CA 8ISHOWS STORTFORD CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Registered Charity number= 1153114 Report and Financial Statements For the Year ended 31$¢ July 2024
Table of Contents Page I Table of Contents Page 2 Legal and Administrative Details Page3to6 Trustees, annual report Page 7 Independent examiners report Financial Statements Page 8 Receipt5 and payments account Page 9 Statement of A55ets and liabilities Page 10 to 12 Notes to the financial statements
Le al and Administrative Details of the Chari for the ear ended 31" Jul 2024 Address of Charity Bishop's Stortford Christian Assembly, Hockerill Christian Centre, 9-11, Dunmow Road, Bishop's Stortford, Herts, CM23 SHE Other address used for Correspondence The BSCA Administrator, Mr Tjones, 15. Newton Drive, Sawbridgeworth, Herts, CM219HE Governing Document is a Declaration of Trust, completed in 2013. Registered Charity Number is 1153114 Iregistered on 29 July 20131 Trustees for the Charity are.. Christine Bowker Ka Wai Ilvanl Chan ljoined 20105120241 Nigel Courtman (retired 26102120241 Hannah Ferguson Richard Harknett Timothy Jones Simon Prince Steve Prince (retired 07105120241 Bankers for the Charity Barclay5 Bank plc, Leicester- local branch is now Harlow, Essex, following the closure of their branch in Bishop's Stortford Independent Examiner for the Accounts is.. Andrew Geary, Geary Partnership, 159a Chase Side, Enfield, EN2 OPW Social Media Details Website.. bsca-biblech¢Jrch.or .uk. Facebook.. www.facebook.com BSCABibleChurch
Trustees, Annual Re ort for the Bisho 's Stortford Christian Assembl Chari number: 1153114 forthe ear ended 31"Jul 2024 BSCA The Trustees of the charity have pleasure in submitting their report and financial statements for the year. Vision The vision of the charity is to be a Bible believing, caring community of Christians, passionate about loving God. loving His Word, loving His people and sharing His love with those in need, both spiritually and practicallv. Reference and Administration As of 31st July 2024, BSCA had six Trustees, one of whom was an elder. Tim Jones- Treasurer. Chair of Trustees Simon Prince- Elder Christine Bowker- Secretary of Trust Ka Wai Chan Ilvanl Hannah Ferguson Richard Harknett The policy and operating decisions of BSCA rest with the Trustees who meet 4 times a year to monitor the activities of the charity. Our accounts are independently examined by Geary Partnership as identified on the previous page. Strutture, Governance and Management BSCA is a Charitable Trust, Boverned through a Declaration of Trust, established in 2013. New Trustees are appointed by the elders of the church. BSCA understands the importance of good governance and applies the principles of the guidelines set out in the Charity Governarice Code, as it applies to the charity. Thumb nail sketch of BSCA BSCA is an Independent evangelical church based in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, which welcomes people of all ages, all backgrounds and especially those thinking about the Christian faith. 8SCA encourages everyone to serve within the church as they are gifted and able. God has created men and women differently 3nd they have different roles to fulfil in the church. BSCA is a non-charismatic church in respect of the modern use of spiritual gifts relating to words of knowledge, prophecy and tongues. Whilst baptism is not necessary to make a person a Christsan, BSCA believes that adult baptism by immersion is an essential step in a believer'5 Spiritual growth and developfflent. symbolising commitment to, and union with, the risen Christ.
Charitable objects and Artivities To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the principles and practices of its Statement of Beliefs. In achieving its objects BSCA engages in a range of activities including, but not restricted to: al the celebration of public worship,. (for example Bible teaching and prayer) bl the teaching of the Christian faith- cl mission and evangelism: dl pastoral work, including the sick and bereaved,. el the support of other Christian charities and individuals in the UK and overseas, and fl the hosting of various social events, for all ages, in order to develop and strengthen friendships and encourage active Christian faith. In planning the events of the year, at their meetings the Trustees review and consider the guidance as set out by the Charity Commission regarding public benefit. Charitable public benefit All meetings are free of charge and open to all in accordance with the guidance on public benefit Issued by the Charity Commission. Individually Christian believers find a sense of purpose and spiritual well-being and comfort and solace in their faith. Collectively Christians provide a moral and ethical framework which offers benefits to the wider society. Achievements and Performance The past year has seen BSCA continue to grow in numbers, with those attending and coming into membership, following baptisms. It has been an encouragement to see people Erow in their faith and get involved with the life of the charity. As with previous years, all our services and activitie5 are open to the general public, and we actively encourage those who are not members to join us- through signage at Hillmead School and the Hockerill Christian Centre, through personal contacts, our website and our social media channels. We have been able to continue our activities within the community. both as a church and with other churches in the lotal area. Our Centre run 'Neighbourhood Chaplains, programme in the town has continued to expand, as we have started to work with the local NHS social prescribers. Through this initiative we are able to offer practical help and a listening ear and to befriend those in need. We have also been able to use the Hockerill Christian Centre as a base for community events, through a wider relationship with other charities who look to help the community in a similar way. Our weekly community cafe, Café Connect, continues to be a great resource for the local community every Thursday morning, and during the winter months is able to offer a 'safe and warm space, where we were able to expand our normal offering of light refreshments, with a light lunch. We continue to have contact with the community with the distribution of the 'new home, cards that welcome residents as they move into the area.
