2025-03-31-accounts - New Covenant Church Strongnation Stevenage

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NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONG NATION TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 MARCH 2025

Final Accounts

Charity Number 1181992

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONG NATION TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT PERIOD FROM 1 APRIL 2024 TO 31 MARCH 2025

CONTENTS	PAGE
Trustees annual report	1
Statement of financial activities	6
Income and expenditure account	8
Balance sheet	10
Cash flow statement	11
Notes to the financial statements	12
The following pages do not form part of the financial statements
Detailed statement of financial activities	17

The Trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the Charity for the period from 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONG NATION TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered charity name

New Covenant Church Strong Nation Stevenage

Charity Registration Number

1181992

Registered Address

Worship Centre

Turpins Rise, Broadwater Stevenage SG2 8QR Turpins Rise, Broadwater Stevenage SG2 8QR

The trustees

The Trustees who served the Charity during the period were as follows:

Oluwagbemiga Badejo Dr Daniel Osikominu MB, BS David Konu Abi Banwo Feyisayo Adesigbin

Chair Oluwagbemiga Badejo Officiating Minister: Revd. Enitan Idowu Independent Examiner Bliss Accounting Services

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONG NATION TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

a. Trust Deed and Governing Document

b. Method of appointment or election of Trustees
c. Organisational structure and decision making
d. Related party relationships
e. Risk management

The charity is constituted under a Trust Deed and is a registered charity number 1181992. The management of the church is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust Deed. The church is organised so that the trustees meet regularly to manage its affairs. The day-to-day administration and the spiritual guidance of the church is managed by the officiating minister. New Covenant Church Strong Nation is a member of the New Covenant Church which has parishes all over the world. The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the church is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the church, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.

2. Mission.

Serve God

We believe our primary calling is to honour God in everything we do. We are committed to seeking His will through collective prayer and personal devotion, ensuring that our church remains a place where His presence is felt and His name is lifted high above all else.

Support Society

Whether through local outreach projects or simply being a dependable source of hope and kindness, we strive to be a light that makes our society stronger, kinder, and more just. We serve others because we have first been served by God.

Spread the Gospel

We are passionate about sharing the life-changing story of Jesus with everyone we meet. Through our conversations, actions, and our community events, we aim to make the message of the Gospel accessible and real, ensuring that no one in our reach has to walk through life without knowing they are loved by their Creator.

3. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

To seek the advancement of Christian life and educate people in the Word of God.
To spread the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ all over Stevenage, Hertfordshire and beyond.
To help in the relief of poverty, sickness and financial hardship in all parts of the world: directly to our immediate members, their families, members of the local, national and international community as occasion would demand, in cash and in-kind.
To promote and preserve good health by organising health talks, lectures, seminars, education, and support.
We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE.

The Trustees support the minister- in - charge in carrying out the objectives and activities of the church by providing the enabling governance structure, knowledge and spiritual support required to ensure that they are met. The Trustees and the minister in charge review our activities from time to time in meeting the Charity Commissions general guide on public benefit in ensuring that our activities incorporate the many groups that live within our parish and within the framework of our Trust Deed and Statement of Faith.

Review of activities

A. IGNITION; Bible Study and Prayer Meeting

Ignition, our mid-week services provide an interactive forum which is open to members and the general public to learn, interact, ask questions and get answers to life’s complicated issues. The meeting focuses on how people can practically live in love with their neighbours through in-depth understanding of the Bible. It also provides an opportunity for participants to put their faith into practice, learn about the gospel and developed their knowledge and trust in Jesus Christ. All through the year, this has been beneficial and spiritually equipping as it empowers and motivates participants in living a life of purpose and faith as Jesus Christ our Saviour did. The meeting also creates an opportunity to socialise with people, address mental health issues and have sessions with the pastor.

