Annual Report for the Charity Commission: for period 1.11.23 - 31.03.25 Encounter Church Ilfracombe 1145236
During the reporting period, the church continued to operate consistently in line with its charitable purposes, remaining active and available in service to the local community. The trustees have observed ongoing engagement and growth, including new individuals joining the church and continued spiritual development among existing members. The church has remained committed to its vision, expressed through the strapline Love, Equip & Release.
At the start of 2025, the church introduced changes to its teaching and discipleship approach, with the aim of improving accessibility and practical application. The intention was to ensure that teaching was delivered in a way that is easier to receive and apply in everyday life, supporting individuals in their personal faith journey and development.
The trustees confirm that the church’s charitable objects remain unchanged and are as follows:
To advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public, both locally and in other countries.
The charity has continued to be overseen by the Trustee Leaders: Craig Mason, Anne Mason, Paul Hopkinson, Paul Parsons, Rachel Holmans, Tom Bradley, and Miriam Baker. Mark Kempson stepped down as a leader and trustee in February 2025.
Services and Activities Provided by Encounter Church
Sunday Church Services
Weekly Sunday services are held from 10:30am to 12:00 noon and are open to the public. These services provide an opportunity for individuals and families to gather for communal worship and to receive Bible-based, Spirit-led teaching. The services offer a welcoming and safe environment for anyone wishing to explore the Christian faith and learn more about Jesus.
Encounter church is an independent evangelical church affiliated to the GroundLevel network of churches, Encounter Church Ilfracombe is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Charity number 1145236,
Pastor: Craig Mason – Tel: 01271 862426 email: encounterilfracombe@gmail.com Facebook: Encounter Church Jesus in Everything
Children’s Ministry (Kids Church)
Kids Church operates during Sunday morning services and is overseen by Lis HarveyBryant, supported by a team of trained and DBS-checked volunteers. The programme provides a safe, age-appropriate environment for children to learn about the Christian faith through teaching, activities, and occasional outings. The ministry aims to support children in exploring faith in a way that is engaging, nurturing, and appropriate to their stage of development.
Youth Work
The church’s youth work is overseen by Anne Mason, supported by trained and DBSchecked volunteers. Youth sessions take place on Wednesday evenings and on Sunday mornings, except for the first Sunday of each month when young people remain in the main church service. Activities are age-specific and combine teaching, discussion, and relationship-building. Teaching broadly follows themes from the main Sunday services, adapted to ensure understanding and relevance for young people.
Community Outreach
Encounter Church is actively involved in community support through several initiatives:
Regen Link is a befriending service for individuals aged 65 and over, overseen by Rachel Holmans and supported by trained and DBS-checked volunteers. The service provides support through home visits (where requested by Health and Social Services) and group activities. Group sessions take place on Monday mornings for coffee and fellowship, and on Thursday afternoons for activities and social engagement.
The church also supports Belle’s Place, a local charity in Ilfracombe that serves vulnerable adults. Encounter Church funds and provides a meal on the fourth Wednesday of each month, serving approximately 40–50 people. Meals are prepared by Sally Rendells and her team, with the cost fully covered by the church.
Encounter church is an independent evangelical church affiliated to the GroundLevel network of churches, Encounter Church Ilfracombe is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Charity number 1145236,
Pastor: Craig Mason – Tel: 01271 862426 email: encounterilfracombe@gmail.com Facebook: Encounter Church Jesus in Everything
Food Collection and Donations
The church regularly collects food donations from congregational members, which are delivered weekly to the local foodbank. This supports individuals and families experiencing food insecurity within the wider community.
Facilities and Property Management
Encounter Church’s building is maintained by a team of skilled volunteers who carry out routine maintenance and minor repairs as required. Larger or specialist works are assessed, costed, and completed by appropriate external contractors. The trustees ensure the premises are maintained to a high standard, with ongoing improvements carried out annually. During this reporting period, external contractors addressed rendering work and minor damp issues. The condition and upkeep of the building have been positively noted by the charity’s insurers.
