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THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the period 16[th] February 2022 to 31[st] March 2023
THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST: Charity Commission number 1197943
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THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST
Trustees:
Matthew Wood (Chair) Deborah Emma Munn Julian Springer Susannah Steel
from 21/04/21 from 09/11/22 from 21/04/21 from 21/04/21
Chief Executive (volunteer)
Reverend Nick Crawley
Objectives and Activities
The purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document
As set out in its governing document, the object of the charity is for the public benefit through the advancement of the Christian Faith in the UK and overseas particularly but not exclusively by:
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producing or distributing Christian Literature including video or audio recordings and other related media; and
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encouraging the education, mentoring, coaching, training, teaching of the Christian faith.
Summary of the main activities
The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
The charity provides a free Bible discipleship tool through its ‘ Bible for Life ’ website.
‘ Bible for Life ’ developed from Nick Crawley’s teaching in the churches he led over 30 years of ministry. It is designed to help men and women engage with scripture, discover its treasures for themselves, put Jesus’ teaching into practice, and live by the Spirit in His kingdom. Since 2014 the material on the website has been developed to include a combination of different learning approaches and levels of engagement. Several guest scholars have contributed to the development of the site by providing material on the Bible books they are experts in.
The ‘ Bible for Life’ website was generously donated to the Bible for Life Discipleship Trust when the trust was established as Charitable Incorporated organisation on 16[th] February 2022. The Trust aims to continue to maintain, develop and publicise the website.
THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST: Charity Commission number 1197943
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Achievements and Performance
Both The Bible for Life Discipleship Trust and Nick’s Bible for Life ministry made sound progress in the 12 months to 31[st] March 2023. The leading features of these developments include:
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1) An efficient pattern of regular board meetings to oversee and supervise the operation of the Bible for Life Discipleship Trust has been established since the Trust was registered with the Charity Commission on 16[th] February 2022.
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2) The Trustees have spent time clarifying the vision and strategy of the charity’s mission, which is now informing the development of Nick’s Bible for Life ministry.
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3) A designated bank account is now in operation and a Xero Accounting system is in place to supply regular financial reports for the Trustees. The Trust in now in receipt of a steady monthly income of around £380.
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4) Use of the website continues to grow. Google Analytics indicates that 5.4 thousand different users visited the site in the past 12 months, and over 23 thousand users over the past five years.
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5) There is a small but growing stream of invitations to speak, and lead seminars, and Nick is likely to have the chance to promote Bible for Life in the Iranian church when he visits Turkey towards the end of 2023.
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6) From the start of January 2023, regular discipleship exhortations, or blogs, have been sent to subscribers via Mailchimp. The current very high ‘open’ rate of 50 per cent demonstrates the value that subscribers are placing on this communication. At the end of June there will be a webinar on Acts 1-7 to conclude the series of Nick’s teaching on ‘The Jewish Pentecost’.
Financial Review
In the first financial period since the establishment of the charity, the trust raised £19,503 from the Trustees and friends of the charity, and from donations through the website.
The charity spent £10,094, with £5,775 spent on creative content for the website, £3,411 on website management and development, and £908 on administration.
The basic cost of continuing to maintain and add content to the website is around £1,500 a month and the Trustees’ policy is to hold a reserve of at least three months basic cost, currently amounting to £4,500.
As at 31[st] March 2023, the charity had unrestricted general funds of £9,409, more than covering the minimum target in the reserves policy.
THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST: Charity Commission number 1197943
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Structure, Governance and Management
The Bible for Life Discipleship Trust was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales on 16[th] February 2022.
The charity is recognised by HMRC for gift aid, has set a policy for safeguarding beneficiaries, and did not employ staff or own or lease land or property during this period.
The charity is overseen by four trustees and supported by Reverend Nick Crawley, the original founder of the Bible for Life website, who acts as chief executive of the charity in a voluntary capacity.
Administrative details
Email: info@bibleforlife.co.uk Website: www.biblefgorlife.co.uk Principal address 27 Carnarvon Road, Bristol, BS6 7DU
THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST: Charity Commission number 1197943
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Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees.
Matthew Wood Chair of Trustees 28[th] June 2023
THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST: Charity Commission number 1197943
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The Bible for Life Discipleship Trust Statement Financial Activities for the period ended 31 March 2023
| 2023 £ | |
|---|---|
| Donations | 19,503 |
| Total income | 19,503 |
| Expenditure on: | |
| Creative costs | 5,775 |
| Website management and development | 3,411 |
| Administrative costs | 908 |
| Total spend | 10,094 |
| Operating surplus for theperiod | 9,409 |
| Total funds at the start of the period | 0 |
| Total funds at the end of theperiod | 9,409 |
THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST: Charity Commission number 1197943
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The Bible for Life Discipleship Trust Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023
| 2023 £ | |
|---|---|
| Bank and cash | 9,375 |
| Debtors (Gift Aid receivable) | 34 |
| Total Assets | 9,409 |
| The funds of the charity: | |
| Unrestricted general funds | 9,409 |
| Total Funds | 9,409 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 28[th] June 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Matthew Wood Chair of Trustees 28th June 2023
THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST: Charity Commission number 1197943
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The Bible for Life Discipleship Trust Note to the Financial Statements for the period ended 31 March 2023
1 Accounting policies
The Financial Statements are drawn up on an accruals and prepayments basis in respect of income or expenses and have been prepared following the guidance for accounting for smaller charities issued by the Charities Commission.
The Financial Statements are not subject to Independent Examination or audit as the charity’s annual income is over £25,000.
Funds held by the charity are:
Unrestricted general funds – these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects of the charity at the discretion of the trustees.
| 2 | Cash funds | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ | ||
| Trust bank account with Lloyds Bank | 9,375 | |
| Bank | and cash | 9,375 |
| 3 | Debtors | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ | ||
| Tax | due ongift aid donations | 34 |
| Debtors | 34 |
4 Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
No remuneration or benefits or expenses, directly or indirectly, out of the funds of the charity, were paid or payable in the period to any Trustee or to any person connected with any of them.
THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST: Charity Commission number 1197943
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5 Employees
There were no employees during the year.
THE BIBLE FOR LIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRUST: Charity Commission number 1197943