Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st Dec 2022
Emmaus International Ministries Registered Charity number 1154541
Principal address George Road Baptist Church, Erdington, B23 7RZ Correspondence address 49 South Road, Erdington, B23 6EA
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This report provides a summary of the activities of the charity during 2021, the accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2022 and the independent examination report.
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2022.
1.COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
The charity commenced activity in November 2013.
2. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Emmaus International Ministries is predominantly a church founded on the ‘congregational’ style of Free Church governance. Church Members meet together in a Church Members’ Meeting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ to discern the mind of God in the affairs of the church.
Members of the church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to be or to have been publicly baptised upon profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or to renew their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
The Church Members’ Meeting is normally convened three times each year. In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint seven trustees (deacons/elders) among whom are Minister/s, Church Secretary and Treasurer (who are also appointed by the Members), and collectively known as the diaconate, are responsible for the day to day running of the charity work and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objectives.
The trustees for 2022 are as follows:
Mr Daniel Bara – chairman/minister Mr Dinu Bucur Mrs Estera Bucur Mrs Elena Bara Mr Timotei Harap
3. THE CHARITY’S OBJECTS (The Objects) ARE:
To advance the Christian religion in the Midlands for the benefit of the public through the holding of prayer meetings, lectures, public celebration of religious festivals, producing and/or distributing literature on Christian faith to enlighten others about the Christian religion.
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4. ACTIVITIES
1. In fulfilling the purpose, the Church will engage in a range of activities either on its own or with others that will vary from time to time with activities being initiated, expanded, or ended, as appropriate.
2. The activities may include but are not restricted to:
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regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching;
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baptism, as defined in the Baptist Union's Declaration of Principle;
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the Communion of the Lord's Supper which shall normally be observed at least once monthly;
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evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally;
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teaching, encouragement, welcoming and inclusion of young people;
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nurturing and growing Christian disciples;
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education and training for Christian and community service;
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giving and encouraging pastoral care;
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supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and abroad;
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encouraging relationships with other Christians.
3. Notwithstanding the appointment of persons to accept responsibility for any of the activities, all individuals, organisations, groups, and committees operating within the life of the Church, and their leaders, shall be accountable to the Charity Trustees (Deacons) through any specific direction of the Church Members' Meeting.
5.AFFILIATION AND RELATIONSHIPS
1. Emmaus Church is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and to the Heart of England Baptist Association.
2. The Church will normally promote, encourage, support and advance the work of any wider bodies we come in affiliation with, through prayer, financial contributions and, where appropriate, by making personnel available from the membership of the Church. The Church will also work with other Christians for the furtherance of the Christian Faith.
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6. ACTIVITIES REPORT FOR 2022
The principal purpose under which Emmaus International Ministries operates is to advance the Christian faith to all nations, focusing especially on reaching out to Eastern Europeans particularly but not exclusively.
To this end we are seeking to create opportunities, projects and work among Eastern Europeans through Emmaus Church Birmingham and other church plants that have been already planted or that we seek to plant in the near future.
1. The Covid Pandemic
With the relaxation - and then cancellation of the pandemic limitations - in 2021, in 2022 we managed to focus our attention on activities that would bring the Church together and strengthen relationships.
The most common activity was the Sunday meeting, complemented by other para-church meetings on special occasions and in other locations and circumstances. These meetings and activities were well received by the congregation and helped relationships after many months in which people have remained distanced.
2. Emmaus Church Erdington Merger Projects
The primary project of EIM was related to the merger of Emmaus Church Erdington with George Road Baptist Church.
Despite the fact that the pandemic put a temporary hold on the merging process - i.e. - specifically on the regular meetings of the Merging Team these meetings were resumed once restrictions were lifted. The Merging Team, composed of an equal number of participants from both congregations, was tasked with discussing and agreeing on terms and conditions for the new, merged church. Once finalised, these terms would be presented to members of both churches and voted for.
Momentum within the Merging Team was maintained and the resumption of its meetings produced more steps forward to the date of the merging itself being agreed. The terms of the merger were finalised.
Both Churches (Emmaus Church and George Road Baptist Church) held a members’ meeting in which the terms of the merging - as discussed and proposed by the Merging Team - were brought forward and consulted with the membership.
On 26th March 2022 in the AGM, Emmaus Church members voted unanimously in favour of the Merging Terms. During the same meeting, a new name for the new Church was voted favourably by the entirety of the membership present.
