2024-09-30-accounts - River Of Life Community Church

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/10/2023 Period start date To 30/09/2024 Period end date

Charity name: RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH

Charity registration number:1159005

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The charity is dedicated to fostering public understanding and practice of the Christian Faith, guided by its established “Statement of Faith.” Its work spans spiritual outreach and humanitarian aid, aiming to ease hardship and support those in need. This is carried out through direct financial assistance to individuals and by delivering faith-based services, pastoral care, counselling, and educational materials.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	To ensure RLCC continues to operate in line with its Public Benefit Intent (PBI), Trustees and senior leaders remain up to date with their obligations through guidance and communications from the Charity Commission. All Trustees have completed relevant online training made available by the Commission. Additionally, safeguarding training and policy support are provided by Thirtyone:eight, an external organisation that helps us uphold effective safeguarding standards across our activities.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
	Para 1.38
Policy on grant making

Policy on social investment Para 1.38 including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	We continued to hold our regular public gatherings, including Sunday services, Tuesday house group meetings, and Thursday prayer sessions. We also hosted occasional men’s and women’s meetings, all open to the public. Additionally, we launched our first couples’ meeting, designed to bring couples together for prayer and mutual encouragement in navigating everyday relationship challenges. Special “bring and share” Sunday services were held, where meals were shared with the aim of strengthening connections among congregants and with the wider community. These events proved successful, enabling us to minister to individuals from diverse social and faith backgrounds. Our Tuesday online Bible study remained active, specifically engaging those in the community who may not otherwise attend church or are unable to do so regularly. This platform continues to reach individuals beyond our city, contributing to a notable increase in in-person Sunday attendance, and Baptisms. Our virtual gatherings now connect with people across and beyond the UK, many of whom reach out via email or phone for prayer and spiritual support. We maintained regular communication and pastoral care within our congregation and the wider community. This included practical support such as hospital visits, collecting prescriptions, and shopping for an elderly member who lives alone and became bed-bound after suffering a stroke.

We also continued to provide transportation to and from all meetings for both congregants and members of the public. House visits, hospital visits, and counselling, whether in person, by phone, or via FaceTime, remained a key part of our care, especially for the bereaved and those with terminal illnesses. For our outreach programme, “Leading Soles”: the usual donations of shoes, clothing, scarves, sleeping bags, and toiletries were lower this past year. However, a financial gift from a member of the congregation was passed on to Sheffield Community Church, with whom we have long partnered. They prepare meals, while we wrap and deliver Leading Soles gifts as Christmas presents during the festive season.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

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Achievements against Para 1.41
objectives set
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives Para 1.41
set
Investment performance Para 1.41
against objectives
Other
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Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	At the end of September 2024 we had, £413 cash funds available
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	The Trustees have no concerns about any material uncertainties that could impact the charity’s ability to continue operating.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:


The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The charity’s ongoing work relies on financial contributions from church members and other supporters.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The current trustees assess all prospective trustees to ensure they meet eligibility requirements. Applicants are required to submit written confirmation of their eligibility and disclose any current or potential conflicts of interest. They are also made aware of any disqualifying factors. Where the charity’s work involves children or vulnerable adults, appropriate background checks are carried out through the relevant authorities.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (CIO)
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	In accordance with Charity Commission guidance, trustee nominations require candidates to show a strong alignment with the Charity’s mission and demonstrate suitable governance skills and experience. Appointments are made following a screening process and approval by existing trustees. All candidates must complete compulsory safeguarding training and maintain an up-to-date DBS check, supported through our relationship with Thirtyone:eight.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	Trustees are provided with the charity’s governing document, Vision and Mission statement, and the most recent Trustees’ Annual Report and Statement of Accounts. New trustees also receive key guidance from the Charity Commission, e.g., ‘Charity Governance Code,’ outlining their roles and responsibilities. In addition, they are given the church’s core policies, covering safeguarding, data protection, lone working, complaints, and volunteer management, which they are required to read and formally acknowledge by signing.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees, with a minimum of three members. The current Senior Minister holds an ex-officio Trustee role. Operational leadership is provided by a team comprising the lead minister, Associate Pastor, Chair of Trustees, Finance Director, Administrator, and Worship Director. All staff appointments are made by the Trustees. With only one part-time Minister employed, the charity depends heavily on volunteers who support worship, hospitality, and day- to-day functions. We encourage broad participation, believing everyone has a part to play in our mission. Since 2018, the charity has been affiliated with Churches in Communities International (CIC), a registered charity (no. 1139043) based in Bromley, Kent, offering accreditation and support to independent

		churches. CIC is a member of the Evangelical Alliance, the Free Churches Group, and Churches Together in England. We are also members of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), which provides us with access to up-to-date sector guidance and resources to support best practice in charity governance and operations.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1159005
Charity’s principal address	58 CROFT DRIVE MAPPLEWELL, BARNSLEY SOUTH YORKSHIRE S75 6AN

