2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report

Introduction:

The Trustees of the church are the elders. They have the responsibility to ensure that the church, as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, fulfils the purposes laid down in its Constitution and in a way that is consistent with the Church Handbook. To that end the Trustees are required to produce an Annual Report to report on what activities the church has conducted in seeking to fulfil those objectives. This document is in the public domain.

Section 1: Legal and Administrative Information

Charity Name : Newtown Evangelical Church or Eglwys Efengylaidd y Drenewydd Registered Charity Number: 1193768

For the period beginning on 01/04/23 and ending on 31/03/24

Charity Address : Newtown Evangelical Church, Llanidloes Road, Newtown, Powys, SY16 1HL

Governance Documents : Constitution adopted by the Church Members on 17[th] February 2021 and approved and registered by the Charity Commission on 10[th] March 2021, and Church Handbook which was approved by the Church Members on 17[th] February 2021

Objects of the Charity : According to the Constitution (Section 3), “The purposes of the Church are:

• the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Newtown, Powys and the surrounding neighbourhood; and

• such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life;

provided that the advancement of such purposes must be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements as may be adopted and amended by the Church from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Church Handbook.”

Section 2: Trustees and Governance

Trustees consisting of

• Elders: Ben Christofides, Tim Gill, Owain Jones, Dan Owen, Lloyd Pritchard (up to 30/10/23) and Gareth

• Pugh.

Section 3. Activities and Achievements

• According to our constitution the first purpose of the church is “the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Newtown, Powys and the surrounding neighbourhood”.

• Throughout the period we have met twice a week on a Sunday for corporate worship. Throughout the period we have also provided a private live-stream of the services on our YouTube channel, so that those of our congregation who were prevented from attending because they are “housebound”, or temporarily unable to attend, might benefit from the services. These meetings contain praise of God. At the centre of them has been the systematic exposition of Scripture. We have completed sermon series on the books of Hebrews and Esther, had a series of sermons on the book of Ruth, continued our sermon series on Psalms, and started series on Isaiah’s prophecy and John’s gospel. We have been very grateful to have received faithful and helpful preaching

from visiting preachers. We have continued to give prayer a central place in those meetings, believing that the Christian faith can only be advanced through a prayerful dependence on God.

We have held weekly midweek meetings. Some of these meetings are held on the church premises on a Wednesday evening for prayer and Bible Study (or to hear reports of missions work). Twice monthly “Home Groups” have continued (except in late July, August and September). These “Home Groups” include both discussion about the teaching of the Bible and prayer for one another and for the work of the church.

We have celebrated the Lord’s Supper on twice monthly, and have, on occasion, celebrated it in the context of a meal -during our fellowship lunch.

We have continued to hold two prayer meetings each week online (using Zoom), and one in the building, to pray specifically for the salvation of sinners and the restoration of backsliders and for the strengthening of those who are struggling in their faith. We have also held regular prayer meetings prior to our Sunday services to seek God’s blessing on the services. A Fellowship Meeting for Women in the church meets twice a month. Groups to particularly help children aged 11-14 and young people aged 14-18 grow in their Christian faith have normally been held weekly.

We thank God that we have held two baptismal services at which a total of seven people were baptised.

• The Elders (trustees) have sought to consistently lead the church in such a way that all our teaching and practise is in accord with the Word of God. We do this through the regular preaching and teaching ministry, and through regular Elders’ Meetings at which we seek to apply the teaching of the Bible to the issues facing the church. We have been supported in this by the Deacons who have been delegated the responsibility to oversee many practical areas of the life of the church. These decisions are subject to further scrutiny at Church Members’ meetings which have been held throughout the year. By God’s grace we believe that we are a church that is preserved from serious error; but recognise that we can never be complacent in this regard.

• One of our employed trustees, Lloyd Pritchard, went on paid leave from 30[th] October 2023, to give him opportunity to address personal matters which meant he wasn’t qualified to serve as an elder at that point. At this point he ceased to serve as an elder, and thus as a trustee. He was originally given three months paid leave (till the end of January 2024). This was subsequently extended by two months (to the end of March 2024). During those latter two months it became clear to him that he ought to hand in his written notice. This happened on 26[th] February 2024. (He ceased to be employed by the church on 14[th] April 24.)

