CORNERSTONE MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31MARCH 2024
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies outlined on pages 7 and 8, and they comply with the charity’s trust deed and applicable law.
Organisational structure
The charity is managed by the trustees and the senior pastor, who meet regularly throughout the year. Trustees are appointed for an unspecified duration, with any vacancies filled by the selection and appointment of suitable individuals by the trustees.
The church leadership constitution is both functional and spiritual, consisting of Senior Pastors, Pastors, Elders, Deacons, and Stewards. Supporting this structure are department heads and groups of helpers, which include the worship team, youth, TV and AV, design, hospitality, overseers, greeters, parking attendants, and others. Everyone is fully committed to ensuring that each service runs smoothly.
Affiliation
The charity is not affiliated with any other charity.
Developments, activities and achievements during the year
Cornerstone Ministries continues to advance the Christian religion in Elmbridge, Surrey, in accordance with our trust deed. The ministry's work has been effective in the local area throughout the year and has shown positive and encouraging progress. Many new families are attending Sunday services, and those in need receive spiritual and practical help. There has been visible and sustained growth in the regular attendance of adults, youth, and young children.
Cornerstone has attracted individuals from up to forty different nations, encompassing a wide age range from the very young to the elderly. It has a physical congregation that attends regularly and a virtual congregation that engages via our YouTube channel. The average weekly attendance across both of these gatherings is approximately 350 adults, along with up to 25 children aged 5 to 15 attending Kidzone, in addition to a crèche that accommodates 15 babies during services. There is also a large and enthusiastic group of young adults and teenagers in the church who gather outside of Sunday services for social events. The Food Storehouse has provided meals to hundreds of families throughout the year. All of these resources are made easily accessible to the broader community.
Meetings and special events were held throughout the year, both on weekends and during the week. Many were covered by the local press and received very favorable reviews. In line with the charity's objectives, such meetings are always open to the public and include preaching, testimonies, songs of praise, and musical items.
Other activities running each week include: Monday evening - Prayer Group; Tuesday evening – Bible College; Wednesday evening - Worship Team rehearsal and Media Department Training Sessions; Friday evening - Youth Fellowship; Saturday morning – Men’s Breakfast.
Cornerstone aims to be a valuable asset to the local community, particularly in support of the “family unit” through practical teaching and training. The church focuses on the needs of each family while simultaneously reaching out to individuals in difficult situations, drawing them into a loving and friendly circle of hope where answers are found and acceptance is offered. The vision is to make an impact on modern society by strengthening families and equipping individuals to positively influence the community.
Future Developments and Vision
The church is truly integrated, and it is therefore working and partnering with other charities and local organisations to reach out and meet the needs of the local community. These include Compassion, Metro World Child, Elmbridge Borough Council, Princess Alice Hospice, Manor Mead School Board of Trustees, Brooklands College, Barnardo's, Grace Dear Charity, Oasis Child Care, FareShare, Elmbridge Citizens Advice, The Brain Tumour Charity, and Rent Start.
We are building the church of tomorrow today! Therefore, Cornerstone has future generations in mind when planning long-term. It employs a modern, cutting-edge approach to everything it does, achieved by using the best technology currently available. The church believes that the gospel message never changes; however, the method of delivery does! Positioned right in the middle of the community, the church has tremendous potential to reach out and seize opportunities to touch those in the immediate vicinity, making this vision very practical in its execution! The Senior Pastor states:
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We seek to connect the love, care, and protection of God to every family member. We aim to demonstrate the family heart of Cornerstone towards each person, regardless of their background, colour, or creed.
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Our challenge is to identify the needs of these precious people and help facilitate and supply their necessities and basic requirements.
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Our sincere aspiration is to integrate every man, woman, and child into the church family. This can be achieved by fulfilling the need for belonging and the essential desire to feel accepted. This is evidenced by the number of nations currently attending the church.
Due regard and guidelines
The Trustees have carefully considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and all correct procedures have been followed.
The Trustees met five times during this accounting period and exercised due regard for the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, ensuring that all correct procedures were implemented. Minutes of the meetings were submitted.
Financial review
The results for the year are shown in the financial statements.
The charitable company's policy is to maintain free unrestricted funds not designated for a specific use at a level equivalent to three months’ expenditure. The trustees believe that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they can continue current activities while considering ways to raise additional funds.
Risk management
The trustees confirm they have considered the charity's significant risks and that systems have been designed and established to mitigate those risks.
Reserves and assets
Apart from cash in the bank, the charity lacks reserves that aren’t allocated to fixed and current assets. The trustees routinely assess the current level of reserves held by the charity and are content that they are suitable for its present circumstances.