The Annual Report of the Gilgal Pentecostal Church (Reg. Charity No. 1141435) Bury St. Edmunds, for the period from 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024, presented on the occasion of the General Body Meeting.
Date and time of Meeting: 31[st] March 2024 Venue: Gilgal Pentecostal Church, Bury St Edmunds
Beloved in Christ,
Another exciting year has gone by, and we have been blessed with the Lord Almighty's protection, kindness, and love throughout. This year, as in previous years, we were able to provide a variety of services to a sizable portion of the community. Our community had found these services to be helpful and spiritually fulfilling over the course of the year. These services include Sunday worship, youth meetings, cottage meetings, night prayers, and ladies' fellowship. The church fellowships were held in a private, contemplative setting that was ideal for worship, and people had opportunities to lead and worship, especially for youths from and within the church.
Sunday School Ministry - (Sunday 11 – 12 PM)
The Sunday school programs were designed to instil Christian values and aspirations in kids, producing a future generation of leaders and role models for the community. Based on their age, the students are placed in different classes and taught a Sunday school curriculum that is based on biblical themes.
Fifteen students and six teachers participated in the Sunday School Ministry this year. Our kids' efforts to set an example in their schools, colleges, and communities have been aided by the Sunday school ministry. On Sundays, the kids had classes from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Youth Meeting and Worship - (Saturday 5 - 7 PM)
Youth Ministry is the primary source where youngsters are given opportunities to conduct praise and worship, discussions on contemporary issues faced by youths and biblical solutions to issues, counselling to avoid temptations of drugs, alcohol etc. Youths are also given advice to become bold, independent, resilient, and truthful in their lives and how to integrate themselves into the society in accordance with true Christian perspective and value.
During the youth meeting youngsters were given opportunities to recite Bible verses, say short stories and deliver biblical short messages. There were opportunities to perform their skills with musical instruments and singing. There was occasional Bible Quiz to broaden the biblical knowledge of young people. There were interactive games held as well to keep the youths engaged. All the activities were conducted in the church premises.
Sunday Worship Service: 10 AM to 1PM
The primary aim of our church is to worship God in Truth and Spirit according to the Christian faith based on spiritual and Pentecostal direction. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth”. Worship is the consciousness of the presence of God and the response to that consciousness. So, the aim of worship is to outreach the deepest emotions of the soul in adoration, reverence, homage, exaltation, and praise to the Almighty. Worships were conducted in an informal manner with freedom of expression. It was not dependent upon created environment and circumstances, but attitude, appetite, and anticipation created atmosphere for worship. As an essential part of the worship, we engaged in constant prayers, singing spirit filled vibrant songs, Bible reading, inspirational testimonies, spiritual messages, seeking and receiving prophetic words from God, infilling of Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues etc all that brought us steps closer to our Lord Jesus. In this year also the Lord has enlarged the boundary of the church by adding some new families. God has revealed His power and mercy in our midst through miraculous healings and deliverances from difficult problems and answered all our prayers. Many men of God were invited in this year to our church meetings and their messages were a great spiritual blessing to all our families attending from Bury St. Edmunds, Cambridge, King’s Lynn, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Red Lodge, and Haverhill. The Fasting Prayer Meetings conducted on the last week of every month and Year End/New Year fasting prayers and messages were great opportunities for believers to pray in union and to interceding for communities, leaders, rulers, nations etc. Holy Communion was also conducted on a monthly basis.
Cottage Prayer Fellowships:
Cottage prayer meetings were conducted in family homes at Red Lodge, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Sudbury and Haverhill. These meetings helped believers to pray in union and to intercede for the families, communities, leaders, rulers, nations and also to hear from God’s word.
Ladies Prayer Meeting
Ladies Prayer Meetings were conducted on the 4th Sunday of every month between 10 AM to 11 AM. These meetings were primarily prayer towers for all the activities of the church and other specific issues of the families. In this prayer ministry, the members have prayed for several requests given to the church by non-members and families. Their prayers in unity with God had found remarkable results. Often, the ladies also meet via Zoom platform and conduct prayer meetings.
Other Key Highlights:
Monthly Talent Program for Youths:
Talent program was conducted on a monthly basis (every 4[th] Sunday) where all youths of the church actively participated to display their skills in singing, bible memorizing,
bible quizzes, dance, skits, speeches and debates on relevant topics and other special programs. This was a great encouragement for young children to grow and develop their skills as well as helping them to speak and perform before other people.
One-day Youth Seminar: 22/07/2023
A one-day youth seminar was organized in the church where Pr.Tiju Thomas from Bangalore, India shared the word of God which was a great blessing to all the church youngsters and families. It was also attended by a number of people outside the church.
