## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period** ||Period start date|Period start date|||Period end date|Period end date|| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||Day|Month|Year||Day|Month|Year| |**From**|1|April|2021|**To**|31|March|2022| ## Section A Reference and administration details **Charity name** Free Grace Evangelistic Association **Other names charity is known by** N/A **Registered charity number (if any)** 1139084 **Charity's principal address** 1 Payne Close Chippenham Wiltshire **Postcode SN15 3FX** **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
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9|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted as Trustee**|**Name of person (or body)**
**entitled to appoint trustee**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Dr I A Sadler|Chairman|Fullyear|N/A| ||Mr P T Austen|Secretary|Fullyear|N/A| ||Mr J W De Vogel|Treasurer|Fullyear|N/A| ||Mr D Kinderman|International
Co-ordinator|Full year|N/A| ||Mr J Saunders||Fullyear|N/A| ||Miss M Robinson||Fullyear|N/A| ||Mr J B Hart||Fullyear|N/A| ||Mrs M E L K Sadler||1/4/21 to 2/10/21|N/A| ||Mrs C L Kent||From 23/8/21|N/A| ## **Notes:** Mrs M E L K Sadler retired at the October 2021 AGM. **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)** |**Name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**| |---|---| |N/A|N/A| **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 1 **Section B Structure, governance and management** ## **Description of the charity’s trusts** Type of governing document Constitution How the charity is constituted Association Trustee selection methods Election by members ## **Additional governance issues** The working arrangements for the management of the work of the Free Grace Evangelistic Association (FGEA) are set out in bye-laws approved under the Constitution. These bye-laws set out the policy for furthering the charity’s objects, roles and responsibilities of the officers, criteria for giving grants, rules governing membership and record keeping. These were reviewed in detail and updated during 2021. The agreed policy for meeting the objects of free distribution of Bibles and Christian literature and provision of humanitarian assistance is to make grants to locally based Partner Associations in Africa and Asia, that are linked via partnership agreements and a common Declaration of Faith to the UK charity. Grants are also made to appointed FGEA Representatives, trusted contacts or other partner organisations as approved by the Trustees. The International Co-ordinator acts as the focal point for the Bible and literature distribution, and for literature translation. The Chairman takes the lead with the Bible translation projects that are done in partnership with the Trinitarian Bible Society (TBS). The routine decisions on grant giving and priorities are taken by an Overseas Operations Sub-Group that is chaired by the Chairman and consists of the International Co-ordinator and Treasurer. The Sub-Group decisions and discussions are reported back to the Management Committee. The arrangement was first set up in 2020, and throughout the 2021/2022 reporting period it has continued to be effective. During the reporting period, the Management Committee was strengthened by the appointment of Mrs Caroline Kent (a professional Counsellor) as Trustee. Mrs Kent has managed the FGEA website and has been the Safeguarding Officer, and she will continue in these roles. Mrs Mary Sadler, one of the founding trustees, retired at the October 2021 AGM. The Trustees have agreed a policy for verifying the correct use of grants, which includes detailed record keeping, receipt of photographs and reports, and visits by a representative of the Association. During the reporting year visiting from the UK has not been possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the Regional Co-ordinator based in **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 2 Zambia visited the new partner association in Southern Dem. Rep. Congo in October 2021. Plans were made for a series of visits in reporting period 2022/2023. The International Co-ordinator visited Zimbabwe and Zambia in May 2022, the Deputy Regional Co-ordinator based in Malawi visited the newly appointed FGEA Representative in Kenya in May 2022, and the Chairman is planning to visit other parts of Africa later in 2022, God willing. Nevertheless, regular contact has been enhanced by use of remote communication (messaging, audio/video calls) via the internet, which is now generally available to the Association’s representatives abroad. Further contact has been maintained through regular Bible Studies conducted by the Chairman that he has recorded and distributed to representatives and contacts in Africa and Asia; these Bible Studies are universally available via the Association’s website. Although the Association is legally governed by the subscribing members, from whom the Trustees are elected, the Trustees continue to encourage wider interest and support for the work of the Association. During the COVID pandemic, this has largely been done through the FGEA website. The category of Sponsor is also open to all regardless of their beliefs. This enables all to have the opportunity to support and follow the work of FGEA. ## **Section C Objectives and activities** **Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document** The advancement of the Christian religion worldwide for the honour and glory of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost, in obedience to the great commission (Mark 16. 