2024-10-31-accounts

GOOD NEWS FELLOWSHIP UK

Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1167287

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] OCTOBER 2024

GOOD NEWS FELLOWSHIP UK

Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation No. 1167287

ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31[st] OCTOBER 2024

The work of producing and distributing the Good News newspaper, our main ministry, continued through the year and we thank God for His leading and provision.

Our priorities for 2024 were:

1. Promotion of Good News, especially through mailshots to existing customers and supporters, some selected Christian conventions and exhibitions, speaking at churches, limited advertising in Christian publications. (A £12,000 budget has been set and will be reviewed throughout the year.)

2. Maintaining our current customers, restarting the paused customers, and looking to extend personal outreach with new customers, to support them in personal evangelism.

3. Continued work in cooperation with Outreach UK and Pocket Testament League on the Casting Your Nets programme.

4. Continue to promote the ‘Jesus Unmasked’ booklet and the ‘Good News for Everyone’ tract.

5. Contact the UK prisons who currently do not take the paper each month and offer to send to chaplains freely, particularly newly opened prisons.

6. Ensuring the monthly publication of the Good News paper meets the needs of those using the paper as well as those reading about the Christian faith.

Activities

The Good News newspaper was produced each month and sold to missions, churches and individuals as a means of helping them in Christian witness, testimony and outreach. Sales of the newspaper were slightly lower than 2023 at around 53,000 per month, with the Christmas, Easter and Harvest editions being stronger than other months. The June and July editions focussed on the European football and Olympics and saw a good take up. It has been thrilling to receive many encouraging reports of lives being changed by God as people receive the paper and talk about articles it contained. The paper continues to be widely used as an aid to personal evangelism.

We had a stand at the Christian Resources Exhibitions at Milton Keynes, and were encouraged by new people asking about the paper and positive feedback from customers.

We continued to advertise in several publications: the CRE Handbook, Evangelical Alliance and the Baptist Together. We didn’t advertise through Christian radio having assessed responses from the previous year which created very few enquiries.

The gospel leaflet we produce, ‘Good News For Everyone’, (not to be confused with the new name for Gideons UK using the same title) continued to be well received, but sales of copies were low with around 400 in the year. It is intended to promote this leaflet by e-campaigns going forward.

We continued to work in co-operation with two other Christian charities, Outreach UK (OUK) and Pocket Testament League (PTL), on a programme titled ‘Casting Your Nets’, which aims to train and encourage Christians and churches in personal evangelism for all. OUK lead this, with the training involving the use of the Good News paper and a PTL edition of the Gospel of John.

A monthly video review of the Good News newspaper is produced by two evangelists from Outreach UK. These have been well received with very encouraging viewing figures.

We see our presence on Facebook and Instagram as a means of outreach and raising awareness of the paper and postings were strong throughout 2024 with a good number of followers, “likes” and “shares”.

The paper has continued to be printed by Newsquest and packed and mailed by Parcel Hub. Both businesses provided excellent service and worked well with Good News.

On the first Sunday in March, we held a national day of prayer we call Good News Sunday, when Christians were involving their churches to report on our ministry and to take time to pray. The latest promotional video was made available to show in meetings. As an addition in 2024 we held a prayer zoom time during the afternoon for those who didn’t have a church prayer time or were housebound. It was encouraging to hear of many praying and knowing that God answered prayers, and this is now an annual event.

A national supporters on-line Zoom evening was held on October 14th with around 54 delegates attending, with a variety of contributions from team members, Outreach UK evangelists and those using the paper. It concluded with a time of open prayer led by Rev Trevor Dickerson, General Manager of Outreach UK. This was a great encouragement and is now an annual event with varying formats.

At the start of January, we wrote again to around 50 prisons where they were not taking advantage of our offer of free Good News newspapers each month. The response this year was again very encouraging and within days several more enthusiastically requested papers. In September another prison in the northwest also requested papers monthly, so we now supply 104 prisons, three half-way houses and two Christian rehab centres each month totalling 2,988 copies. Free-will gifts, both regular and occasional, make this ministry possible and we thank donors and God, for providing the funds to carry out this work.

