## Desiring Truth Ministries
Report and Accounts Year ended 28 February 2021
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES**
## **LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2021**
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 2 Beeches Courtyard Beeches Road Cirencester GL7 1BN GOVERNING DOCUMENT CIO - Registered 18 April 2016 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1166581 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Mrs A L Absolom MANAGING THE CHARITY Mr B E Short Mrs J L Bernard Lord S Reading BANKERS Lloyds Bank Moreton-in-Marsh PO Box 1000 Andover BX1 1LT INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jacob Farley ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
## **INDEX**
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-6 Trustees' Report Page 7 Independent Examiner's Report Page 8 Receipts and Payments Account Page 9 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 10 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
## **DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2021**
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 28 February 2021.
## **THE MINISTRY: ITS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES**
The Church is not a building, but a gathering of ordinary people of different ages and backgrounds, whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The New Testament reveals the Church as a community of people, properly taught and cared for, whom, by loving and serving Jesus Christ, were also committed to love and care for each other and to bring a blessing to the community in which they lived.
Desiring Truth Ministries, its Trustees, Leadership Team and members are committed to the restoration of those New Testament principles and values. The ministry is one of many Christian ministries across the country and all over the world that is re-discovering the joy of knowing Jesus Christ and serving Him in this way. The vision of Desiring Truth is to see the people of the United Kingdom (which is our primary mission field) come into this experience of knowing Jesus as their Lord, Saviour and Friend and in so doing, find both physical and spiritual support.
Directions relating to the charitable trust are made by the Trustees in consultation with the Leadership Team, who are responsible for governing the life and teaching of this ministry. Day to day decisions on expenditure and activities are decided by the Leadership Team who are responsible for different areas of activity within Desiring Truth Ministries, with budgets set and monitored by the Trustees. The powers of appointment or removal of Trustees rests with the Trustees. New Trustees are primarily selected from the members of the Desiring Truth family who share the same vision, since this means that the Trustee body is wholeheartedly involved in seeing the mission of the Desiring Truth Ministry worked out in practice. After being appointed, new Trustees spend time with the existing Trustees to ensure they understand their responsibilities and the legal and financial framework in which the ministry operates.
In the event of the Covid19 crisis during 2020 - 2021 the affect has been felt across the whole of the world one way or another causing radical changes to the way people conduct their personal lives and/or businesses. This ministry has likewise had to reconsider the way in which it might proceed under new and changing legislation which was deemed necessary to combat and curtail this pandemic. As with most business and charitable organisations it was agreed by the Trustees and Leadership Team that the best way forward was to increase and improve our media services which is ongoing. Research suggested that this could maintain our aims and objectives and subsequently enable the ministry to continue bringing support to current members and others seeking Christian support especially at such a time as this.
Page 2
Within the existing government rules and guidelines Desiring Truth Ministries makes every effort to continue being ‘salt and light’ amongst the people with whom they daily interact; (mostly online during periods of lockdown). We offer group and individual support in prayer, actual visits or contact by various means of technology to those feeling isolated, lonely or without practical and/or emotional support. This kind of support has increased over this past year with the closure of churches for public worship and volunteers from Desiring Truth have been very aware of those in their communities who fell into these kinds of difficulties. Desiring Truth ensure that there are training courses available for people to learn how to speak to others with sensitivity and confidence when they are out and about in their communities. There is always space for more volunteers to support the various aspects of this ministry, individuals can be involved training others (discipling), or in public teaching and worship, and also in various forms of administration. The financial resources of the ministry, to a very large extent, are given by the members and their private assets and equipment are regularly used in the work of the ministry. Much of this work is done voluntarily, privately, without recognition, and the hours and value of that time cannot be quantified.
## **THE YEAR: ITS OBJECTIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS**
During the year ended 28th February 2021 the main ways the ministry sought to achieve the calling of Christ upon it and its charitable purposes for the public benefit have been as follows:
• Fulfilling the objective in teaching, preaching and showing practical care in the community where legally possible within the confines of COVID19 regulations and/or advice. For example, the use of ZOOM Media Technology enabled continuation of both the normal teaching within Desiring Truth whether Day/Residential Conferences. We were able through this means to follow through with group or individual prayer as appropriate. These prayer meetings increased throughout the year as the pandemic took hold of the country and the needs of the NHS and individual people increased.
Every group meeting, mid week teaching classes, conferences and seminars are always open to all, newcomers are made welcome and soon feel comfortable within the sense of ‘family’ which we try to create amongst us all.
By means of the ZOOM app we have been able to continue with the small groups which are led by trained/experienced volunteers. This has enabled personal development in regard to leadership skills and has provided useful experience to those wanting to be more pro active within their own communities. Desiring Truth is committed to support those wanting to establish such small groups within the community but we have been waiting for the end of the current nationwide series of Lockdowns before restarting the groups in person. When it is legally possible we will once again begin to encourage more of these small groups to be formed within the members’ local community.
• The ministry also runs specific courses which address particular aspects of Christian living these too are open to the wider community; The aims of the teaching, preaching and discipleship programs is to primarily make some impact upon a person’s lifestyle which would then flow naturally from Biblical teaching of Christ’s own understanding on how to love God and your neighbour as yourself.
Page 3
The mid-week Bible school meetings have a steady average of around 40, with most of those people involved in the various meetings and/or activities held through the year. Because of the pandemic and related government restrictions we have had to meet mostly online and be innovative where possible within legal requirements. We have a healthy turnover of people with some moving on to be more active within their own church community and in place of them, others feeling less supported have joined the various groups and/or activities provided by Desiring Truth Ministries for strength and support within the field of their personal calling and/or choice.
• A growing number of volunteer members of the ministry are involved in various levels of community work i.e. Social Work, teaching counselling and are enabled through the activities delivered by Desiring Truth Ministries to carry forward their skills, within Christian principles, into both the community and the workplace.
• A monthly prayer meeting and prayer letter has been established to cover all activities both current and proposed. The Prayer ministry now has a designated Prayer Coordinator who has begun to develop the opportunities for prayer not only at each event but also within local and national communities. Recognition of the immediate needs of individuals and groups of society have caused us to develop a program of prayer that could touch the lives of many who are suffering and/or struggling with life situations.
Guest Speakers from other national and international Christian Ministries have been invited to speak about their specific work to those members of Desiring Truth wanting to support that particular work, either by prayer or financially. Desiring Truth as a ministry has now begun to contribute financially to some of those visiting Christian ministries who also run as charities dependent on the gifts of others to provide their particular support ministry.
• Bringing the love of Christ to the community is effected by running courses for those who wanted to find out about Christianity. Smaller fellowship groups are now functioning through Zoom sessions provided by Desiring Truth members can continue to meet together in local communities where those seeking a deeper understanding of the Christian faith may meet informally; these groups can be extended to Discipleship courses but sensitivity to those in the smaller group(s) must take preeminence. The impact of these groups has changed lives and attitudes for those that were involved. The ministry has been able to support people who feel isolated and some with mental health issues of long standing have reported that they have been greatly helped by the care and time given to them over this past year.
• Impacting the next generation. The financial position of the ministry remains healthy and we continue to seek for a person or persons who can take on the media responsibilities of Desiring Truth. We are aware that the younger generation is very media savvy and therefore we see the need to ensure that media productions of any teaching sessions or general information coming out of Desiring Truth must be of a high standard. It has been difficult to determine exactly how we should proceed with the development of the media side of Desiring Truth but it is agreed that we need professional advice in the first instance and then to follow through with the employment of a qualified and/or experienced technician in this field. This is ongoing and a matter of much discussion and prayer. The Desiring Truth website has been rebuilt during this year with the hope that it will be more appealing to the next generation and able to convey the Christian message clearly to those seeking such information. We currently continue to use the services of a self-employed media technician who takes responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of all social media channels of communication. Volunteers from the Desiring Truth family continue to come forward to learn about specific areas of the media side of this ministry and have proved helpful in many ways, including amplification, recording etc.
Page 4
• Evangelism and Missions: Street evangelism continues but has had to change some of the methods due to COVID restrictions. Instead of utilising questionnaires to have conversations with those willing to stop and talk, we now tend to give out lovely red leather Gideon New Testament Bibles and a small booklet explaining how to be a Christian. (purchased by Desiring Truth). Other ways to evangelise have been put on hold until people are again at liberty to walk freely in the streets. We continue to investigate new ways to reach out to the community and have opened the Desiring Truth Teaching Premises for individuals who may want to call in for a cup of tea, some conversation and/or prayer. This has been subject to COVID restrictions, so it is currently difficult to measure its success as the Lockdown sometimes meant we had to close down for many weeks at a time.
• Bringing support to churches working elsewhere both in the United Kingdom and overseas. Desiring Truth continues to build personal relationships with overseas Christian ministries in Switzerland, and Israel; through invitations from various other church groups both in the UK and abroad Desiring Truth has been able to increase these opportunities for Bible teaching via Zoom.
• The members of the ministry have consistently been applying the principles of church life outlined in the New Testament identified earlier to be ‘salt and light’ in the community, in the places they live and work and in having an impact on social attitudes in wider national society. This is a very major part of the purpose of this ministry and much of it is done without publicity and the amount of time spent in this way cannot be quantified.
## **PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR**
The key strategies for the ministry are to remain the same. The Leadership Team and trustees have not set specific objectives for the coming year in quantitative terms, although we are building on the media opportunities as stated above. We will continue to seek advice re the expansion of the media side of Desiring Truth and hope in the next year to have someone in place who can responsibly take this forward.