With other churches we have again been involved with our local 'Love Stortford, campaign, which was about showing God's love in action in the community- We have continued our support of local charity and mission worker5, namely, Stort Valley Schools Trust (who support initiatives in the areas of School assemblies for primary aged children, lunch clubs and other activities for secondary school aged children), Holiday Bible week in the town (major holiday programme reaching many children during the summer break) and the Street Pastors Iwork that seeks to bring practical and emotional assistance to younger people who are out enjoying their evenings but who may then need helpl. Further afield we have been able to support a number of Christian missionaries / charities in other countries. Our Sunday worship services, held at Hillmead Primary School, are open to the local community. We continue to be grateful to the school for being able to use their facilities each week. On top of the weekly 5eNices, they allowed us to hold community quizzes, a Carol Service, and various lunches/events to mark significant events and other special occasions. As with last year, as we write this report, we note that our membership will increase again this year, as we look to be able to baptise more people in the days ahead- a real joy for us as a church. As well as the weekly worship services, which we recorded and made available on YouTube. we have had a couple of weeks of prayer, some men's and ladies, events, and have started Home groups- small groups. open to all, meeting in homes to Study God's word and pray together. Our children's work has continued through thi5 past year, with children of primary age regularly attending the activities, as too, the Youth work, which has grown Steadily over this past year. It is good to see the children come together to learn and socialise together. All those involved in this work, the Neighbourhood Chaplains teams and the trustees are all DBS checked, and the church is regularly reminded of their safeguarding responsibilities, with regular training undertaken. With the good weather of the summer, we were able to hold our regular picnics. Whilst our main focus is the community in which we serve, we are still able to support other mission workers in the UK and further afield, as part of our planned programme, including the persecuted church, which we were able to support through prayer and giving through Echoes International. As Trustees we are continually reminded that there are many challenges that need to be faced in the days ahead. We continue to give thanks to God for all that has passed and look to Him for the future. As Trustee5 we are onfident that we have everything in place to not only survive well into the future, but to continue to reach out to the community with the love, help and support that they require. Financial Review There were four institutions that received grants of over £1,000 in thi5 past financial year. They were paid to Echoes International, Noor Ministries UK. Shanti bhaven (North India EvanEeli5t51 and the Brethren Association in Ethiopia. Full details of giftslgrants made are in note 3 on page 11 of the accounts. BSCA'S ReSee Policy follows the Charity Commission general guidance and are reviewed at the quarterly Trustee meetings. Our accounts continue to show a relatively consistent reserve balance. With our reserves stable, we would expect to be able to release some next year to help with the work in the River of Life Church in Poz2uoli, Italy. whi15t still maintaining the ability to cover all our costs. We expect to see an increase in our expenditure, particularly in our energy, our employment costs, some general repairs to the
Hockerill Christian Centre. This past year our bank, like many, have introduced many new checks upon the Charity. This has resulted in a delay in setting up new signatories and accounts: hence the higher amount of funds being held in the Current Account. At the time of writing this has all been sorted out, and it is expected that we would distribute some of those funds into an interest-bearing account. A summary of ourfinances 31st july 2024 31st July 2023 Cash position.. £ 84,951 Receipts £ 76,502 £ 86,666 Payments £ 88,694 £ 11,7151 Net receiptsllpaymentsl £ 112,1921 £ 81,701 Bank balances E 83,416 Grants paid £ 29,255 Value of grants paid £ 33,907 Trustees. responsibilities Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year, which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year. We are responsible for keeping accounting records which disc105e with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. Approval This report was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf on.. Christine Bowker Hannah Fergu50n Date- IL141tC
Inde endent Examiner's Re ort To the Trustee5 of 815HOP'S STORTFORD CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Bishop's Stortford Christian Assembly (the charity) for the year ended 31st July 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to 12. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act ond in carrying out my examination I have ft)Ilowed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151 Ibl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. l. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act- or 2. the account5 do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. An rew Geary For and on behalf of.. Geary Partnership Chartered Accountants 159a Chase Side Enfield EN2 OPW Date.. 23 Ap..) 2025
