Bethel A ostolic Church of Praise Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Bethel A ostolle Church of Praise INDEX for the year to 31 March 2025 Page I Cbarity inforniation Page 2 -5 Trustees Report Page 6 StAtement of Financial Aetivities Page 7 Statements of Assets and Lipdbilities Page 8 Independent Examiner's Report
Bethel A ostolic Church ofpraise CHAIUTY INFORMATION Trustees Mr Jacob Harriott Mr Laswell Salmon Ms Nukline Jones Mr Patrick Morrison Charity Number 1157613 Charity Correspondenee Address Bethel Apostolic Church of Praise 91 Castle Road West Oldbury W Mids B68 OEL Independent Examiner Gary P Brookes FCA BSC 130 Wombourne Park Wombourne South Staffs WV5 OLY Bankers Lloyds Bank Smethwick branch 116 High Street methwck B66 IAE
Bethel Apostolie Church of Praise Trustees, Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 Governing Document The organisation is a charitable trust constituted by a Trust Deed adopted 18 March 2014 and registered with the charity commission 26 June 2014 Trustees The trustees as named on page I have served throughout the period, except those who have been appointed or ceased to act as trustees during the current year, as indicated. New Trustees are chosen by invitation in order that the charity may have representation from a wide range of agencies. We match our skill requirements with knowledge and experience and where there are gaps we offer appropriate training. Trustee Induction and Training There are no specific policies and procedures for induction/training of trustees. However they are inducted according to individual requirements. A copy of the Charity's Trust Deed is supplied, along with the charity, s policies and procedures and copies of recent board meeting minutes and accounts. Individual TnteeS rol¢s/responsibilities are negotiated with all the tsustees so that their roles complement each other. Objectives and Activities To advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public particularly but not exclusively through the holding of Pfdyer meetings, lectures, public celebration of religious festivals and producing andlor distributing literatures on the Christian faith to enlighten others about the faith. Throughout the year the trustees have paid due regard to the Charities Commission's guidance on Public Benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance provided to charities for the advancement of religion. Aehievementy and PerforniaDce The year 2024 to 2025 began with a desire within BACOP, to continue to advance the Christian faith and also to develop a deeper engagement with our local community. BACOP continues to hold weekly congregational meetings on Sundays, Tuesdays and afternoon prayer and fasting on Wethiesday afternoons. Additional prayer meetings and home visits are held within the community on request. 3 of the 4 Trustees were able to attend an in-person event run by the Charity Conunission on 6 June 2024 in Birniingham, relating to Trustee Roles and Responsibilities. This has helped us to continue to develop our knowledge and understanding of our roles. Sandwell is one of the most deprived areas in the county and so BACOP arranged and funded a coach trip to Blackpool in August 2024. Half of the seats were reserved for the community who travelled free and we also provided free refreshments. We recognise that for some families, this may be th¢ only time away that they get with their family. It has also allowed BACOP members to
Betbel Apostolic Church of Praise Trustee8' Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 meet with community families in a very relaxed setting. This received a very positive response from the community. BACOP also organised and paid for a Community Fun Day in our church car park, where agai the community were invited to come along. We provided a bouncy castle, gatnes, facepainting, competitions and food. This again provided BACOP memb¢rs the Op)rtUnIty to engage with our local community. BACOP announced the launch of the BACOP Academy, which aims to help up to 10 children from within the local community with tuition in Maths and English. This is for disadvantsged families within the community and is provided free of charge. BACOP pays for a qualified teacher who provides