PRS Patton Rainey I Stenson Limited CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & REOISTERED AUOITOftS Charity Number: 1186004 BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Registered Charity Number: 1186004 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IRELAND Chartered Tax Adviser Re9lStèred lo ¢airy oul audiiwolK and r$gulate¢ loi a Fallge ol Vement business a¢bviiie5 in Ihe UnitBd Kingdom bylhè In*ilute ol Chartered Accvunlants In Irgwnd
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Page Trustees Annual Report Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 10-12
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees present the annual report and financial statements of Bible Educational Services (B.E.S), which is a registered charity (number.. 1186004). Reference and administration details Address The registered address of the charity is: 37a Belmore Street, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, Bf74 6AA. Trustees The following persons are the trustees of the charity at the date of this report and. except where stated, were trustees for the whole of the year ended 31 December 2023: S J E Balmer (Chairn]an) S A Gillham (Secretary) AMJHill SJPrice DJWatts P Harknett P Rainey Structure> governance and management The charity is now operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It was registered with the Charity Commission on 25 October 2019 (Number: 1186004). The Charity was previously constituted as a Charitable Trust and was registered with the Charity Commission (Number: 1096157). The assets of the Charitable Trust were transferred to the CIO as at l January 2020, after the Charity Commission gave consent for this to take place. New trustees are appointed by the trustees, who keep the composition of the trustee body under review to ensure that it includes sufficient people with the time and expertise needed to tnanage the charity effectively. In addition, the trustees consult with an advisory group comprising a number of people who are qualified to provide ad hoc advice and assistance to the trustees in several areas which are relevant to the charity's activities.
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Objectives and activities The principal objective of the charity is to advance the Christian faith by publishing and distributing Bible courses for children and adults. These courses are used by various Christian groups, including Postal Bible Schools, churches, and other Christian bodies which work with children and young people, and in schools. The activities carried out by the charity in order to achieve this objective include: writing the content for several series of Bible lessons for children of all ages and for adults, creating a syllabu5 which covers rnuch of the Bible over a period of years translating the content into other languages lo make the lessons widely accessible designing the presentation of the lessons, and including graphics which are appropriate to the different age grades and language groups for whom individual lessons are intended regular review and updating of the lessons as considered Thecessary publishing the lessons by arranging printing, and by including them on the charity's website. from where they can be freely downloaded www.besweb.¢om publishing guidance and training material relating to the use of the courses making visits in the UK and overseas to groups who use or may potentially use the courses, in order to offer advice and encouragement, and to deliver training sessions. The charity's aim is that its activities should result in its courses being as widely available as possible. in order to enhance the Bible knowledge of all who undertake the lessons. The charity does not want access to the courses to be restricted by cost. Postal Bible Schools in the developed world usually make contributions which cover the cost of printed lessons supplied to them by the charity. but (as long as the financial resources of B.E.S allow), the ability to pay contributions is not a necessary condition for the supply of lessons. Supplies of printed lessons to the developing world are made by a charity which works with B.E.S (see next paragraph), and all lessons on the B.E.S website are available for free download. All training and guidance activities are carried out without charge. In Tecent years there has been increasing demand for printed copies of the charity's Bible lessons from Christian groups in Eastern Europe, Africa, India and other places. These groups could not always afford to contribute to printing costs, and B.E.S does not have the financial resources to supply substantial quantities at its own cost. This demand is being met by Revival Movement Association, a Christian printing and publishing charity based in CouThty Down, Northern Ireland, which has printed large quantities of B.E.S lessons and supplied them free of charge to groups in developing countries. The trustees of B.E.S are very grateful for all that Revival Movement Association is doing to help make B.E.S courses freely and widely available to those for whom cost would otherwise be a barrier. On some occasions printing is funded in other countries where designated funds have been received for this purpose. where the quantities required are small or Revival Movernent have issues with shippin&
