Lighthouse Vineyard Church
Registered as Lighthouse Vineyard Church, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the year ended 29[th] February 2024
Charity Registration Number 1201725
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY
Lead Pastors
Adam Kishtainy Rebecca Kishtainy
Trustees & Directors
Ian Nelson (Chairperson) Adam Kishtainy Rebecca Kishtainy Ian Watt Sue Howard (stepped down in November 2023) Katie Bruce (joined in November 2023)
Leadership Team
Adam & Rebecca Kishtainy Greg & Liz Nixon
Registered Office:
The Harbour Totterdown, 7 Bushy Park, Totterdown, Bristol, BS4 2EG
Status:
Lighthouse Vineyard is a registered charity, registered in Jan 2023 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Accountants:
Melanie Mistry ACMA, 30 Highfield Grove, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 8QH
Solicitors:
Barcan Kirby, 60 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 8BH
Bankers:
The Co-operative Bank, 20 Delf House Southway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6NY
Sunday Worship Premises:
The Harbour Totterdown, 7 Bushy Park, Totterdown, Bristol, BS4 2EG
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees present their report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 29[th] February 2024.
Lighthouse Vineyard is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The Trust's accounts and Annual Report are required to comply with the requirements of Companies and Charities legislation and have therefore been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 1993 and the Revised Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting by Charities. (SORP FRS 102).
This Annual Report forms the Trustees' report for the purpose of Section 45 of the Charities Act 1993 and the Directors report for the purposes of Section 234 of the Companies Act 1985.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Leadership Structure
Adam & Rebecca Kishtainy are the Lead Pastors of Lighthouse Vineyard, with Greg & Liz Nixon forming the leadership team. The role of this team is to support the Kishtainys as they lead the church.
Trustee Board
In 2023 the Trustee Board met quarterly. Ian Nelson is Chairperson for the Trustees and the new trustee board for the new charity also included Adam & Rebecca Kishtainy as trustees, and Sue Howard and Ian Watt. Sue Howard stepped down after one year in September 2023 and was replaced by Katie Bruce.
Trustees are appointed based on expertise and need, to manage the financial, legal and administration of the company. Two of the board are not members of Lighthouse Vineyard – one being part of Field Vineyard and the other being a local to South Bristol, known to the Kishtainys and with significant experience in charity and church management. The group as a whole consult widely and often with experts about emerging issues affecting Lighthouse Vineyard.
The Lead Pastors and Board of Trustees are entitled by the trusts of the charity to appoint one or more new charity trustees as laid out in the Articles of Association of Field Vineyard.
Upon appointment new trustees are given an overview as to the status of the organisation by one of the existing trustees. They are given documents which include Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees, Articles of Association and Trustees Annual Report and Accounts. Ongoing training is made available as the need arises.
Staff Team
There is a small staff team consisting of Adam & Rebecca Kishtainy as Lead Pastors and Liz Nixon as Business Manager. Lighthouse Vineyard has been working closely with its sister church Severn Vineyard, which has been providing three members of staff within a Business Services Team model. These include Liz Nixon, providing business management support; Caleb Bourne, working with Lighthouse Vineyard’s youth and children; and Julie Cole, working to raise funds for Lighthouse Vineyard.
The role of the staff team is to facilitate involvement of members of Lighthouse Vineyard in the life of the church and service in the wider community.
Other
Lighthouse Vineyard is a member of the Association of Vineyard Churches in the UK & Ireland, and as a charitable company is accountable to the regional overseer for Vineyard Churches UKI in the Southwest and Wales.
The charity has undertaken a risk assessment to identify the risks to which the staff, board and the church are exposed. This is continually reviewed, and systems are in place to manage those risks. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
are carried out on a 3-year rotation, including all staff and members of the church working with children or vulnerable adults. These are currently up to date and ongoing.
OBJECTIVES
Lighthouse Vineyard continues to fulfil its objectives as summarised below and in its Articles of Association (also see below). We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aim and objectives and in planning our future activities.
SUMMARY OF OBJECTIVES
To advance the Christian religion for the public benefit in accordance with the Statement of Faith in the Schedule in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world through:
-
The organisation and provision of Christian worship;
-
The provision of such facilities and services as are appropriate for the Church, to enable it to fulfil its mission to the members of the Church, visitors to the Church and the local community and the wider community;
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The provision of facilities for Christian training and service;
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The support and provision of Christian evangelism and outreach;
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The provision of assistance to the wider Christian church in its ministries.