B. Sunday Services & Activities

Our Sunday services and other activities are open to the general public. These services provide the opportunity for worship and celebration of milestones by parishioners in a warm environment. During the reporting year parishioners celebrated landmark birthdays, academic graduations, new homes and offer of thanksgiving to God for major events in their lives and families. We also celebrated Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter/Resurrection Celebration, Christmas Carol and New Year Thanksgiving. All these events enabled parishioners to develop their Christian faith and enhances personal developments. Parishioners made personal progress in life through personal interactions, and they developed interpersonal skills that enabled them to gain the relevant confidence to make an impact in the wider world.

C. Mission and Evangelism

We held monthly outdoor events dedicated to spreading the gospel and, enlightening people of the love of Jesus and the hope that He brings to lives. These events focused on people in Stevenage. At Christmas, we gave Christmas hampers occupants of a home in Stevenage. We continue to propagate the gospel online via various social media platform. This has attracted people for within and outside the United Kingdom. Our messages and preaching are available online.

D. Men and Women Focus Group

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

‘All for One’ is a focus group created to support men and it’s an avenue where men-related subjects such as family life, profession, business, spiritual development etc are discussed based on the teaching of the Bible. There have been positive responses, and members have testified to the impact the group has made in their lives and development. Outside the main events held by Strong Nation, the group attend events held by Covenant Men International, which is a similar group in the wider Covenant Church International group. Like with all our other events, ‘All for One’ is open to men outside Strong Nation. ‘All for One’ currently have 27 members.

Covenant Women International Strong Nation (CWI Strong Nation) is a women group similar to the men’s group. They hold regular events to support women through prayers, mentoring and sharing the word of God. CWI Strong Nation has about 25 regular members.

E. Youth Events

During the reporting year, we engaged in youth activities. The charity organised weekly youth service meetings where young people engaged themselves in topical issues to enhance self-actualisation and development. The group his managed by a season children minister

F. Community Engagement

In the reporting year, the church held conferences and meetings that addressed current issues that our community faces. These meetings were opened to the public and focussed on different demographical groups. We preach the good news of salvation not only in Stevenage but in many other parts of the UK.

Annually we hold a summer barbeque party which is open to everyone. Through this event, we engage the community and propagate the gospel. The feedback for both events have been encouraging.

5. FINANCIAL REVIEW

a. Income.

Donations, tithe and gifts from members is the main source of income for the charity during the reporting period. We received £112k in income, of which £68k was retained as surplus. The expense for the period was related to charitable activities.

b. Reserves policy

The Trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in intangible fixed assets (‘the free reserves’) held by the church should cover a quarter of our annual expenditure. At this level, the trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the church in the event of a significant drop in funding.

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

c. Investment policy and performance

The trustees have decided that at present, funds should be retained in Bank. Any change in such banking arrangements should be agreed upon by the board. As far as possible, funds will be retained in interestbearing accounts.

d. Grant making policies

Strong Nation is affiliated to the New Covenant Church international and has agreed to make donations to it to assist in the delivery of our shared objectives and mission. These donations are made through the conference centre. The church also provides financial support to members of the congregation who are in need. This is at the discretion of the trustees and are considered to be in line with the charitable objective of the church.

e. Volunteers

The church is grateful for the immense contributions and efforts of its volunteers who are involved in the provision and delivery of church services and administration. It is estimated that about 3000 volunteer hours were provided during 2024/2025 reporting year cutting across 25 volunteers. If this is valued at £11.44 an hour, the volunteer effort amounts to about £34,320.00.

6. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

a. Future developments

The charity purchased a permanent place of worship which will also be used as a community centre. This will enable us to carry out a wide range of community-based projects.

Trustee Responsibilities

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed by order of the Trustees

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16/01/26
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Independent Examiners Report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above NCC Strong Nation for the period ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of the 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 (“the Act”).

Independent examiner's statement

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.

