HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024
Charity Number 1192315
For year ended 31 December 2024
HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
Trustees Annual Report
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Objects of the charity
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a constitution and is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation.
The charity's principal objectives, as set out in its governing document, are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with its basis of faith; and for other such charitable purposes (primarily but not exclusively to Middleton) that put into practice the Christian faith.
The church membership has adopted the vision of �Sharing New Life in Christ� as a means of encapsulating these objectives. Hope Community Church Middleton is committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, welcoming all and any into its public worship services on a Sunday.
The church is also committed to the welfare of its members, which includes actively encouraging their own spiritual life and the spiritual life of the church community. Our services and practices are informed by the Bible which we submit to as our authority. As such our services involve sung worship, prayer, reading the Bible, communion, baptism and the preaching of the word of God.
We promote the spiritual growth of our membership through a midweek home group.
We provide pastoral support to individuals and families. We invite others to hear about the message of Christianity and offer the opportunity to join the church.
We run and participate in events in the community to provide public benefit and promote the Christian message.
We partner with other local churches in order to put into practice our Christian faith.
Review of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:
Sunday worship
Our services are open to the whole community at 10.30am every Sunday. We meet at Elements Primary School, and these are advertised with signage, flyers and via social media. Those attending have been welcomed and encouraged to participate in sung worship and prayer. The Bible has been faithfully taught and communion administered. Children up to key stage 2 are able to access a class during the sermon to receive teaching and
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
Trustees Annual Report For year ended 31 December 2024
activities appropriate to their age. We held a carol service in December 2024 and had visitors attend from the local community.
Children�s ministry
We have had children join us regularly on Sunday mornings with up to 11 children attending. During the second half of the service, the children move into a separate area and undertake activities and play. Our children�s worker was able to work with two schools to deliver Christian assemblies and volunteer with them to provide some RE teaching.
In January the church launched a weekly Tots group for people in the community during term time. The church had a stall at the Middleton Market one month to promote the work of the Tots group. This also raised £20 for the Tots ministry due to generous donations from the community.
Discipleship & pastoral care
Pastoral care is provided more formally by the eldership of the church and a female staff worker set aside for the women of the church and locality. These individuals also seek to equip the rest of the membership for �one another� ministry. The membership is exhorted to care for one another practically, emotionally and spiritually. A weekly home group provides further Biblical instruction for the members of the church and is a place where the struggles of life can be shared openly � yet appropriately - with one another and prayed for.
In 2024 the church began a monthly men�s breakfast to encourage fellowship and growth in the Christian walk.
Mission & evangelism
The church provided a craft event at Tenants Hall in January 2024.
At Easter the church provided an interactive re-telling of the Easter story for the community on Good Friday.
During the Olympics the church hosted a community sports day in Middleton Park for the community after seeing that some of the usual holiday activities in the park had been cut. Jamie Jones Buchannan (Leeds Rhinos) attended to sign items and talk about his Christian faith.
The church provided a stall at The Great Middleton Park Show. This had crafts, and also an interactive section asking attendees: �What would you do if you were in charge of the world.�
The church also had a stall at Elements� Christmas fair, providing Christmas decorations and Christian literature - also partnering with Friends of Middleton Park to put on a crafts event in December.
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
For year ended 31 December 2024
Trustees Annual Report
The church�s Pastor delivered a Christmas address to the communities at the light switch on for Belle Isle and Middleton, respectively.
The church encourages and equips people to be able to bless the community in whatever enterprises they individually engage in. We also encourage the sharing of their Christian belief for the betterment of others, and their own spiritual health as they are engaged in this. To assist with this we organised walks around the area to get to know our neighbourhood better. The male members also watched a recent film that had prompted widespread discussion around masculinity on social media.
