Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
## **Grace Bible Rugby Church**
**Charity Registration Number: 1164758**
**31 March 2023**
**Annual Report and Financial Statement**
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
## **Legal and administrative information**
## **Annual Report of the Trustees**
**Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees**
## **Statement of financial activities**
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
Charity Name Grace Bible Rugby Church Charity Registration no. 1 164758 The Charity was registered with the Charity Commission on 08/12/2015 Registered Office: 61 Somers Road Rugby CV22 7DG
## Aims and Purposes
The object of the CIO is, for the public benefit, the advancement of the Evangelical Christian faith in Rugby, Warwickshire and such other parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the charity trustees may from time to time decide.
## Objectives
In running the charity and compiling this report, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
The mission statement for Grace Bible Church Rugby states;
## _**We exist to glorify God by preaching and teaching the Word of God, so that people are transformed into Christlikeness.**_
Trustees The trustees who served during the period or who were serving at the date of this report were:
Name Date of appointment Thomas James McConnell 08/12/2015 Timothy Simon John Atkins 08/12/2015 Antony Michael Coote 01/05/2016
Key Management Personnel Those in charge of planning, directing, controlling, running and operating the Charity, including those members of staff who are the senior management personnel to whom the trustees have delegated significant authority or responsibility in the day-to-day running of the charity is the Occupational Elder.
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
Bankers Barclays Bank Plc 1 Churchill Place London E14 5HP Independent Examiner Christine Cheung-Poston Flat 48, Samford House Charlotte Terrace London N1 0JF
The Trustees submit their annual report and the financial statements of Grace Bible Church Rugby (GBCR) (“the Charity”) from the establishment of the Charity to 31 March 2019. The legal and administrative information set out earlier in this document forms part of this report.
## **1. Structure, Governance & Management**
## **Trustees**
The Trustees meet 4 times a year to discuss a full range of matters relating to strategy, project work, recruitment, finance and general administration. None of the Trustees receives remuneration for their remuneration duties. Trustees aim to maintain and, where necessary, expand this range of skills and experience through training.
The induction process for any individual newly appointed to the board of Trustees comprises an initial meeting with at least two of the Trustees (whenever possible one of these two Trustees being the Chair) and a written role description, referring to other key documents: • the Charity Commission’s guidance ‘The Essential Trustee’ • the Trust Deed of the Charity • the Charity’s financial position.
The Church is governed by the elders in accordance with its Constitution. The procedure for appointing new elders is set out in the Church Rules. Decisions are taken by the elders and communicated to the members of the church through church meetings or informal announcements at the Sunday services.
## **The Elders are;**
Rev Thomas McConnell Jr Rev Timothy Atkins Rev Claudio Farinha
The elders met 14 times during the period 1[st] April 2022 – 31 March 2023
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
## **Staff**
The staff who served either during the period or were in post at the date of this report are:
**Name Title** Timothy Simon John Atkins Pastor / Elder Thomas James McConnell Pastor / Elder Claudio Farinha Administrator / Elder
## **1. Acknowledgements**
Grace Bible Church Rugby is grateful to Christine Cheung-Poston for examining the accounts for 2022-23.
## **2. Aims and Purposes**
The object of the CIO is, for the public benefit, the advancement of the Evangelical Christian faith in Rugby, Warwickshire and such other parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the charity trustees may from time to time decide.
## **3. Objectives and Activities**
In running the charity and compiling this report, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
The mission statement for Grace Bible Church Rugby (GBCR) states;
## _**We exist to glorify God by preaching and teaching the Word of God, so that people**_
## _**are transformed into Christlikeness.**_
Accordingly, we have held weekly worship services that are open to the public which are advertised via the internet, social media, personal invitation flyers and word of mouth. These services have been streamed to enable people to participate from home. We have held weekly prayer meetings open to members and regular attenders. We are committed to encouraging as many people as possible to live out their faith within the community of Rugby and wherever else they may go.
## **4. Achievements and Performance**
## **Worship Services**
Public worship services have been held on Sunday mornings throughout the year. A livestream was provided for people who are unable to attend the service in person due to illness, holiday etc. Services are recorded and made available to the public via our YouTube channel. As of 13[th] November 2023, these services have been held at Houlton School in Rugby or at the Scout Hut at Boughton Leigh Junior School (Bank holiday weekends only).
Prayer meetings have been held in private homes twice monthly.
