## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH BIRMINGHAM**
**Registered Charity: 1186458**
## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT**
## **AND**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION REPORT**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
**Luke Silver Accountancy & Taxation Services 25 Ellicombe Close Minehead Somerset TA24 6DQ**
**Mobile: 07710 456376**
**E-mail: luke-silver@puresilver.org.uk**
## **Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts**
## **Receipts and Payment Accounts**
## **Report to the trustees/members of The Bridge Church Birmingham**
## **Registered Charity Number 1186458**
## **On the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2024**
## **Set out on the following pages**
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity¹s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- • To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act Have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **Signed** _L A Silver_
## **Date: 7 October 2025**
Luke Silver HNC Business & Finance Accountancy Practitioner
25 Ellicombe Close, Minehead, Somerset. TA24 6DQ
## **Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees and Church Council**
## **Introduction**
Thank you for submitting the accounts for independent examination. They have been well maintained and the treasurer and others responsible are to be commended for their hard work. I will therefore keep my comments to a minimum.
## **Charity Law and Financial Regulations**
The independent examination has been carried out in accordance with the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995 (Statutory Instruments No 2724) and the Accounting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP).
## **Signing of Accounts**
I shall be obliged if you will please forward a copy of the signature page for my records after the accounts have been signed by a representative appointed by the Trustees and Church Council. A spare copy is enclosed.
## **Conclusion**
There are no other matters I feel need to be brought to your attention.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for further clarification or for further assistance.
## **Luke Silver**
## **Date: 7 October 2025**
## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH BIRMINGHAM**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
## **ACTIVITIES REVIEW**
The financial results are set out in the enclosed accounts.
The object of the charitable incorporated organisation is the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of faith and in such ways as the Charity Trustees may from time to time, think fit.
## **TRUSTEES**
The trustees during the year were as follows:
Errol Lawson
Yvonne Brooks
Tobi Labeodan Michelle Lynch
Kehinde Lawson
## **STATEMENT**
We certify that the books, vouchers and information produced to enable the independent examination of our accounts to be conducted contain a full and correct record of our financial transactions and activities to the best of our knowledge and belief.
## SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES
Please print name: Date:
## **The Bridge Church Birmingham Registered Charity No: 1186458**
Summary Receipts and Payments For The Year Ended 31st December 2024
||**2023**
**£**|**2024**
**£**||**2023**
**£**|**2024**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Giving
(see note 1)
Other Income
(see note 2)
Restricted Income
(see note 3)
Investment A/C
(see note 4)|46,281
39,827
5,285
77|60,540
33,595
5,992
97|Pastoral & Ministry Costs
(see note 4)
Church Family
(see note 5)
Establishment Costs
(see note 6)
Administration
(see note 7)|7,270
16,596
48,752
7,301|6,804
19,475
58,439
10,358|
||**91,470**|**100,224**||**79,919**|**95,076**|
|||||||
|**Opening Balance 01.01.24**
Benevolent Fund (Women)
Barclays
Women's Ministry
Account 93251403
Tangible Assets
Other Assets
Creditors
Building Fund Restricted
**Total**||**Closing Balance @ 31.12.24**
1,477 Benevolent Fund (Women)
1,357 Barclays
139 Women's Ministry
4,000 Account 93251403
32,917 Tangible Assets
667 Other Assets
9,606 Creditors
5,135 Building Fund Restricted
**55,298 Total**|||1,695
5,582
(81)
2,184
36,510
667
2,487
11,402|
||||||**60,446**|
LAS
Summary
14/10/2025
## **The Bridge Church Birmingham Registered Charity No: 1186458**
Receipts for the year ended 31st December 2024
|**Giving (Note 1)**
Donations Received
Gift Aid
**Other Income (Note 2)**
Gift Aid Tax Refund
Conference
Groups
Junior Church
Worship
Young Adults
Tuck Shop Sales
Sales & Services
Rent Income
Book Sales
Facilitator Fee
Sundry Income
**Restricted Income (Note 3)**
Building Fund
**Investment Income (Note 4)**
Interest
**Total**|**£**
**£**
**2023**|**£**
**£**
**2023**|**£**
**£**
**2024**|**£**
**£**
**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||46,281
0|**46,281**
**39,827**
**5,285**
**77**|60,540
0|**60,540**
**33,595**
**5,992**
**97**|
||15,036
9,803
0
1,600
270
295
12
9,931
1,460
0
0
1,420||18,722
2,531
2,261
1,366
448
0
29
130
4,356
(95)
1,304
2,543||
||5,285||5,992||
||77||97||
||||||
|||**91,470**||**100,224**|
||||||
LAS
14/10/2025
Inc
## **The Bridge Church Birmingham Registered Charity No: 1186458**
Payments for the year ended 31st December 2024
|**Pastoral & Ministry Costs**
Pastor Ministry Expenses
Social Media Co-Ordinator
Guest Speakers
Staff Supports
Follow Up Role
Travelling Expenses
**Church Family**
Leadership Development
Outreach / Missions / Evangelism
Worship Ministry
Text Giving Fees
Conference & Crusade Cost
AOG Contribution
Catering / Hospitality
Junior Church
Men's Ministry
Young Adult Expenses
Women's Ministry
Missions Giving
**Establishment Costs**
Establishment / Admin
Sound / PA
Equipment Hire
Cleaning
Insurance
Light & Heat
Rent
Repairs & Maintenance
Room Expenditure
**Administration**
Cost of Sales
Advertising
Printing, Postage & Stationery
Church Management Software
Media / Tech
Dona, Digital Collection Plate Charges
