DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES
Report and Accounts Year Ended 28 February 2025
DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025
2 Beeches Courtyard Beeches Road Cirencester GL7 1BN CIO - Registered 18 April 2016
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Beeches Road Cirencester GL7 1BN GOVERNING DOCUMENT CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1166581 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Mrs. A L Absolom MANAGING THE CHARITY Mrs. R Short Mr. K Knighton Mr. R Manley Ms. A Boncey Ms. S G Fairley
BANKERS
Lloyds Bank Moreton-in-Marsh PO Box 1000 Andover BX1 1LT
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Alan Richard Absolom Elizabeth House Flecknoe Warwickshire CV 23 8AT
DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025
The trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 28 February 2025.
THE MINISTRY: ITS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
We continue to review our aims and objectives each year and make every attempt to consider the changing values and current situation of our culture in the UK. Over time Britain has become an everincreasing multi-cultural society which in turn includes a growing multifaith and/or no-faith populous.
We consider the Christian Church not to be a building, but rather a gathering of ordinary people of different ages, cultures and backgrounds, whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Although to date there have always been different interpretations of scripture by the various known Christian denominations, Desiring Truth makes every effort to maintain the freedom of thought and speech by using the plumb line of the Bible as our guide. Within the Christian faith as noted throughout The New Testament, it is understood that the Church is a community of people, who when properly taught and cared for, desire to love and serve Jesus Christ, and through that experience and commitment also make every attempt to love and care for each other and to bring a blessing to the community in which they live.
Desiring Truth Ministries, its Trustees, Leadership Team and members remain committed to the restoration of those New Testament principles and values. This ministry is one of many Christian ministries across the country and all over the world that are 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 mental, physical and spiritual support, which in turn they can offer to others in their community. The Christian faith, being one of love and acceptance within their community and beyond is able to offer service to others whilst maintaining the true value of that faith as laid out in the holy text of the Bible.
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 agreed 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. Guidelines etc. from the Charities Commission are made available and a copy of the Desiring Truth agreed Constitution made available.
Following the Covid crisis of 2020-2021 Desiring Truth continues to develop ways of using the media to its best effect within current guidelines and/or legislation. We continue to reach out to participants who opt to interact online rather than to attend the Desiring Truth Teaching Centre. By using media programs such as YouTube and Zoom Desiring Truth Ministries have been able to reach more people who are not able to physically attend but want to understand more about the Christian faith. This
audience is generally within the UK but is able to extend its reach to international circles. Most live teaching sessions are recorded and placed on the website for later viewing.
However, there are continued measures to ensure that we use the existing premises in an innovative way and to wider effect within its local setting thereby making various activities more accessible to other churches and/or denominations. It is hoped that in doing so, Desiring Truth might continue to build bridges within the community.
Our aim is for output to increase over time. For this reason, Desiring Truth has followed the advice of the Trustees (2024 Report of Aims and Objectives) and financially invested in our media services enabling this ministry to reach a wider audience in a more professional and businesslike manner. The new technology acquired has been placed in the main teaching rooms which have been re furbished etc. to include a variety of ‘studio’ opportunities that will eventually increase our programmed output. There is now a relay system in place in another part of the Desiring Truth premises which can support any overflow that can sometimes occur.
Our new Media administrator has been in place for the past two years and has successively increased our advertising output. He has been able to inject new ideas to broaden our audience participation which has resulted in some positive feedback and growth in the number of people connecting online with Desiring Truth. This objective will remain central to the Ministry of Desiring Truth. Among the tasks of the administrator there will be an expectation that he/she will follow the media guidelines laid out by each service we use, i.e. Face Book, YouTube, Twitter etc. We currently have two people partially trained in-house to use the new in-house media system, which is quite advanced. This will need ongoing training in order to use the system to its maximum potential and maintain a professional service for the wider community.
Desiring Truth still feels that face to face contact is vital, and we therefore continue to 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 continues to be necessary through the many changes coming through government policies and an unstable current world situation. On a personal level it is acknowledged that there are growing hardships within many households as a deepening financial crisis emerges. War situations throughout the world and subsequent refugee problems continue and the United Kingdom has not escaped from these growing problems. Help/support is now sought from many charities and institutions, and Desiring Truth Ministries are willing to help as and where it is appropriate and/or possible.