Special services have been held at Christmas for the benefit of the local community. These were advertised on our website and via flyers distributed to homes in area around the school building.
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
## **Training and Christian Growth**
Our theological and biblical counselling training has been paused as we go through our pastoral transition plan (see below). This plan will see changes in the employment of the Elders at GBCR to free up more time for training in the future. This in turn will enable the church to expand its current training capability and to broaden its scope. It will also make training available to a greater number of people than previously.
## **Training and Christian Growth**
Our theological and biblical counselling training has been paused as we go through our pastoral transition plan (see below). This plan will see changes in the employment of the Elders at GBCR to free up more time for training in the future. This in turn will enable the church to expand its current training capability and to broaden its scope. It will also make training available to a greater number of people than previously.
## **10th Anniversary**
On 12[th] February 2023, GBCR celebrated its 10[th] anniversary. A special service with a visiting preacher was arranged and a meal was held with around 100 people attending.
## **Future leadership**
The Elders have identified several men who have potential for future leadership. They are currently testing the mens’ gifts and training them to assess their suitability for future leadership roles.
## **Ladies’ Ministry**
The Women of Grace group continues to meet to study the Bible and pray together. They also engage in discipleship and evangelism. The core study material has been a series of talks on the book of Titus.
## **Men’s ministry**
The Men’s Breakfast continues to meet to study the Bible and pray together. They also engage in discipleship and evangelism.
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
## **Links to Churches and Other Groups**
The former Occupational Elder, Tom McConnell retains his place on the Eldership, and is a missionary from Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, USA, and he maintains strong links with the staff from that church, who are available from time to time to give wise counsel. He has also met with other ministers in the UK from time to time for prayer and encouragement and assisted other churches by preaching.
Tim Atkins has taken over the role of Occupational Elder. He is a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Church’s Pastors Network. This gives Tim the opportunity to network with other pastors and churches in the area, with a view to providing support in leading services and preaching where necessary. Tim has also recently joined a ministers fraternal compromising those with links to Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, USA.
Claudio Farinha is an elder of the church and has now moved with his family to his home of Madeira to work as a missionary there. Prior to leaving, he engaged in deputation to raise support for the work in Madeira. The church has supported him and the family as they go on behalf of GBCR.
GBCR has welcomed 3 visiting preachers and 2 other church members have assisted the elders in the preaching ministry of the church.
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
## **Pastoral Care**
The Occupational Elder has implemented a programme of regular pastoral visitation for all members of the church. This enables the Elders to focus their pastoral care on specific households in the circumstances in which they find themselves. These visits provide an opportunity for counselling, teaching and mutual encouragement.
In addition, the church continues to encourage the development of discipling relationships between members of the church for spiritual instruction, mutual encouragement, and growth.
Tim and Angela Atkins recently visited Claudio and Nikki Farinha in their new home in Madeira to encourage and support them in their church planning work.
The Martha Ministry has provided meals for families going through short term emergencies, e.g. bereavement, the birth of a child.
## **Biblical Counselling**
6 members of the church have been trained and certified as qualified biblical counsellors through the Association of Certified Biblical Counsellors in the USA. They have provided free counselling to those with spiritual problems, both locally and internationally. This has been advertised via the church’s website, the website of the Association of Certified Biblical Counsellors and by word of mouth.
## **Mission and Evangelism**
During 2023-23 Claudio and Nikki Farinha moved to the Island of Madeira to work as missionaries preaching the Christian message. They plan to start a church there. Initially this will be under the auspices of GBCR. Once the new church is able to exist in its own right, the intention is that it will be made independent under Claudio’s pastoral leadership.
The Evangelism Team regularly visit Rugby town centre to bring the Christian message to members of the public. Other evangelistic events have also been organised, such as a ladies Carol Evening at Christmas.
Members of the congregation continue to tell others the message of the Christian faith as part of everyday life. Subsequent enquiries have been followed up by the Elders.
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
## **5. Pastoral Transition Plan**
This plan was created by Elders in previous years and is now in the process of implementation, as follows:
Pastor Tom McConnell has stepped down from his role as Occupational Elder of the church in June 2022, to enable his family to return temporarily to the USA to obtain sufficient financial support to cover full-time service at GBCR. He will retain his place as Elder of GBCR. He will return in September 2023 to take up a role developing and leading the counselling and church planting ministries of the church.
