OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-03-31-accounts

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 2022 To 31 March 2023

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
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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
Mrs C L Kent SafeguardingOfficer Fullyear N/A
Mr J Saunders Fullyear N/A
Mr J B Hart Fullyear N/A
Mr M J Aston From 13/6/22 N/A
Miss M Robinson 1/4/22 to 15/10/22 N/A

Notes:

Miss M Robinson retired at the October 2022 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

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

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 have been kept under review during the year. Subsidiary policies and procedures have been updated, most notably the Safeguarding Policy and the Financial Protocol.

The agreed policy for meeting the charitable objects 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 this reporting period it has continued to be effective.

During the reporting period, the Management Committee was strengthened by the appointment of Mr Marcus Aston as a younger Trustee; he has experience in graphic design and is now assisting in the production of publicity material and meeting presentations. Miss Myrtle Robinson, one of the founding trustees and former Secretary, retired at the October 2022 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 foreign visits resumed following the relaxation of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Coordinator visited Zimbabwe and

Charity 1139084 Annual Report

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

2

Zambia in May 2022. The Deputy Regional Co-ordinator based in Malawi visited the newly appointed FGEA Representative in Kenya in May 2022. The Chairman visited Malawi in September 2022 and Ivory Coast in November 2022. (Note: Further visits to Zambia, Burundi and Kenya by the International Co-ordinator and the Chairman took place in May 2023)

Regular contact is maintained 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. Following the restrictions during the COVID pandemic, the Trustees have sought to arrange in-person meetings in addition to the use of the FGEA website and a Facebook page. 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

The advancement of the Christian religion worldwide for the honour and glory of Summary of the objects God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost, in obedience to the great of the charity set out in commission (Mark 16. 15, 2 Timothy 2. 2), showing compassion and providing its governing document 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 Summary of the main and individuals in poor activities undertaken for communities in Africa and the public benefit in Asia, where otherwise they were either unaffordable or relation to these objects (include within this unobtainable. Wherever section the statutory possible, distribution is declaration that trustees accompanied by teaching on the Word of God. have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

Charity 1139084 Annual Report

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

3

• Issuing of newsletters and updates has continued in the UK to increase awareness and to raise funds. The Website has been developed and improved; a Facebook page has been created to advertise more widely the Association’s work. In-person Open Meetings and deputation style meetings have taken place in multiple parts of England. A series of meetings was held in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in March 2023. Trustees also spoke on the work of the Association at meetings in Scotland, Canada and Australia.

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 and its work with Partner Associations.

Charity 1139084 Annual Report

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

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.

During the year, children’s literature in English has been printed for free distribution in Zambia and Zimbabwe, in Swahili in Dem Rep Congo, and in Telugu in India. Translation has also commenced on children’s literature in French, which is particularly intended for Ivory Coast and West Africa.

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) co-ordinator and supported by local checkers. During the period, an updated edition of the Chichewa NT was published and a detailed proofreading review of the Old Testament was in progress. 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 as a far as Galatians. The Bemba Gospel according to John has been printed and has been distributed in Zambia.

The Free Grace Evangelistic Association most gratefully acknowledges the grants provided by the TBS, Bible Spreading Union and from other private grants:

433 English Bibles 600 Chichewa New Testaments 266 English booklets and tracts 22308 Scripture calendars in English, French, Portuguese, Ndebele, Shona and Xhosa.

Charity 1139084 Annual Report

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

5

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. Whilst the number of Bibles reported during this period is lower than the previous year, TBS have given large Bible grants for Africa that will appear (God willing) in next year’s report. 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. The photograph below is from Eastern Dem Rep Congo of believers who had to travel hours by boat along Lake Tanganyika to receive a copy of the Word of God.

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

The Trustees must record that the Association is dependent upon the gracious hand of God to supply all our needs, both spiritual and material. The Lord has 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 2022/23, there have continued to be many unexpected challenges and unrest in certain countries where FGEA is working. However, the Lord has graciously sustained us and opened new doors or ways of working.

Recent years have seen an increase in our Representatives, with appointments in Ivory Coast (for French speaking West Africa), Burundi and Kenya. It was therefore a priority to visit and build up relationships, as soon as COVID restrictions were relaxed. Therefore, the Chairman visited Ivory Coast in November 2022, followed by Burundi and Kenya in May 2023. The International Co-ordinator visited Zambia and Zimbabwe in May 2022, and then Zambia again in May 2023 to meet with representatives and Co-ordinators from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Dem Rep Congo. Whilst some of these visits fell outside of the reporting period, most of the preparations and planning were commenced during 2022/23. It was with much thankfulness to the Lord, that all of these visits were successful by the grace of God. They are an important step in building relationships with the FGEA Co-ordinators and Representatives overseas and gaining improved mutual understanding.

Charity 1139084 Annual Report

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

6

Section D Achievements and erformance p

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 as of 31 March 2023, 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.