The gifts for the ministry, including interest and gift aid, during the year came to £6,331, a decrease from 2023 (£11,349). Gifts designated for the prison ministry are ring fenced so they can only be used for this work and as a charity, we are able to reclaim gift aid tax on gifts from donors who have signed a declaration. We never fundraise or approach people to ask for gifts. 100% of all such gifts are used 100% for the cost of the prison papers and postage out. We are grateful to a team of volunteers from a church in north-east England, who faithfully pack and post the papers each month. We will be contacting the remaining prisons again in 2025 and be offering the paper.

Follow-up correspondence was carried out by Rolf Burnie with prisoners (Rolf is a member of the Prison Fellowship) and Sheila Johnson, a Christian writer, with the general public and a retired trustee, Donald Banks, sending copies of the Jesus video when requested.

The bi-monthly newsletter was distributed to customers and prayer supporters by email or hard copy to keep them updated with the work.

A strategic review of Good News Fellowship UK by the Trustees and wider team was carried out, to ensure we were meeting the purpose of the work and to consider any changes needed to meet a changing world. Proposals included integrating our systems, taking card payments through the website and new tools/booklets.

People

The trustees throughout the year were: Mr Phillip Bounds (Chairman and prison ministry) * Mr Andrew Halloway (Editor) Mr Paul Olise * Mr Stephen Leedham Mr Ian White Mr Keith Tripp Mr Paul Taylor (from June 2024)

The trustees and team met three times through the year in November, March and June, either face to face or by Zoom. Any interim decisions are made by email or telephone. The chairman looked to handover the chair role to another Trustee in March 2024 due to age, but with no-one available to take on the duties, he continued till the end of October. He will continue as a Trustee through 2025 and lead the prison ministry. The Trustees look to appoint another chair as soon as possible.

Teresa Jackman continued as administrator and took on additional responsibilities for email campaigns and communications with supporters.

Julie Reeves, continued as Finance Officer, attending meetings and reporting on the finances.

Rev Trevor Dickerson *, General Manager for Outreach UK, acts as an adviser for the work, is consulted on articles proposed for publication, attends meetings and is on the remuneration committee.

Mark Perkins, an evangelist based in Devon, is supporting the promotion of Good News newspaper through monthly reviews with an evangelist, Colin Johnson, and also by supporting stands at exhibitions. He is reimbursed for his time and expenses on an ad hoc basis.

• Members of the remuneration committee (2 trustees, 1 independent adviser, none paid)

Other committed people actively involved in the Good News ministry but who don’t attend meetings are:

Mr Rolf Burnie – prison correspondence counsellor

Mrs Sheila Johnson – general correspondence counselling and social media support David & Cath Thompson plus a team of helpers – pack and post the prison papers

The following people continue to be on the Council of Reference: Rev David Cole, Rev Dr Sam Gordon, Mr Terry Puttick

Finance and Governance

The financial statement for the year ending 31[st] October 2024 is attached. The accounts were examined and approved by Mr Neil Towers, an accountant with vast experience with charity accounts.

Designated income for the prison ministry was £5,787 plus £543 tax reclaimed and for general operation was £140,746. There was a surplus for the year of £1,606, where we had budgeted a deficit of £17,370, for which we thank God. We were able to keep the price per copy at 20p in spite of further printing and mailing price increases. Reserves at the year-end were £74,449 (£3,299 prison ministry, £71,150 general funds). We are thankful to God and several churches and individuals who gave specific gifts for the ongoing work of Good News, totalling £1,459 in the year.

The trustees are mindful of continued cost pressure with raw materials, energy and transport/delivery. The proposed 2025 budget is based on a circulation of 53,000 average per month (although we are striving for some growth) and plans for a deficit of £12,446 for the year ending 31[st] October 2025, which will be met from the reserves, or an increase in sales, or a price increase. We believe this to be a wise course of action given the uncertainties around price rises. The actions and finances will be reviewed monthly, and changes made as needed.

The Good News Fellowship UK is accepted by HMRC for reclaiming gift aid tax from donors completing a declaration. Such gifts were received throughout the year.

The Trustees continued to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations.

Looking forward

The Trustees are aware that the ministry of Good News is God’s work under His guidance. The plans for 2025 major on:

1. Promotion of Good News, especially through mailshots to existing customers and supporters, some selected Christian conventions and exhibitions, speaking at churches, limited advertising in Christian publications. (A £12,000 budget has been set and will be reviewed throughout the year.)

