religious education in accordance with the Faith by means of ministry, children’s and youth workers, and other training courses, classes, seminars, lectures, conferences, and other events, and otherwise. 2 Midlands Gospel Partnership Annual Report and Accounts 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 - v) The holding of public meetings and assemblies. - vi) The award of grants to, and otherwise supporting those training for the Ministry, or other religious positions as youth workers, pastoral workers, teachers, evangelists, musicians, and administrators. - vii) The production, publication, and dissemination of religious work. ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** _Review of activities and impact for Public Benefit_ The Midlands Gospel Partnership is a network of local churches committed to expanding gospel ministry across the Midlands through training in biblical ministry, co-operating in evangelism and partnering in church planting initiatives. The main activities of the Midlands Gospel Partnership Trust for the year ended 31[st] August 2022 included- - i) A leaders’ conference usually held in March (the Leaders’ Conference), which is open to senior ministers and leaders. This annually recurring event was designed to support and encourage those involved in Christian leadership, and other church members and to assist them in leading and building up the wider church family. - ii) A partnership day conference held in September (MGP Partnership Day), which is open to senior ministers of partner churches, bringing one colleague. The day provides a chance for partnership members to get together and see our development in achieving our vision of seeing healthy local churches in every Midlands community. - iii) An affordable Bible training course, the Midlands Ministry Training Course (MMTC). The course is designed to help church members, including ministry trainees, to better understand how to read and teach the bible. - iv) Specific MGP Youth and Children’s ministry training day courses (Big Day Out, Growing Young Disciples) as well as an annual event for young people and their youth group leaders (Midlands Youth Convention). These are designed to support and encourage Christian fellowships across the Midlands and enable them to be more effective in their Christian ministry and their walk with God. - v) Midlands Women’s Convention and Midlands Men’s Convention provide a place for men and women to hear God speak through His Word, to sing His praises and to think together what it means to live for Christ in today’s world. - vi) Groups looking at areas like church planting and finding ways to encourage new congregations in areas where additional congregations may further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. - vii) Involvement in national Gospel centred initiatives alongside other Regional Gospel Partnerships. The Trust aims to continue to deliver services and benefits through the key activities outlined above, and to see growth in the number of partner churches. In the 2021-2022 we welcomed two new churches into the partnership, and we have also partnered with seven organisations. **The Partnership Day** was the first in-person MGP conference after the lifting of pandemic controls and was titled _Journeying Into Life._ The day, which included a light buffet lunch, took place in Holy Trinity Hinckley and the speaker was Rico Tice. 3 Midlands Gospel Partnership Annual Report and Accounts 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 **The Leaders’ Conference** was attended by about fifty people from across twenty partner churches who gathered to open the Bibles together and listen to Nick Tucker speak on the topic _Jesus the Good Shepherd_ . The reminder of who Jesus is, of his power and authority and the unique way he exercises this power was a great encouragement to all present. **The MMTC course** , again, took place in Nottingham (MMTC East) and in Birmingham (MMTC West). Two year groups delved into studying the Bible, learning how to understand it and teach it to others. As in previous year, we saw lower number of students attending, the West course in particular. The numbers were just above ten students for West and low twenties in East. Students were made of individuals from different churches, ages, backgrounds, who can be either church apprentices, student workers or home group leaders or church members taking time off work, or who are retired. **The Next Generation Conference (formerly known as Growing Young Disciples)** was successfully organised and delivered by the MGP Youth & Children’s team, is a day conference for those involved in Youth & Children’s work – in paid or volunteer capacity - in the Midlands. The topic for 2022 was _Identity_ which proved to be immensely popular and saw falling shy of 200 delegates from across the Midlands. Ed Drew, Director of Faith in Kids, delivered a captivating and engaging teaching on an apt topic. **Big Day Out** a termly event which aims to inspire and encourage excellence for those in or involved in fulltime children’s ministry resumed its faithful teaching to a handful persons. **The Midlands Youth Convention (MYC)** had its first run in July 2022 after a cancelled event in 2021. MYC is a day of teaching and worship for youth groups and their leaders and in its first year attracted 120 souls. **Midlands Women’s Convention** was held in the East on Saturday 1st October 2022 when 300 women met at Cornerstone Church Nottingham and in the West on Saturday 15th October 2022 when tickets sold out as 300 women attended at Monyhull Church Birmingham. Each convention followed the same programme from 10 am until 3 pm in which we enjoyed 3 Bible talks on 1 Peter given by Grace Holt with the title “Stand Firm in the True Grace of God”. 