AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
Apostolic Faith Mission International Ministries (AFMIM) Slough Assembly Calvary Fellowship
Registered Charity 1153480
Trustee’s Annual Report & Statement of Accounts April 2023 to March 2024
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AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
| Charity Name | Apostolic Faith | Mission International | Mission International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ministries Slough | |||
| Working Name | Calvary Fellowship | ||
| Registered Charity No | 1153480 | ||
| Meeting Address | Langley College, | Station Road, Slough, | |
| Berkshire SL3 8BY | |||
| Independent Examiner | Dashwoods |
Chartered | Certified |
| Accountants. | |||
| 31 Dashwood Avenue | |||
| High Wycombe | |||
| Buckinghamshire | |||
| HP12 3DZ | |||
| 01494 521687 | |||
| www.dashwoods.co.uk |
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AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
Introduction
The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
AFMIM Slough Assembly had an income of £73,810.29 (up from £55,529.42) in the period from 1[st] April 2023 through to 31[st] March 2023. This report is aimed at illustrating the activities of the church during the financial year the period 2023/23.
The Board of Trustees is also grateful all our members and voluntary workers for subscribing into the vision of the church and for rendering their support in cash and in kind.
Our Objectives
To advance the Christian religion for the benefit of the public in accordance with our vision.
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To empower Christians to embrace the word of God and to reach out to the public and our community and to inspire individuals to participate in God's work.
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To support missions within and beyond our community as well as in local and global shores.
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To minister the love of Christ to the saints and the needy through charitable service and giving.
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To serve our community through environmental care, community improvement and civic participation.
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To foster loving relationships and a strong sense of community among the various groups of believers according to shared ministry, location or age group.
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To establish cell groups for mutual edification, mentorship, pastoral care, discovery and development of members’ gifts.
Activities for Achieving Objectives
The Church provides public worship services every Sunday from 10 am to 12:30pm. The Church also achieves its objectives by promoting evangelism through the outreach programme, organising workshops, teaching programmes.
The following are some of the various ways through which Slough Assembly seeks to achieve its objectives;
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Pastoral Care and counselling services
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Weekly Sunday school teachings
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Fundraising activities to support the activities of the Church to benefit its members and the public
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Supporting and donating to disaster appeals
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Food banks for our members and those in need in our local community
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Supporting and administering Weddings and Funerals for our members and non-members.
Achievements and Performance
Our income was significantly lower than the previous financial year due to the decline in general donations and tithing. We have seen a significant increase in expenditure attributed to salary payments for our full-time pastor.
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AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
During 2023/24 Charity had approximately 154 members of the church. The average weekly attendance is 100. We have consistently met every Sunday for the main church services, Tuesdays and Fridays for cell prayer groups, and at the end of each month for all-night prayer services.
As well as our regular services, we enable the local community to celebrate and thank God by inviting the public to our Church Service.
Through offering baptism services, we thank God for the gift of life. We offer support to our grieving members who have lost their loved ones through funeral services. We strongly strong believe in mourning with those who have suffered the death of a loved one and we offer our support both emotionally and materially.
We take pride and celebrate dedications, baptisms and weddings.
Church Activities Summary
1. Men’s Fellowship
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Income: £1,580; Expenses: £1,260; Surplus: £320.
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Hosted the 2024 Regional Men’s Fellowship and supported regional/national events.
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• Contributions funded special events, including Mother’s Day and a farewell gift for Elder Pedzisayi.
2. Ladies Union
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Members: 67; Funds Raised: £1,370; Balance: £1,900.
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Hosted Regional Men’s Fellowship and raised £1,200 for the Building Fund.
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Provided welcome gifts for 30 new members and hampers for new mothers.
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Challenges included poor attendance and difficulty securing venues.
3. Youth Ministry
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Membership grew from 19 to 31, including 9 Pathfinders and 22 Young Adults.
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Hosted workshops on goal setting, relationships, and finances, alongside fellowship and career sessions.
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Challenges: Limited manpower and no safeguarding training.
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Plans: Expand leadership, launch fundraising, and organize a Youth Prayer Day.
4. Children’s Ministry
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Membership: 47 children aged 3-13.
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Conducted 95% of lessons, started a Bible reading challenge, and established a library.
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Organized a fun day and participated in a regional Sunday school conference.
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• Challenges: Poor attendance at regional events and funding constraints.