History of Lighthouse Vineyard:
Although Lighthouse has been gathering with a view to becoming a church plant since 2018, it wasn’t until February 2023 that Lighthouse Vineyard was officially launched. Field Vineyard & Severn Vineyard churches jointly planted Lighthouse, and commissioned Adam & Rebecca as lead pastors at a joyful joint celebration service at Totterdown Methodist Church. During 2023 we have welcomed new people into our church family, many of whom were entirely new to church culture. We have seen lives being transformed, people deepening in their faith and miraculous healings. Early in 2023, we made the decision to purchase Totterdown Methodist Church, re-visioning it as a community hub for local residents, the wider city and beyond.
Sundays
We meet each Sunday at Totterdown Methodist Church for our community bring-and-share meal. We have 9 adults and 6 children gathering on a weekly basis, where we have times of worship, communion, a short talk based on the Bible and time for prayer. Themes for Sunday talks have included “What is church?” and “Values of the Vineyard”. Our focus for Sundays is building relationship and enabling everyone to serve/contribute in some way, no matter where they are in their faith journey.
Thursdays
We meet on a Thursday in someone’s home to be with one another, to read the Bible together, to support each other through life’s ups and downs, and to pray. We have taken part in a course called The Gold, run by Greg & Liz Nixon, which took us deeper into the heart of The Trinity.
Worship Nights
Adam Kishtainy leads a weekly worship night at Totterdown Methodist Church, which includes improvised creative worship, prayer and prophecy and once a month we join with Severn Vineyard for their monthly worship night. Numbers at the weekly Lighthouse worship night are usually very small (typically 3 or 4 people), but we hope that this will grow in the future, and we recognise the importance of having prayer and worship at the heart of all we do.
Vineyard Kids
Vineyard Kids meets each term for 6 -9 weeks and gives children from the church – and from the local schools and community – an opportunity to meet, have fun playing games and making craft, have food together, and experience the Bible, worship and prayer in a supportive, informal environment. We invite parents to join us, help and eat with us if they wish. Kids’ church is the area we see the greatest numerical growth. Since September 2023 we have had the opportunity employ a part-time kids’ worker who leads on the planning and running of the sessions. In Summer 2023, with some funding from Cinnamon Trust, we were able to finance “Kids Fest”, 4 Tuesdays in the Summer holidays where children could come and take part in dance, music and craft, as well as have a hot meal. This was a big success, and we hope to
do it again.
Light Party
Our annual light party for children both within and without the church was another vibrant affair with a spectacular laser show alongside the usual glow & light-themed activities.
Baptism
We had a summer baptism in the river Frome, gathering with our church community on the riverbank for a day of fellowship, food & celebration. We were able to include those on the fringes of church, people from other churches, and newcomers.
The Harbour Totterdown
In the Autumn we took on the license of TMC from Severn Vineyard in anticipation of purchasing the building. At the same time, we re-branded the building as ‘The Harbour Totterdown’ to create a distinction between the church (the gathering of people) and the building, whilst retaining themed link between the two. This presents many exciting opportunities and challenges for the future.
Front Room Art Trail
We welcomed 17 artists to the Totterdown Methodist church hall & corridors over the art trail weekend in November, also running a charity cafe, a poetry evening and serving lunch to the exhibitors.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Income
Income of £119,313 was received in the year to 29[th] February 2024. Lighthouse Vineyard’s main source of income is from donations from the members of the church as well as some income for premises rental. Monthly income comes from 3 main households within the church. Expenditure has been carefully managed and totalled £23,432 for the year. After expenditure, this resulted in a net surplus income of £95,881, of which £70,922 relates to restricted funds to purchase the building.
Grants
In total, Lighthouse Vineyard made grants totalling £1,496. This figure represents a 5% grant to Vineyard Churches UK to further church planting both in the United Kingdom and internationally. Lighthouse Vineyard, as part of Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland, will continue to contribute financially to Vineyard Churches UK&I over the coming years to pursue its charitable objectives.
The Lighthouse Vineyard Leadership Team is committed to giving away 15% of its unrestricted income – 5% to VCUK&I, 5% to charities, partners and organisations which are not part of the church family and 5% to meet the needs of those people who consider Lighthouse Vineyard their church and family. Whilst in Lighthouse’s first year this has not yet been done in the second and third categories of 5% giving away, the team is determined to make this happen.
Reserves Policy
The Board has determined to maintain a level of reserves equal to at least 3 months’ income: approximately £12,000, but ideally 6 months, approximately £24,000, to meet effectively the requirements for long-term running of the organisation.
The level of free reserves held at the year-end was £23,763. The free reserves equate to 8 months’ income. In the current uncertain investment climate, the reserves policy is to keep these reserves on deposit at the highest rate of interest that can be earned ethically and safely.