one hour of tuition per week to the group of children. The academy runs for 6 months and commenced in September 24 to March 25. We have r¢ceiv¢d a very positive response from both children and parents and the children have reported an increase in confidence, especially in maths. Based on the positive response, we aim to continue the academy and at the time of writing, have already commenced the seLX)nd year, which again con]menced in Sept¢mber 2025 and will until March 2026, A Macmillian Coffee morning was held on 31 October 2024 where the total proceeds raised w £115.00. BACOP continues to host the men's group Breaking Bread, which provides an infonnal and safe space for all men and boys to come together and talk. This group continues to grow and we have now conducted a skills audit of attendees, in order that targeted support can be provided from within the group. At th¢ beginning of Mawh 2025, the Wom¢n of the church and within the community celebrnted International Women's Day, wher¢ they came togeth¢r to enjoy a day of relaxation fun, music, food, pampering, socialising and some well-deserved 'me time,. This coming togetiier proved to be such a success, that they will be looking to r¢peat tbis in the future. Everyone who att¢nded left with their goodie bags, which was their parting bigbjight of the day. We the Trustses have read and confm the above to be an accurnte account of the charity's activities from April 2024 to March 2025 and aee to support future ventures fuwicially. .Future PIYdns To expand the work of BACOP, we aim to :. • Further expand the evangelism of the faith • Support the sick and those in need of support . Increase of our knowledge and understanding of the gospel . Continue with the BACOP Academy into the next fmancial year . Provide and fully fund free day trip and fund for members of the community • Provide and filly fund another free Fun Day in the carpark . Continue to provide a safe place for men and boys to meet via monthly Breaking Bread Meetings
Bethel Apostolic Chureh of Praise Trustees, Report for the year ended 31 March 2025 Financial Review The results of the Charity for the year are set out in the attached financial statements. Once again a healthy surplus, this time of £20,698, has been achieved. which included the previous year's late gift aid tax refund plus approximately 6 months of the current year now reported. The overall gift aid tax refund amounted to £8,281 A one off gift from Grace Church of £6,000 in addition to increased regular income i.e.. tithes and offerings, also boosted overall income from last years reported £16,093 to a very liberating and welcome £39,991 1 With this income increase a number of overdue repairs were carried out as well as some new initiatives, as reported above, w¢re introduced as well as the meeting the infiation nudged regular costs e.g. increased utility costs such as heating etc. Consequently an overall expenditure at £19,293 was well up on previous year of £8,950 Totsl bank funds have increased once again and now stand at £171,035,up from £150,337 for the 2023-24 financial year. Clearly this gave the trustees scope to advance some of its ststed future plans with also the option to transfer some of these available funds into safe interest earning accounts . Reserves Policy The church is now at a stage to consider this, given that there are currently no paid clergy there is the opportunity to revisit and consider future or alternative building options ensuring that all building regulations and obligations are met in the meantime. In the light of this a defmitive reserves policy is not imperative at this stage of its existence. Rlsk Policy The Directors purpos¢ to be aware of any major strdt¢gic, operational, and financial risks to the Charity. In the year ah¢ad. all the major areas will be reviewed and kept up to date. The Church has a revised child protection policy and every adult who is involved in working with the children and young people in the Church is screened through independent body* 'ThityOne:eight' and undertakes to follow the guidelines provided for churches and utilise the resources offered. The Senior Leaders hold current enhanced DBS certificates as do other members of the Leadership Group and Trustees.