A date for the Merging celebration was set for 22nd May 2022. Plans were formed for this celebratory meeting and guests were invited. This calendar date became the most important meeting of the year in the life of the church. It replaced Emmaus Church’s celebratory meeting usually held at the beginning of March.
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The celebration was beautiful and history was made in both Churches’ lives, now becoming one single Church under the new name of Connected Life Church .
Part of the new church, a new and improved leadership structure was designed to account for the various needs of the new, enlarged and more complex congregation.
Tim Harap - former Emmaus Associate Pastor became the Congregational Pastor for the Romanian congregation (formerly Emmaus).
Daniel Bara - became Senior Pastor of newly formed church.
3. Local Church Growth
Baptism: it was encouraging (and expected) to see that people are seriously considering the meaning of life and consequently decide to seek and discover faith in Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Three people have expressed their desire to be baptised in water as a testimony of their faith. So on the 9th May 2022, we organised a Baptismal Service to celebrate their personal decision.
Family Investment: as the composition of Emmaus Church largely comprises of young adults and young families, the focus was on supporting the families with a Marriage Course and several meetings on family and child-raising themes. These were well received and were found to be helpful by those attending.
Children and Youth: another significant aspect of Church life is in the investment in the young generation. We have conducted meetings with children and young people respectively, encouraging relationships, communication and socialising, with a focus towards the enhancement of better health: spiritual, mental, social and physical.
Future Plans: We acknowledge that the Church has a good number of children and young people and our immediate focus is on investing continually in them. This is a strong point for the Church. We’re planning and designing meetings in which to bring them together, by their age groups, and provide them with a suitable environment where they can develop, in the company of their peers, socially, spiritually, mentally and intellectually.
4. Ministry Beyond Birmingham
One of the major areas of focus for Emmaus International Ministries has been the strengthening and support of church plants and church partners that have requested assistance. This support has taken various forms, including:
Pastoral Visits and Meetings: Emmaus International Ministries has regularly engaged in visits and meetings with pastors and church leaders within the Emmaus network. These visits provided opportunities for open dialogue, sharing of experiences, and building strong relationships.
Counselling and Mediation: Recognising the challenges that churches often face, Emmaus International Ministries offered counselling and mediation services to address internal conflicts and
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promote healthy church dynamics. This has been instrumental in resolving issues and fostering unity within congregations.
Preaching and Teaching: Pastor Daniel Bara had the privilege of conducting numerous preaching and teaching sessions in locations such as Emmaus Coventry, Emmaus Northampton, and Barnsley. These sessions have aimed to provide spiritual nourishment, biblical guidance, and theological education to church members and leaders.
Participation in Significant Events: Emmaus International Ministries has actively participated in significant events within the supported churches. This includes church anniversaries, baptismal services, ordinations, and other special occasions. Our presence during these moments has demonstrated solidarity and encouragement.
5. Impact and Outcomes
Through the collective efforts of Emmaus International Ministries and the engagement of pastors, several positive outcomes have been observed:
Spiritual Growth : The churches we have supported have experienced spiritual growth and increased engagement among their members. This is reflected in the successful conduct of baptisms, ordinations, and other milestones.
Conflict Resolution : Counselling and mediation services have contributed to resolving internal conflicts within the churches, leading to greater unity and a more harmonious church environment.
Educational Enrichment : The preaching and teaching sessions have enriched the theological understanding of church members and leaders, equipping them for effective ministry and service.
Strengthened Relationships : Regular visits and meetings have strengthened the relationships between Emmaus International Ministries and the supported churches, fostering trust and mutual support.
In conclusion, Emmaus International Ministries played a vital role in supporting and strengthening church plants and partners, with a focus on locations such as Emmaus Coventry, Emmaus Northampton, and Barnsley. The commitment to counselling, mediation, pastoral visits, and active participation in church events has had a positive impact on the spiritual vitality and unity of these congregations.