5. Praise and Worship / Media Department
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Achievements: Hosted successful worship sessions and purchased a laptop.
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Urgent need for equipment (£3,814-£4,114 estimated budget).
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Media plans: Acquire priority items, expand the team, and improve social media management.
6. Ushers and Security
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Improved parking and child monitoring during services.
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Recommendations: Merge Security and Ushering into a "Protocol Team" and train officers in safeguarding and emergency procedures.
7. Couples Ministry
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Hosted a prayer week and barbecue, engaging 15 couples.
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Plans: Organize a Valentine’s Dinner, establish a young couples’ fellowship, and expand face-to-face and online activities.
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AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
Congregation
For the 2023/24 reporting year, the Church congregated at Langley College, Station Road, Slough, SL3 8BY and was still actively looking for larger premises by the end of the fiscal year to accommodate more people and to support any increase in membership.
Pastoral Care
AFMIM Slough Assembly continues to thrive under the leadership of Reverend Edward Mazando, who has been serving as the full-time Pastor since his appointment on 09 December 2018. Reverend Mazando has successfully overseen all church activities, providing spiritual guidance and administrative leadership. Supported by the elected Church Board, he continues to lead the congregation with a focus on growth, unity, and the spiritual well-being of all members.
Ecumenical Relationships
The AFMIM Slough Assembly, a proud member of AFMIM UK International Ministries, actively participated in several significant events throughout the 2023/24 period. Notably, the Assembly attended the inaugural combined national conferences, which unified all departments (women's, men's, youth, single ladies, and Sunday school) under one roof in Wales. Additionally, the Assembly took part in two regional conferences, both organized and facilitated by AFMIM UK International Ministries.
We are particularly proud to share that Slough Assembly successfully hosted the regional men’s conference, demonstrating our commitment to fostering community and spiritual growth. Furthermore, our church actively engaged in various regional activities conducted by other AFM churches, strengthening our bonds and collaboration within the wider AFM community.
Volunteers
Most of our church workers are dedicated lay volunteers who selflessly administer the day-to-day activities of our church. These volunteers handle various essential tasks, including cleaning, sound engineering, serving refreshments after services, and decorating. It is through their invaluable efforts that AFMIM Slough Assembly can achieve its objectives and carry out its charitable activities within the community.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Board of Trustees oversees all activities that the church undertakes, supported by the Church (Management) Board, responsible for the day-to-day administrative activities of the church. Elected by church members in accordance with the Church's Constitution, the Church (Management) Board comprises:
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Chairman
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Vice Chairman
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Secretary
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Administrator
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Four Committee Members
The Church (Management) Board handles the general and operational management of the charity, developing and implementing annual plans with the support and oversight of the Board of Trustees. The Church Board is responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and
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AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
importance to the church, while reporting and seeking approval from the Board of Trustees on high-risk matters. In the 2023/24 year, the Church Board met quarterly, every three months. The church's structure also includes various operational subcommittees that report to the Church (Management) Board. These subcommittees include:
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Youth Committee
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Praise and Worship Committee
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Finance Committee
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Men’s Fellowship Committee
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Hospitality & Decorations (HOSDECO) Committee
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Sunday School Committee
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Outreach Committee
All boards and committees serve a term of three years.
Financial Review
During the financial period, total funds banked amounted to £43,320.70 , with the majority of income derived from tithing, which totalled £19,091.43 . Additional sources of income included:
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Love offerings: £3,622.41
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Other income: £53.00
In 2023, we established a church building fund , which successfully raised £10,951 in restricted funds by March. This fund is expected to grow as we continue our efforts toward acquiring a permanent building for the church.
Expenditure for the period totalled £71,257.47 , resulting in a deficit of £11,435.03 . This was primarily due to:
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Increased salaries following the recruitment of a full-time permanent Pastor.
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Higher rental and operational expenses related to the new role.
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Reduced contributions caused by some members relocating to other regions and the financial pressures many members face in the current economic climate, including inflation and increased living costs.
Despite these challenges, the church remains committed to financial stewardship. While there was a deficit, the closing cash position for the year was £43,320.70 .
This year marked our twelfth year of operation as a registered charity , during which we have seen consistent growth in finances and membership. Our long-term goal remains to secure a building of our own, and we continue to work toward this vision.
