The Beacon Elim Churches (CIO) Park Road, Grimshaw Park
Blackburn, BB2 3DJ
Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended:
31st December 2023
Charity No: 1173561
Trustees:
Emmanuel Ofosu (ex-officio Chairman)
Brenda George
Peter Warren
Finance:
Andrew Fisher (Treasurer)
Elizabeth Edwards (Finance Officer) Rebekah Holt (External Examiner)
Overview
The past year has been a period of significant transition for the church, marked by the departure of Simon Pastorello, our former Pastor, his wife Valentina Raia, and their daughter, after 14 years of dedicated service at the Beacon and in Blackburn. As their time with us came to an end, the church began a new chapter of leadership and growth.
I was privileged to step into the role of Senior Leader, moving from my previous position as Assistant Pastor. This leadership transition brought about a period of adjustment for the church, and we also welcomed changes to our broader leadership team. With Simon and Valentina’s departure, we also saw a change in our administrative structure. Valentina's role as Finance Officer was succeeded by Elizabeth Edwards, who now manages the church accounts.
Although in the past season changes have been evident across many areas of church life, from our Sunday services to the daily operations of the church, the Beacon remains a vibrant, healthy church that continues to positively impact its members and the wider community.
In terms of attendance, our Blackburn campus currently welcomes an average of 50 adults and 15 young people and children each Sunday. At our Shadsworth campus, we see around 12 attendees weekly, and an average of 65 people follow our services online. However, while numbers provide one measure of growth, we believe the true strength of our church lies in its spiritual foundation. Built on the solid rock of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are a church where the love of God is evident, and His Spirit dwells among us. We are a congregation committed to knowing God, discerning His will, and seeking to please Him. Our mission is to be a light in the darkest corners of Blackburn and beyond, reflecting Christ in all that we do.
The spiritual health of our church over the past year is further demonstrated by several encouraging signs: we have one again welcomed new believers into the Kingdom through baptism, seen individuals and families join our fellowship and call it their spiritual home, and witnessed the growth of many in their personal walk with the Lord.
Our church is not inward-focused but actively seeks to impact the community around us. This means we also strive to address the needs of people within the community. We do so through initiatives such as the Beacon Basket (a project to provide accessible food to the needy), life groups, the Beacon Football Academy and numerous other outreach events.
From a financial perspective, the church has seen an increase in overall income this year. This growth is largely attributed to the sale of the church manse (we are considering using this income to enhance our church facilities, making them more functional and accessible to the Blackburn community), and successful fundraising efforts aimed at supporting our youth ministry. Our strong financial position has allowed us to sustain and expand our outreach projects in the Shadsworth estate, while continuing to serve both the wider Blackburn community and our congregation
Governance
The constitutional oversight of the church is managed by our Board of Trustees. The current board includes Emmanuel Ofosu, who serves as Ex-officio and Chair, alongside Brenda George and Peter Warren.
In parallel, the spiritual leadership of the church rests with the Leadership Team, which comprises Emmanuel Ofosu as Senior Leader, Peter Warren, and Tony Hedley. Both Emmanuel Ofosu and Peter Warren also serve as trustees.
Each year, our church members gather for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), an important occasion for reporting on church activities and addressing key matters, including the election or re-election of Leaders and Trustees. While our constitution grants the existing leadership team the exclusive right to nominate candidates for election, we always welcome and value suggestions from church members.
In the interest of transparency, it is pertinent to mention that throughout the year, no Charity Trustee reported a conflict of interest in any deliberated matter.
Management
To ensure efficient and effective oversight of the various aspects of church life, practical management has been entrusted to designated department heads. These appointments are carefully made by the Leadership Team, ensuring that each area is led with diligence and vision. At present, our church departments include:
1. Finance
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Safeguarding and Children work
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Youth work
4. Worship
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Tech and Media
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Stewarding
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Health and safety
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Buildings management
-
Dorcas Project
10. Over 50’s
Objectives and Activities
The primary mission of our church is to advance the Christian faith, a mission that is expressed both locally and internationally through our Central Church and our church plant in Shadsworth. Throughout the year, we have worked diligently to fulfil our charitable aims through a variety of activities, including:
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Holding regular Sunday services, with live streaming available for those unable to attend in person.
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Hosting regular prayer meetings.
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Providing pastoral care and support.
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Engaging in children’s and youth ministry to guide and nurture the next generation in their faith.
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Offering training, mentoring, and discipleship to deepen our members' spiritual growth and commitment.
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Extending our outreach through evangelism and community events.
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Collaborating with other denominations as part of our interdenominational unity efforts.
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Supporting local education through dedicated school outreach programs.
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Organizing food bank collections to assist those in need.
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Supporting global mission work by partnering with missionaries.
Should you require a more in-depth insight into our activities, please reach out to us at info@thebeaconblackburn.org.
Membership
As of the current reporting period, our membership comprises 65 adult members 20 young people and children (this does not include those who regularly attend our weekly youth activities).
Financial Overview
This year has seen a significant increase in the church’s overall income. While tithes and offerings from our Central congregation saw a decrease of approximately 7%, dropping from £68,692.93 to £63,883.78, contributions from our Shadsworth congregation grew by 9%, rising from £8,199.05 to £9,010.28. The substantial boost in our financial position is largely due to the sale of the old church manse, which brought in £70,443.51, along with successful fundraising efforts for our youth ministry, which raised £28,460. Additionally, hiring out our building for events generated an extra £2,010 in income. Altogether, our total income for the year amounted to £192,993.39.