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Norman Muntanga	Chair of Trustees
	Anne Christine Hill	Administrator/Trustee
	Amira Stambuli	Treasurer/Trustee
	Ropa Muntanga	Trustee/Children’s Lead

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address




Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Anne Christine Hill Position (eg Secretary, Administrator /Trustee Chair, etc) Date 23/07/2024

	RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH	RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH	RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH	RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH	RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH			1159005	1159005
	Receipts andpayments accounts										CC16a
	For the period from		For the period	Period start date For the period 01/10/2023		To		Period end date 30/09/2024
Section A Receipts and payments
	Unrestricted funds			Restricted funds	Endowment funds				Total funds	Total funds	Last year
	to the nearest £		to the nearest	to the nearest £	to the nearest £	to the nearest £	to the nearest £		to the nearest £		to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
WEEKLY/MONTHLY OFFERINGS	18 822	18 822		215	-	-	-		19 037	19 037	21 004
DONATIONS	3 314	3 314		-	-	-	-		3 314	3 314	4 900
EMMAUS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY	6 813	6 813		-	-	-	-		6 813	6 813	5 565
GIFT AID	2 681	2 681		-	-	-	-		2 681	2 681	-
BUILDING FUND	454 454	454 454	454 454	454 454	-	-	-		908	908	-
	- -	- -	- -	- -	-	-	-		-	-	-
	- -	- -	- -	- -	-	-	-		-	-	-
	- -	- -	- -	- -	-	-	-		-	-	-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	AR) 32 084	32 084		669	-	-	-		32 753	32 753	31 469
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - *Total receipts* 32 084 669 - 32 753 31 469 A3 Payments STAFF LIVING ALLOWANCE 2 420 - - 2 420 3 800 STAFF SALARY, NI, SUPERANUATION 17 068 - - 17 068 16 369 GIFT FOR FUEL COSTS 100 - - 100 - PENSION 598 - - 598 598 ~~———————~~ ~~ee~~
RENT OF PREMISES	3 025	3 025		-	-	-	-		3 025	3 025	2 930
CIC SUBSCRIPTION	360 -	360 -	360 -	360 -	-	-	-		360	360	360
PRINTING & STATIONARY	340 -	340 -	340 -	340 -	-	-	-		340	340	148
VISITING SPEAKERS	500 -	500 -	500 -	500 -	-	-	-		500	500	370
BANK CHARGES	151	151							151	151	621
WEBSITE COSTS 123 & GODADDY	857	857							857	857	621
CIC SUBSCRIPTIONS	360	360							360	360	360
ONLINE STREAMING	167	167							167	167	167
CCLI SUBSCRIPTIONS	132	132							132	132	123
318 SAFEGUARDIING
SUBSCRIPTIONS	145	145							145	145	145
INSURANCE	336	336							336	336	323
EQUIPMENT	600	600							600	600	652
EVENTS/GRADUATION	425	425							425	425	1 087
DONATIONS	675	675							675	675	60
TRAINING COSTS	73	73							73	73	40
GENERAL OUTGOINGS	250	250							250	250	149
ZOOM	208	208							208	208
TEACHING COSTS	2 550	2 550							2 550	2 550	2 150
TRANSFERRED TO MAIN ACCOUNT	500 500	500 500	500 500	500 500					500	500	300
**Sub total **	31 840	31 840			-	-	-		31 840	31 840	31 373
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - *Total payments* 31 840 500 - 31 840 31 373 ~~—_———~~
*Net of receipts/(payments)* 244 169 - 406 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end - - - - - *Cash funds this year end* 244 169 - 406 31 373 ~~===>=~~												- -

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Details	Unrestricted funds to nearest £	Unrestricted funds to nearest £
HSBC COMMUNITY ACCOUNT	200	-
HSBC MONEY MANAGER		169
EMMAUS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY	44	-
*Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details	244	169
	OK
	Unrestricted funds to nearest £
	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
	-	-
Details	Fund to which asset belongs
MUSIC EQUIPMENT		-
GENERAL EQUIPMENT		-
CHAIRS		-
		-
		-
Details	Fund to which asset belongs
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
Details	Fund to which liability relates
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
Signature
	ANNE CHRISTINE HILL
	ADMINISTRATOR/TRUSTEE

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of River of Life Community Church Charity number:

My report on my light examination of the accounts of the River of Life Community Church for the year ended 30 September 2025 will be made available to the Trustees of the same charity.

Responsibilities and basis of report

The charity trustees of River of Life Community Church are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my light examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination causing me to believe that in any respect the accounting records of the Charity were not kept in line with Charity Commission Guidelines.

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: PETER MDLULI

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any):

Currently Studying: MEng Aerospace Engineering

Address: 31 ROCKLEY CLOSE, GRANGE-WOOD, CHESTERFIELD

Date: 23/07/2025