Trustees Annual Report for the period 01/03/2024To Period end date 28/02/2025
Charity name: Luton Worship Centre
Charity registration number: 1166848 Address: 49 Old Bedford Road, Luton, LU2 7NX Bedfordshire
Structure, Governance and Management
Luton Worship Centre is governed by a constitution adopted on 1 March 2016. The day-to-day management of the charity is carried out by the Trustees, supported by volunteers.
The charity currently has four Trustees, who collectively oversee governance, strategic direction, and operational management. The Chairman also acts as the charity’s administrator. In addition, church members support the running of weekly meetings and activities.
The Trustees are accountable to the members through an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Trustees are appointed by the Chairman in consultation with the other Trustees, ensuring suitable skills, experience, and commitment to the charity’s objectives.
Additional Governance Matters
The charity has a range of policy documents in place to support good governance. These include, but are not limited to, a Safeguarding Policy for the protection of vulnerable children and adults.
Luton Worship Centre partners with Luton Churches Together, enabling opportunities for joint ministry and collaborative initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of residents in need of physical, spiritual, or material support.
The charity leases its current premises from RST Prime Properties Ltd. All operational and weekly activities are conducted from this location.
Objectives and Activities
Luton Worship Centre exists to advance the Christian faith and serve the local community.
The charity opens its doors to the public each Sunday throughout the year, providing worship services where the Word of God is taught, alongside opportunities for fellowship and social interaction. In addition to Sunday services, the charity facilitates mid-week meetings.
Key activities include:
-
➢ Biblical teaching and discipleship forums
-
➢ Community fellowship and social engagement
-
➢ Youth empowerment initiatives
The multipurpose hall has continued to be used for life-skills training, including employability, security awareness, and social healthcare provision. These programmes are delivered in partnership with external agencies.
Public Benefit
The Trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that all activities and expenditure during the year were directed towards achieving charitable purposes that benefit the public.
Contribution of Volunteers
The Trustees wish to record their sincere appreciation for the unpaid volunteers and Trustees who made a significant contribution to the charity during the financial year. The successful delivery of activities and programmes was made possible through their dedication and hard work.
Achievements and Performance
During the financial year, the charity raised a total of £24,265 from donations, offerings, and hall hire.
Funds raised specifically for evangelism totalled £12,485 , a decrease from the previous year. These funds were ring-fenced and used exclusively to support evangelical outreach activities.
Evangelistic outreaches were undertaken in the following regions:
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United Arab Emirates (UAE)
-
Thailand
-
Italy
-
Turkey
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Ivory Coast
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South Africa
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Zimbabwe
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Angola
-
United States of America
-
Kenya
-
Uganda
These outreaches were impactful, with many individuals responding positively to the Christian message and making life-changing decisions.
A Community Christmas lunch was held at Luton Worship Centre, welcoming both church members and members of the local community. This event was well attended and warmly received.
During the year, the charity also introduced Marriage Seminars, hosting two sessions that were well attended. These seminars provided couples with practical guidance, wisdom, and encouragement.
Policy on Reserves
The Trustees recognise the need to maintain adequate reserves to cover unforeseen costs such as emergency repairs.
It is therefore recommended that an unrestricted reserve of approximately £3,000 be maintained at all times. During the year, general building repairs and garden maintenance were carried out.
Principal Sources of Funds
The charity’s main sources of income were:
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➢ Donations from members
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➢ Hall hire
-
➢ Offerings collected during Sunday services
During the financial year, income was received as follows:
| Donations from members | £10,050 |
|---|---|
| Hall hire | £8,840 |
| Offerings | £5,375 |
| Evangelism | £12,485 |
| Refund(Insurance) | £280 |
| TOTAL | **£37,030 ** |
Expenditure Overview
Receipts and payments for the year are shown in the financial statements.
During the year:
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The charity supported several bereaved families
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Car park rent continued to be paid to the freehold owner.
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Stationery costs included office and Sunday School supplies
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Hospitality expenses covered related consumables. For example, holy communion.
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Increased evangelism income resulted in increased expenditure on mission activities
Investment Policy
The charity holds assets solely to further its charitable purposes, for the benefit of its members and the wider public. No speculative investments are held.
Names and address of advisors
| Advisor | **Type ** | Address | Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC |
Bank | 4 High St N, Dunstable LU6 1JU |
41358139 |
| Paulyn Karanja (ACMA, CGMA) |
Accountant | 3 Spayne Close, Barton Hills, Luton LU3 4BA |
Names of the charity Trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fredrick Akandi | Chairman | 29thApril 2016 to 28th February2025 |
Fredrick Akandi |
| John Mburu | Member | 29thApril 2016 to 28th February2025 |
|
| Raymond Parkes | Member | 29thApril 2016 to 28th February2025 |
|
| Oluwafunmilayo Vaughn |
Member | 20thJanuary 2020 to 28th February2025 |
Declaration
Signed on behalf the Charity’s trustees
| Trustee name ~~a~~ |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name ~~a~~ |
Fredrick Akandi |
||
| Signature ~~ie~~ |
~~ie~~ | ~~ie~~ | ~~ie~~ |
| Date ~~ie~~ |
15/01/2026 ~~ie~~ |
~~ie~~ | ~~ie~~ |
Luton Worship Centre Luton Worship Centre, 49 Old Bedford Road, LUTON, LU2 7NX
Receipts & Payments Accounts
From 01/03/24 to 28/02/25
| Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts | Receipts to the nearest £ - 10,050.00 8,840.00 5,375.00 12,485.00 280.00 - - |
Total Receipts to the nearest £ 10,050 8,840 5,375 12,485 280 - - 37,030 - - - 37,030 0 (1,100) 0 (450) (1,225) (287) (13,500) (70) (22) (24,788) (901) (101) (286) (5,496) (250) (2,975) (302) (500) (55) - (52,308) - - - (52,308) (15,278) - - (15,278) |
||
| - | ||||
| Donation | 10,050.00 8,840.00 5,375.00 12,485.00 280.00 |
10,050 | ||
| Hall Hire | 8,840 | |||
| Offering | 5,375 | |||
| Evangelism | 12,485 | |||
| Refund (Insurance) | 280 | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
37,030 | 37,030 | ||
| A2 Asset and investment sales | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| Sub total | - | |||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||
| Building maintenance Holy communion Honorarium Hospitality Insurance Missions Office supplies Parking Rent Software Stationery Utilities - water Utilities - gas Bereavement support Car Park Rent Internet Professional services Music equipment |
0 | |||
| (1,100) | (1,100) | |||
| 0 | ||||
| (450) | (450) | |||
| (1,225) | (1,225) | |||
| (287) | (287) | |||
| (13,500) | (13,500) | |||
| (70) | (70) | |||
| (22) | (22) | |||
| (24,788) | (24,788) | |||
| (901) | (901) | |||
| (101) | (101) | |||
| (286) | (286) | |||
| (5,496) | (5,496) | |||
| (250) | (250) | |||
| (2,975) | (2,975) | |||
| (302) | (302) | |||
| (500) | (500) | |||
| (55) | (55) | |||
| - | - | |||
| Sub total | (52,308) | (52,308) | ||
| - - - |
||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| Sub total | - | |||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||
| (52,308) | (52,308) | |||
| (15,278) | (15,278) | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| (15,278) | (15,278) |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
Details Details Details TOTAL |
Total to the nearest £ Cost(optional) |
|---|---|---|
| Amount due (optional) | ||
| B5 Liabilities | - | |
| - | ||
| - | ||
| - | ||
| - |
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
Signature 1
20/01/2026
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)