Partnership
The church is under the umbrella of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. These are over 650 like-minded churches across the UK seeking to promote the Christian faith. The church is also partnered with other churches under Medhurst Ministries. This exists to see the gospel of Jesus Christ go into forgotten communities in England and Wales. The church has also been sending a regular financial gift for those having recently planted a church in Gothenburg, Sweden. In planning the activities, the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
In 2024 the church also partnered more formally for prayer and preaching duties with Grace Church Boroughbridge, Hope Church Easingwold and Bethel Church, Oldham. The Pastor, Steve Walker, was also involved in supporting other prospective church planters in the Leeds area.
In planning the activities, the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial review
Finances are reviewed in the Trustee meetings and in church members meetings. The charity does not have any loans and had no financial concerns over this period.
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than 3 months of expenditure (equivalent to £18,000) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £41,411 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
The Trustees note the revenue deficit and have actively sought to address this through applying for grants and making the need known to generous supporters. Regular giving from within the church has also increased.
Reference and administration details
Operational address 21 Middleton Park Mount Leeds LS10 4BB
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
Trustees Annual Report
For year ended 31 December 2024
Charity Number 1192315 Independent Jim Dodds Examiner 33 The Glebe NE61 6HW Bankers The Co-operative Bank
Trustees
The trustees serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Trustees Duncan Johnson Michael Luehrmann Richard Owen Stephen Walker
Structure
Governing Document CIO Constitution registered 12 November 2020
Governance
At Hope Community Church Middleton the vision and direction is set out by the eldership who have responsibility for the spiritual oversight of the church.
The Trustees ensure that the church complies with all of its legal responsibilities, and that the charitable objectives are being promoted by the eldership as set out in the Church�s constitution and doctrinal distinctives.
The Trustees of the charity are the eldership, with the exception of its founding trustees and any external Trustees elected as detailed in the Church Constitution. This is done by the Elders proposing an individual(s) who then needs the approval of 75% of the church membership present in order to be appointed. The full particulars are clearly laid out in the church�s governing documents.
The church has a Treasurer who administers the finances, providing information for the Trustees to make informed decisions for the charity.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
Trustees Annual Report
For year ended 31 December 2024
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Steve Walker 25th June 2025
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
For the year ended 31 December 2024
I report on the financial statements of Hope Community Church Middleton for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 the 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 material matters have come to my attention 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
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than if the requirements that the accounts give a "true and fair" view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I 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 accounts to be reached.
Jim Dodds 33 The Glebe Morpeth Northumberland NE61 6HW
Date: 24 July 2025
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
Receipts and payments accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2024
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Unrestricted Designated Total Total
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Receipts
Donations and legacies 2 94,230 - 94,230 58,729
Investments 3 370 - 370 34
Total receipts 94,600 - 94,600 58,763
Payments
Payments in relation to charitable 4 89,531 - 89,531 62,223
activities undertaken directly
Grants and gifts paid to others 5 10,080 - 10,080 9,240
Total payments 99,611 - 99,611 71,463
-
Net of receipts/(payments) ( 5,011 ) ( 5,011 ) ( 12,700 )
Transfers between funds - - - -
Net movement of funds ( 5,011 ) - ( 5,011 ) ( 12,700 )
Reconciliation of funds
Cash funds last year end 26,422 20,000 46,422 59,122
Cash funds this year end 21,411 20,000 41,411 46,422
Notes
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All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities
The notes on pages 9 to 12 form an integral part of these accounts.
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Charity Number 1192315
HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
Statement of assets and liabilities
As at 31 December 2024
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Unrestricted Designated Total Total
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Cash funds
Reserve bank account 10 14,370 - 14,370 -
Cash at bank and in hand 11 7,041 20,000 27,041 46,422
Total cash funds 21,411 20,000 41,411 46,422
Other monetary assets
Gift Aid due to the charity 909 - 909 2,083
Other debtors - - - 895
Total 909 - 909 2,978
Liabilities
Pension due 188 - 188 182
PAYE and NI due 1,270 - 1,270 3,141
Accrued expenses 650 - 650 756
Total 2,108 - 2,108 4,079
Notes
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Assets retained for the charities own use
No significant assets owned by the charity
Guarantees and secured debts
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities
The notes on pages 9 to 12 form an integral part of these accounts.