Desiring Truth continues to see our need and calling as and when necessary and/or appropriate to support existing Churches as well as private individuals of other faiths and/or, no faith. Our teaching courses are set to reach all levels of understanding, and we ensure that people are directed to the course that would be the most satisfying and/or appropriate for them. For example, we go from in depth group studies to one-to-one specific Bible courses. We have completely informal gathering times where those attending can talk together in a more casual setting, being assured that all conversations will be respected and held confidential.
Desiring Truth encourages those involved with the ministry to be proactive within the guidelines set herein, in and around their communities. As part of that objective, we ensure that there are training courses available to understand the need for sensitivity whilst speaking to others and to have more confidence when they are out and about in their communities. We continually encourage members to volunteer in supporting 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 2025 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 wherever the opportunities present themselves. We continue to use Zoom but are now able to include ‘Live ’ broadcasting via YouTube. We currently have three volunteers trained for this purpose but it would benefit the ministry during holidays and sickness if we could find another volunteer to join the media team, we are actively looking for this person; The equipment is highly advanced and we realize that there is more that can be done through this medium, therefore one of the initial volunteer technicians has had some additional training with this in mind.
ZOOM has enabled group participation online, such as small group studies, prayer meetings and informal discussion groups within a secure setting. This has increased this year as the troubles around the world have increased and with that the need for prayer as individuals and groups send in requests for prayer from various places within and outside the UK.
Through this kind of media use we also hope to be able to provide support for those seeking a deeper understanding of Christian principles. Feedback overall has been positive, with new faces being introduced to the ministry over the past year. We remain committed to continue through all the ups and downs that can occur in any ministry, to ensure that Gods Word is sustained and held up within the Christian Church both here and overseas. All those involved with Desiring Truth remain positive and encouraged about the future of this ministry and invite those they meet in their communities to come and see if they can find benefit from the opportunities we offer.
Each group prayer meeting and/or mid-week teaching classes are open to all; newcomers are always made welcome and soon feel comfortable within the sense of ‘family ’which we try to create amongst us all. They soon understand the vision of Desiring Truth, and we have found that many are willing to volunteer in the outworking of our aims and objectives.
We have kept the usage of the ZOOM app for the smaller groups, ie prayer, Open House, and small group study; each group is led by trained/experienced volunteers. This has enabled a more personal approach to their development regarding leadership skills and has provided useful experience for those wanting to be more proactive within their own communities. Desiring Truth continues to be committed face-to-face working with people in the community and offer support in any way possible to those that undertake that task.
• The ministry also runs specific courses which address definitive aspects of personal Christian living these courses are also 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 neighbor as yourself.
The mid-week Bible school meetings have a steady average of around 35 people coming together at the main teaching Centre of Desiring Truth, whilst numbers may vary in regard to those watching on line. We have a healthy turnover of people with some moving on to be more active within their own church community, whilst others feeling less supported in their local church setting 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. Practical tasks providing social support (meal provision for the sick, visiting the lonely, and even financial support as appropriate/possible. These kinds of social input, teaching, counselling are enabled and overseen as necessary through the activities delivered by Desiring Truth Ministries. We seek to enable and encourage participants to carry forward their skills, within Christian principles, into both the community and the workplace. During 2025 two of the Desiring Truth Ministry family took the main teaching day whilst the main teaching facilitator was on leave. This was well received by those present and will therefore be repeated as and when necessary.
• There are two monthly prayer meetings, one online and one face to face, that happen each month with regularity and when appropriate overnight prayer meetings are announced and on average all are well attended. We have a ‘prayer app ’on Signal which is used by those asking for specific and sometimes personal prayer requests, we respect people’s need for confidentiality and those wanting to join are vetted. So far Signal has provided a very good privacy record, and we find that the ‘prayer support ’offered through these various openings/opportunities has been appreciated by all those currently involved.