15, 2 Timothy 2. 2), showing compassion and providing assistance to the poor, orphans, widows and the sick (James 1. 27). The main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects were the provision of grants for the following purposes: - Free distribution of Bibles and Christian literature to churches and individuals in poor communities in Africa and Asia, where otherwise they were either unaffordable or unobtainable. Wherever possible, distribution is accompanied by teaching on the Word of God. **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)** - Provision of food, clothing, school materials, medical and other associated needs for orphaned children in an orphanage in India. As of May 2022, the number cared for is 33 boys and 20 girls. **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 3 - The period April – June 2021 saw the final closeout of the special appeal was launched to help pastors, their families and church members in Africa and Asia who were in severe poverty due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The most needy countries were Zimbabwe and Myanmar. Additional support for orphans in India was also necessary. Further humanitarian asssitance has been given in cases of extreme need, such as in Myanmar. - As many meetings and overseas visits could not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of regular Bibles Studies in English and French has continued. These have been recorded and made publically available via the FGEA website, and copies of the recordings with outline notes have been distributed through networks of pastors and believers in Africa and Asia. - Issuing of newsletters/updates has continued in the UK to increase awareness and to raise funds. In-person Open Meetings resumed with meetings in Northern Ireland in June 2021 and March 2022, in October near Chippenham, and at Swavesey in early April 2022. A remotely broadcast Open Meeting was held in September 2021, which allowed a number of overseas brethren to join on-line from Africa and Asia. A recording of the Chippenham Open Meeting was also distributed. - Grants have been requested from other charities to send Bibles and literature directly to trusted contacts in Africa and Asia. The Trustees have due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. This is subject to annual review, but Trustees have also given this specific attention during the review of the organisation and operations of the Association in the setting up of Partnership Agreements. **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 4 ## **Additional details of objectives and activities** Whilst in many parts of Africa and Asia, the official language is English and the more educated people can read this, the Free Grace Evangelistic Association knows the necessity of providing sound and reliable versions of the Bible and Christian literature in the native languages. The children and the poorest people often can only read in their native language. Therefore, the Free Grace Evangelistic Association has continued to support during the year the free distribution of the Scriptures and other Christian literature in native languages. As part of this, a partnership agreement has continued with the Roundwood Trust for the translation, publication and distribution of literature, where the particular mutual interest was the publication of children’s books in Swahili. In partnership with the Trinitarian Bible Society (TBS), work has continued throughout the year on the translation of the Chichewa Bible with primary reference to the Authorised (King James) Version. The project is being led by the FGEA (Malawi) coordinator and supported by local checkers. By April 2022, a draft of the entire Old Testament had been completed, with significant progress with the detailed review. In India, children’s books by Mr B A Ramsbottom have been translated and published in Telugu for the first time. The photo below is of distribution in India. “Bible Doctrines Simply Explained” have been re-printed in French and Swahili. Minor revisions to the New Testament (originally published in 2020) were also completed. During the period, FGEA and TBS also continued work in Zambia on the Bemba New Testament, led by the FGEA (Zambia) co-ordinator. This work has progressed to the completion of John, Matthew, Mark and Luke, with progress into Acts and Romans. The Bemba Gospel according to John has been printed and has been shipped to Zambia, and is currently awaiting