10of those provided an extensive bookstall at each convention, and we were treated to music provided by bands at each venue put together by Ben Shaw from Fulwood Church in the East and Woodgreen Church in the West. **Midlands Men’s Convention (MMC)** exists to encourage men across the Midlands to live for Christ. On 6[th] November 2021, 224 men gathered at Cornerstone Church in Nottingham and 106 at Monyhull Church in Birmingham, as well 17 smaller gatherings across the region watching the livestream. Rupert Bentley-Taylor opened up the story of Hezekiah in 2 Kings to encourage us to stand firm in our day as _Men who Make a Difference_ . There were also workshops on topics such as, Godliness & Mental Health, Godliness and Getting Older, Understanding a Godless World, Godliness in a Digital Age, The Great Gain of Godliness and Godliness and God’s Word. There was also a dedicated Youth Stream for those aged 11-18. On 21[st] May 2022 we held our first full West MMC Convention at Monyhull Church in Birmingham. 117 men attended from across the West Midlands as well as further afield. Raymond Brown was our main speaker encouraging us from 1 Timothy to be men of mission and prayer. There were also workshops 4 Midlands Gospel Partnership Annual Report and Accounts 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 on Race & Church in the UK, Thinking Global while Serving Local and Growing as Men Who Pray. We also ran a dedicated Youth Stream again. ## _Public Benefit_ The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. As set out in our objectives, we exist for the benefit of individuals primarily in the Midlands region of England through the promotion and advancement of the evangelical protestant Christian religion. The Trustees are once again grateful for the immense amount of work done by our volunteers and Supporters alongside our staff members. We recognise that it is the gospel that truly changes people and brings them into relationship with Jesus Christ and from this life-changing relationship flows the generosity of so many which supports and sustains the ministry of the MGP. We seek to make our courses and events affordable and make further concessions to ensure the courses are accessible to all. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** Having regard to the size and turnover of the Trust, the financial statements for the year have been drawn up on a receipts and payments basis and should be viewed in conjunction with this Trustee Report. Income is derived primarily from charges for events and the training course and through donations from partner churches and individuals. We are grateful to these organisations and people for their financial support. MGP’s total receipts in the year ended 31 August 2022 were £50,032 and its total payments were £54,847, resulting in net deficit of £4,815. Expenditure includes salaries, cost for running events, and the costs of general initiatives to support and encourage interested churches and individuals across the Midlands. We seek to make all events self-funding but will consider running events at a loss (supported by partner church and other donations) if it furthers the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ across the region or makes courses accessible to those who could not ordinarily afford to attend. 5 Midlands Gospel Partnership Annual Report and Accounts 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 ## **RESERVES POLICY** The Trustees are committed to establishing a level of reserves for General Funds that will cover three months of operational costs, subject to sufficient funding being available to achieve this, while not hampering the ongoing development of the ministry of the Trust. This is designed to enable the charity to continue to operate its essential services, remunerate its employees and pay its necessary expenses in the event of an unanticipated reduction in donations or unforeseen expenditure. On 31 August 2022, the reserves totalled £38,572. ## **DECLARATION** The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above Signed on their behalf by: 6 Midlands Gospel Partnership Annual Report and Accounts 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31[st] August 2022** ## RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ||Unrestricted|Restricted|2022|2021| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Funds|Funds|Total|Total| ||£|£|£|£| |RECEIPTS||||| |Gifts, donations, legacies and other|7,448|500|7,948|9,800| |MGP conferences income|970||970|-| |MGP YC conferences income|2,919||2,919|1099| |Midlands Men’s Convention income|5,451||5,451|987| |Midlands Women’s Convention income|2,274||2,274|-| |MMTC fees|26,950||26,950|30,833| |MMTC gifts|3,020||3,020|3,379| |_Sub total_|49,532|500|50,032|46,098| |Asset and investment sales|-|-|-|-| |**_Total receipts_**|**49,532**|**500**|**50,032**|**46,098**| |PAYMENTS||||| |Grants and gifts|1,100|500|1,600|2,000| |Managements and administration|1,099||1,099|868| |Staff costs (salary, pensions, expenses)|6,134||6,134|2,918| |MGP conferences costs|1,310||1,310|348| |MGP YC conferences costs|1,554||1,554|476| |Midlands Men’s Convention costs|5,805||5,805|450| |Midlands Women’s Convention costs|1,229||1,229|815| |_Sub total_|18,231|500|18,731|7,875| |MMTC Hire costs|4,790||4,790|-| |MMTC Speakers costs|2,056||2,056|319| |MMTC Publicity costs|254||254|-| |MMTC Printing, stationery, catering|125||125|302| |MMTC Staff costs (director, admin)|28,891||28,891|27,770| |_Sub total_|**54,347**|**500**|**54,847**|**36,266**| |Asset and investment purchases|-|-|-|-| |**_Total payments_**|**54,347**|**500**|**54,847**|**36,266**| |Net receipts / (payment)|**(4,815)**||**(4,815)**|**9,832**| 7 Midlands Gospel Partnership Annual Report and Accounts 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31[st] August 2022** |STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES|STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||Unrestricted|Restricted||2022|2021| ||Funds|Funds||Total|Total| ||£|£||£|£| |**Transfer between funds**|-|||-|-| |Cash Funds last year end|43,387|||43,387|33,555| |Cash Funds this year end|38,572|||38,572|43,387| |**Cash Funds**|||||| |Lloyds TSB Bank plc|||||| |**_Total cash funds_**|**38,572**|||**38,572**|**43,387**| |**Other monetary assets**|-|-||-|-| |**Investment assets**|-|-||-|-| |**Assets retained for the charity’s own use**|||||| |Data projectors (x2)|**-**|**-**||**805**|**805**| |**Liabilities**|**-**|**-**||**-**|**-**| |Signed on behalf of the trustees|||Date||| ||Rev C Hobbs||||| |acting Chair of Trustees|||||| **8** Midlands Gospel Partnership Annual Report and Accounts 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE MIDLANDS GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP TRUST** **9**