Reserves Policy
AFMIM Slough maintains a reserves policy to ensure financial stability and operational continuity. The church has minimum reserves target of £20,000 in unrestricted funds ring-fenced for the building fund.
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AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
This target was revised during the financial period from the initial £50,000 , following a decision by the board to allocate a portion of the reserves to meet immediate church expenses due to the financial challenges faced.
The board remains committed to restoring and growing the reserves in the long term while ensuring that the church's immediate financial needs are met.
Going Concern Statement
During the reporting period, the church has faced significant financial challenges due to increasing operational costs and limited income. However, proactive measures have been implemented to ensure the church remains viable and continues to fulfil its mission in the coming months.
Challenges and Context
The financial constraints have primarily been driven by higher venue costs and other overhead expenses, which outpaced our income levels during this period.
Measures Taken to Address Financial Challenges
1. Optimizing Venue Costs
- We are actively in the process of identifying a more affordable venue to host Sunday services, which will significantly reduce rental expenses.
2. Reducing Service Hours
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The duration of Sunday services has been reduced from 5 hours to 3.5 hours, leading to a noticeable reduction in operational costs such as utilities.
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- Introduction of a Pledge System
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A pledge system has been introduced to supplement income, where members who are financially able commit to contributing an additional set amount beyond their usual donations. This initiative has been well-received by the congregation.
4. Realignment of Fundraising Efforts
- The fundraising team, which was previously focused on raising funds for a building project, has temporarily redirected its efforts towards meeting the church’s immediate operational needs. All building-related fundraising activities have been suspended for the time being.
Impact of Measures Taken
These actions have already started to reduce our expenditure and improve cash flow. We anticipate that the combination of these measures will enable the church to meet its ongoing expenses and maintain financial stability over the next 12 months.
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AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
Outlook
The leadership remains committed to regularly reviewing the church's financial position and implementing further cost-saving measures where necessary. We believe the actions taken provide a sustainable foundation for the church’s future and demonstrate our commitment to prudent financial stewardship.
| AFM INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES (UK) | Charity | 1153480 |
|---|---|---|
| SLOUGH |
Income and Expenditure for Slough Assembly As at 31 March 2024
| Income Tithes Offering Gift Aid Building Fund Fund Raising Men's Fellowship Funeral Contribution Key Board Sum up Total Expenses Pastors Expenses Fellowship/Hospitality Pastors' Rent HMRC Sunday School Men's Fellowship Honoraria Stationery Insurance Regional Expenses Nest Pension Bank Charges Salary Church Rent Audit Fees Fund Raising |
2023/2024 19,091.43 3,622.41 12,573.20 10,951.00 53.00 1,320.00 0.00 0.00 26,199.25 73,810.29 1,443 480 18,450 1,426.04 729.85 800 950 1,055.72 340.6 5,570.77 990.36 209.66 12,969 22,310 708 200 |
2022/2023 20,909.50 2,037.92 2,800 1,750 28,032 55,529.42 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,013.60 1,102.47 16,650 1,555.65 702.22 186.83 34.42 1,299.10 825.3 185.32 14,148 24,160 756 |
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AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
| PA/ Sound Funeral Expenses Car Exepenses Travel Expenses Ladies Union Conference Expenses Sum up Interest Surplus/Deficit Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024 Current Assets Cash in Bank Cash in Hand (not yet banked) Current Liabilities Net Current Assets Profit/Loss Account b/f Deficit/Surplus for the year |
2,169.32 455.15 71,257.47 2,552.82 2024 43,320.70 43,320.70 40,758.88 2,561.82 43,320.70 |
1,708 1,900 409 102 250 762 474 69,223.91 -13,693.49 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 40,758.88 40,758.88 54,452.37 13,693.49 40,758.88 |
I report on the Accounts of AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly as at 31 March 2023
Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiners
As the church trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider the audit requirements
of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) as amended by s.28 of the Charities Act 2006 do not apply. It is my
responsibility 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 accounting records kept by the church 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
explanation from trustees concerning such matters.
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AFMIM (UK) Slough Assembly
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not
express an audit opinion on the view given in the accounts.
Independent Examiners Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respects the requirements to keep accounting records
in accordance with section 41 of the Act, as amended; to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to
comply with the accounting requirement of the Act; have not been met or:
- To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Philip Rackstraw FCCA
Date…………………………………………
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