Responsibilities of the Trustees
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare a trustees’ report and financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the situation of the charity and of its incoming resources and resources expended for the period.
In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
-make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-comply with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP (FRS 102), subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-prepare financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In the case of each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when the report is approved, the following applies:
-so far as the trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information (information needed by the independent examiner in connection with preparing their report) of which the independent examiner is unaware, and
-each trustee has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any audit information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information.
This report was approved by the board on DATE:
Ian Nelson
Chair of Trustees
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages Responsibilities and basis of report |
Lighthouse Vineyard | Lighthouse Vineyard | Lighthouse Vineyard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29thFeb 2024 | Charity no (if any) |
1201725 | |
| Pages 8 - 11 | |||
| I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended29th Feb 2024 As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). |
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination 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 any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and 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.
| Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: |
M. MistryCGMA | 22/10/2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Melanie Mistry | ||
| CIMA chartered accountant | ||
| 30 Highfield Grove, Horfield, Bristol BS7 8QH | ||
2023/2024 Lighthouse Vineyard
Charity No.1201725
Receipts & Payments Statement for period Mar23-Feb24
| Receipts Donations Gift Aid Hire of Premises Other Total Receipts Payments Overheads Event & Department Premises costs Harbour costs Staffing Expenditure Partner Organisations - VCUKI |
Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total £ £ £ £ 27,659 61,500 - 89,159 5,693 7,625 - 13,318 15,640 - - 15,640 1,197 - - 1,197 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 50,188 69,125 - 119,313 Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total £ £ £ £ 1,195 3,025 1,000 9,348 2,804 3,940 625 1,496 |
||
| Total Payments | 21,807 1,625 - 23,432 |
|
| Net Receipts/Payments | 28,381 67,500 - 95,881 |
|
| Fund Transfer | - 4,618 3,422 1,196- |
|
| Net Receipts/Payments/Fund Transfers | 23,763 70,922 1,196 95,881 |
|
| Cash Funds lastyear | - - - - |
|
| Cash Funds thisyear | 23,763 70,922 1,196 95,881 |
|
| £95,881 bank balance on 29th Feb 2024 | ||
| £95,881 |
2023/2024 Lighthouse Vineyard
Charity No.1201725
Statement of Assets & Liabilities as of 29th Feb 2024
| Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total £ £ £ £ Assets Cash Funds 23,763 70,922 1,196 95,881 Other Monetary Assets 326 - - - Investment Assets - - - - Assets Retained for Charities own use - - - - |
|
|---|---|
| TOTAL Assets 24,089 70,922 1,196 95,881 Liabilities Salary Costs -92 - - -92 UtilityBills -1,596 - - -1,596 |
|
| TOTAL Liabilities -1,688 - - -1,688 |
Signed by one trustee on behalf of all the trustees
Signature
Print Name
Date of Approval
2023/2024 Lighthouse Vineyard Charity No.1201725
Notes to the Accounts
| Notes to the Accounts | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fund Breakdown | ||||||
| Opening | End | |||||
| Balance | Receipts | Payments |
Transfers |
Balance |
||
| Restricted Funds | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Building Fund | - | 67,500 |
- | - |
67,500 |
|
| - | ||||||
| Mustard Seed | - | 1,000 |
1,000 | - | - |
|
| - | ||||||
| Other Restricted Spend | - | 625 |
625 | - | - | |
| Internal Giving Away | - | - |
- |
1,711 |
1,711 | |
| External GivingAway | - | - |
- |
1,711 |
1,711 | |
| - | ||||||
| Total Restricted Funds | - | 69,125 |
1,625 | 3,422 | 70,922 | |
| Opening | End | |||||
| Balance | Receipts | Payments |
Transfers |
Balance |
||
| Designated Funds | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Event Pot | - | - |
- |
600 |
600 | |
| Vineyard Kids Pot | - | - |
- |
260 |
260 | |
| Accounts AuditingPot | - | - |
- |
336 |
336 | |
| Total Designated Funds | - | - |
- |
1,196 |
1,196 | |
| 2. Guarantees on debt/liabilities | ||||||
| There are no guarantees on outstanding debts or liabilities | ||||||
| 3. Related Party Transactions; |
Lighthouse Vineyard is a member of Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland "VCUKI" (registered charity number 1099748) group of churches. Lighthouse Vineyard uses the name Vineyard under licence agreement and aims to give 5% of its unrestricted income to support the work of VCUKI. The VCUKI charity gives oversight to the pastors and facilities church planting.