REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1204041
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
FOR
RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
McCabe Ford Williams Chartered Accountants Charlton House Dour Street DOVER Kent CT16 1BL
RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 5 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 | to | 10 |
RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The principal purposes of the charity are:
-The advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination.
-The advancement of education and to carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.
Public benefit
The trustees have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The main activities of the church are firstly for the congregants (fellowship of the church), such as Sunday morning worship, Wednesday Bible study and monthly Saturday prayer meeting. This enables the charity to support the community with services and events, which includes:
On one Saturday in most months of the year, we held our coffee mornings, looking to be open to the residents to come and have refreshments and chat. One of these coffee mornings was run to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer support.
A missionary from Christian Mission to Jewish People (an organisation the church supports monthly) who serves in Budapest, came to visit us. She spoke about the work she does there and shared a traditional Jewish Passover meal with us.
We joined the "South Willesborough and Newtown (SWAN) - Young Farmers Club" for their Winter Fair, where we had a stall of goodies to give away. Donations were also given to support our Food Parcel outreach.
To celebrate Christmas, the church shared a Christingle service where we invited people from the area to experience what the Christingle is all about.
Additionally, we continue to support vulnerable people in Ashford, by buying food from ASDA to then assemble food parcels which are distributed directly to the requesting recipients.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The reserves policy of Rivers of Life Community Church is to hold three months of all expenditure to allow the charity to adapt to any changes in the income or expenditure.
The charity's total unrestricted funds at 31 March 2025 were £14,744 (2024 £15,080). Of this, the balance on the designated fund for the upkeep and outgoings for the building used by the charity.at 31 March 2025 was £5,588 (2024 £5,588) During the year a restricted fund was setup for contributions received towards payments for the operating lease on the Church building. At the year end the balance on this fund was £9,175 ( 2024 £nil).
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its constitution, which was last amended on 10 April 2022.
The charity was registered on 20 July 2023, and was converted into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 2 October 2024.
Prior to this, the entity was a private company, limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (registered company number 03709626.)
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RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Induction and training of new trustees
New trustees will receive on or before his or her first appointment:
-
a copy of the constitution and any amendments made to it:
-
a copy of the Church's latest trustees' annual report and statement of accounts; and
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a summary of key issues that have recently been under consideration by the Charity Trustees with sufficient background information to enable the newly appointed Charity Trustee to gain an understanding of the ways of working among the Charity Trustees with the intention that they will be helped to understand the work of the Church and their responsibilities so as to contribute positively to Charity Trustees meetings as soon as possible after their appointment.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1204041
Principal address
Church Hall 42 Cudworth Road Willesborough ASHFORD Kent TN24 0BG
Trustees
M P Lowden Mrs S D Lowden Ms T T Wilson
Independent Examiner
McCabe Ford Williams Chartered Accountants Charlton House Dour Street DOVER Kent CT16 1BL
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 18 November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
M P Lowden - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Rivers of Life Community Church
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Rivers of Life Community Church (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do 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.
I D Pascall FCA
McCabe Ford Williams Chartered Accountants Charlton House Dour Street DOVER Kent CT16 1BL
19 November 2025
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RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Unrestricted Restricted funds fund Notes £ £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 13,160 16,175 Investment income 3 92 - Total 13,252 16,175 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Community church activities 13,588 7,000 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (336) 9,175 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 15,080 - TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 14,744 9,175 |
2025 Total funds £ 29,335 92 29,427 20,588 8,839 15,080 23,919 |
2024 Total funds £ 14,830 96 14,926 16,007 (1,081) 16,161 15,080 |
|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
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RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2025
| Unrestricted Restricted funds fund Notes £ £ CURRENT ASSETS Prepayments and accrued income 10,075 9,175 Cash at bank 6,110 - 16,185 9,175 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 (1,441) - NET CURRENT ASSETS 14,744 9,175 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 14,744 9,175 NET ASSETS 14,744 9,175 FUNDS 9 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
2025 Total funds £ 19,250 6,110 25,360 (1,441) 23,919 23,919 23,919 14,744 9,175 23,919 |
2024 Total funds £ 5,250 10,670 15,920 (840) 15,080 15,080 15,080 15,080 - 15,080 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 18 November 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
M P Lowden - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
Rivers of Life Community Church is a CIO registered in England / Wales. The charity's principal address is given in the charity information on page 2 of these financial statements.
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
No amounts are included in the financial statements for the services donated by volunteers.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| DONATIONS AND LEGACIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Weekly offerings Covenanted offerings Donations received |
2025 £ 1,053 12,107 16,175 29,335 |
2024 £ 1,386 12,944 500 |
| 14,830 |
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continued...
RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
| INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Deposit account interest | 92 | 96 |
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees' expenses
During the year expenses totalling £5,332 (2024 £5,490) were reimbursed to the 3 trustees.
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted Restricted funds fund £ £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 14,830 - Investment income 96 - Total 14,926 - EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Community church activities 16,007 - NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (1,081) - RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 16,161 - TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 15,080 - |
Total funds £ 14,830 96 14,926 16,007 (1,081) 16,161 15,080 |
|---|---|
6. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER FEE
The Independent Examiner Fee is £1,440 (2024 £nil).
continued...
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RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Sundry creditors | 1,441 | 840 | ||
| LEASING AGREEMENTS | ||||
| Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as | follows: | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Within one year | 7,000 | 7,000 | ||
| Between one and five years | 12,250 | 5,250 | ||
| 19,250 | 12,250 | |||
| MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | ||||
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.4.24 | in funds | 31.3.25 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 9,492 | (336) | 9,156 | |
| Building Fund | 5,588 | - | 5,588 | |
| 15,080 | (336) | 14,744 | ||
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Lease Fund | - | 9,175 | 9,175 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 15,080 | 8,839 | 23,919 | |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended | in funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 13,252 | (13,588) | (336) | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Lease Fund | 16,175 | (7,000) | 9,175 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 29,427 | (20,588) | 8,839 |
8. LEASING AGREEMENTS
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
continued...
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RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | ||
|---|---|---|
| movement | At | |
| At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds | ||
| General fund 3,573 |
5,919 | 9,492 |
| Building Fund 12,588 |
(7,000) | 5,588 |
| 16,161 | (1,081) | 15,080 |
| TOTAL FUNDS 16,161 |
(1,081) | 15,080 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds | ||
| General fund 14,926 |
(9,007) | 5,919 |
| Building Fund - |
(7,000) | (7,000) |
| 14,926 | (16,007) | (1,081) |
| TOTAL FUNDS 14,926 |
(16,007) | (1,081) |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Net | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.25 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 3,573 | 5,583 | 9,156 |
| Building Fund | 12,588 | (7,000) | 5,588 |
| 16,161 | (1,417) | 14,744 | |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Lease Fund | - | 9,175 | 9,175 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 16,161 | 7,758 | 23,919 |
continued...
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RIVERS OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 28,178 | (22,595) | 5,583 |
| Building Fund | - | (7,000) | (7,000) |
| 28,178 | (29,595) | (1,417) | |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Lease Fund | 16,175 | (7,000) | 9,175 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 44,353 | (36,595) | 7,758 |
The designated building fund is for the upkeep and outgoings for the building used by the charity.
The restricted lease fund is for contributions received towards payments for the operating lease on the Church building.
10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Included in donations received in the year, were £20,721 (2024 £9,036) received from Trustees. £17,667 of this total was received from the Trustees, S and M Lowden of which £15,670 was to cover payments towards the lease for the Church building.
Other than the above donations received from Trustees, there were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
11. GOING CONCERN
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
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