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 During 2023 Revival Movement printed 1.9 millxon booklets for BES and a further 2 million have been ordered for 2024. The activities of B.E.S depend heavily on the inpul of many people who give freely of their time because of their commitment to the charity's objectives. The trustees are very grateful to all of their volunteers. Wlthout whom the charity could not operate in the way that it does. The trustees also recognise that most of the Christian groups which use B.E.S lessons rely on volunteers in a similar way and appreciate the efforts of all who play a part in making the courses available so widely. In carrying out activities during the year covered by this report. the charity trustees had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission in relation to public benefit and are satisfied that significant public benefit has been achieved as a result of these activities. Staff Throughout the year, the number of staff employed on a pennanent basis remained constant and we are greatly indebted to them for their dedicated commitment and the skills they bring to the ministry of B.E.S. Angela Johnston- Operation Manager Glenda Magee- Resource Editor and Developer Stevie Walls- International Development Manager Trustees The B.E.S. Trustees seek to meet quarterly and at other times when necessary. Regular reporting to the trustees continues via finance updates and via Key Perforniance Indicator (KPI) reporting, monitoring progress with regards to Editing, Translation, Printing, Training and subsequent implications on Finance. The current Board of Trustees are as follows: Allison Hill DJ Watts Pan]ela Harknett Pamela Rainey Samuel Balmer Stephen Gillham Stuart Price B.E.S are indebted to their time and expertise in advising, guiding and managing the ministry. Property The B.E.S. offi¢e is open Monday to Thursday from 8am -5pm. The staff team meet weeidy in a blended fonnat (Zoom l in person). Th¢ team also seek to meet together in the office once every 2 months for debrief and prayer. Resources Mr Tamas Bozsoki is the International Designer and is based in Hungary. He continues to work on the translation and design of the majority of our overseas study material. During 2023 progress was made to expand publications into 4 new languages: Chichewa (Malawi), Congo Swahili (DR Congo), Montenegrin (Montenegro) and Kazak (Kazakhstan). Interest has also been shown to translate Bibletime into South Korean and Serbian. During 2023 the entire Bibletirne syllabus was translated into Telegu and Farsi.
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 At the end of 2023 there were approximately 65 countries using the Bibletime booklets in over 40 languages and there were 36 ongoing translationlrevision projects. The regular revision and updating of the English study material for both the UK and English- speaking ¢ouThtries around the world continues and this includes the updating of both the Teacher Guides and Teacher Lesson Plans. Mr Stephen McDonald, Graphic Designer. continues to be actively involved with these revision projects as well as having responsibility for the regular updating and maintenance of our website. All of our material can be downloaded from our website, thereby allowing worldwide accessibility. {www.besweb.com) There are also a number of key volunteers who assist with the editorial work in various languages. Demand continues to grow for supplies both in Northem Ireland aThd overseas. Overseas visils In June 2023 BES representatives visited the IBCM Conference that was held in Malaysia. There were meetings with existing partners and new partnerships were developed. Zoom calls supplemented the overseas visits, 132 zoom calls were conducted throughout 2023 with the various international partners for encouragement and to assess the needs in the Country aThd carry out verbal audits. This was very beneficial and helped to maintain contact with the various partners. The International Development Manager, Mr Stevie Walls, in addition to training in person carried out several bespoke training days on Zoom with leaders and teachers in different countries. The opportunity was taken to 'Train the Trainer, Swhich allows the learning to cascade through local user groups. Our digital platforni, Learning Management Systems (LMS), has enabled us to complete 924 training courses to date and courses are continuing to be developed in Swahili. Spanish, French and Portugese. Lessons & Apps ete Work has been carried out during the year on Bibletime, and in Partnership wkth Sunscool we are developing a bespoke progrdnune to allow students to complete and submit tasks online. Bkbletime lessons are now available on the SunSc(K)l apps and these are continually updated to latest versions. The lessons are currently translated into 17 languages. Promotional Opportunities During 2023, Mr Samuel Balmer, Mr Stevie Walls and Mr Stephen Gillham had numerous Zooms and in-person deputations with churches to share of what has been happening across the world with B.E.S. It has been encouraging to see the increase in demand for Bibletime lessons during 2023, particularly from UK. There has been a slight increase in home student usage via our website and some church¢s have ordered materials to use with theii children in the absence of Sunday Schools. The bi-monthly print order with Henderson Print (UK printing) is now approximately 77,000 lessons, and B.E.S. lessons are now being used in 180 controlled Primary schools across Northern Ireland and mainland UK. Prnyers and Praise- BES news from around the world w&s produced and distributed both online and via a mailout in Spring and Automn 2023.