Recognition of the immediate needs of individuals and groups of society have caused us to develop such a program of prayer that we hope will touch the lives of many who are suffering and/or struggling with life situations.
• Evangelism and Missions: Street evangelism continues with some of the DT Team working alongside other missions such as The Gideons and members of other denominations who also feel the calling to share the Gospel on the streets of Cirencester and surrounding villages and towns. The Ministry of Desiring Truth contributes financially towards some of the materials/Bibles that are needed to take this part of our vision forward. The idea of creating a small choir continues to be floated amongst the members and it is hoped that on special seasons such as Christmas and Easter we can gather together on the streets and be part of the festivities and celebrations as they occur.
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Bringing support to churches working elsewhere both in the United Kingdom and overseas. Ann accepts invitations to speak at various churches both here and abroad. We continue to reach out looking for opportunities as to how Desiring Truth may become a recognised ‘hub ’or centre of support for individuals attending churches of small/large mixed congregations. We have come to understand that opportunities to grow in the understanding of Biblical Scriptures may not be so available in other church settings, and in the case of discipleship it can sometimes be non-existent.
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The courses of in depth studies we provide are not only meant to produce more and more students of the Bible, (the Christian’s handbook) but to provide opportunities for those students to go back to their churches, communities and/or families armed with the Truth they know and want to share joyfully with others according to 2 Timothy 3:16,17. “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God (Christian) may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Bimonthly Day conferences have continued and the annual Summer Retreat from August 2025 was a resounding success with all places taken up within a matter of weeks advertising. We returned to the same Christian Conference Centre in Poole Dorset and because of such positive feedback we have booked another Retreat at the same Centre for July 2026 .
• 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. The Trustees have complied with the duty under the Charities Acts to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in December 2008.
PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR
The key strategies for the ministry are to remain the same. The Leadership Team and trustees have a meeting together at end of 2025 and again in the Spring of 2026 to discuss and plan objectives for the coming year in quantitative terms. We will continue to assist and encourage those who want to develop their gifts (teaching, evangelism, leadership, counselling, worship etc.) in accordance and in line with Biblical reference.
We will continue to seek advice regarding the expansion of the media side of Desiring Truth and support the volunteers who work alongside the media administrator. We will continue to develop the Media Team and the opportunities that can be used by this medium as the Lord leads.
We will continue to encourage support and develop the outreach side of Desiring Truth especially into the local community and amongst the young people.
We hope to have an increase in 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.
Although we continue to investigate some kind of worship band and encourage those with musical talents where possible, we currently use media programs to accommodate times of worship and will continue to do so until the situation resolves.
The ministry will continue to investigate how we could further 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 opportunities for those wanting to know more about the Christian faith, ‘Beginner’s ’classes and small fellowship groups run by volunteers and other social activities, are all being prayerfully considered.
Financial Review
During the year, total income was £31,974 and total expenditure was £31,166 . The charity held £2,131.13 in its savings account and £747.29 in its main current account at year end. These funds are 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 £1,000 (equivalent to approximately one month of property rental). At year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £2,878.42 and is therefore complying with its reserves policy.
Governance
Responsibility for setting policy and making operational decisions rests with the trustees, who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity.
Risk Statement
activities regularly to identify any significant risks and, where possible, implement appropriate measures to mitigate them.
Responsibilities of Trustees
receipts and payments of the charity.
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:
..................................................................
Name:
Date:
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 29 February 2025 .
trustees Alison Boncey, including any further information supplied by other trustees or members of the organisation.
of the charity for the year 2024/25 .
Carla Santos Independent Examiner Date: ...................................
DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES
RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025
DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025
Accounts approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by
..................................................................
Name:
Date:
DESIRING TRUTH MINISTRIES
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2025
1. Accounting Policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and include a statement summarising the charity’s income and expenditure for the year, together with a statement of assets and liabilities and the related notes.
Funds Structure
Unrestricted funds are available to be spent at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the charity’s general objectives.
Restricted funds represent income received for particular activities or projects, where the use of the funds is limited by conditions imposed by the donor or funding body. These include donations or grants received in response to specific appeals or for defined charitable activities.