The new facilitator works very closely with all members of the team and the benefits from maintaining some momentum throughout this difficult year has been greatly appreciated. It is proposed to re start the conferences when legally permitted to do so but to reduce them to approximately four a year.
We hope to have an increase of volunteer participation especially in the leading of small groups and those taking a teaching role at the Desiring Truth Centre. It is believed that these smaller local groups can be a vital sense of keeping in touch and offering support in these uncertain times.
The proposed development of a worship band was not possible under COVID restrictions and so the search for a worship leader/group will continue.
The ministry proposes to investigate how we could join with other ministries with the same core values in order to broaden our work and reach more people from various walks of life. The ministry wants to expand its use of the current premises. Ideas such as a studio for filming, podcasting and increased classes run by volunteers and other social activities are all being prayerfully considered.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Page 5
## **Financial review**
During the year income increased by £1,332, to £26,362 and expenditure decreased by £10,053, to £23,928. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £2,435, to £15,062, of which £14,482 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
## **Reserves policy**
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £5,000 (which equates to about 3 months' of unrestricted forecast expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £14,482 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
## **Governance**
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity.
## **Risk statement**
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
## **Approval**
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Brian Short
Date: 23 November 2021
Page 6
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Desiring Truth Ministries ('the charity') for the year ended 28 February 2021 on pages 8 to 10 following.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **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 accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jacob Farley ACA
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 15 December 2021
Page 7
## **DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2021**
|Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations, legacies and grants
Conferences & Bible Study Courses
Book & CD Sales
Other
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net
of
receipts
/
(payments)
before
transfers
Payments in relation to charitable activities
undertaken directly|General
Funds
£
23,922
2,242
15
3
26,182
23,928
23,928
2,255
-
2,255
12,627
14,882
Unrestricted|Restricted
Funds
£
180
-
-
-
180
-
-
180
-
180
-
180|2021
£
24,102
2,242
15
3
26,362
23,928
23,928
2,435
-
2,435
12,627
15,062|2020
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||18,271
6,318
433
8|
|||||25,030|
|||||33,980|
|||||33,980|
|||||(8,950)
-|
|||||(8,950)
21,577|
|||||12,627|
The notes on page 11 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
## **DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2021**
|**A Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
Petty cash
**B Other monetary assets**
Property Rental Deposit
**C Liabilities**
Fee for Independent Examination
**D Assets retained for charity's own use**
Audio equipment
Office equipment|Unrestricted
General
funds
£
14,852
30
**14,882**
2,000
**2,000**
540
**540**|Restricted
funds
£
180
-
**180**
**-**
-
**-**
Fund to
which asset
belongs
General
General|2021
£
15,032
30
**15,062**
2,000
**2,000**
540
**540**|2020
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||12,597
30|
|||||**12,627**|
|||||2,000|
|||||**2,000**|
|||||500|
|||||**500**|
|||||Cost
£|
|||||3,462
6,881|
|||||10,343|
## **E Guarantees and secured debts**
The charity has guaranteed to pay rent under a lease agreement. At the year end the rent payable for the remaining term of the lease was £19,800 (2020: £26,600). The charity anticipates that it will be able to satisfy their obligations under the lease in full.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by Brian Short date: 23 November 2021
The notes on page 11 form part of these accounts.
Page 9
## **DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2021**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
|**2**
**Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly**
Venue Hire Conferences
Property Costs (see note 2(a))
Outreach
Book & CD Purchases
Website, Advertising
Insurance
Office & Admin
Travel & Subsistence
Office/Audio Equipment
Governance|Unrestricted Funds
General
Restricted
funds
Funds
£
£
(343)
-
11,997
-
2,533
-
-
-
4,734
-
883
-
1,403
-
264
-
1,918
-
540
-
23,928
-|Total
2021
£
(343)
11,997
2,533
-
4,734
883
1,403
264
1,918
540
23,928|Total
2020
£|
|---|---|---|---|
||||989
11,816
4,060
510
4,128
508
2,808
4,176
4,562
424|
||||33,980|
The negative value in 'Venue Hire Conferences' is as reusult of refunds received for cancelled events where deposits had been paid in a previous year.
|**2**
**(a)**
Property costs comprise:
Rent
Maintenance
Cleaning
Council tax & Utilities|6,800
3,041
298
1,858
11,997|-
-
-
-|6,800
3,041
298
1,858
11,997|7,000
3,470
417
929|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||11,816|
## **3 Movement of funds**
|General funds
Restricted funds
Be'ad Chaim
Total funds|Balance
at 01.03.20
£
12,627
12,627
-
-
12,627|Receipts
£
26,182
26,182
180
180
26,362|Payments
£
(23,928)
(23,928)
-
-
(23,928)|Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-|Balance
at 28.02.21
£
14,881|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||14,881|
||||||180|
||||||180|
|||||||
||||||15,061|
Page 10