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Misccllaneous Revival Movement (International printing) had printed and shipped over I million booklets for us by the end of 2023. We are extremely grateful for our on-going partnership with Revival Movement. Due to the restrictions on printing in Revival Movement and smaller quantities required by some international partners, several countries printed in-country including Romani4 Myanmar, the Middle East and India. Various sub-committees met during the year to manage the high demand in nMrLy areas of the work within B.E.S. (Resource Committee, International SUe0Mmittee and a Training Committee.) Memorandums of Understanding were signed with both the Ghana Baptist Convention and Generation to Generation (Egypt) during the year. Financial Review The income of the charity arises principally from two sources. Contributions are made by Postal Bible Schools in the UK and Ireland for the cost of printed lessons supplied to them. the income is reasonably predictable. The remainder of the income is made up largely of donations from supporters of the charity (other charities, churches and individuals)., this is less predictable, and more liable to fluctuate, and now represents most of the income each year. B.E.S. is extremely grateful to its wide range of supporters for providing the fillance which allows the work to grow. Total Income increased by £60,11 S from £324,443 to £384.558. This was an encouraging increase on the previous year. We continue to receive large one-off donations from churches, individuals and trusts. Lesson contributions increased slightly to £54,728. There was a slight increase of £4,078 in the funds value of our investment with COIF Charities Investment Fund. Expenses increased by £7,740 from £315,668 to £323,408 in the year ended 31 December 2023. Wherever possible, the trustees avoid entering into substantial long-tenn financial commitments, and they undertake activities each year as funds allow Iparticularly in the area of overseas support and development). The charity continues to explore opportunities to widen the supporter base. producing newsletters and other material. and conducting deputation meetings, in order to make supporters and potential supporters aware of the charity's work. It is hoped that these actions will increase prayer support and financial support. and also encourage new volunteers to become involved in the work of the charity. The accounts do not reflect the benefit of support for the charity, which is provided by unpaid volunteers, nor by supporting organisations which make office facilities availabl¢. nor do the accounts reflect the value of lessons printed by Revival Movement Association, as these are supplied directly to overseas Postal Bible Schools and other Christian groups. The charity is grateful for all such support.
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Charity law 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 sUlUS or deficit of the charity for that period. In PTeparing these financial statements. the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them constantly. make judgements and estirnates that are reasonable and prudent. prepare the financial statements on an on-going basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records. which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. They 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. Approved by the trustees on the date shown below and signed on their behalf by: S J Balmer, Tntee 27 September 2024
PRS Patton Rainey I Stenson Limited CHAftTeRED ACCOVNTANTS REGISTEREO AUDITORS Report of the independent examiner to the trustees of Bible Educational Services (charity number 1096157) in respect of an examination carried out on the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the above charity for the year ended 31 December 2023, set out on pages 8 to 12. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial ststements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 201 l Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement The ¢harity's gross income exceeded £250.000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in coTrnection with the examinatioTh which gives me Cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. or the financial statements did not accord with the accounting records. or the financial statements did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the forn] and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Financial Statements and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a 'true and lair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Signed: Date: 27 September 2024 Stephanie StensoTh FCA (Chartered Accountants in Ireland) Patton Rainey Stenson Limited Chartered Accountants 6 East Bridge Street Enniskillen Co Fermanagh BT74 7BT Chartere¢ Tax Advis, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IRELAND Regi51eredto c¥rry out aud woik and ¢e9ulaied lor a range 01 iDve51menl bu$ine8$ adivities in Iho unite Kingdoni by the Insiiiute DI CharteredA¢countavts In Irelartd