These financial statements were approved by the Board on: 25 June 2025
and are signed on its behalf by: Duncan Johnson
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1.0 Accounting Policies
1.1 Income from investments
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, as statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession has determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
1.2 Income from investments
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
Analysis of income receipts
| 2 Donations and legacies 3 Income from investments Bank interest Donations and gifts Gift Aid CAF/Stewardship Other |
Unrestricted Funds £ 62,152 10,690 18,619 2,769 94,230 370 370 |
Designated Funds £ - - - - - - - |
Total 2024 £ 62,152 10,690 18,619 2,769 94,230 370 370 |
Total 2023 £ 35,973 7,440 15,000 349 58,762 - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2024
4 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
| Ministry Sundays Evangelism Office costs Other costs Governance costs Total Employees Courses/conferences Staff books Children's Ministry Independent examiner's fees for reporting on the accounts Venue hire Guest preacher Music equipment PA equipment Other Literature Events Other Printing Other Website Other Other Staff expenses Fundraising |
Unrestricted Funds £ 75,082 2,400 712 1,650 96 79,940 600 403 518 96 117 1,734 105 443 63 611 4 264 120 388 1,490 4,512 100 6,102 756 756 89,531 |
Designated Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total Total 2024 2023 £ £ 75,082 - 2,400 - 712 - 1,650 - 96 - 79,940 - 600 - 403 - 518 - 96 - 117 - 1,734 - 105 - 443 - 63 - 611 - 4 - 264 - 120 - 388 - 1,490 - 4,512 - 100 - 6,102 - 756 - 756 - 89,531 - |
|---|---|---|---|
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2024
| 5 Grants and gifts paid to others Mission giving Organisations: Individuals Medhurst Ministries Kungskyrkan, Sweden (Stewardship) |
Unrestricted Funds £ 5,040 5,040 - 10,080 |
Designated Funds £ - - - - |
Total 2024 £ 5,040 5,040 - 10,080 |
Total 2023 £ 4,620 - 4,620 9,240 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Transactions with trustees
One Trustees is a paid employee of the Charity - Mr S. Walker served as the church leader and was paid £34,434 (2023: £32,438) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
Trustee Mr M. Luehrmann was paid £100 (2023: £125) for preaching duties.
Trustees' expenses
The following detail the expenses incurred by Mr D Johnson
| Conference and events | 2024 £ 306 306 |
2023 £ - - |
|---|---|---|
Transaction(s) with related parties
The spouse of Trustee Mr D. Johnson was paid £12,927 (2023: £12,178) for serving in her capacity as Women�s worker; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document. (The charity undertook an arm's length process to ensure they chose the best candidate. Mr D. Johnson was not part of the decision making process).
7 Events after the end of the reporting period
No events (not requiring adjustment to the accounts) have occurred after the end of the reporting period but before the accounts are authorised which relate to conditions that arose after the end of the reporting period.
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HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH MIDDLETON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended 31 December 2024
8 Analysis of charitable funds
Analysis of movements in funds
| Unrestricted funds General unrestricted fund Designated funds Building fund Totals |
Fund balances brought forward £ 26,422 20,000 46,422 |
Incoming resources £ 94,600 - 94,600 |
Resources expended £ ( 99,611 ) - ( 99,611 ) |
Transfers £ - - - |
Fund balances carried forward £ 21,411 20,000 41,411 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purpose of funds
General unrestricted fund Building fund
The 'free reserves' after allowing for designated funds. Amount designated for future building expenditure.
9 Capital commitments
As at 31 December 2024, the charity had no capital commitments (2023 -£nil).
10 Guarantee
There have been no guarantees given by the charity at 31 December 2024
11 Debt
There is no debt outstanding which is owed by the charity and which is secured by an excess charge on any of the assets of the charity at 31 December 2024
12 Governing document
The organisation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation - Foundation registered on 12 November 2020 as a body corporate under part 11 of the Charities Act 2011.
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