Vacation Bible School for Kids: 14/10/2023
A one-day VBS programme for kids was conducted which was led and organized by the Sunday School teachers. A number of kids from the community and from within the church attended. The kids were divided into separate groups according to their age and they had an entertaining day with lots of fun, music, Bible stories, art and craft, action songs and games along with pizza and snacks.
Tribal Mission Project, India
The church has continued to support the mission project this year as well in Attappadi, Kerala which is a tribal area. We have been able to financially support a servant of God, Pastor Unni who has taken a pioneer work in sharing the gospel to the tribal villages in Attappadi, North Kerala as well as educating the tribal people there and supporting their social upliftment. Although the mission is challenging, Pastor Unni has made considerable progress and was able to engage with the local people and share the gospel with them. A number of families now attend a Sunday service in their locality.
Gospel Outreach:
The youths of the church also participated in gospel outreach programs partnering with other churches and gospel groups on weekends where they went to different towns across Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire and took active part in sharing the gospel at the town centres.
Collection for Food Bank:
The church organized a collection box for getting food donations from the church members and the collected food was delivered to food banks in Bury St Edmunds.
Visiting Servants of God:
We had different blessed servants of God ministering to the church on various days throughout the year and their ministry with the word of God was a great blessing to all members of the church.
10/04/2023 – Pr. Sajan, Kerala, India
12/06/2023 – Pr. T S Daniel, Kerala, India
- 05/11/2023 – Pr. Emmanuel, Cambridge, India
05/11/2023 – Pr. Abraham, Pune, India
11/12/2023 – Pr. S Mathew, Mumbai, India
24/12/2023 – Pr. Sunny Adimaly, Kerala, India
18/03/2024 – Pr. Solomon, Leicester
Donations to Charity:
During this year, the Church had the privilege of deepening gospel partnerships and to extend support and assistance to various charitable missions around the world as previous years. We were also able to support some local food banks around Bury St Edmunds (Bury Drop in), supplying them with essential food items.
Church Annual General Body Meeting
The Church Annual Report was presented by the secretary on 31[st] March 2024 and the existing office bearers and trustee members were elected to continue for the year April 2024 to March 2025 as decided by the general meeting but with the following changes.
Mr Sajo John was elected as the Treasurer for the year April 2024 to March 2025. Mr. Naveen P Mathew was elected as the Youth Leader following Mr Ebin Abraham’s relocation to Australia.
The names and position of the trustees are as follows:
| NAMES | POSITIONS |
|---|---|
| PASTOR. SUNNY JOHN 10 Poppy Close, Red Lodge, Bury St Edmunds IP28 8FL |
PRESIDENT |
| Mr. VARUGHESE ABRAHAM 4 Hare Road Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 5XJ |
VICE PRESIDENT |
| Mr SAM DANIEL 23 Falstaff Way, Chilton Sudbury CO10 0RF |
SECRETARY |
| Mr. SAJO JOHN 20 Peachey Close Bury St Edmunds IP32 6GU |
TREASURER |
| Mr. NAVEEN P MATHEW 2 Thistle Way Red Lodge, Bury St Edmunds IP28 8FR |
YOUTH LEADER |
|---|---|
| Mr. SAMUEL JOSEPH 26 Leete Road, Cambridge CB1 9ET |
TRUSTEE |
| Mr. JIKU SAMUEL THAMPY 7 The Meadows Worlington Suffolk IP28 8SH |
TRUSTEE |
| Mrs. JIJI GEORGE 4 Hare Road Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 5XJ |
TRUSTEE |
| Mr. LIJO VARGHESE 24 Larch Way Red Lodge Bury St Edmunds IP28 8YA |
TRUSTEE |
| Mr. SHAJI VARGHESE 8 Monarch Close Haverhill Suffolk CB9 9QW |
TRUSTEE |
| Mr ROJI SAMUEL 1 Redwood Drive Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP32 6TN |
SAFEGUARDING OFFICER |
Sam Daniel Pastor Sunny John Secretary President and Chairperson Reg. Charity No: 1141435 Reg. Charity No. 1141435