arrival. The Free Grace Evangelistic Association most gratefully acknowledges the grants provided by the TBS and from other private grants: 4000 Shona Bibles 3166 English Bibles 408 Portuguese Bibles 2500 Bemba Gospel according to John **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 5 2600 English booklets and tracts 26030 Scripture calendars in English, French, Portuguese, Ndebele, Shona and Xhosa. These grants were sent to Africa and Asia at the request of the Free Grace Evangelistic Association, and they were distributed through FGEA representatives and contacts. These represent a very significant assistance to the work of FGEA, and the number of Bibles is significantly higher than the previous year. The Association has committed significant funding to the distribution and organisation of meetings, as many of the locations where Bibles are most needed are those places that are remote from big cities. ## Section D Achievements and performance **Summary of the main** The Trustees must record that the Association is dependent upon the gracious **achievements of the** hand of God to supply all our needs, both spiritual and material. The Lord has **charity during the year** been gracious and merciful in answer to prayer, when the charity has been hard pressed by the many genuine and urgent needs before us. During the period 2021/22, there have continued to be many unexpected challenges including from the COVID-19 pandemic and unrest in certain countries where FGEA is working. However, the Lord has graciously sustained us and opened new doors or ways of working. In particular, the Association has continued to adapt through doing much more work via the internet, including holding meetings, Bible Studies and building relationships with the FGEA Co-ordinators and Representatives overseas. Following the lessons learnt from the incident in eastern Dem. Rep. Congo (reported in the 2020/21 Annual Report), the FGEA Bye-Laws were amended to clarify the relationship with overseas Partner Associations and Partnership Agreements were put in place. Support was given to brethren in Lubumbashi in Southern Congo to register a new Partner Association “FGEA RD Congo”, firstly in Haut-Katanga province and then nationally in Kinshasa. This required significant expenditure on registration and legal fees, and an extended visit from Lubumbashi to Kinshasa by the FGEA Co-ordinator. Given the profile of the Dem. Rep. Congo, it was not only a legal requirement locally, but also concluded to be necessary for FGEA in the UK to demonstrate the probity of the charitable funds being directed to the Dem. Rep. Congo. The period saw the growth of FGEA activity in several countries, such that official FGEA Representative appointments have been made in Ivory Coast, Burundi, Kenya and Philippines. The following is a summary of the quantity of Bibles and literature that has been provided for free distribution during the reporting period through the charity’s income. This includes Bibles and books that are either on order, in transit or being printed at 31 March 2022, but have been fully paid for (as per the financial accounts). The figures in brackets give the numbers in the previous year. The totals are then categorised according to language. It is our prayer that the Lord would bless the word distributed. Although a comparison of totals is given, these are only a very rough guide. This is because in some languages (especially for Bibles), unit costs are much greater than others. Depending on where the Bibles and literature are most needed, transport costs may also be significant within the country of distribution. We are thankful to the **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 6 Section D Achievements and erformance p Lord that disruption to the distribution due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been relatively small. A total of 2902 Bibles (2021: 2206 Bibles) 993 English 522 Telugu 377 Swahili 349 Kirundi 247 Burmese 210 Chichewa 151 Urdu 48 French 5 Tumbuka A total of 35 French Gospels, 30 English NTs and 7 Urdu NTs (2021: 309 Gospels and 40 NT) 60 Posters (English) (2021: 15 calendars and 80 Posters) A total of 6690 books (2021: 1502 books) 3850 French 1000 Telugu 1000 English 840 Swahili A total of 758 booklets (2021: 1059 booklets) 553 French 205 English 40 kg second-hand literature was shipped (2020: zero kg) Free Grace Evangelistic Association only distributes Authorised (King James) Version (KJV) Bibles in English; and in other languages those available versions that are closest to the text and principles upon which the KJV was translated. Christian literature must also be consistent with the doctrinal position adopted by the Association. **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 7 Section D Achievements and erformance p A substantial proportion of the charity’s funds have been expended on orphanage work. As in previous years, regular grants have continued to support orphans in India (currently 53 orphans), on average amounting to £1600 per