a d ve n tu re • en c o un t e r • t o g eth er 1st December 2025 ## **Message from the Pastor** Dear Friends, The past year has been one of stability for soulcity church. After a few turbulent years, this season has been a welcome time of slowing down and stabilising—allowing us to build for the future. Over the last year, we have clarified our vision and strategy, setting firm foundations for the church's future. We've been intentional about developing a strategy to reach new places and spaces, guided by our core values: Adventure, Encounter, Together. This framework has given us both structure and focus, shaping our culture and activities in ways that are already bearing fruit. We now have a solid foundation for meaningful activity and lasting impact. This year saw the launch of a new service in a neutral location, designed specifically to help people go deeper and experience greater encounters with God. This initiative came at a vital time, and we've been thrilled to witness the growth in our young leaders as they step forward to move the community into its next chapter. Their enthusiasm and commitment inspire us all. One of the most encouraging developments has been the number of new members joining us— many simply walking in off the street, curious and ready to explore faith for themselves. This openness led to several joyful baptisms at Easter, moments of celebration that reminded us why we do what we do. Each new face represents a life being transformed, a story being written. We are deeply grateful for our members and the adventurous spirit that God has given to our community. Your faithfulness, generosity, and willingness to embrace the new have made this year possible. As we look to the future, we do so with confidence—not in our own strength, but in the One who has carried us through every wave and will continue to lead us forward. Thank you for being part of this journey. The best is yet to come. ## **Ben Jeffery** **soulcity church web:** soulcityhome.org Registered Charity: 1177699 ## **Objectives and Activities** The purpose of soulcity church is for the public benefit the advancement of the Christian faith in the Stockport, Greater Manchester area, the United Kingdom and the World as the trustees may from time to time decide. The trustees and spiritual leadership of soulcity church work hard to make the church a place where as many people as possible may come to grow in the Christian Faith. ## **Impact Overview** The year began with a season of much-needed stability at St Thomas'. After navigating various challenges in previous years, this period allowed us to catch our breath, clarify our vision, and invest in building strong foundations for our community. We were able to focus on developing our ministries and deepening relationships without the distraction of uncertainty about our location. However, in February we received notice of our departure from St Thomas', meaning our time there would soon come to an end. This news felt timely and we were happy to leave the grandeur of St Thomas’ and search for somewhere that would suit us better in the long term. We have learned that God often uses these moments of uncertainty to move us toward something better. ## **A Long-Term Home: St John's** Through this transition, we discovered St John's—a space where we can establish ourselves for the long term. This is a significant milestone for our community. Having a stable, long-term location means we can plan with confidence, invest in our space, and build deeper roots in our neighbourhood. There are plenty of technical challenges to work through but we believe that this space could be key to the next stage of our journey. St John's location is further from the town centre than our previous venues, which presents both challenges and opportunities. While accessibility to the town centre has been reduced, this positioning opens up exciting possibilities for future church planting initiatives. We can now envision establishing a presence back in the heart of the town while maintaining our base at St John's, effectively multiplying our impact across different communities. ## **Youth and Children's Ministries Flourishing** One of the most encouraging developments this year has been the remarkable growth in our youth and children's ministries. Despite the uncertainty around our building situation, these vital areas have greatly developed. What has been in the past one of the most challenging ministries has become a place of strength for the church. The investment in the next generation is bearing fruit, and we're excited to see how these young people will shape the future of our church community. ## **Looking Forward** While this year brought unexpected changes to our physical location, it also brought unexpected growth in our community and ministries. We enter the next season with gratitude for the stability we found, wisdom gained through transition, and hope for what God will do through our new long-term home at St John's. **soulcity church web:** soulcityhome.org Registered Charity: 1177699 ## **Financial Review** Income was at £58k and was balanced by £59k of spending. The three main areas of expenditure were rent (£19k); salaries (£8k); and general operating costs (£7k ). The expectation is that as we the congregation grows that the finances of the church will also expand. However, the rising cost of living and economic constraints will affect this. ## **Reserves policy** Our reserves policy was set at £8,000 for 2022/2023. ## **Structure, governance and management** The trustees met monthly throughout the year. Flexibility for adhoc meetings and decisions has been important and appreciated from all of the trustees. The trustees have worked hard to ensure that soulcity is a safe and healthy community for all who may decide to attend. ## **Trustees** The trustees who served from April 2024 to April 2025 are: Mr Benjamin Jeffery Mr Christopher Clark Mrs Ruth Barrett Mrs Lucy Engels Ruth Barrett and Lucy Engels have now stepped down and will be replaced by: Grace David, Leo Bonda and Naresh Giddi ## **Approved by the trustees on 1st December 2025 and signed on their behalf by Ben Jeffery** **soulcity church web:** soulcityhome.org Registered Charity: 1177699 ## **Financial Statement for the year ended 5 April 2023** |**5 April 2020 to 4 April 2021**|**5 April 2020 to 4 April 2021**| |---|---| ||| |**Income**|| |Card Giving (not online)|750.97| |Cash Giving|2,260.00| |Gift Aid|5,826.22| |Grants|1,189.50| |Online Giving|56,326.51| |Venue Hire|7,850.00| |**Gross Income**|**74,203.20**| ||| |**Less Operating Expenses**|| |Advertising & Marketing|1,263.99| |Audit & Accountancy fees|236.58| |Bank Fees|(482.24)| |BLESS Fund|2,050.00| |Cleaning|590.93| |Community Events|3,659.70| |General Staff Expenses|6,235.87| |General Sunday Costs|4,046.62| |Generosity & Missions fund|4,716.30| |Insurance|316.51| |Interest Paid|55.23| |IT Software and Subscriptions|3,663.12| |Light, Power, Heating|1,530.00| |Membership Fees|126.00| |Payment Fee|1.40| |Printing & Stationery|1,226.78| |Rent|2,500.00| |Repairs & Maintenance|268.20| |Salaries|21,647.06| |Service fees|261.54| |SoulKids|627.84| |Staff Training|546.52| |Stripe Fees|43.30| |Telephone & Internet|195.54| |Travel|496.80| |Worship (non-equipment)|1,206.63| |Youth|409.36| |**Total Expenditure**|**57,439.58**| ## **Operating Profit** ## £16,763.62 This year has seen a small profit from our time as St Thomas’ Church. However, it is expected that this will be used to cover bills and final costs upon our departure. ## **Approved by the trustees on 1st December 2025 and signed on their behalf by Ben Jeffery** **soulcity church web:** soulcityhome.org Registered Charity: 1177699 ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the trustees/ members of soulcity Church** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended **04/04/2025.** 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 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or - the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ## **Joe Brady** Address: 6 longford Close, Oldham, OL9 7EA Date: 2/12/2025 **soulcity church** **web:** soulcityhome.org Registered Charity: 1177699