A total of 3291 Bibles (2022: 2902 Bibles) 637 English 560 Telugu 548 Swahili 514 Chichewa 255 Burmese 200 Bemba 192 Kirundi 120 Urdu 100 French 60 Tonga 50 Lozi 5 Tumbuka A total of 18137 NTs (2022: 37 NTs) 18030 French 100 Telugu 7 English A total of 250 Gospels (2022: 35 Gospels) 200 Bemba 40 English 10 French A total of 7500 books (2022: 6690 books) 3500 English 1700 French 1300 Swahili 1000 Telugu A total of 4231 booklets (2022: 758 booklets) 2710 French 1521 English

73 kg second-hand literature was shipped (2022: 40 kg)

Charity 1139084 Annual Report

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

7

Section D Achievements and erformance p

The figures above include the purchase of 18030 copies from the first print run of the new TBS French New Testament. The Lord provided the very significant funds for this purchase through the generosity of Bethlehem’s Well Mission Board (4041 NTs) from Canada and Providence Chapel Croydon Charity (13989 NTs) from the UK. The shipping of the NTs took place in March and April 2023, and as of June 2023 most of the NTs had been received safely in Africa, with just one consignment still in transit. Distribution has already commenced.

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.

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 55 orphans), on average amounting to £1800 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 school holidays and for the new school year equipment. Some funds were still required to purchase of facemasks and hand sanitizer during the period. The 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 and the Bible Spreading Union).

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

As a relatively new charity, with requests for assistance that greatly exceed income, Brief statement of the policy is not to build up long-term reserves at this time, but to use incoming funds the charity’s policy within a period of a few months. This position will be reviewed by the Trustees should on reserves a very large donation be received in the future. Details of any funds No funds are in deficit. materially in deficit

Charity 1139084 Annual Report

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

8

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 2022/23 was £124,230, which is significantly higher than the £78,069 previous year. The main reason for the difference is the large grant from Providence Chapel Croydon Charity for the purchase of nearly 14000 French NTs, but there has also been an increase in donations by God’s grace.

Expenditure was also higher at £122,210 compared to £80,009 in year 2021/22.

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 in India. 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, being 50% higher than the last annual period.

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.

Charity 1139084 Annual Report

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

9

Trustee expenses have been included explicitly in the accounts. These expenses amounted to £180 to produce bookmarks for free distribution to assist in publicising the work of the Association more widely.

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 that falls either just before or just after the end of the financial year.

The Association’s bank undertook a detailed review of FGEA overseas operations and financial transactions for compliance purposes given the nature of the countries with which FGEA works. The bank was satisfied with the legitimacy of all FGEA’s work. Arising from the bank’s review, a Financial Crime Risk Assessment procedure was produced to consolidate and clarify in one document our compliance arrangements for international sanctions and anti-money laundering regulations relating to both payments and donations.

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 14 October 2023

Charity 1139084 Annual Report

1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023

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 2022 31 March 2023 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 460.00 0.00 460.00 525.00
Donations, grants & collections from individuals and organisations 99609.53 0.00 99609.53 50081.32
Online donations received via Stewardship 15253.10 0.00 15253.10 10554.92
HMRC Gift Aid Tax Rebates 6125.55 0.00 6125.55 6423.68
Payment received for refunds, services or literature supplied 2772.24 0.00 2772.24 6649.58
Legacies 6.38 0.00 6.38 3833.94
Bank interest 3.55 0.00 3.55 0.25
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 124230.35 0.00 0.00 124230.35 78068.69
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
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 124230.35 0.00 0.00 124230.35 78068.69
A3 Payments
Direct purchase and supply of Bibles and Christian literature 40560.03 40560.03 5778.70
Grants to FGEA (India) 26759.71 26759.71 27447.78
Grants to FGEA (Congo) 15078.32 15078.32 18548.79
Grant to FGEA (Zambia) 10982.75 10982.75 4990.49
Grants to FGEA(Zimbabwe) 4224.67 4224.67 1453.74
Grants to FGEA(Malawi) 10966.00 10966.00 10171.75
Payments to FGEA Trustees (expenses) 179.80 179.80 126.86
Publicity, meetings and administration 257.00 257.00 206.61
UK Bank charges (international payments) 673.50 673.50 571.70
Grants to Burundi 3228.90 3228.90
Grants to Ivory Coast 3952.99 3952.99
Grants to Kenya 2231.35 2231.35
Other grants 3114.70 3114.70 10712.30
Sub total 122209.72 0.00 0.00 122209.72 80008.72
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 122209.72 0.00 0.00 122209.72 80008.72
Net of receipts/(payments) 2020.63 0.00 0.00 2020.63 -1940.03
A5 Transfers between funds 0.00 0.00 0.00
A6 Cash funds last year end 13488.32 0.00 13488.32 15428.60
Cash funds this year end 15508.95 0.00 0.00 15508.95 13488.57
----- End of picture text -----

Free Grace Evangelistic Association

1

2023

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))
None
Details
None
Details
None
Details
Stock of Bibles and Christian literature		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
15,507.74
-
1.21
0.00
15,508.95
-
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
14-Oct-23
14-Oct-23

Free Grace Evangelistic Association

2

2023

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 2023 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:

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:

Signed:[Alex Tebbitt ] Date: 27/07/2023 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

1

IER Charity 1139084

Section B Disclosure

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

2

IER Charity 1139084