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR EIYDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Unrestricted Reslricted Funds Funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Note Incoming Resources Individual Gifts Church Gifts Trust Gifts Legacies Other Collective Gifts Gift Aid Contributions for printed lessons Investment Income 53,296 45,060 115.000 5,000 6,398 5,731 54,728 4,150 826 93,039 57,446 45,886 208,039 5,000 6,398 5,731 54,728 63,893 25,178 165.890 178 7.308 6.291 54.380 Total Incoming Resources 38 Resources Expended Graphic design costs Office costs Staff salaries Property costs Postage, Stationery & miscellaneous Printing costs Worldwide support and development Travel & Training Translation Conference Printing, Storage & Transport Nominated Workers 46,533 46.533 43,350 69,701 9,874 9,551 70,328 69,701 9,874 9,551 70,328 64,632 10.556 14,358 56,370 14,315 4,370 5,000 9,065 2.421 3,920 19,315 13,435 2,421 44,864 39,885 9,075 40,944 45,349 Total Resourees Expended 73 Net Movement in Funds 6,867 54,283 61,150 8,775 Net Gain/(Loss) on Investment 4.078 4,078 (5,768) Total Funds brought fonvard 146 720 152720 149713 Total Funds Calea forward 15 217
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Restricted Unrestricted Income Fund5 Funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Iyote Current Assets Short tertfl investments- COIF Shares Bank Balances 48.461 109 204 48,461 169487 44,383 108 337 Total Current Assets Funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds- General Unrestricted funds - Conference Fund Restricted income funds 104,768 52,897 104,768 52,897 102.823 43,897 21 Approved by the Trustees on the date shown below and signed on their behalf by: S J Balmer, Trustee 27 September 2024
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INOTES TO THE FINANCIAL ST ATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 i. Statement of Compliance These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland,, the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. 2. Accounting Policies The financial Statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of investments measured at fair value through income and expenditure. Incomin Resources Recognition of Incoming Resources These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when: the charity becomes entitled to the resources- the trustees are virtually certain they will Teceive the resources. and the monetary value Can be measured with sufficient reliability. Incoming Resources )Yi¢h Related Expenditure Where incoming resources have related expenditu the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA. Grants and Donations Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources. Tax Reclaims OD Donations and Gifts Incoming resources from tax Teclaims are included in the SOFA when Teceiv¢d. Volunteer Help The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the financial statements but is described the trustee5' annual report. Inv¢$tment Income This is included in the financial statements when receivable. io
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Invcstment Gains and Losses This includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year. enditure and Liabilities Liability Recognition Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. Governance Costs Include costs of the prepared and examination of statutory financial statements. the costs of trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. Fund Ac¢ounting The Charity has no Endowment Funds. Restricted Funds arise from revenue donations where donors have specified the use to which the donated funds should be put (within the objects of the charity) and are held within cash fid$. Unrestricted Funds are income funds which are to be spent for the Charity's general purposes. The designated fund is part of general funds set aside by the Trustees for the Conference Fund. Going Concern There are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue the foreseeable tll[e, a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing the financial statements. 3. Unrestricted and Restricted Funds Movement of major funds Fund balances at Incoming Outgoing 01101123 resources resourees Transftrs Fund Balane¢s at 31112123 Gains and losses Unr¢stricted Funds General - Conference Fund 102,823 286,543 (279,676) (9,000) 4,078 104,768 146.720 286.543 (279,676) 43 732) 4,078 157.665 Restricted Fund Total Funds 94 li
BIBLE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 4. Related Party Transactions The Charity received donations during the year from one of its sponsors. £18,000 of these donations were specifically restricted by the donor, to be used and allocated to one of the Trustees (2022: £15,000) These funds have been shown as a Restrtcted Income and a Restricted Resource expended to a Trustee. The following payments were made to Trustees relating to the r¢imbursemeTht of travel and other expenses:. 2023 2022 722 1,175 388 S J E Balmer S A Gillham AMJ Hill 620 5. Fees for Examination of the Financial Statements 2023 2022 Independent examiner's fees for their services 6. Paid Employees 2023 2022 6.1 Staff costs Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind Pension costs Total staff costs 68,329 63,201 6.2 Average number of full-time equivalent employees in the year The parts of the charity in which the employees work Charitable Activities No employee received employee benefits of more lIn £60,000 during the year (2022: Nil). 12