Desiring Truth Ministries Report and Accounts Year ended 28 February 2024
DESIRING TRufH MINISTRIES LEGAL & ADAIINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023 ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONUEhfE 2 Beeches Coiiitya Beeches Road cirenr GL7 1BN CIO- Registered 18 Apiil 2016 GOVERNING DOCUMENT CHARITY REGISTRATION NuER I11 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE F(Xi MANAGING THE CHARITY Mrs. A L Absolom Mrs. R Short MT. K Knighton Mr. R Manley Ms. ABonc Ms. S G Fairfey BANKERS Lloyds Bank MoretOn4ll-Ma PO Box 1000 Andover BX1 1LT INDEPENDE EXAMINER Atan RichardAk6dom abeth House Fleckn( INawctstire CV23 eAT
DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2024 The Tmstees have pleasure in submittirKJ the Report and A(xounts for the year ended 28 February 2024. THE MINISTRY: ITS AIMS AND OBJECTNES Our aims and obje(thves are femeW each year and make every attempt to take into account the changing values and current sttuation of our cultures in the UK. Over time Britian has become an ever- increasing murtpcuitural society which in turn indudes a mulli failh andlor no faith populous. We nSler the Christian Church not to be a IkI1ng. but rather a galhering of ordinary people of different ages, cuUlEs and backgrounds. whose lives hame been changed by Jesus Chrtst. the Son of God. Although to de there have afrhTays drfterent InterpreL10ns of soipture by the various known Christian denominations. Desiring Tnrth makes every efft)rt to maintain the freedom of thought and speech by using the plumb line of the Bible as our guKle. The Ne4¥ Testament reveals the church as a community of people, woperty taught and cared for, vthom. by k>ving and serving Jesus Christ. were also committed to love and care for each other arKI to bring a blessing to the communty in whh they Desiring Trulh Ministries, ts Tnjstees. LeadeT5hip Team and membets are commiited to the restoration of those New Testament principles and walues. The ministry is one of many Christian ministries across the country and all overthe workl that r&dLscoverirKJ the joy of knowing Jesus Christ and serving Him in this way. The vision of Desiring Trulh is to see the peopk of the United KiThJdom (which is our primary rnission field) come into thi5 experience of knIy•ving Jesus as Iheir Lord, Saviour and Fnd and in so doing, find both physi1 and spiritual suptx)¢ whth in tum they can offer to others in their Gommunily. The Christian fatth, being one of h)ve and accept8D(z wsihin their communty and beyond is able to offer seTrice to others whilst maintaining the trne value of Ihal faith as lail out in the hoty text of the Bible D1Cln$ lating to chartsble trusl are male bythe TNstees in consultalion with the Leadership Team, who 8re resp)nsible for governing the life and teaching of this ministry. Day-t(Hlay decisions on expenditure and acaivilies are decKled by the Leadership Team who is reswnsible for drfferent areas of activity within Desiring Tnrth Ministries. with budgets set and moniiored bythe Trustees. The wers of appointment or removal of Trustees rests with the Truslees. New Trustees are primanly selected from the members of the Desiring Truth family who share the same lOn. since this means that the Trustee body ts wholeheartedly involved in seeiThJ the mission of the Desiring Tnrth Ministry Wotl(ed out in pradiGe. After being appointed new Trvstees speThl time with the existing TTUStees to ensure they understand their responsibilitS and the legal arKI financial tramewotk in whth the ministry operates. GUelIneS etc. from the Charities Commission are made available and a copy of the Desiring Tnrth aged Consttiution made available. Having now come through the COVKI crisis of202021, DesIrW Truth has coniinued to develop ways of using the media lo rts best effect within c#Jrrent guNJelines andlor legislation. There are a growing number of partlp8rrtS who opt to participate online rher than to attend the Desiring Trnth Teaching Centre. By usiTrJ vafiOUS media platfofffs such as You Tube and Zoom. Desiring Tnrth Ministries have been able to expand its audnCe to intematK>nal arcles. Most teaching sessions a reconded arKI streamed on the Desiring Tnrth website for later viv*iThJ.