Chawlty Name GILGAL PENTecosTAL CHURCH Recei 1141436 ments accounts ts and CC16a perio from PoriDd start dale 0110412023 Peiiod end dale 3110312024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrlcted funds R08trict8d Endowment funds Total fund8 LO$tYr toth• TrDar••t toth•rt•AiA4t£ toth• no4r••t£ totho nqar•ste A1 Recelpts TITHE & DONATIONS SIFT AID ADVANCE TO PETTY CASH 31.014 7,351 488 31.014 7,351 29.254 7,597 Silb totsl (Gmss income for ARJ 38.853 J$.IS1 A2 A$¥et Investment 8al88, 1880 tablel. Sub totèl Total rec•lpts 38,653 38,863 36,851 A3 Pa ments Admlnlslraliv&exTrs¢$ ft6 end DonelKnt Tra¥d and Olherexpensesr•knlyJr4ed 9.829 4.412 9.829 7.462 5.6?4 634 6.FOO chai Ptofesson Refréshmortts Evefjgelisffl 900 2.781 928 900 2,761 928 700 3,482 TphOne Bonkchargo Bank Loan FixedAsse contrUln10A0s In&uronc• Rent Sund8y School Eguipmenls 532 122 13.877 521 122 116 600 600 1,1103 20ts 782 7B2 269 289 Sub tot81 41,671 41.61f 36,017 A4 Asset and investment rcha6es, ($¢8 tsblel Sub totsl 41.571 41.571 36.017 Not of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds thls y•ar ènd 2.718 2.718 833 16,61 13.801 16,619 13,801 15.680
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unr85trsctod fund8 RÈstTlttèd funds to n4arosl£ Endowtrrent funds Cateyorles Detsils to n**ro•tE 13,801 B1 Cash funds BankAc¢ount Cagh in Hand Total cash funds CCD3)) OK Unrestrlctsd fund$ 13,801 OK OK Endowment funds Ro$tricted funds to n¢ar•st£ Details lo 82 Oth•r monètary assets Fund towthlrh asA•t bolon ¢urreTht value Detslls ¢oBtlopth)n¥i B3 Investment a88èts Ftsndto whlch CurrnntVBI Detsils Chuith Buiklng kllc SYSTEMS FURNITURE SAFE & SHELF LAPTOP HAND DRYERS120 PRINTÉR PRE55YRE COOKER ¢RINDÉR B4 Assèts retalned for the charlty's own use Church Bu17 GENERAL FUND GENERAL FUND GENERAL FUND GENERAL FUNO GENERAL FUND GENERAL FUNO GENERAL FUND GENERAL FUND yoo 264 S40 140 129 Fund towhlch rulai•A Church 1119 AmDunldv• lopuonall Whèn duè Dfjtsils Bank knan BS Liabllltles Slgn£d by on8 or tsvo Iru51ees on behalf ofall the Iru8tee8 Sign Print Nam8 Dale of roval 12110tt024 Sunn John
Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of GILGAL PENTACOSTAL CHURCH On accounts for tho year ended 31 March 2024 Charity no lif any) 1141435 Set out on paggs 1member to include the page numbèrs ol additional sheelsl Respectlve The ¢h8rity's trustees are responsible for thè syeparation ol the ac£ounls. The responsibllitles of charity's Iru$lee$ Consider that an audrt Is not required lorlhi5 year under section trustees and oxamlnor 144121 ol Charities Act 2011 Ilhe 2011 Act) and that an Independent exarninalion 1$ needed. 11 Is my responsibility to.. examine the aocounts under section 145 of ihe 2011 Act. to follow the prOdureS laid down in the general D1ctionS given by the Charity Commission (under sÉclion 14515llbl ol the 2011 Act, and lo state whether particular matters have eome to my attentn. Basis of independent My examinaiion was carried out in 8ecordance wth general Directions given by Ihg examiner's statement Charity Cornmission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comp8ris0n of the accounts presented with those recoids. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees ¢onc@rning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not prowde all the ewdence that would be required In an audit. and consequently no opiniori is given 88 to wh¢ther the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters sel out in Vie statement below. Independent In connection Wlh my examination. no Matter ha8 come lo my attention (other than examlnerfs statement Ihat disclosed below 1. whtch gives me reasonabEe cause to believe that in, any material respect, the quirements.. to keep accounting CordS in accordance wlh section 130 of the 2011 Aci,. and to prepare accounts which accord wth the accounting recDrds and Comply with the accounting requiremerts of tre 2011 Act have not been mel,. Of 2. to which. in my OniOn, attention should be drawn In or¢Jer lo enabla a proper understanding ol the accounts lo be reached. Please del8le the words In the brackets iftheydo notappty. Signed: Date.. 1211012024 Name: Sebastian Machukallu Devasia Relevant professional qualifi¢atlon{s) or body {If any): AssoGialion of Chartered Certified Accountan15 Address: 17 Nea1s Corner, 2 Bath Road Hounslow , Middlesex TW3 3HJ IER
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material problems. Glvg hern brlef detalls of any Items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER