Albert rdtrg
EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Holdlng onio Jesus • holdlTrg Out HIS love
Annual report 2025
**Albert Road Evangelical Church** Chapel, Albert Road, Oswestry SY11 1NF Registered Charity no. 1147813 **www.albertroadchurch.com**
info@albertroadchurch.com
## **Pastor**
Rev. Benjamin Sealey
## **Managing Trustees (as of 31[st] December 2025)**
Mr Philip Newman Mr Nigel Wilkins Mrs Sue Humphreys
**Secretary**
Vacant
**Treasurer**
Mrs Tory Bell
## **Holding Trustee**
Rural Ministries
PO Box 293, Royston, SG8 1FS Registered Charity no. 200027 www.ruralministries.org.uk 01763 878539
## Pastor’s re ort p
2025 has been my first full year as the pastor of Albert Road Evangelical Church and it has been a real honour to serve the church. I was officially inducted as the Pastor at Albert Road Church in March.
This year has been marked by growth and expansion, not just in terms of the numbers of people attending our meetings but also in terms of understanding who we are as a church and who God is calling us to be. We continue to expound the scriptures each week in the main service as a part of that process.
In order to accommodate our increasing vision, we have expanded our church programme of events.
In January we introduced a new Bible study on Tuesday mornings which has been very faithfully attended. In it we have worked through the beatitudes, the Gospel of John and the books of Acts and Romans.
Later in the year we also introduced a new prayer time on Wednesday evening which is popular not just with our own congregation but also a few from elsewhere, seeing attendance of up to 15 people.
I am also excited to see our worship team expand with additional musicians and to see some of the young adults integrating into the team, serving and learning alongside the adults.
In April we held the baptism of Ben Newman which was a joyous event for all of us in the church and for his family and friends, many of whom attended from around the country.
In August we elected Andy Bell and Philip Newman as elders, who I am very pleased to have serving alongside me in serving the church at Albert Road.
In the Autumn an outreach group was established by Andrew Wintringham. It was originally established under an international organisation named the Gospel Station but is now an independent outreach team which includes participants from other churches and support from members of OM. This team go into Oswestry town centre once a month to present the gospel to the people of Oswestry.
We continue running a service at High Lea nursing home once a month, which is looked forward to by some of the residents there.
2025 also saw three of our congregation promoted to glory, these being Ruth Bellamy, Ruth Hughes and Irmgard Willeck. They are all remembered with love and fondness.
We now look into 2026 with excitement at seeing what the Lord is building with us here at Albert Road. As we do so, our focus and our purpose always rests in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His love and His Purpose outworking in our lives.
Pastor Benjamin Sealey
## Mission Secretar ’s Re ort y p
On Sunday evenings, on alternate months throughout the year, we have held regular prayer meetings on Zoom to pray for the church’s five Mission interests. These have now ended because we no longer have a Zoom prayer meeting and a new initiative is being prayed over to determine how best as a church to support our Missions in prayer-
DFN. (Dignity Freedom Network)
RM ( formerly known as Rural Ministries)
The Schools’ Christian Worker Project (Jane Webber)
SAT-7
During Sunday morning services, time has occasionally been allocated to allow specific prayers to be offered on behalf of our missions and their needs.
Schools Christian Worker Project : Jane Webber
The Schools Christian Worker Project represents all the Churches to all the Schools in Oswestry and Ellesmere District. In September 2025, Jane reduced her working week from five days to four.
During the Autumn term 2025, children within 13 local primary schools took part in SCWP’s new Advent in a Box workshop. The children enjoyed learning about some of the characters within the Christmas story, and were thrilled to have a mini box to take home. Individuals from our church made contributions to this initiative in order to finance the provision of the take-home mini boxes.
Monthly zoom prayer meetings for the work of the SCWP are usually joined by myself and Tony.
DFN : India
As a church we continue to sponsor the education of three Dalit children through DFN : Jessica, Frederica, and Thakshanya. We occasionally have a general report of the children’s academic progress from India.
## Rural Ministries
During the last year, Rural Ministries has had a change of leadership as Simon Matholie has left to pastor a church.
## SAT-7 : The Middle East & North Africa
We continue to support the work of SAT-7 which needs our prayers more than ever during the current political developments.
Rachel Newby : Democratic Republic of the Congo
Our church has supported Rachel over many years. In 2016 & in 2019, I had the privilege of going to the DRC to witness Rachel’s work on the mission field. In May, 2025, Rachel retired after 40 years of working in the DRC. Rachel plans to speak in the coming months at AREC; a date has yet to be arranged. She will be reflecting on her 40 years of service in the DRC and on the Lord’s faithfulness.
As a result of Rachel Newby’s retirement from the mission field, the Missions we support has reduced from 5 to 4.
Susan Humphreys
Missionary Secretary
## Sunda School y
Over the last year on Sunday Mornings the youth looked at all the different names for God. We also looked at the timeline of the whole of the Bible and began to place all the Characters we’ve heard of on that timeline. After that we started to explore lesser-known Biblical figures and find their stories.
Jael, Jerhro, Nicodemus, Namaan, Balak – some names appear only once and were tricky to track down. But once we found them in the Bible we read all about them and discussed why the Bible had recorded their deeds – good and bad. It was a good way of learning to explore the Bible and make good use of the index.
We also studied the history of the Church, its growth and its many schisms through the years. We focused on the similarities all Christians share, the Apostles Creed and the very human need to try and fit a huge, powerful God into a shape we prefer. We looked at all the good things the Church has done, hospitals, schools, universities, charities, but also how easily even well-meaning people can do the wrong thing in God’s name. The most exciting thing we discovered was, despite human frailties and sin, we can see that Jesus has been building His church right from the beginning, we can see how it spread across the world, how the Bible was printed and distributed in greater numbers so more and more people can read His word, and that God clearly has a plan for all our futures.
(Of course, we always find a good supply of biscuits helps us think more clearly when considering such deep topics.)
Heather Sealey
## Little Gems
Little Gems has had another lovely year. We have had a variety of ages of children from 0- 5 years of age come along on a Thursday morning accompanied by a care giver for the small donation of £1 per family. As in previous years we have the toys out and available to play with, break for a drink and snack at 10am and then further play time until story time at 11 followed by singing. Occasionally we have also provided craft for the children to get involved with during play time. Additionally this year we have introduced a short prayer at the end of the session.
In story time at the beginning of the year we started looking at Jesus’ life and miracles and then in the run up to Easter the cross and resurrection in an age appropriate manner. In the summer term we looked at the acts of the apostles and in the autumn term returned to the old testament before considering the nativity narrative in the run up to Christmas.
As the year has gone on and with the introduction of more nursery hours provided by government funding, the number of older children attending has reduced. However we have seen a steady influx of new faces and continue to enjoy the company of many familiar friends. Numbers have therefore fluctuated on a week by week basis but we have made contact with over 25 families within the year. We have been blessed by the continual service of Eric, Sue, Tory and Ben which has allowed good stability of the group.
As we look to next year we are considering the addition of an antenatal group starting from 9am to support women as they make the transition into motherhood.
Rebekah Lachowicz
## Treasurer’s re ort p
Accounts 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2025 Profit and Loss: Cash Basis
## **INCOME**
||||
|---|---|---|
|**DONATIONS**||
|
|Offering box cash (GASDS applicable)|3,464.90||
|Offering box (not GASDS applicable CHQ or large cash)|1,920.00||
|Offering Box Cash (Gift Aid)|10.00||
|Covenanted giving to bank (Gift Aid applicable CHQ &
direct)|30,234.00||
|Covenanted giving to bank (not Gift Aid applicable)|1,940.00||
|Miscellaneous giving (not Gift Aid applicable not via off.
box)|10,500.00||
|Outreach|24.00||
|Special Services|14,046.45||
|HMRC Gift Aid Scheme (covenanted gifts)|7,815.87||
|Mission Offering|95.00||
|Coffee Morning|163.98||
|Little Gems group|305.90||
|Building Hire|2,410.00||
|Savings Account Interest|1,059.59||
|**Total Income**
|
73,989.69||
## **EXPENSES**
||||
|---|---|---|
|**Opera3onal Costs**||
|
|**U3li3es**|3,761.04||
|Insurance|1,234.28||
|Accounting Fees (payroll and auditing)|435.45||
|Professional Fees (CCLI & Thirty One Eight) + Dues and Subscriptions|1,253.77||
|Computer operational costs (website hosting, emails, software)|786.55||
|Training|||
|Advertising and Promotion|118.79||
|Office supplies (including postage)|253.19||
|**Stafng Costs (**Wages, Tax/NI, Pension, Travel)|30,325.97||
|**Building**(repairs, maintenance and housekeeping)|791.93||
|AV & PA System|100.99||
|Fixtures, fittings and equipment|5,978.30||
|**Holding On to Jesus**|||
||||
|Discipleship (inc. books/courses)|||
|Wider church fellowship (Churches Together, etc)|||
|Ministry expenses (parking/wine)|168.90||
|External Speakers and expenses|113.50||
|**Holding Out His love**|||
|Ministry resources (books/courses/Super Sunday)|15.99||
|Children’s Outreach (Christmas, Holiday bible club, Pancake party)|424.76||
|Little Gems group|208.09||
|Special Services|100.00||
|||
|---|---|
|Miscellaneous||
|Internal Church Fellowship (Gift for Victor and his wife)||
|||
|Short term restricted funds||
|**External Charity GiFing**||
|Our 5 supported charities @ £786.96 each + Christmas in a Box Appeal|
3,459.72|
|**Total**|
49,531.22|
## **SUMMARY**
Total Income £ 73,989.69 Total Expenses £ 49,531.22 **Net Income £ 24,458.47**
## **Income and Expenditure levels for 2025:**
We have ended the year with a surplus balance of £24,458.47. This over and above all our expectations for this year for which we thank God for his provision. This surplus has been created by one very substantial bequest and a few smaller ones, together with another anonymous donation of £10,000. These larger amounts have been transferred into our Savings Account as seen by the current balance.
Income £ 50,489.69* (Average actual £970.96 per week: Budget £1009.62). Expenditure £ 49,531.22 (Average actual £952.52 per week: Budget £1001.50).
*This is without the gifts which have been transferred into the Savings Account.
## **YEAR END TOTALS**
|**TSB Current Account**|5,029.58|
|---|---|
|**TSB Savings Account**|92,754.88|
|**Total Cash and Bank**|97,784.46|
## **Fund Management**
|**Fund**|**Opening**
**Balance**|**Credit**|**Debit**|**Current total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unallocated Fund|44,271.35|73,989.69|49,531.22|
68,729.82|
|Building Work|17,351.00|
0|0|17,351.00|
|Mavis Jones|658.20|0|0|658.20|
|Weekend Away/ Fellowship|
245.44|0|0|245.44|
|Legal Reserve|6,800.00|||6,800.00|
|ContingencyFund|4,000.00|||4,000.00|
|Short Term Restricted|0|||0|
|**Totals**|73,256.99|73,989.69|49,531.22|
97,784.46|
## **One Off funds**
Our four supported charities zero - paid in full in 2025
## **Looking forward to 2026**
Income for last year on which we calculate our 10% giving was £46,632 @ 10% = £4,6632, split into our 4 charities = £1,165.80.
**Treasurer’s Notes**
We should be very encouraged by this set of accounts. This is a year when we have had our Pastor for a full financial year and we have managed to balance the Income and Expenditure without the need to draw on our reserves. In addition to which we have been blessed with another anonymous donation and one substantial bequest and a couple of smaller ones. We have also seen an increase in the latter part of the year in our congregation which also has increased our income. There are exciting times ahead as we grow but we must still be prudent in the management of our budget as we know we cannot expect to receive such gifts as we have received last year, this year.
Tory Bell (Treasurer)
Chair of the Trustees Philip Newman
Signed_____________________________________________
**Accounts 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2025 Profit and Loss: Cash Basis**
## **INCOME**
|**DONATIONS**||
|---|---|
|Offeringbox cash(GASDS applicable)|3,464.90|
|Offeringbox(not GASDS applicable CHQ or large cash)|1,920.00|
|OfferingBox Cash(Gift Aid)|10.00|
|Covenantedgivingto bank(Gift Aid applicable CHQ & direct)|30,234.00|
|Covenantedgivingto bank(not Gift Aid applicable)|1,940.00|
|Miscellaneousgiving (not Gift Aid applicable not via off. box)|10,500.00|
|Outreach|24.00|
|Special Services|14,046.45|
|HMRC Gift Aid Scheme(Covenantedgifts)|7,815.87|
|Mission Offering|95.00|
|Coffee Morning|163.98|
|Little Gemsgroup|305.90|
|BuildingHire|2,410.00|
|Savings Account Interest|1,059.59|
|**Total Income**|73,989.69|
## **EXPENSES**
|**Operational Costs**||
|---|---|
|**Utilities**|3,761.04|
|Insurance|1,234.28|
|AccountingFees(payroll and auditing)|435.45|
|Professional Fees(CCLI & ThirtyOne Eight)+ Dues and Subscriptions|1,253.77|
|Computer operational costs(website hosting, emails, software)|786.55|
|Training||
|Advertisingand Promotion|118.79|
|Office supplies(including postage)|253.19|
|**Staffing Costs(**Wages, Tax/NI, Pension, Travel)|30,325.97|
|**Building** (repairs, maintenance and housekeeping)|791.93|
|AV & PA System|100.99|
|Fixtures, fittings and equipment|5,978.30|
|**Holding On to Jesus**||
|||
|Discipleship (inc. books/courses)||
|Wider church fellowship (Churches Together, etc)||
|Ministryexpenses(parking/wine)|168.90|
|External Speakers and expenses|113.50|
|**Holding Out His love**||
|Ministryresources(books/courses/Super Sunday)|15.99|
|Children’s Outreach(Christmas, Holidaybible club, Pancakeparty)|424.76|
|Little Gemsgroup|208.09|
|Special Services|100.00|
|Miscellaneous||
|Internal Church Fellowship (Gift for Victor and his wife)||
|||
|Short term restricted funds||
|**External Charity Gifting**||
|Our 5 supported charities @ £786.96 each + Christmas in a Box Appeal|3,459.72|
|**Total**|
49,531.22|
## **SUMMARY**
Total Income £ 73,989.69 Total Expenses £ 49,531.22 **Net Income £ 24,458.47**
## **Income and Expenditure levels for 2025:**
We have ended the year with a surplus balance of £24,458.47. This over and above all our expectations for this year for which we thank God for his provision. This surplus has been created by one very substantial bequest and a few smaller ones, together with another anonymous donation of £10,000. These larger amounts have been transferred into our Savings Account as seen by the current balance.
Income £ 50,489.69* (Average actual £970.96 per week: Budget £1009.62). Expenditure £ 49,531.22 (Average actual £952.52 per week: Budget £1001.50).
*This is without the gifts which have been transferred into the Savings Account.
## **YEAR END TOTALS**
|**TSB Current Account**|5,029.58|
|---|---|
|**TSB Savings Account**|92,754.88|
|**Total Cash and Bank**|97,784.46|
## **Fund Management**
|**Fund**|**Opening**
**Balance**|**Credit**|**Debit**|**Current**
**total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unallocated Fund|44,271.35|73,989.69|49,531.22|68,729.82|
|Building Work|17,351.00|0|0|17,351.00|
|Mavis Jones|658.20|0|0|658.20|
|66,729.82Weekend
Away/
Fellowship|
245.44|0|0|245.44|
|Legal Reserve|6,800.00|||6,800.00|
|Contingency Fund|4,000.00|||4,000.00|
|Short Term
Restricted|0|||0|
|**Totals**|73,325.99|73,989.69|48,531.22|97784.46|
## **One Off funds**
Our four supported charities zero - paid in full in 2025
## **Looking forward to 2026**
Income for last year on which we calculate our 10% giving was £46,632 @ 10% = £4,632 Split into our 4 charities = £1,165.80.
## **Treasurer’s Notes**
We should be very encouraged by this set of accounts. This is a year when we have had our Pastor for a full financial year and we have managed to balance the Income and Expenditure without the need to draw on our reserves. In addition to which we have been blessed with another anonymous donation and one substantial bequest and a couple of smaller ones. We have also seen an increase in the latter part of the year in our congregation which also has increased our income. There are exciting times ahead as we grow but we must still be prudent in the management of our budget as we know we cannot expect to receive such gifts as we have received last year, this year.
Signed Date Trustee
## **ALBERT ROAD EVANGELICAL CHURCH**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES**
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2025.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year 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 examiner’s report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given 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 you as 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 examiner’s statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
……………………………………… Dated: ……………………………………. 28th July 2026
Luke Howson MAAT
Finansure Ltd, 2 Sheppard Street, Brymbo, Wrexham, LL11 5FF