However, Itte are continued dis(#JssM)ns to ensure Ihat we w the extsbNJ prernises innovatively and to wider effecl within its knc81 settirvJ thereby makn.ng vanous a(Aiwlies Th)re aSSIble to other churches andlor denominations in this localty. It is hoped Ihat in so dowwJ. DesbriThJ Truth muht continue to Lwikl brtdges within the community. Our aim for output to increase 0r tim8. For this reason, Desiri Tnrth ha folknyed the advice of the Tnjstees (2023 Rewrt of Aims and 0.e(lIveS) and in(Ye8sed the financial investment in our media serwces. enabling this ministry to reach the wvjer audienc8 in a more wofessK)nal and businesslike manner. The new technology acquired has been placed in the main teaching nK>ms which have been refurbished etc. to incjude a variety of'studio. opwrtunibes that will eNEntually increase Olir pmgrammed output. There is now a relay system in place in another part of the Desiring Tnrth premi8es which can support any overftow that can Someti5 occur. OUT new Media administrator has been in a¢e for the past year and has successivety in¢ased our advertising output. He has been able to injed new Kleas to broaden ouraudience participation which has resulted in some wsiiive feedba and growth in the number of people Ix)nnectifKJ online wlih Desiring Tnrth. This objedive will remain cenlrnl to the MinFS1ry of Desiring Truth. Among the tasks of the administrator there will be an expecaation that helshe 11 follow the media gu•Jelines laid out by each service we use, i.e. Facebook. You Tube, Twriter etc. currently have bmo partially trained people in house to use the system to its MmuM Wential and KM)ssibty the addItn of fvrther voluntary technKians to be trained to cover holwjayslsickness Desiring Truth still feels that face to face contacl is vftal. and we therefore contfftue to offer group and indiwdual supp)rt in prayer. acaual visits or contad by Yarious means of technokngy to those feeling isolated. knnely or without pradical arKVor emotN)nal supp)rt. Thi8 kn'nd ot support continues to be necessary thmugh the many charKJes coming through govemment tK)licies and an unstable current Wofld situation. On a person81 level it is acknth¥ledged tattheTr are growing hartships within many households as a deepening financial crisis emerges. War sftuatK)ns and subsg]uenl refwee problems continue. and the United Kingdom has not escaped from these gr(Y•vÈng problems. Help15UPPX)rt is now sought from many chaiities and instilulions and Desiriro Tnrth MinL%tries are willing to help as and where it is appropriate andlor possible. Churches are now forthe most part open throughoutthe UK and therefore ourneed and calling to support those Churcheswhere possible andlor appropwte, also ntinueS. Ourteaching e4)urses are setto ach all levels of understanding. and we ensure that people are dire(led to the coutse that woubj be the most satisfying 8ndlor appropriate for them. For examk*. we go from in depth study to one-tfrone Bible courses. to completely infomial meetiNJ times where those attending can talk together in a more casual setting. being assLtred thal all Con[saIlOn5 wll be $perted and hekl confixential. Desiring TNth encourages those with the ministry to be WDadive wkhin their rxJmmLtnf(ies and as part of that oE4"e(live we ensure that there are training courses available to buihj cx)nfidence and devek)p undertanding for sensitivity whiLst engaging with the publ when out and about in the communty. There is always space for more Nvlunteets lo suwort the various aspeds of this ministy, indiwduaLs can be invofved Iraining others {di8opling). or in public teaching and worship, and also in various kyartical forn of administration. The finana81 resources of the minislry, to a very large extent, Bre given by the member5 and their Kmivate assets and equipment are reguLarty used in the work of the ministry. Much of this work is done voluntarily. wNatety. wilhoui recognition, and the hour5 and value of that time cannot be quantsfied.
'. THE YEAR: rrs OBJECTIVES AND ACHIEVEME1115 During the year ended 28th February 2024 the main ways the ministry sought to achieve the calling of Christ upon it and its charitabje wryN)ses for the wblic benefft have bean as folh)ws." Fulfilling the objective in teaching, preaching and sh(ywing wadical care in the rxjmmunity wherever the opportunitS present Ihemselves. Vle continue to use Zoom bul are now able to include 'Live' broadcasting wa You Tube. We Currently haNE Iwo W)nteets tr8ined for this purpose and another two volunteers willing to be traFned in order to cover sicknesslholijays. Hthvever. the equirment is hvJhty advancd, and we alize th thefe ts nv)re thai can be done through ths medium. therefore one of the inttial voiunleer technicians has agreed to seek furthertr2ining which woukl enable the fvll use of our cufrent equipmenl. ZOOM has enabted group partIpatIOn online such as small group siLKlies. prayer meetings and infomial discussion groups in a secure setting. This has been