Bethel Apostolfic ChDr¢h of Pralse Trustee8' R¢port for the yr ended 31 Mareh 2025 TruJteM' Rupon8lbilhie3 Charity Law requires the truste to prep8re finallcial stateDThts for each financial year which give a tn and fair view of the stats of affairs of the charity and of Èts financial activities for that year together with its assets and liabilities at the end of the year. adequately distinguithing any matsriaL special tnt or other restricted fill of the charity. In prepariDg thos¢ finan¢ial statements, the dlrectors are requiftd to: select suitable accounting 11¢1 and th¢n apply them consistentty* makn judgments and estimatss that are rnonable alld pn b) state whetber the lICieS adopted are in accordall(% with the appropriate SORP on Accounting by Charitic3 and the Ac¢oullting Regulation3 and with applicable Acco1n£ standaTds subjeet to any nthtezial departrn dixlosed and explained in the financi d) pr¢par¢ the fillanci staterneuts on the going concern basis unless it ts inapproprfats to as8Utne that the chatyty %ll continu¢ Ill its activities. Th¢ trustees aff responsible for keepiDg proper acmting recAJrd8 which disc108e WAth reaBonable acciiracy at ally time the 6nancial position of the charity and to enabk them to ellsure that the finanoial statsmants comply with the Statements ofRecommcnded Prnctlce 2019 and the rcguladoD3 made under s¢ction of the Charities Act 2011. They are also resEK)n8iblc for 8afe8uarding the a&8ets of the obarlty and knnc¢ for taking reasonable steps for the preventlon and dete¢tion of fraud and itre8ularities. The ttUst5 have the power to invest in 8u¢b &8sets as they fiL Date of approval 11 Si8natur¢ of Tnthe NAME ofTRUSIEB
Bethel A ostolic Chureh of Praise Statement of FlnaDcial Aetivities for the year to 31 March 2025 2025 Totsl 2024 2023 Totsl 2022 Total 2021 Total Total Receipts Offerings Gift Aid tax refund 31.710 8,281 39,991 16,093 19,284 6.246 25.530 29.215 8,838 38,053 21,340 5,307 26,647 16.093 Paymellts Renovations Equipment and repairs Convention and social ev¢nt costs Utilities Insurance Telephone Charity donations Child protection Governance Musicians fee IT and communications costs Gifts to Childrens ¢entre Cleaning and hygien¢ Security Travel expenses General maIntern¢¢ ststionery BACOP Academy Social events Community Mens Group (BB) Sundries 29,886 l.655 1,850 1.180 5.616 915 681 750 1,030 3,426 823 401 2.655 129 275 1.720 2,295 2,3 54 758 540 145 129 250 230 520 1,306 5.150 901 582 457 145 295 90 ,471 690 560 540 291 250 329 295 375 774 242 216 50 464 1,599 154 3.300 2.117 339 543 24 490 Totsl 19,293 8,950 10.753 9,405 35,851 Surplu81(Deflelt) for YeAr 20,698 7,143 14.777 28,648 (9,204) Funds Brought Forward 150,337 143,193 128,416 99,768 108,972 Funds Carried forward £171.035 £150J36 £143,193 128,416 99,768
Bethel A stolic Church of Praise Statements of Assets and Liabilltles at 31 M2reh 2025 2025 2023 2022 2021 Currnt Bank Accounts 171.034 166.685 143.194 128.416 99,768 Total Bank BaIances 171,034 143,194 128,416 99,768 Other lets Building 684.OCK) 1,650 900 1,550 720 270 245 255 205 460.OCM) 1,900 1.100 1.700 730 280 255 270 220 225 215 30 1245 125 468295 460.000 2,150 iJoo 1.850 740 290 265 285 235 225 220 35 1,430 125 469.150 Computer Carpet and Linoleum Pulpit Stove Mik¢s Keyboard Drum art Amplifier Table and Chalrs Fridge Fitted Kitthen Music Mix 453.095 2,400 2,305 2,275 840 350 325 300 290 250 230 55 2,400 1,500 2,000 750 300 275 300 250 225 225 40 210 25 250 691565 Llabllltle8 468,265 462,715 ALYounts preparation and independent examinatioll 375 295 275 275 250 The ae¢ounts nienl of and liabilities s¢t out for the Iw ended 3 l March 2025 aye as approved by Sl8ned Date
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Bethel Apostolie Church of Praise I report to the trustees on the examination of the accounts of the Bethel Apostolic Church of Prdise for the year ended 31 March 2025 Responsibilities and basis of report The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the tnts accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act. Independent Examiners Statement I have compl¢ted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have com¢ to my attention in connection with the examination giving me caus¢ to believ¢ that in any material respect: (l ) accounting records were not in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act . or (2) the accounts do not accord with those records . or (3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the forni and content of accounts set out in the Charities { Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination 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 . Signed Name & Qualification Gary Peter Brookes FCA Bsc FCA - Fellow of the Institute of Chartered A¢Gountants Address 130 Wombourn¢ Park . Wombourne. South Staffs , WV5 OLY Date 1 11 12025