month. We are very thankful to the brethren for the work carried out in India. Additional grants have been provided to cover the additional food costs during the long school closures and the purchase of facemasks and hand sanitizer during the pandemic lockdown. Significant special assistance was needed in April 2021 to pay for the medical expenses for orphans hospitalised during the COVID wave that swept through India. In answer to prayer, all of the orphans recovered. The new orphanage building has once more proved a great favour during the year. FGEA co-ordinators and representatives have organised many meetings for distribution of Bibles and literature, which have been funded by FGEA and other granting organisations (principally supply of Bibles from TBS). Further details on the work of FGEA are given on the charity’s website _www.freegrace-ea.org_ . Many individuals have kindly given of their time and resources freely in support of the Free Grace Evangelistic Association. This is most gratefully appreciated. We would give our profound thanks to the officers and members of the overseas’ FGEA associations and representatives for all their labours. ## **Section E Financial review** **Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves** As a relatively new charity, with requests for assistance that greatly exceed income, the policy is not to build up long-term reserves at this time, but to use incoming funds within a period of a few months. This position will be reviewed by the Trustees should a very large donation be received in the future. **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 8 **Details of any funds materially in deficit** No funds are in deficit. ## **Further financial review details** A summary of the Association’s income and expenditure is presented in the Receipts and Payments Accounts. Total income for the year 2021/22 was £78,069, which is significantly lower than the £111,306 previous year, but similar to £80,793 in the year 2019/2020. The main reason for the difference is the COVID Relief Fund, which received most of its funds during 2020/2021. Expenditure was also lower at £80,008 compared to £99,847 in year 2020/21. The charity’s funds are currently higher than planned due to a grant received from Bethlehem’s Well Mission Board of £7730 for French New Testaments, which has been carried forward as the publication of the new TBS French New Testaments is currently awaited. The charity’s income has been directed towards supporting the key objectives, namely free distribution of Bibles and Christian literature, teaching sound Christian doctrine, and support for orphans and poor children. Regular testimonies have been received from Africa and Asia expressing appreciation from many beneficiaries. Renewed testimonies have been received from pastors and churches who have been given Bibles and books or recorded Bible Studies, that otherwise they could not have obtained, which by God’s grace are helping them much in the ministry and churches. Testimonies have also been received from the orphans supported by FGEA, that the assistance has greatly helped these poor children to be fed, clothed, and cared for in a loving environment and to be prepared for adult life in their communities. The majority of the charity’s income is from individuals and other organisations (principally churches) giving donations or taking collections on behalf of the Free Grace Evangelistic Association. A sizeable income is also received from Gift Aid tax rebates. The facility for making on-line donations through the UK charity “Stewardship” has continued to provide significant funds, even though the COVID Relief Fund appeal has closed. However, it must be stressed that much of the funds received are largely through one-off donations and grants, rather than regular income, and the funds currently held by the charity are mostly allocated for forthcoming expenditure on Bibles, literature, or orphans. Therefore, the Trustees’ current policy is not to extend the humanitarian work of the Association any further at this time. In light of this funding situation the Trustees have continued to implement a system of contingency allocations, so that if donations were lower during a given month spare funds would still be available. In accordance with Charity Commission requirements, Trustee expenses have been included explicitly in the accounts. These expenses amounted to £127 for the Secretary to reimburse postage and administration costs. **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 9 **Section F Other optional information** Whilst direct bank charges for international payments are identified in the Accounts, other charges are included within single international payments (e.g. exchange rates, foreign bank fees, transfer charges). Some of the variation from one year to another in the accounts is due to major expenditure (e.g. monthly orphan grants) that falls either just before or just after the end of the financial year. ## **Section G Declaration** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature(s) Full name(s)** Dr Ian Anthony Sadler Mr Paul Timothy Austen **Position** Chairman Secretary **Date** 13 June 2022 **Charity 1139084 Annual Report** **1/4/2021 to 31/3/2022** 10 **Charity Name No Free Grace Evangelistic Association 1139084 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 01 April 2021 31 March 2022 ## **Section A Receipts and payments** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Restricted
