2024-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report Christian Evangelical Fellowship Charity Registration Number: 1194919 Reporting period: 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024

1. Introduction

Christian Evangelical Fellowship exists to advance the Christian faith in the United Kingdom in accordance with its governing document and Statement of Faith. The charity operates through two congregations, based in Spalding and Southampton, serving both church members and the wider public through worship, teaching, pastoral care, evangelism, and community engagement.

The trustees present this Annual Report to explain how the charity has pursued its charitable purposes during the year, how it has delivered public benefit, and how it has exercised responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to it.

2. Structure, Governance and Management

The trustees who served throughout the reporting period were:

• Piotr Jarzebski – Chair of Trustees, Pastor of the Southampton congregation (also acting as informal treasurer)

• Piotr Hurec – Trustee, Pastor of the Spalding congregation

• Alina Watras – Trustee

There were no changes to the trustee body during the year. The charity does not currently appoint a formal secretary. All trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration.

The charity is governed by its constitution, Statement of Faith, and internal handbook. Trustees meet regularly to oversee ministry direction, safeguarding, financial stewardship, and compliance responsibilities.

3. Policies, Safeguarding and Risk Management

The charity has the following policies in place:

• Safeguarding Policy

• Health and Safety Policy

• Data Protection Policy

• Public Liability and Contents Insurance

A comprehensive Risk Assessment is currently being reviewed and updated following the charity’s use of new premises in Southampton.

All volunteers working with children hold valid DBS checks and safeguarding training. There were no safeguarding incidents to report during the year.

4. Charitable Objectives and Public Benefit

The charity’s primary objective is the advancement of the Christian faith, including worship, education, pastoral care, evangelism, and activities that support spiritual, moral, and community wellbeing.

Public benefit is delivered through:

• open and public worship services

• free biblical teaching and education

• pastoral support for members and attendees

• children’s education delivered in a safe environment

• online broadcasting of services and teaching

5. Activities and Achievements During the Year

Both congregations held weekly Sunday worship services open to the public.

Additional mid-week meetings included:

• mid-week services and Bible teaching in Spalding

• mid-week Bible study in Southampton

All services were recorded and broadcast via Facebook and YouTube, extending access to those unable to attend in person.

6. Congregational Highlights

Spalding Congregation

During 2024, the Spalding congregation:

• conducted two public water baptisms

• completed the Foundation of Christian Faith course among members

• completed the full annual Sunday School programme

• delivered extended Bible teaching through Romans and 1–2 Corinthians

• carried out several outreach events in the town centre

• welcomed one new permanent member

Average declared membership was 10, with average attendance of 12.

Southampton Congregation

During 2024, the Southampton congregation:

• conducted one water baptism

• undertook the Foundation of Christian Faith course, partially completed during the year

• delivered regular Sunday School teaching

• carried out multiple evangelism and outreach events

• welcomed one new member into the congregation

Average declared membership was 9, with average attendance of 13.

7. Community Premises – Southampton

A significant development during the year was the charity receiving permission to occupy Kingsland Community Centre, a former community building unused for almost five years.

At the end of the reporting period:

• the charity held custody permission to occupy, covered by a Memorandum of Understanding,

• no legal lease or ownership interest was in place,

• rent was agreed on a peppercorn basis,

• the charity was responsible for utilities and ongoing operational costs,

• building insurance remained the responsibility of the landlord, West Itchen Community Trust,

• the charity held public liability and contents insurance.

Substantial volunteer-led cleaning, refurbishment and preparation works were undertaken. By the end of 2024, the building was in regular Sunday use. The trustees regard this development as an important opportunity for future public and community engagement.

8. Children and Youth Work

Sunday School operated in both congregations, serving children aged approximately 3 to 12 years. All volunteers were DBS-checked and safeguarding-trained. A full annual teaching programme was delivered.

9. Pastoral Oversight, Fellowship and Accountability

Christian Evangelical Fellowship is not formally affiliated with a denomination. However, the charity self-declares doctrinal alignment with Chrzescijanska Wspolnota Ewangeliczna, headquartered in Bielsko-BiaIa.

Both congregational pastors participated during the year in an international pastors’ council gathering organised by ChWE Bielsko-BiaIa.

Additionally, Pastor BartIomiej Kurylas from the Nowe Narodzenie congregation in Tarnowskie Góry provided voluntary spiritual support and oversight to both congregations. This relationship is pastoral and supportive in nature and does not constitute a formal governance arrangement.

10. Membership Meetings and Accountability

Both congregations held annual meetings with members during the year. These meetings included:

• a review of activities and ministry outcomes

• a summary of financial information

• discussion of plans and priorities for the future

Members expressed continued agreement with the direction and leadership of the charity and did not raise any formal concerns.

11. Governance and Conduct Matters

During the year, one volunteer elder role in the Southampton congregation was concluded following a pastoral process due to continued conduct inconsistent with the charity’s constitution, Statement of Faith and handbook. The role was voluntary and unpaid. No legal action, complaints, or external investigations arose from this matter.

12. Financial Review

The trustees present the consolidated financial results for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Total income for 2024 amounted to approximately £28,934 (2023: £23,472), derived entirely from voluntary donations, tithes and offerings.

Total expenditure amounted to approximately £27,775 (2023: £22,161), primarily supporting pastoral ministry, worship, evangelism, mission giving, premises costs, and essential governance and administration.

The charity recorded a consolidated net surplus of approximately £1,159 (2023: £1,311). The Spalding congregation recorded a deficit of approximately £817, while the Southampton congregation recorded a surplus of approximately £1,976. After consolidation, the overall result for the charity was a surplus of approximately £1,159.

Financial records were reviewed by an independent person not involved in day-to-day financial management.

Financial Summary and Comparison with 2023

ancial Summary and Comparison with 2023
Income and Expenditure Category	2024 (£)	2023 (£)
Income from donations and legacies	28,934	23,472
Pastoral ministry and worship provision	3,754	4,405
Direct support to beneficiaries	1,300	418
Mission giving and church planting support	2,200	550
Evangelism, events and ministry activities	3,856	1,812
Training and ministry development	1,098	591
Ministry-related travel	1,191	2,110
Premises, facilities and equipment	10,971	11,107
Governance and administration	1,408	1,475
Total expenditure	27,775	22,161
Net income for the year	1,159	1,311
	Arceli Baybay Rubino
Reserves Policy	to confirm financial statement

13. Reserves Policy

The trustees aim to maintain reserves equivalent to approximately three months of average operating costs, to support continuity of ministry and meet short-term obligations. Reserves and financial risks are reviewed annually.

14. Plans for the Future

In 2025 the trustees intend to:

• continue public worship, teaching and outreach

• complete formal lease arrangements for the Southampton premises

• expand public and community use of the Southampton building

• support spiritual growth and discipleship

• host a February conference for outreach and internal strengthening

• organise a charity-wide half-term retreat in May

• plan a summer retreat visit to Tarnowskie Góry

• continue fundraising for statutory activities and premises costs

15. Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement

The trustees are responsible for preparing this report and the accompanying financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom accounting standards. Proper accounting records are maintained and appropriate safeguards are in place.

16. Late Filing Note

The trustees apologise for the late submission of the Trustees’ Annual Report. The delay arose due to unforeseen personal circumstances affecting the Chair of Trustees during the reporting period. The trustees confirm that governance, safeguarding and financial oversight of the charity remained in place throughout this time.

17. Approval

This Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf.

Piotr Jarzebski Chair of Trustees