Sincerely,
Signature (Chairman)
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Emmaus International Ministries
Statement of Financial Activities
For the period from 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Prior year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | total funds | |
| Incoming resources | |||||
| Incoming resources from generated funds | |||||
| Voluntary income | 66,289.03 | — | — | 66,289.03 | 65,086.50 |
| Other incoming resources | — | — | — | — | 4,550.04 |
| Total incoming resources | 66,289.03 | — | — | 66,289.03 | 69,636.54 |
| Resources used | |||||
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Minister salary | 13,990.22 | — | — | 13,990.22 | 13,762.68 |
| Church Planting | 1,000.00 | — | — | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Church direct ministry | 2,435.66 | — | — | 2,435.66 | 935.98 |
| Church growth | 859.94 | — | — | 859.94 | 300.00 |
| Mission & Outreach | 4,715.87 | — | — | 4,715.87 | 700.00 |
| Church administrative costs | 60,325.70 | — | — | 60,325.70 | 7,478.15 |
| Donations CLC | 63,338.09 | — | — | 63,338.09 | — |
| Total resources used | 146,665.48 | — | — | 146,665.48 | 24,176.81 |
| Net incoming / outgoing resources before transfer | (80,376.45) | — | — | (80,376.45) | 45,459.73 |
| Transfers | |||||
| Net incoming / outgoing before other gains / losses | (80,376.45) | — | — | (80,376.45) | 45,459.73 |
| Other recognised gains / losses | |||||
| Net movement in funds | (80,376.45) | — | — | (80,376.45) | 45,459.73 |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 237,933.36 | — | — | 237,933.36 | 192,473.63 |
| Total funds carried forward | 157,556.91 | — | — | 157,556.91 | 237,933.36 |
| Represented by | |||||
| Unrestricted | |||||
| General fund | 7,672.68 | — | — | 7,672.68 | 24,711.04 |
| Designated | |||||
| Building project | 111,959.56 | — | — | 111,959.56 | 175,297.65 |
| Reserved Ministry | 37,924.67 | — | — | 37,924.67 | 37,924.67 |
08 September 2023 Page 1
Emmaus International Ministries
Analysis of receipts and payments
Selected period: 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
| Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total This year Last year Receipts Receipts from generated funds Voluntary income 01 - Offering Erdington 19,570.53 — — — 19,570.53 685.00 03 - Tithe bank acc Erdington 38,665.50 — — — 38,665.50 23,486.00 05 - Reserved ministry — — — — — 20,457.75 13 - Save to buy Building Project — — — — — 20,457.75 14 - Tithe/Offering EIM 8,053.00 — — — 8,053.00 — 66,289.03 — — — 66,289.03 65,086.50 Voluntary income Sub-totals 66,289.03 66,289.03 — — — 65,086.50 Receipts from generated funds Totals Other receipts Other receipts 08 - Minister Stipend — — — — — 4,550.04 — — — — — 4,550.04 Other receipts Sub-totals — — — — — 4,550.04 Other receipts Totals 66,289.03 — — — 69,636.54 Receipts Grand totals 66,289.03 |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total This year Last year |
|---|---|
| 66,289.03 — — — 66,289.03 65,086.50 |
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| 66,289.03 66,289.03 — — — 65,086.50 — — — — — 4,550.04 |
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| — — — — — 4,550.04 |
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| — — — — — 4,550.04 |
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| 66,289.03 — — — 69,636.54 66,289.03 |
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| Payments Charitable activities Minister salary 002 - Minister salary 003 - Minister NINO & PAYE 004 - Minister Pension Minister salary Sub-totals Church Planting 105 - Support for ministries Church Planting Sub-totals |
12,209.62 — — — 12,209.62 11,922.00 372.31 — — — 372.31 540.72 1,408.29 — — — 1,408.29 1,299.96 |
| 13,990.22 — — — 13,990.22 13,762.68 1,000.00 — — — 1,000.00 1,000.00 |
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| 1,000.00 — — — 1,000.00 1,000.00 |
08 September 2023 Page 1
| Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Endowment | This year | Last year | |
| Church direct ministry | ||||||
| 007 - Children department | 978.67 | — | — | — | 978.67 | 435.98 |
| 008 - Youth department | 371.99 | — | — | — | 371.99 | — |
| 022 - Visiting preachers ( fees and | 1,085.00 | — | — | — | 1,085.00 | 500.00 |
| expenses) | ||||||
| Church direct ministry Sub- | 2,435.66 | — | — | — | 2,435.66 | 935.98 |
| totals | ||||||
| Church growth | ||||||
| 017 - Conference participation | 252.58 | — | — | — | 252.58 | — |
| 018 - Conference planning | 607.36 | — | — | — | 607.36 | 300.00 |
| Church growth Sub-totals | 859.94 | — | — | — | 859.94 | 300.00 |