BISHOP'S STORTFORD CHRISTIAN $SEMBLy RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 8 AT 31ST JULY 2024 Unrestricted Restricted general funds funds 2024 2023 Receipts Charitable receipts Grants and gifts received Tax refvnds under gift aid 43,213 13,048 27,972 71,185 13,048 62,630 13,343 56,261 27,972 84,233 75,973 Other receipts Resale of equipmgnt Interest received 93 436 718 718 Total receipts 56,979 27,972 84,951 76,502 Payments Chantable payments in fvrtherance of the charities objectives Direct payments note 2 55,448 1,170 56,618 53,440 Grants paid note 3 3,750 25,505 29,255 33,907 Govemance Costs note 5 793 793 1,347 Total payments 59,991 26.675 86,666 88,694 Net receiptsi{payments) before transfers {3,0121 1.297 11,715) {12,1921 Transfers beeen funds Net movement in funds {3,012) 1.297 (1.715) 112,192) Balances at 1st August, 2023 81,747 1,669 83,416 95,608 Balances at 31st July, 2024 78,735 2,966 81.701 83,416
BISHOP'S STORTFORD CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY STATEMENT OF ASSETS and LIABILITIES AS AT 31 JULY 2024 A Fixed assets 2024 2023 Hockerill Christian Centre. insurance values.. Freehold BSCA has unrestricted use of the freehold propety which is owned by Hockerill Christian Centre, a connected charity Furniture and equipment 362,998 324.105 60,991 423,989 54,456 378,561 B Bank balances 2024 2023 Barclays Bank PLC community current account Virgin neY PLC charity deposit account (issue 3) Hampshire bank 1 year bond Total 50,093 23,791 28,670 30,955 83,416 31,608 81,701 C Other assets and liabilities Assets Tax refunds under gift aid not yet received, estimate 2024 2023 1,156 1,156 1,107 1,107 Li8bilities Grants to be paid in August (restricted fund) Unbilled Pension Contributions from July Unbilled fee for independent examination 273 660 933 220 630 850 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf on.. By Simon Prince Richard Harknett Date: i Llylxj
BISHOWS STORTFORD CHRISTIAN ASEMBLY (BSCA) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st JULY 2024 l. AccourTrting policies The financial statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis with a statement of assets and liabilities. Direct Payments- all payments made General funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Building Hire Cleaning Equipment Hospitality Insurance Light, heat and water Music Office prinbng etc Outreach Payroll expenses Pension PublicationslLiterature Publicitylwebsite Remuneration Repairs and renewals Speakers Expenses Stsff training tT cosls Travel costs Young people 8,082 96 159 693 535 2,454 908 293 1,225 663 1,345 1,085 817 34,965 1,332 858 8,940 4,142 note 4 132 4,416 743 note 6 482 1,855 note 6 802 note 7 243 2,151 637 1,199 note8 657 878 30,236 note 8 4,105 40 350 159 693 535 2,454 908 293 1,537 663 1,345 1,085 817 34,965 1,332 312 55 190 29 522 55,448 55 190 29 522 56.618 372 53,440 1,170 Explanatory notes on Building Hire, Governance, Hospitality, Utilities, Music and remuneration lincluding pensionsl costs are listed below. io
- Grants paid General Restricted funds funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Individuals - mission support Indimduals - non mission support Institutions - mission support Institutions - non mission support 1,665 235 1,650 200 3,750 15,200 16,865 235 11,955 200 29,255 15,595 87 18,015 210 33,907 10,305 25,505 Number of grants paid in excess of£1,000 Individuals InstitLrtions Total There were four institutions that received grants of over £1,000 in this past financial year. They were paid to Echoes International, Noor Ministries UK, Shanti bhaven INorth India Evan8elistsl and the Brethren A550ciation in Ethiopia. There were five gifts from restricted funds in excess of £1,000 given to individuals this year. They were to Will Andrews (Counties EvanEelistl- Mulugeta Ashagre, who works alongside the Brethren churches in Ethiopia,. Divanshu and Jenny Sandhu who were with us in Bishop's Stortford in 2018/19 and who now work in North India,. David Sutherland, a Mission worker in France. as well as Alec Catchpole in Italy (£1,000 of hi5 gifts came from General funds, but his total receipts from the charity amounted to £2,200).
- Building Hire We hire Hillmead Primary School for all our services and activitie5 where we need to accommodate our congregation or those from the community. The majority of the costs of building hire this year. including that from the restricted funds, related to our weekend away at Letton Hall. S. Governance Governance costs include our safeguarding responsibilities and our examination fees. Hospitality and Utilities These costs are higher again this past year as we continued to increase our hospitality. We are now using the Hockerill Christian Centre more than pre-covid times. This also mean5 that we are using more energy. We have re-negotiated a lower fixed tariff for the next two year5.
- Music We have again expanded our music team this year, which has resulted in some extra cost. As in recent vears, the majority of the expense remains the CCLI licence.
- Remuneration and Pension No amounts were paid, or are payable, out of the funds of the charity, to any trustee, or to any person li
connected to them, in their capacity as a trustee. Timothy Jones, Trustee, Elder, was paid £7,254.3212023'. £6,906), from the general funds, for administrative services rendered to the charity, as permitted by the governing document. Simon Prince, Trustee, Elder, financially independent son of Steve Prince (Trusteel, was paid £27,879.12 12023.. £23,5171, for local pastoral Services rendered to the charity as permitted by the rules of the governing document. All employees are now enrolled in a NEST Pension plan at an Employer rate of 4%. 9. Movement of restricted funds Balance at 01.08.23 Balance at 31.07.24 Receipts Payyrents Transfer ssionary Fund Away residential Fund 811 858 1,669 27,972 25,817 858 26,675 2,966 27,972 2,966 Mission Fund- to support our Mission Giving Programme Away residential Fund= was used to hold the deposits for the Away Weekend in February 2024. The funds went towards the Building Hire Invoice. 12