2. Maintaining our current customers, restarting the paused customers, and looking to extend personal outreach with new customers, to support them in personal evangelism.

3. Continued work in cooperation with Outreach UK and Pocket Testament League on the Casting Your Nets programme.

4. Continue to promote the ‘Jesus Unmasked’ booklet and the ‘Good News for Everyone’ tract.

5. Contact the UK prisons who currently do not take the paper each month and offer to send to chaplains freely, particularly newly opened prisons.

6. Ensuring the monthly publication of the Good News paper meets the needs of those using the paper as well as those reading about the Christian faith.

Phillip Bounds

…………………………………………………. Phillip Bounds Chairman on behalf of the Trustees 8[th] November 2024

GOOD NEWS FELLOWSHIP UK Charity 1167287 Receipt and Payment accounts for year ended 31st Ortober 2024 5ale5 of Go￿1 Newspaper ¢136.974.50 £86845 £0 £127,506.55 £567 33 £0 £507.75 £327.69 £43.38 £345.04 £923.03 Pefund5 On pr¢)rvotrOnalÈvtnts Advertising revEnue3nd othLY inrome Investment 8eneFèi income Invèsfmènt incorne dEsi$natsd prw Tax refund Designèted GiftsforGeneral Funds e548nated GrftsforPrF5on Mini5 D£K5 £1.193.76 E65.35 £543.74 £IA59.50 722.2 £1 Totsl £147A)77.59 £141.281.89 Pa Conrracr5ervice￿ (Editor. PEDnU)tionl Honararia IAthsors. Orttersl DiSÈributiDnC05ts Pri￿ MittÉtry Distrib￿tIOn Costs Ipartel Hub. P05tS PrintingC05t5 (Ncwsguesrl Editorla5 Costs IcontribJiors,desn. prwf read) Admjfii5tratioD Iteam leÉal. r￿vIeW1￿ettj 8ankthorge5 Promot1on lommi55ioTrand Gifts and Refund5 Coun5ellinyJfo11(wi up £54.02840 £L857.LIJ £3,674.70 £26.061.99 129.SS9 87 £14A31.97 £2.824.62 £o.IM) £11.754.48 £9&79 £57.776. £1,731. £3.102 89 £22.406.45 1.73D.48 £14.127.41 £2.747.D5 £0. £10,064.61 [758.24 £145.471.52 £144.888.14 5urplu51defiuionyear 3.606.29 Stbfernent Df As Santandei Operatronal Icutrontl Saniander operat￿al (Sa¥in851 inc£3.2W33 Priw M4ni5 Kingdom Bank aond Kingdom BaTrk 120d £19.118.80 Ell.1.17 £33.339.08 £74.449.13 TheaboVestatem￿I reneastheufinarial k¥JSllion ofEotsd Nth¥SFello UKas of 31st Ottober2024ba5e((onthpbank%ternents. re￿iptsand recor05examineO iyv5. NlTDw*r5 ndEpendent Exarniner Ju FinaniEOffi￿r-s00d Nèw5 FÈllowshipUK D3te

Independent Examinerfs Report on the Accounts Charity Name: ......... Good New5 Fellowship UK Charity No. ............... 1167287 Accounts for year ending: ......31" Ottober 2024 I report to the Trustee5 on my examination of the accounts of the chartty above 1.the Trust") for the year stated above. Responsibilities and basis of report A5 charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirement5 tsf the Charities Act 20111-the Act"). I report in respert of my examination of the Tmsvs 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 145151 Ib} of the Art. Independent Exarninerfs Statement The charities gr055 income did not exceed £250,£￿. I can meet the criteria for independent examination being an accountant and having experience as a charity treasurer and accounts examiner. I have completed my examination. This involved examination of bank statements. computer records, invoices. receipts, cheque and paying to bank stubs together with explanations. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connertion with the exafflination gNing me cause to believe that in any material re5pect= l. The accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act, or 2. The accounts do not accoTd with those records I have no concerns and have come across no 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. The accounts are presented. as permitted by the Act, as simple receipts, and payments accounts. Signed........ Name.........Neil Towers..-........ Address.. ..63 Spring Meadow, Leyland. Lanca5hire.. -.Post Code.. .PR25 SUR

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