2022-12-31-accounts - Romanian Ministries

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Trustees Annual Report

Romanian Ministries

Charity number 1159517

1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022

Romanian Ministries was founded as a charity on 8 December 2014. It helps Romanian Christians in ministry and provides assistance to the Romanian poor, continuing in this throughout the 12 months of 2022.

All of those involved are grateful to God for the opportunity of Christian service and vastly benefitted by fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the land of Romania.

We view ourselves as a conspicuously Christian enterprise and see our work as the active outworking of our commitment to God through Jesus Christ, with all being done for His glory. We hope to continue operations in accordance with divine guidance as we look to the future.

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity’s Principal Address: 6 Cedar Row Park Hill Bristol BS110UJ Charity Trustees: Howard Bilton Adrian Carey-Jones Peter Cox Rachel Jones James Martin Cornel Pelea

All of the above individuals served as trustees for the full length of the period being reported on.

Structure Governance and Management

Romanian Ministries has a constitution which was submitted formally to the Charities Commission and accepted prior to the commencement of the charity on 8 December 2014.

The structure of the charity is that of a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO).

Trustees are appointed for a fixed period, varying according to each trustee, and subject to reappointment following the expiry of each term. Re-appointment must be by the existing trustees.

Objectives and Activities

The objects of the charity are the promotion of the Christian religion in Romania and among Romanian speaking people by the provision of financial or material aid, or by whatever form of support the trustees deem fit, and the relief of poverty in Romania and among Romanian speaking people by the provision of financial or material aid, or by whatever form of support the trustees deem fit.

Achievements and Performance

The year in question saw the continuation of funding partnerships with various churches and Christian charitable trusts. Donations were also received from individuals aware of our work for the Lord. We were, and continue to be, most grateful for all generosity and support received.

Giving during the year equalled £207,545 (2021 £160,979). Of this, £121,572 was in the form of specifically ringfenced donations (2021 £120,446). Expenditure equalled £156,269 (2021 £148,740). This resulted in a surplus for the year of £51,276 (in 2021 £12,239).

We are humbly thankful before our God for our best year of donations to date.

Our main projects during the year were as follows:

Christian Hospice Care – it was a privilege and blessing to continue sponsorship of 4 members of staff at Emanuel Hospice in full, payments during the year amounting to £57,150. The staff we supported were Beni Paul (doctor), Paula Popovici (nurse), Adriana Bidilean (psychologist) and Cristi Tap (physiotherapist). The work of Emanuel Hospice continues to inspire all visitors with its selfless resolve and evangelistic impetus despite immense challenges.
Ukrainian Refugees – following the commencement of conflict between Russia and the Ukraine, we visited the Kairos Centre in northern Romania with a view to helping in March 2022. This was supplemented by gifts to churches and needy persons later in the year before a visit to the Ukraine itself in September. Our focus was on helping immediate refugee needs, especially in the form of accommodation costs and food, providing medical aid in the Ukraine to displaced persons and subsequently assisting war widows. Total giving for the year amounted to £18,012.
Village Evangelism – we were grateful to help Viorel Rete in his work in two small villages north of Cluj. As well as assisting him financially in weekly outreach activities and his summer camp, funds were received following the conclusion of litigation against Vio after an incident with one of his buffalo and a moving vehicle several years before. We were most grateful to received ringfenced donations sufficient for full coverage of all associated costs (£13,336).
Abandoned Children – we continued our support of Project Romanian Rescue near Constanta in its work with abandoned children, assisting with general expenses and the running of the home. We continued construction of a home for 12 abandoned or neglected children in Arad, called Casa Ovidiu. Expenditure in 2022 equalled £4,000

for Project Romania Rescue and £13,425 for Casa Ovidiu. It is hoped that 2023 will see Casa Ovidiu largely completed, although this is dependent on further donations being received.