Pastor Tim Atkins has taken up the role of full-time Pastor of the church. His role focusses on the teaching and discipleship ministries of the church as well as the pastoral care. He also oversees the day to day running of the church.
Pastor Claudio Farinha has now moved with his family to Madeira and is resident there in Machico. He regularly visits the capital Funchal and other sites to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with members of the public. This is part of GBCR’s ministry to bring the gospel to all those who have not yet believed it, and to see churches created to carry on this work.
## **6. Financial Review**
## **Financial Activity and Financial Position**
The statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet can be found on **page 10** . The Charity have available cash of **£93,127.83** at the year end.
It is the policy of the church to hold reserves as follows: Emergency Fund: **£24,000.00**
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
## **7. Responsibilities of the Trustees for the Financial Statements**
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Charity law in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of income and expenditure of the Charity for that period.
In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the activities of the Charity will continue.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the governing document. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Charity and financial information included in the Charity’s website.
## **8. Approval**
The report of the Trustees was approved by the Trustees on _______________________ **(Date)** and signed on its behalf by:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
_______________________________________
Tim Atkins
Elder & Trustee (GBCR)
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This report is made solely to the Trustees in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). My independent examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by the law, I do not accept responsibility to anyone other than the Trust and the Trustees for my independent examination, for this report, or the opinions I have formed.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER The Trustees consider that an audit
is not required for this period (under section 144(2) of the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
It is my responsibility to: • examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Act); • follow the procedures laid down in the General Direction given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act); and • state whether particular matters have come to my attention
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity 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 form 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.
_______________________________________ Christine Cheung-Poston 23[rd] December 2023
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the period ended 31 March 2023.**
|||**FY 20-21**||**FY 21-22**||**FY 22-23**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Income**||**65,347.51**||**83,484.55**||**90,907.02**|
|Voluntary||55,302.85
10,000.00
44.66||83,455.66
28.89||90,610.94
296.08|
|Other Income|||||||
|Interest earned|||||||
||||||||
|**Expenditure**||**-44,864.84**||**-54,099.83**||**-78,719.28**|
|Administrations Costs||-3,375.37
-28,131.40
-250.00
-453.55
-28.07
-2,126.44
-3,635.27
-6,864.74||-4,377.46
-177.64
-30,027.97
-250.00
-1,099.30
-2,695.16
-2,109.51
-1,174.12
-1,108.34
-11,080.33||-3,209.38
0.00
-34,369.02
-250.00
-17,516.04
-537.19
-1,960.73
-3,380.84
-2,917.08
-14,579.00|
|Building & Facilitues|||||||
|Church Life & Outreach|||||||
|Governance|||||||
|Mission & Ministry|||||||
|Office Expenses|||||||
|IT Expenses|||||||
|Travel Expenses|||||||
|Worship Expenses|||||||
|Rent|||||||
|**Grand Total**||**20,482.67**||**29,384.72**||**12,187.74**|
|**Fund Movements**|**Fund Movements**|||
|---|---|---|---|
||**Opening**
**Balance 21-22**|**Closing**
**Balance 22-23**|**Movement**|
|**Restricted Fund**|**7,964.09**|**30,926.02**|**22,961.93**|
|Building Fund|0.00|15,138.14|15,138.14|
|Children's Ministry Fund|245.00|245.00|0.00|
|Madeira Fund|7,719.09|15,542.88|7,823.79|
|**Unrestricted Fund**|**73,225.38**|**62,201.81**|**-11,023.57**|
|Building Fund|5,250.00|8,400.00|3,150.00|
|Deacons Fund|500.00|500.00|0.00|
|Emergency Fund|24,000.00|24,000.00|0.00|
|General Fund|32,035.38|21,101.81|-10,933.57|
|Maderia Fund|6,400.00|8,200.00|1,800.00|
|Pastor's Training Fund|5,040.00|0.00|-5,040.00|
|**Grand Total**|**81,189.47**|**93,127.83**|**11,938.36**|
At the end of the financial year, the Charity held £ **93,127.83** at the bank, of which **£30,926.02** were for restricted purposes, see above table.
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Grace Bible Rugby Church
Annual Report and Financial Statement 2023
The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and drawn up on the cash basis accounting policy.
**Trustees giving for the period amounted to £19,955.50 and this included the giving from one of the trustees via his company.**
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