For more details, please see our financial statements.
Trustees Statement
We the Charity Trustees attest the Charity’s compliance with its constitution and the fulfilment of its objectives. For more information on our financial activities, please see the attached financial statement and the independent examiner’s report.
Faithfully,
Emmanuel Ofosu (On behalf of the Charity Trustees)
The Beacon Elim Churches Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Notes Income From Donations Charitable Activities Other Trading Activities Expenditure On Charitable Activities Governance Costs Net income / expenditure Reconciliation of Funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2022 123,713.89 102,218.25 362.50 716.50 74,029.31 10,029.60 |
|---|---|
| 198,105.70 112,964.35 113,844.44 132,923.53 |
|
| 113,844.44 132,923.53 | |
| 84,261.26 -19,959.18 | |
| 35,371.59 55,330.77 |
|
| 119,632.85 35,371.59 |
The Beacon Elim Churches Balance Sheet As at 31st December 2023
| Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand Prepayments Total Current Assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accounts Payable Accruals Business Charge Cards Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net Current Assets (Liabilities) Total Assets less Current Liabilities Net Assets Funds of the Charity: Current Year Earnings Funds brought forward Total Funds of the Charity: |
Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2022 114,373.05 36,021.41 0.00 407.23 |
|---|---|
| 114,373.05 36,428.64 431.06 440.77 -2,471.93 0.00 689.83 616.28 |
|
| -1,351.04 1,057.05 115,729.05 35,371.59 115,729.05 35,371.59 |
|
| 115,729.05 35,371.59 |
|
| 80,352.50 -19,959.18 35,371.59 55,330.77 |
|
| 115,724.09 35,371.59 |
THE BEACON ELIM CHURCHES
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been
prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities:
Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance
with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective
1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the
UK and Republic of Ireland', and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared
under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to
the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation
committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be
required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is
accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost
related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have
been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Allocation and apportionment of costs
Support costs directly attributable to an activity have been allocated to that activity. Where support
costs cannot be directly attributed to any activity they have been allocated in proportion to direct
expenditure.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the
trustees.
2. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| 2. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Donations (Central) | 68,438.32 | 74,244.93 | |
| Donations (Shadsworth) | 9,010.28 | 8,199.05 | |
| Gift Aid recovered | 13,802.55 | 14,556.23 | |
| Children donations | 133.00 | 508.22 | |
| Youth donations | 30,583.82 | 1,846.12 | |
| Missions donations | 487.70 | 132.00 | |
| Ukraine donations | - | 2,636.70 | |
| Welfare donations | 155.00 | 95.00 | |
| Income for Charitable Activities | 362.50 | 716.50 | |
| Church Manse’s rent | 1,570.80 | 5,759.60 | |
| Rental Income | 2,010.00 | 3,345.00 | |
| oher Income | 70,448.51 | 925.00 | |
| Beacon Donations | 1,103.22 | - | |
| Building Project | 4,554.54 | ||
| 198,105.70 | 112,964.35 | ||
| 3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS | |||
| 2023 2022 | |||
| £ | £ | ||
| Staf costs | 71,951.62 | 73,618.78 | |
| Children ministry | 879.68 | 520.94 | |
| Youth ministry | 5,298.70 | 2,098.13 | |
| Shadsworth Campus | 1,939.69 | 2,468.24 | |
| Charitable Activities | 685.49 | 1,403.76 | |
| Fundraising work | 3,630.00 | 2,310.00 | |
| Conferences | 929.84 | 15.43 |
| Training costs | 615.89 667.43 |
|---|---|
| Travel expenses | 360.61 57.30 |
| Missions | 650.70 4,400.00 |
| Admin costs | 2,083.75 2,578.05 |
| Bank charges | 162.07 132.85 |
| Catering | 1,824.66 891.07 |
| Church Manse maintenance | 1,779.90 360.14 |
| Cleaning |
2,048.50 1,596.75 |
| Gas & Electricity | 2,091.23 2,779.96 |
| GoCardless and Stripe fees | 247.88 234.24 |
| Insurance | 2,010.06 1,776.41 |
| Legal and professional advice | 2,368.00 100.00 |
| Ministry expenses | 3,141.20 3,409.31 |
| Postage | 1.10 23.80 |
| Printing & Stationary costs | 312.98 436.95 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 1,685.70 26,364.47 |
| Subscriptions | 1,753.79 1,241.48 |
| Tech & Media | 1,075.93 1,506.72 |
| Telephone & Internet | 497.70 156.28 |
| Visiting speakers | 1,399.20 316.55 |
| Water | 393.88 558.49 |
| Building Project | 2,024.80 - |
| 113,844.55 132,923.53 |
4. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No salary exceeds £33,444
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the period ended 31 December 2022.
Independent Examinerfs Report to the trustees of The Beacon Elim Churches I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Beacon. Elim Pentecostal Church. Blackburn (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023. Responslbllltles and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Yhe Act'l. I report in respett of my examination of the Trusvs 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(5llbl of the Art. Independent examlnerfs ststement I have Completed my examlnation. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention In connertion with the examination which glves me cause to believe that in any material respett.. 'accountlng records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act: or the accounts do not accord wlth the records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection wlth the examinatSon to which attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Name.. R Holt FCA Address: 47 Ashfield Road Chorlev PR7 ILP Date- 21 February 2024