increased this year as the troubles around the world have increased and with that the need for prayer. Through this kind of media usage. we hoped lo be able to pro?Ade SUPFQrt for those we hopwd to pmvKle supports for those seekn.llg a deeper undetstaThJing of ChrtIan principles. Feedback so far on the whole has been positive and we a resolved to continue through all the ups and downs of any ministry lo ensure thal God's v)rd is sustained 8nd hehj up wtthin the ChrLStian Church btrth here and overseas. All those Invol wilh Desiring Truth remain positive and excried about what the fvture hokts for this minTSty. Each group payer meeliNJ andlor mK&WeekteaChi classe5 are open to all, newcomer5 are ahvays made welcome and soon feel thrtable within the sl$e of Yamty, which we try to create amongst us all. There have been new faces in this past year ano those who understand the vtsion of Desiring TrLrth are generalty willing to volunteer in the outwotrO of our aims arKJ obJ'ediv&s. The ministry aL80 runs specifi¢ (x)urses whith &Jdress particular aspects of Christian INing and Ihese too are open to the WKler communty. The aims of the teaching, preathing and dIspIeShiP programs is to primarily make some impact uky)n a petson's Itfestyle would then llow naturalty from Biblical teaching of Christ's own urKtefStand¥w on lo k)ve God aThl your ne¥jhu[ as yourself. The mid-week Bible school meeliThJs have a steaty al39e of around 25 peopie ¢omirKJ together at the main teaching Centre of Desiri Truth, whilst numbers conttnue lo increase of those watching online. We ha a heatthy tumover of peop wilh some moving on to be more adtve within their own church community and in place of them. Othe feeling less sukwrted have joined the various groups andlor activities provided by DesirKw Tnrth Ministries strength and support wilhin the fiekl oflheir personal calling andlor choice. A growing number of volunteer rnernbe of the ministry are involved in vaTfou5 levels of 1mMnitY work i.e. Soual Work, tach counseling and are en8bled through the actiwties delivered by Desiring Trnth Ministries to nY forward their skilL%, within Chrsttan principles. both the cx)mmunity and the workplace. The are two moffthty pfdyer meeti1, one online and one face to face. that happen each month with regularity and when appropriate oNEmwJht prayer meeting5 are announc&J and on average all are well attended. Thero are at knt ovemNJht Frayer n*&iTrJs planned for 2025. We have 2 prayerapp on SvJnal which is used by those wanting Io p8rtiUP21e forthe purp)se of personal prayèr requests. we respect peoples. need for confxlentr41ty and those wanting to join are vetted. So far Signal has a very good pnvacy record. and we find that the 'wayer support, offered through Ihese various openingslopportunilies haNt Lwi apwewted by aN those currentty inNrJlved. Recognitlon of the inNnediate needs of indiMdua15 and groups of society have caused us to develop such a program of prayer that coukd touch the IT of many vtho are suffertrwlaThl or strugglwvJ with life situations.
Evangelism and Missw)ns: Street evangelism corrttnues bul chaNJes have occurred during 2024 when desiring Tnrth joined wilh the local Baptist Church to work together in the streets of Cirencester. some going out on other days as well as Ihe designated Tuesday. This has caused us to reconsJer our t¥)Sitn in regard to Street evangelsm to see rf we can broaden our contad with the general w1C. The wjea of creating a small choir has been introduced and will go before the Leadership Team and Trustees in the New Year. Desiring Tnrth has invesled finanaally In the purchase of Bibles and lrteratuTr for all ages and this wll continue as aFvopriate. Brlnglng support to churches w01ng elsth¥here both in the Uniled Kiwjom and overseas. Ann accepts inMt8tions to speak at various churches tx)th re and abroad but we are k)oking with a renewed vision as to how Desiring Tnrth may beo)me a recogntzed 'hub' or centre of support for indivJuals attending chur(es of smalmarye mixed congregations where the opportuntty to understand the Bible fflay be limrted aThJ in the case of discipshIp. can sometimes be non- eIent. The courses of in deFXh sludies we provide are not onty meant to pr(Juc more and more students of the Bible. Ohe Chrtsiian's handtM)ok) bLrt to prov?Je opp)rtunilies for those students to go backto their churches. communities andlorfamilies amied with the Truth they know and want to share joyftjlty with Othe acTh)rrling to 2 Twnothy 3."1&17. "All scripture is insw'red by God and profftable for teaching, for repr(M)f. for ¢(Krec#ion. for training in rwjhteousness." so that the man ofGc¥J (Chtistian) may be adequate. equipped for every gcd Work". BmOnth[Y Day conferences have continued and the annual retreat from August 2024 was a resounding success wilh go(Kl attendance. used a Christian Conferenc£ Centre in Poole, Dorset and because of such positive feedback we tkn)ked arther Retreat at the same centre for July 2025 The members of the minystry haNe consistenuy been appIng the principtes of church life OLttlined in the New Testament Njentified eartrt0 be 'sall arnl IKJht' in the communty, in the FaCeS they live and work and in hamng an impact on social attitudes in wpyer national society. This is a very major part of the purpose of this ministry and much of il is done wtihout publicity and the amount oftime spent in this way cannot be quantrfd. The Tnjslees have complied with the dity under the Charities Acts to haTr*e due regard to the publ benefft guxlance published by the Charty Commisswjn in December 2008. Page 5
PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR The key strategS forlhe mÉnistry are lo remain the s8me. The Leadetship Team and trustees have not set specific objeclives for the coming year in quarrtitatfft tem)s, although we are buikling on the media opwrtunliies as stated aVe. We will continue to seek adwce re the expansion of the media sKle of Deshing Tnrth and support the volunteers who wod( alongsmle the media administralor. We will conlinue to devek)p the Media Team and the opportunities that can be used by this KsM as the LO leads. We will continue to encourage supp)rt and de•*elop the outreach swje of Desiring Truth especially into the IoGal community amongst young peo&k. We hope to have an increase of volunteer rtIpatIOn especially in the leading of small group5 and those taking a teaching role at the Desiring Truth Centre. It is believed that these smaller local groups Can be a vttal sense of keepiThJ in touch arNJ offering suNx)rt in these uncertain tim8s. Athough we ¢ontinue to investate some kind of worship band and encourageth05e with musical talents where Frf)ssible. we currently use a media program to accommodate times of worship. The ministry proposes to investKJate hty•V we could further join with other ministries wilh the same co values in order to broaden our work and reach more peo 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 increas&J ow)rtUnIt for those wanting to know more about the Christian faith, 'Beginnerfs classes and small felhmship groups run by volunteers and other social actimtses. are being prayerfully consmlered. Pape 6
Financial review During the year income increased by £3144 and experltUre decreased by £3135.. The cash hekl by the charity decreased by £1232 to £2108, of wIti £2108 is UnreStrMed and Gan be used for any charilable wrFW)se. R•seMs poll¢y The trustees have detenined that the tharity shoukj aim to hokl unrestricted cash of no less than £1.000 (which equates to aut 1 month of property renlaD shoukl income vary adversely. At the year end, the chartty hekl unrestricled cash of £2108 and the charity is complying with tts reserves policy. Govemance Responsibility for setting polw and for maknno operatThJ decisK)ns rest with the tne&S who meet regulaty to monitor the adivities of the chatity. Risk slalement The charity is exp)sed to vartous risks - be they O8110n81. financial or rew1atna1. The tTUStees review the chanty's activrties regujady to Klentfy sNJnificanl risks and, where possible, they take apEOlate measures to mitoate those rtsks. Responsibililios of twstaes Charity law requires us as Tnjstees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receiFts and paynts ofthe chaiity for the year. We a reSFX)nsibk for keeping FKoper accountiThJ recorrts which dksck)se with reasonable accuracy at any time the fmancial positK)n of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements compty with the Charities Ad 2011. We also have a respons*Mlty to safeguard the assets of the charity aTrJ to take asOnable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. Approval This was aFvoNed by the Trustee5 aTrJ swJned on ther behalf by '. ROS Sko Rosle Short- Chalrnn Date: 10 December 2024 Page 7
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 (Ihe charrty) for the year ended 29 February 2024. I confim that I have examined the accounts. bank statements and other documents produced to me by the Treasurer, including infomiation provided to her by other members. I can confirm that l am satisfied that the accounts and balance sheet correctly reflect the financial situation of the charity for the year 2023124. A.K AbsoLo Alan Absolom Accounts Examiner Elizabeth House, Flecknoe Warwickshire CV23 8AT 4 December 2024
DESIRINGTRUTH MINISIIIE8 RECEIPTSAND PAYMENTSACCOUNT FuDd• e 19177 18759 Bwk4rrfJ ¢Dsa05 148 141 11 f59 N•tolr•cd&tsl1p&ynkn) b••K• fr8181 {1$9¥ 8781 11Z1B ¢•6b Iwa0atthy*jr• 1741 3340
DESIR114G TRUTH MWSTrIES STATgIENTOF ASSETS& UABIUTIES FOR THEYEAREPIDED 28 FEBRUARY2024 A ¢a•h Fund• 3310 Equprrffjrt 311K* 12183 6157.82 12781 25.14 R4)Sit shor Rosiè Short
E%fiINGTRUTH MIN15ThES r107ESTO Trf AceoiJiiTS FOR TrEYE ENEED 28 FEBRUNJIY2024 T(&12•2J 7817 PtyP•ttyCoois••not•il> 15 74 74 oinc• Adrwin Trw•l Sthor 1710 L¥ldJ Equlwi# Mlwb?n Dorotwr ssm 741 744 640 211) PTrpwly¢4¥Cryth• 111WO f469 l••nThJ 2688 1721 R•rtrfGt•d FdI rMl¥•rlMIAln TotalFw 1741