Unrestricted Endowment
funds Total funds Last year
funds funds
(COVID Relief)
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Membership Subscriptions 525.00 0.00 525.00 410.00
Donations, grants & collections from individuals and organisations 48881.32 1200.00 0.00 50081.32 62784.47
Online donations received via Stewardship 10373.49 181.43 0.00 10554.92 35449.01
HMRC Gift Aid Tax Rebates 6173.68 250.00 0.00 6423.68 8434.11
Payment received for refunds, services or literature supplied 6649.58 0.00 6649.58 3936.68
Legacies 3833.94 0.00 3833.94 0.00
Bank interest 0.25 0.00 0.25 0.63
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 76437.26 1631.43 0.00 78068.69 111014.90
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
None 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Sub total 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total receipts 76437.26 1631.43 0.00 78068.69 111014.90
A3 Payments
Direct purchase and supply of Bibles and Christian literature 5778.70 5778.70 2798.19
Grants to FGEA (India) 23409.41 4038.37 27447.78 24522.21
Grants to FGEA (Congo) 18548.79 18548.79 32802.67
Grant to FGEA (Zambia) 4990.49 4990.49 4336.05
Grants to FGEA(Zimbabwe) 1453.74 1453.74 18479.65
Grants to FGEA(Malawi) 10171.75 10171.75 7033.75
Payments to FGEA Trustees (expenses) 126.86 126.86 272.17
Publicity, meetings and administration 206.61 206.61 219.39
UK Bank charges (international payments) 571.70 571.70 379.75
Other Humanitarian Aid 9702.50 1009.80 10712.30 9003.56
Sub total 74960.55 5048.17 0.00 80008.72 99847.39
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**----- Start of picture text -----**
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
None 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Sub total 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total payments 74960.55 5048.17 0.00 80008.72 99847.39
Net of receipts/(payments) 1476.71 -3416.74 0.00 -1940.03 11167.51
A5 Transfers between funds 0.00 0.00 0.00
A6 Cash funds last year end 12011.86 3416.74 0.00 15428.60 15428.60
Cash funds this year end 13488.57 0.00 0.00 13488.57 26596.11
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Free Grace Evangelistic Association 1 2022 ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use**|Active Saver (Barclays Bank)
Signature
Current Account (Barclays Bank)
**Details**
Cheques / Cash in Hand
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Bibles and literature
**Details**
None
**Details**
None
**Details**
Stock of Bibles and Christian literature|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**5,758.69**
**-**
**7,729.88**
**0.00**
**13,488.57**
**-**
OK
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
Unrestricted
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
Dr I A Sadler (Chairman)
Mr J De Vogel (Treasurer)|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**| |---|---|---|---| ||||**-**| ||||OK| ||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**4**
**When due**
**(optional)**
Date of
approval
13-Jun-22
13-Jun-22| Free Grace Evangelistic Association 2 2022 ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** ## **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** **Report to the trustees/** Charity Name **members of** Free Grace Evangelistic Association **On accounts for the year** 31[st] March 2022 **Charity no** 1139084 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1 and 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) - **Respective** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. - **responsibilities of** The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year - **trustees and examiner** under section 144 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 independent** My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given **examiner’s statement** 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 those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in 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** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or 1. the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or 2. the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. **Signed:**[Alex Tebbitt ] **Date:** 20.08.2022 **Name:** Alex Tebbitt **Relevant professional** None – not required for this independent examination. **qualification(s) or body (if any):** **Address:** 12 Chapel Street, Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9JT **IER Charity 1139084** 1 **Section B Disclosure** **Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** . **IER Charity 1139084** 2