Encounter church is an independent evangelical church affiliated to the GroundLevel network of churches, Encounter Church Ilfracombe is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Charity number 1145236, Pastor: Craig Mason – Tel: 01271 862426 email: encounterilfracombe@gmail.com Facebook: Encounter Church Jesus in Everything
ENCOUNTER CHURCH ILFRACOMBE Receipts and Payments account for the period 1.11.23 - 31.03.25
Charity No 1145236
| RECEIPTS | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Gift Aid Tax Refunded | 28,409.55 |
| Gift Aided | 71,335.76 |
| General | 20,902.21 |
| General GASDS | 9,760.65 |
| Total General | 130,408.17 |
| Interest | 639.45 |
| Vella | 1,392.50 |
| Lifegroup books | 30.00 |
| TYWP | 125.00 |
| Mugs | 49.79 |
| Total Receipt Categories | 132,644.91 |
| Payment Categories | |
| Advertising | 1,207.38 |
| Bank Charges | 96.40 |
| Books & Training | 4,491.60 |
| Children’s work | 2.00 |
| Christmas Meal | 457.00 |
| Conference | 2,641.50 |
| Equipment, Furniture | 3,129.08 |
| Flowers & Fruit | 35.00 |
| Food | 2,196.40 |
| Gifts | 3,035.39 |
| Helen Cook | 149.80 |
| Insurance | 4,888.12 |
| Licences & Fees | 1,117.61 |
| Miscellaneous | 3,478.77 |
| Music Group | 41.95 |
| Office Supplies | 335.08 |
| Outreach | 1,697.05 |
| Pastoral | 40.24 |
| Repairs | 5,337.79 |
| Travel Expenses | 1,746.55 |
| TYWP expense | 600.00 |
| Visiting Speaker | 500.00 |
| Young People | 2,500.69 |
| Cleaning | |
| Materials | 169.60 |
| Wages | 1,835.45 |
| Waste collection | 90.93 |
| Window Cleaning | 168.00 |
| Total Cleaning | 2,263.98 |
Charity No 1145236
Individual Support
| Individual Support | |
|---|---|
| Vella | 1,392.50 |
| Missions | |
| CMSwaziland | 750.00 |
| Ground Level | 1,700.00 |
| ICE | 1,700.00 |
| PFI-Israel | 1,700.00 |
| R PASSMORE | 6,120.00 |
| Regen Link | 6,400.00 |
| UCB | 120.00 |
| Total Missions | 18,490.00 |
| Payroll | |
| Salary, Inc Tax & NI | 74,022.87 |
| Pension | 3,487.85 |
| Total Payroll | 77,510.72 |
| Services | |
| Electricity | 2,388.34 |
| Internet Service | 846.09 |
| Gas | 2,927.67 |
| Telephone | 1,338.82 |
| Water Rates | 1,166.38 |
| Total Services | 8,667.30 |
| Total Expense Categories | 148,149.90 |
| (Deficit £15,504.99) |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31.3.25
| Assets CAF Current CAF savings Cash |
7,035.53 13,564.25 128.30 20 ,728.08 |
|---|---|
We also own the building where we worship, namely 74 High Street, Ilfracombe EX34 9NQ and all the furniture, fixtures and fittings therein.
Signed
Signed
James W Evans 15 Trinity Gardens, IlfracA)mbe EX34 8ED 07731014268 jlmsmgf@gmail.com INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ENCOUNTER CHURCH ILFRACOMBE I report on the a(x0lS of EncA)unt8r Church Iltra{be for the sev8nteen nwiths ended 318t March 2025 as attached. Res ctlve re5 nslbllitle$ of trustees and examiner As truslees you are resFonsible for the preparation of a(xounts in acCOrdar with the Charrties Act 2011 (Ih8 Acf). You considor thal an audit not required for this year under sertion 144 of the Act and that an independent ex8mlnation Is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts (under section 145 of the A¢t); to folk)w the procedures laid down in the aprAicable Dire¢ts'ons givèn by the Charity Commi8sionera (under section 145 (5) (b) of tho Act)" and to slate ¥Ather pafts'cular matt8rs have to my attention. asi5 of inde nd•nt examlnerf8 re My examination was carried out in accL)rdance with Ihe general Directions given by the Charfty Commlssloners. An examination irKludès a rev¥ of the accounting records k8pI by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts pr8$8nt8d with thosè records.11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or discbsures in the accounts. and seeking explanalions from you as trustoes C(C¢M1 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide am the evidence that woukj be required in an audit, and cons8qU8ntJy I do Tr)t •xw8ss an audit Opini the view given by the accounts. Inde endent exarnlnerfs ststement In connection with my examinatn, no matter has oyne to my aliention: l. Whth gives me reasonable cause to belleve th8t In any rnaterial reSpt that tho requlrements To keep accounting recorts In accordance wSth sectw)n 130 of the Act,. and To wepar8 accwnts which acc<)rd with the accounting records and comply wtth the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and curtent of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounls and Rep() Regulati5 2008 other than any requirement that the acLounts give a and fair, View which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinatim. have not been met,. or 2. To whith, in my opinDn, attention should be drawn in order to enable propef understandirKJ of a¢onts to be reached. James W Evans 13th January 2026