Mission Outreach in Scornicesti, the town where the communist ex-leader of Romania, Nicolai Ceausescu, was born and raised. Iosif Varan continued his range of evangelistic activities and church work, our sponsorship in 2021 amounting to £5,000 (2021 £6,000).
Roma Children’s Outreach – this year saw the commencement of a new Roma children’s outreach program in Hunedoara under the supervision of Dani Hritac. This consisted of Saturday meetings with Dani and his team of helpers in a small Roma settlement which lacked any other type of church involvement. We were grateful for this opportunity and seek opportunities to extend our witness among Roma communities in Romania
Youth Drug Addiction – we were pleased to continue supporting the Preventis group in the city of Cluj, which visits schools, runs a mentoring scheme for vulnerable youngsters and also provides a counselling service for addicts. Our sponsorship is of Andrei Nedelcu, a Christian psychologist, with some additional funds for renovation of a further room in the office complex for counselling sessions. Total gifts in 2022 equalled £7,100.
Cancer Patients, low price accommodation – this is provided to patients undergoing treatment in the city of Cluj. People from many miles away sometimes need to board in Cluj for the duration of their treatment. Casa Filip is run by Christians and provides accommodation for such individuals at half the price of other establishments, or at no cost at all to those unable to afford anything. Our support in 2022 was for assistance in the latter cases. The total given was £3,000.
Christian Old People’s Home – run by Dr Valentin Samuel and his wife in south eastern Romania, it accepts cases in accordance with their needs and offers a Christian environment. Total gifts in 2022 equalled £3,500.
Poor Pastors Assistance – supplementing salaries which fall below subsistence level, most especially that of Pastor Sorin Sarbu in the village of Draut
Deaf Community Outreach and Aid in the town of Arad and its surrounding area. This was continued by Sammy Gorgan, with us assisting especially with practical needs in the community and the costs of their summer camp (£2,005).
Football Chaplaincy through Daniel Zafiris, an ex-professional footballer who now engages in evangelistic outreach and chaplaincy roles among the top tier of Romanian football clubs (£6,700).
Anti-abortion Counselling – through the Project Iochebed centre in Suceava, where our assistance covered rent payments on their premises and also practical necessities for the first twelve months following birth
Youth Camps – especially the summer camp for children and teenagers in the village of Draut
Romanian Families in Bristol – in 2022, after extensive help during the covid pandemic, our assistance focused primarily on Christmas presents for poorer Roma families
Poverty Relief - gifts were made to poor families through Casa Grace in Oradea, a Christian Social work agency, focusing especially on very poor families affected by the pandemic

Grants are normally made following contact with relevant individuals in Romania and word of mouth recommendations from other known and trusted sources.

We give heartfelt thanks to the Lord for His blessing of the work in 2022 and ascribe all credit and whatever measure of success to His interventions of grace.

It seems fitting to cite at this juncture the well-known verse of God’s pre-eminence in all things from Psalm 115 vs 1 “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory.”

Our aim in Romanian Ministries is to remain as work of God’s grace, guided and led by the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit to the glory of God in every particular.

Financial Review

The receipts and payments account for the period in question is attached on the following page and has been independently examined by a suitably experienced and independent individual and duly approved.

The independent examiners certification is found on the page after the receipts and payments account.

Declaration

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature:

Full Name:

Position:

Date:

Romanian Ministries Charity No: 1159517 Independent Examiner's Report 3 ISI December 2022

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Romanian Ministries On accounts for the year ended 3151 December 2022 Charity no (if any) 1159517 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above harity I'th6 Trust I for the year ended 3111212022. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1 the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{b) of the Act, I have Completed my examination. l Confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in, any material respect". accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in conneGlion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Signed: Date: 121h October 2023 Name: Scott Canning MAAT Relevant professional qualification{sl or body (if any): Association of Accounting Technicians Address: 10 Meadow Street, Avonmouth Bristol BS11 9AR IER October 2018

Romanian Ministries Charity Number 1159517 Re¢elpts and Payment Account 01.01.2022- 31.12.2022 Rec•lpts Unrestricted Restrlcted Funds Funds Total Funds 2022 Total 2021 Donations and Gifts 82,547 3,426 112.520 9.052 195.067 12.478 146,301 14,678 Gift Aid Reimbursements Total Income for year 85.973 121.572 207,545 160,979 Payments Ministy Grants I Poverty Relief Printing and Stationery Professional Fees 32,198 114.245 146,443 5.964 144,722 2,316 300 3(X) Travel Costs Advertising Bank Transfer Charges Total Payments 2.157 2.157 430 972 42.024 114,245 156,289 148,740 Excess of Income over eXpendIte 43.949 7.327 51.276 12.239 Openlng Funds 01.01.2022 Closing funds 31.112022 91.235 142,511 Comprlslng: Bank and Cash Balances Consisting of- Unrestricted furKIs Restricted funds 88,648 53,863

Romanian Ministries Charity No: 1159517 Independent Examiner's Report 3 ISI December 2022