Henry Moses. Bliss Accounting Services 4th Floor, Victoria House Victoria Road Chelmsford CM1 1JR Date: 30/01/2026

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
ACCOUNT
Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generating funds: Voluntary income TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable activities TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE PERIOD RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	Unrestri cted Funds £ 111,730 111,730 111,730 - 111,730	Restricted Funds £ -	Total Funds 31st March 25 £ 111,730	Total Funds 31st March 24 £ 57,099
		-	-	57,099
		(69,086)	(69,086)	(31,803)
		(69,086)	42,644	25,296
		(69,086) (69,086)	42,644 42,644	25,296
				25,296

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

INCOME TOTAL EXPENDITURE OPERATING SURPLUS SURPLUS FOR THE PERIOD

31st March 25	31st March 24
£	£
111,730	57,099
(69,086)	(31,803)
42,644	25,296

42,644	25,296

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

BALANCE SHEET

BALANCE SHEET
As At March 31 March 2025
Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 7 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank 12 Debtor 8 CURRENT LIABILITY Creditor NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES FUNDS Unrestricted income funds TOTAL FUNDS	41,001 -	31-Mar-25 31-Mar-24 £ £ 436,234 407 41,001 224,184 - 211,386 - 1,386

		-170,385 222,798
		265,849 223,205 ════════ ════════ 265,849 223,205
		265,849 223,205

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

CASH FLOW STATEMENT Note NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 9 Financing Activities Support Loan CAPITAL EXPENDITURE Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets Net cash outflow from capital expenditure INCREASE IN CASH 10 Cash Balance as at 31 March 2025 Cash Balance as at 31 March 2024	Mar-25 £
	68,387
	210,000
	210,000
	- -
	(183,182)
	210,000
	224,183 41,001

The notes on pages 12 to 15 form part of these financial statements

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in 2019 (SORP 2019 and the Charities Act 2011.

Fixed assets.

All fixed assets are initially recognised at cost and maintained at net book value (after depreciation). The useful economic life of our asset class are as below.

Equipment, Fittings and Furniture 20%

2 VOLUNTARY INCOME

Donations Donations Gift Aid	Unrestricted Funds Total Funds 2025 £ £ 111,730 111,730
	111,730 111,730

3 COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES BY FUND TYPE

Charitable activity type 1 (amend desc's for a/cs 330A, 330B and 330C to alter col. headings)	Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 £ £ 69,086 69,086
	69,086 69,086

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4 COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES BY ACTIVITY TYPE Charitable activity type 1 (amend desc's for a/cs 330A, 330B and 330C to alter col. headings) 5 GOVERNANCE COSTS Accountancy fees Other financial cost/bank charges	Support costs 2025 Total Funds 2025 £ £ 69,086 69,086

	Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 £ £ - -
	- -
	- -

	Total
Restricted Funds	Funds
	2025
£	£
-	-
-	-
-	-

	- -
6 STAFF COSTS AND EMOLUMENTS Total staff costs were as follows: Wages and salaries Social security costs	Period from Period from 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 £ £ - - - -
	- -

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Particulars of employees:
The average number of employees during the period, calculated on the		March
basis of full-time equivalents, was as follows:	March 2025	2024
	Nil	Nil
No employee received remuneration of more than £60,000 during the
period (2024 - Nil).

7 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

7 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Opening Balance Additions Disposal At 31 March 2025 DEPRECIATION Opening Balance Depreciation Charged At 31 March 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025	Plant and machinery £ COST 11,490 461,515 -
	473,006
	11,028 25,743
	36,772
	436,234
	1,327

8	Debtor	31	March 2025	31	March 2024
			£		£
	Loan		-		-

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

9[RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOMING RESOURCES TO NET CASH INFLOW ] FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net incoming resources before transfers Depreciation Net cash inflow from operating activities	31 March 2025 31 March 2024 £ £ 42,644 25,296 25,743 920
	68,387 26,216

RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW MOVEMENT TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT
	31 March	31 March
	2025	2024
	£	£
Increase in cash in the period	68,387	26,216
	`─────────`	`─────────`
Change in net funds	68,387	29,346

11 ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

	31 March 2025	30 March 2024
	£	£
Cash at bank	41,001	224,184
	════════	═════════

NEW COVENANT CHURCH STRONGNATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The following pages do not form part of the statutory financial statements