| Mission & Outreach | ||||||
| 013 - Home Mission Fund | — | — | — | — | — | 300.00 |
| 015 - BMS World Mission | 300.00 | — | — | — | 300.00 | 300.00 |
| 021 - Other Mission and Special | 4,415.87 | — | — | — | 4,415.87 | 100.00 |
| projects | ||||||
| Mission & Outreach Sub-totals | 4,715.87 | — | — | — | 4,715.87 | 700.00 |
| Church administrative costs | ||||||
| 006 - CLC | 49,244.55 | — | — | — | 49,244.55 | — |
| 009 - Payroll & other fees Heba/BGUB | 609.98 | — | — | — | 609.98 | 549.50 |
| 010 - Equipment | 7,221.91 | — | — | — | 7,221.91 | 675.79 |
| 011 - Miscellaneous expenses | 505.70 | — | — | — | 505.70 | 2,828.39 |
| 012 - Hire of Premises | 1,000.00 | — | — | — | 1,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| 019 - Other expenses & media | 1,483.61 | — | — | — | 1,483.61 | 424.47 |
| 020 - Hospitality | 259.95 | — | — | — | 259.95 | — |
| Church administrative costs | 60,325.70 | — | — | — | 60,325.70 | 7,478.15 |
| Sub-totals | ||||||
| Donations CLC | ||||||
| 106 - Donations Connected Life | — | 63,338.09 | — | — | 63,338.09 | — |
| Church | ||||||
| Donations CLC Sub-totals | — | 63,338.09 | — | — | 63,338.09 | — |
| Charitable activities Totals | 83,327.39 | 63,338.09 | — | — | 146,665.48 | 24,176.81 |
| Payments | 83,327.39 | 63,338.09 | — | — | 146,665.48 | 24,176.81 |
| Grand totals |
08 September 2023 Page 2
Emmaus International Ministries
Balance sheet (Summary) As at: 31 December 2022
| £ As at 31/12/2022 |
£ As at 31/12/2021 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets less liabilities Represented by Unrestricted Unrestricted - General fund Designated Designated - Building project Designated - Summer camp donation Designated - Reserved Ministry Designated - Equipment Designated - Tanzania Mission Donation Restricted Restricted - Children Donation (Sunday school) Restricted - Minister in Training stipend Restricted - Tanzania Mission Donation Funds of the charity |
157,556.91 157,556.91 157,556.91 157,556.91 157,556.91 7,672.68 111,959.56 — 37,924.67 — — — — — 157,556.91 |
237,933.36 237,933.36 237,933.36 237,933.36 237,933.36 24,711.04 175,297.65 — 37,924.67 — — — — — 237,933.36 |
08 September 2023
Page 1
Emmaus International Ministries
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (by code) As at: 31 December 2022
| Class and nominal code | General | Designated | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets - Current assets | ||||||
| 1 : church account | 7,672.68 | 149,884.23 | — | — | 157,556.91 | 237,933.36 |
| Totals | 7,672.68 | 149,884.23 | — | — | 157,556.91 | 237,933.36 |
08 September 2023 Page 1
Emmaus International Ministries
Fund movement summary Selected period: 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
| Fund | Fund balances | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfers | Gains and | Fund balances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| brought forward | Resources | Resources | Losses | Carried forward | ||
| BP - Building project | 175,297.65 | — | 63,338.09 | — | — | 111,959.56 |
| EIMRM - Reserved Ministry | 37,924.67 | — | — | — | — | 37,924.67 |
| General - General fund | 24,711.04 | 66,289.03 | 83,327.39 | — | — | 7,672.68 |
| Totals | 237,933.36 | 66,289.03 | 146,665.48 | — | — | 157,556.91 |
08 September 2023 Page 1
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF EMMAUS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES (Reg charity number 1154541.) I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ending 315t December 2022, which have been set before me. Respective responsibilitie5 of trustees ond eKominer 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 settion 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. Ll examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.. to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1451511Sbl of the 2011 Act- and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Bosis of independent exominers report My examination was carried out in accor¢Jance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a compari50n of the accounts presented with those Cords. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustee5 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 stoternent In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention.. 111 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 2011 Act. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met. or 121 to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Paul Allen 4 Swan Road Draycott In The Clay Ashbourne DE6 5GW Date= 12 September 2023