• In seeking to train up potential future leaders, our two employed elders met regularly, during the first part of the year, with two young men – Joshua Edwin and Dave Owen – to engage in training. On 1[st] September 2023 Josh took up a two-year post at a church in North London as a “Cross Cultural Ministry Trainee”. The church supported him in his decision to further his training in this way. Dave Owen started work as a “Ministry Trainee” (which involves being employed by the church 12 hours a week, and part-time working as a volunteer) for two years beginning on 1[st] April 23. The training component of his work involves study on the Theological Training Course run by the Evangelical Movement of Wales, and also placements at other churches. This year Dave has had placements at churches in Abergavenny, Abersychan and Penrhyndeudraeth. He has also served in many ways in this church – leading services, preaching, helping lead a home group, doing pastoral work with young men and teenage boys, helping with our children’s and youth work, in particular.

• In our endeavour to advance the Christian faith we have run a number of evangelistic events for young and old, for men and women – and some open to all. “Coffee and Cake”, once a month on Fridays, has continued as have the two monthly outreach meetings for women on a Monday (“Craft and Chat” and “Getting to Know …”). Occasional evangelistic events for women – aimed particularly at those who are not free for daytime meetings – have also continued, as have occasional evangelistic events for men. We have also run Hot Potato evenings, where speakers are invited to talk about a controversial subject with the aim both of defending the faith before those from outside the church and also of equipping members to live in a God-honouring way in 21[st] century

Wales, as well as equipping them to answer questions those outside the church might have. We have also run a “Christianity Explored” course, which aims to introduce people to the Christian faith.

• In seeking to strength the provision of pastoral care for members of the church, and also in seeking to support the work of the church in proclaiming the Christian faith to those who are not yet Christians we have employed Rob and Gill Burridge (both for 12 hours a week) starting on March 1[st] 2023 (for a fixed period of 18 months). They both help with the provision of pastoral care and, in Rob’s case, to help us with our evangelism.

• One of the strengths of the church has been the work amongst children and young people. Classes for providing age-appropriate Bible teaching for children take place within our morning services. Suitable teaching for those aged 11-14 is arranged either on a small group basis, or on a one-to-one basis. On Friday evenings there are clubs for primary aged children and high school aged children. These have been very well attended throughout the period. We also organised a “Holiday Bible Club” for primary school aged children for five says in the summer holidays. In this way we have had much opportunity to advance the Christian faith among these age groups. They all meet charitable purposes (our other aim) by providing leisure activities for youth which are greatly appreciated in our local community. Additionally, a Bible study for girls has been run on a weekly basis so that those in the Youth Club who wish to find out more about the Christian faith can do so. Studies with boys have been organised on a one-to-one basis as needed. Our Parents and Toddlers group (attended by as many as 80) also meets a need amongst parents of young children, and indeed for the young children themselves. There is also some Christian teaching provided at a suitable level to these very young children.

• Our interest in advancing the Christian faith beyond our area has been widespread. Two of our members, together with their youngest child, served the Lord in another country until June 2023. Another couple served in Cyprus particularly among two particularly disadvantaged communities until July 2023. Another couple are doing evangelistic work in south-west Shropshire – an area currently without a gospel proclaiming, Bible teaching church. Other members of the church have been to other countries for short periods to assist in the work of proclaiming the Christian faith there. During the period we have also heard from speakers on a monthly basis who assist us in playing our part in the advancement of the Christian faith across the world. A number of our church members have served on Christian Easter and Summer camps for children and young people, and on Beach Missions.

• We have expressed our co-operation, in the work of advancing the Christian faith, with other Churches who embrace the evangelical faith in a variety of ways. For example, at a national level we have continued to be linked to the Associating Evangelical Churches of Wales and the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches and through them with Affinity. These links arise from a desire to further partner with other churches in reaching Wales, England and Scotland with the gospel. We have continued to seek to express our fellowship with other Christians and churches who suffer persecution for their faith across the world in a variety of ways.

Section 4: Policies

• Reserves policy: To have reserves amounting to approximately £60,000 which the managing trustees

• consider to be an appropriate level of general reserve, being sufficient to cover at least 8 months expenditure.

• Grant-making policy: We do not make grants.

• Investments selection policy: The Managing Trustees have adopted a low risk approach to investments, as we require access to funds on a short term basis, so deposit accounts bearing the maximum interest with the minimum length of term commitment are used.

Section 5: Signature and Declaration

Declaration: I declare, in my capacity of charity trustee, that:

• they have approved the report above; and have authorised me to sign it on their behalf.