Safeguarding
Legal & Professional Fees
Accountancy
Subscriptions
Telephone & Internet
Bank Charges
Sundry
**Total**|**£**
**£**
**2023**|**£**
**£**
**2023**|**£**
**£**
**2024**|**£**
**£**
**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||2,395
1,600
1,032
400
1,500
343|**7,270**
**16,596**
**48,752**
**7,301**|84
1,189
1,400
280
2,950
901|**6,804**
**19,475**
**58,439**
**10,358**|
||42
550
4,407
197
8,952
300
950
953
0
0
45
200||588
1,200
5,478
428
4,021
517
1,987
124
1,170
317
3,645
0||
||0
0
532
3,861
3,942
797
36,000
3,620
0||0
64
0
5,290
860
12,794
38,000
1,219
212||
||63
2,270
1,281
136
75
0
187
232
425
1,199
758
0
675||56
3,083
551
0
1,195
120
163
120
450
1,563
830
153
2,074||
||||||
|||**79,919**||**95,076**|
||||||
LAS
14/10/2025
Exps
## **The Bridge Church Birmingham Registered Charity No: 1186458**
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As At 31st December 2024
||**£**|
|---|---|
|**Fixed Assets**
Furniture & Fixtures
Computer Equipment
**Total Fixed Assets**
Loan to Individuals
**Current Assets**
Bank Balances:
Account 63895378
Benevolent Fund (Women)
Building Fund Restricted
Barclays
Account 93251403
Women's Ministry
Stock - Apostle Arome Osayi
**Total Current Assets**
**Total Assets**
**Current Liabilites**
Creditors
**Net Assets**|33,182
3,328|
||**36,510**
0
(3)
1,695
11,402
5,582
2,184
(81)
667|
||**21,446**|
||**57,956**|
||(2,487)|
||**60,443**|
|||
LAS
14/10/2025
Assets
## **The Bridge Church Birmingham**
**Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **Administrative Information**
The Bridge Church Birmingham is situated at **86 Watery Lane, Middleway, Birmingham, B9 HN** .
It is part of the **Assemblies of God** and a registered charity with the Charity Commission ( **No. 1186458** ).
**Trustees who served during the period (January – December 2024):**
- **Prof. Errol Lawson (Chair)**
- **Kehinde Lawson**
- **Yvonne Brooks**
- **Tobi Labeodan**
- **Michelle Lynch**
**Officer roles:** No Treasurer and no Secretary were appointed during this period.
**Safeguarding Co-ordinator:** Jackie Lawrence
## **Public Benefit**
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when planning and carrying out the church’s activities.
## **Aims and Purposes**
The Bridge Church is an Assemblies of God fellowship in Birmingham. The trustees and church leadership work together to advance the mission of the church: **to win souls and make disciples** , providing worship, discipleship, pastoral care, and community outreach in alignment with the Great Commission.
## **Achievements and Performance**
## **Worship and Prayer**
- The church maintained **daily prayer for one hour** , providing a consistent space for members to pray, worship, and intercede.
- Regular Sunday services continued throughout the year, with an increase in participation across all age groups.
- **Children’s work** ran **weekly** , offering teaching, worship, and pastoral support to our younger members.
- Baptism and thanksgiving services took place regularly, celebrating lives transformed through faith.
## **Discipleship and Pastoral Care**
- **Prayer cells** continued to serve as the primary space for fellowship, discipleship, and pastoral connection.
- Ministers-in-Training and departmental leaders received support and mentoring to strengthen leadership capacity within the church.
- Pastoral care and follow-up remain a priority through one-to-one ministry, home visits, and prayer support.
## **Facilities and Venue**
- The church celebrated its **6th anniversary** in 2024.
- A **Building Fund Team** has been established to support our objective of **acquiring a permanent church building** .
- The trustees continue to explore suitable venues that can facilitate growth and accommodate ministry activities more effectively.
## **Mission, Outreach and Community**
- The church continues to emphasise evangelism and mission as central to its vision.
- • We provide **monthly financial support to a local missionary serving in the Small Heath area** , helping to extend the gospel and meet practical needs within the community.
## **Ecumenical Relationships**
- The Bridge Church remains an active member of the **Assemblies of God UK** and collaborates with other local churches for prayer, youth, and community engagement initiatives.
## **Financial Review**
Income in 2024 was generated through regular tithes, offerings, designated gifts, and Gift Aid. Expenditure reflected our priorities in venue hire, outreach, worship resourcing, and children’s ministry.
The trustees continue to manage finances prudently, balancing ministry needs with long-term sustainability.
## **Reserves Policy**
The trustees are working towards a **reserves policy** to maintain funds equivalent to six months of general running costs. This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure the church remains financially secure.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The charity is governed by its trustees under its constitution and the oversight of the **Assemblies of God UK** . Trustees meet regularly to review governance, finances, and safeguarding.
Day-to-day ministry operations are overseen by the pastor and departmental leaders, supported by volunteers and ministry teams.
## **Responsibilities of the Trustees**
The trustees are responsible under the **Charities Act 2011** for preparing financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the church’s activities and financial position. In preparing these statements, trustees must:
- Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained.
- Prepare financial statements on a going concern basis unless inappropriate to assume the charity will continue.
Trustees are responsible for maintaining accurate accounting records, safeguarding the assets of the church, and taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud or irregularities.
**By order of the Trustees, Prof. Errol Lawson** Chair of Trustees