Gareth Pugh (Chairman of Trustees)

1193768

Newtown Evangelical Church

Charity Number

Statement of Financial Activities

INCOME & EXPENDITURE

NOTES INCOME 1 e General Fund Donations (inc Gift Aid) Unrestricted Designated New Build Fund Restricted Funds Donations (inc Gift Aid) Donations for use of premises Bookstall Insurance Claim Interest Received EXPENDITURE Salary & Pension Costs Travel and Conference Expenses Visiting Preachers Outreach (inc Young Peoples Work) Literature Total Ministry Costs AWM / Missionary Support Welshpool Community Church Graingers Mission Support South Shropshire Benevolent Fund Camp Barnabas Fund FIEC & AECW Ukraine House Ukraine Camp Poland Various Missions Total Mission Support Insurance Water Rates Light and Heat Repairs and Maintenance Architects Fees Cleaning Grounds Expenses Total Property Expenses A/V Photocopying and Stationery Communications Subscriptions and Licences Legal Fees Independent Examination of Accounts Bank Charges Consumables Total Office Costs Total Expenditure Net Income / (expenditure) for the Year Reconciliation of Funds Funds brought forward Funds carried forward

Year Ended 31.3.2023 Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Designated Funds Restricted Funds TOTAL FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS £ £ £ £ 141,060 141,060 118,783 12,865 12,865 0 34,283 34,283 68,814 1,242 1,242 1,294 525 525 100 0 0 28,922 2,893 2,893 685 145,720 12,865 34,283 192,868 218,598 75,519 75,519 66,450 2,560 2,560 2,514 1,465 1,465 1,879 2,620 2,620 3,016 1,582 1,582 3,675 83,746 0 0 83,746 77,533 6,790 1,726 8,516 13,333 31,698 31,698 27,640 2,455 2,455 5,060 2,950 2,950 0 683 683 738 567 567 1,854 187 187 2,045 631 631 0 2,500 2,500 2,200 3,144 3,144 500 1,000 2,000 3,000 0 1,863 1,863 13,000 0 1,965 13,240 0 44,954 58,194 68,335 3,027 3,027 2,846 858 858 393 6,786 6,786 5,524 8,879 8,879 16,368 3,642 3,642 4,308 171 171 513 93 93 89 23,456 0 0 23,456 30,041 1,717 200 1,917 1,900 1,126 1,126 1,168 1,173 1,173 1,771 1,790 1,790 1,824 0 0 975 350 350 330 80 80 120 775 775 1,086 7,010 0 200 7,210 9,174 127,453 0 45,154 172,606 185,083 18,267 12,865 -10,871 20,261 33,515 99,062 0 36,846 135,908 102,393 117,329 12,865 25,975 156,169 135,908 For the Year Ended 31.3.2024

Gwasanaetliau Busnes Dolgellau Dol ellau Business Services Cilcgin • Ffordd Pencefn • Dolgellsu • Gw)n¢dd • LL402YP Ffnn Syrnudol 07913 371362 Mobile Phone E-bost advicen. Alanwoodbridgc.co.uk E-mail Ind•p•ndent examlnerfs report to tho trustees of Newtown Evangollcal Church CIO I Eglwy$ Efengylaldd y Drenowydd CIO, Charfty Number 1193768. I report on the account8 of the Newtown Evang&lic41 Church CIO l EgWs Efengylakld y Drenewydd CIO for the year ended 31* March 2024, whlch are set out on the followlng pages. Rospon•lbllllle8 and bul8 of rnport As the charlty tru8tQ88 of tha CIO you are respon$lblg for the preparalon of the accounts In accord8nrA wllh the rnquirém8nt8 of the Charitie8 Aet 20111'the Act,). I report In r94P¢Ct of my examlnation ol the CIO'S accounts carriad out under 8ecllon 145 of the 2011 Act and In carylng out my examlnatlon I have followed all the appllcable Dlrectlon$ glven by the Chadty Commisslon under sectlon 14515)(b) of the Act. IndoPond•nt •xamln•e• •tstem•nt I have completed my examlnatlon. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attentlon In connection with th8 examlnatlon givlng me cause to bellev& that in any materfal resp8cL- 1. accountlng records were not kept In r88P8Ct of the Tru8t as requlred by 8eCtlon 130 of the A¢t', or 2. the accounts do not ac¢%rd with those records. I have no concern8 and have come acro88 no other matters Sn connection wlth the examlnatlon to whlch attention Should be drawn In thls roport In order to anable a proper underntandlng of Ihe accounts lo be reached. Alan Woodbrldge MIC Date.. 29th May 2024 Alan Woodbridge Limited Ci)frLsiriilig i'ng Ng%'iiiru 4787064 Compan). RLgi￿rII%10n NuintK'r