CHURCH THEME 教會主題： ROOTED IN THE BIBLE • PERSISTING IN GROWTH • UNITED IN EVANGELISM • SERVING IN THE COMMUNITY 扎根聖經 • 追求成長 • 同心傳道 • 服務社群
PRINCIPAL OFFICE 總辦事處地點： YOUTUBE 頻道： REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 註冊慈善法團編號：
3 Falcon Way, Wootton, Northampton NN4 6GT www.youtube.com/@NCEC2023 1204182
Goals and Ministries
The Northamptonshire Chinese Evangelical Church (NCEC) was established in 2023 and officially registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 1[st] August 2023. We are committed to promoting Christianity by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, affirming the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and the Apostles’ Creed, nurturing the spiritual growth of believers, and providing the congregation with spiritual support through religious gatherings and worship, including prayer meetings, sermons and sacraments.
In planning our ministries, our Board of Charity Trustees has taken into account the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, particularly the specific recommendations regarding the advancement of religion through missionary and outreach work.
Grace and Testimony
Worship, Sacraments and Other Services
All are welcome to attend our Sunday services. On average, our congregation consists of about 35 people, but this number would increase during special occasions such as Evangelical Sundays, Carol Service at Christmas, Thanksgiving Worship in the New Year, and also celebratory events in Chinese festivals.
NCEC offers a variety of services throughout the week and year that our congregation finds both beneficial and spiritually enriching. One example is our Adult Fellowship which meets on the first and third Fridays of each month. During these gatherings, brothers and sisters take turn leading Bible studies, allowing them to play a more active role both in class and in their preparation, while deepening their biblical knowledge. This also serves as an opportunity for fellowship and mutual support. The Sunday School is another example aiming at providing our children with love and care, as well as the opportunity to learn about Jesus and His teachings from an early age. All Sunday School teachers undergo DBS checks and are subject to our Child Protection Policy to ensure the safety of our children.
In March 2024, we held our first retreat camp with Pastor Clement Tang as the guest speaker. This retreat offered a time for spiritual growth, rest, reflection and fellowship, as well as a deeper connection with our Lord. Since September 2024, we have also hosted the “Little Shepherds Equipping Course” led by Pastor Tang. This course, consisting of 10 topics, teaches us first to shepherd ourselves with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, understand how the Gospel transforms our hearts and lives, and then care for the spiritual growth of our brothers and sisters.
In addition to these regular services, we support our congregation in celebrating and thanking God at key milestones in their lives. Through baptism we give thanks for God’s gift of life; in matrimony, we exchange public vows with God’s blessing; and during funeral services, family and friends express their grief and give thanks for a life well-lived, entrusting the soul into God’s care. We held a funeral service for a beloved sister in 2023.
Care & Compassion
The church has established a Prayer Group that gathers every Friday to intercede for various needs and ministries of the church. We also have a Caring Group dedicated to offering support and compassion. Members of this group, comprising four sisters, frequently visit brothers and sisters, as well as others in need due to illness or compassionate circumstances, and praying
N.B.: In case of any discrepancy, the English version shall prevail.
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with them to offer spiritual support. When in-person visits are not possible, we reach out to them by phone to express our care and provide encouragement.
Mission and Evangelism
Our church is dedicated to putting faith into action, promoting Christianity, and spreading the Gospel through a variety of outreach initiatives that serve the community. Since the founding of our church, we have initiated several ministries focused on supporting vulnerable groups while sharing the love of Christ:
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Support for Earth’s Lonely Angels: We donated food hampers to Earth’s Lonely Angels, a charity in Northampton that helps elderly, homeless and vulnerable individuals. This initiative allowed us to meet the practical needs of those in our community while reflecting Christ’s compassion and care for the less fortunate.
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Lunar New Year Festivity at Fairfields School: During the Lunar New Year 2024, our church visited Fairfields School, where we gave a brief talk on Chinese culture and traditions to pupils with communication difficulties. We also performed a traditional Chinese unicorn dance, bringing joy and fostering cross-cultural understanding. This festivity not only highlighted Chinese culture but also provided an opportunity to share the Gospel’s message of love and hope.
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Outreach to Elderly Chinese: We also performed the Chinese unicorn dance and sang a Christian hymn along with a Chinese New Year song for the elderly Chinese of the Northamptonshire Chinese Society. This outreach allowed us to connect with the local Chinese community, share the Gospel through music, and celebrate the joy of the Christian faith during the Lunar New Year. In December 2024, we went carolling at the Society, sharing the joy and hope of the birth of Jesus through the performance of several Christmas hymns.
All of these ministries are part of our mission to embody the teachings of Jesus, share His love and hope with those around us, and promote the Christian faith through tangible acts of service and cultural engagement. We believe that through these efforts, we can offer public benefit, strengthen relationships within the community, and at the same time spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Financial Review
For the 17-month period ended 31[st] December 2024, total receipts from offertory amounted to £34,707. Of these, £3,040 qualified for Gift Aid, while the remainder would be eligible for the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme, subject to a limit of £30 per offertory and an aggregate cap of £8,000 for such offertories per tax year.
Total expenses for the period were £19,508, of which £15,169 (78%) was allocated to overheads, including honoraria for our speakers, church rent and insurance.
It is encouraging to see that members of our congregation have begun registering for Gift Aid, which will enable the church to receive tax refund from the government in the 2024/2025 tax year. We strongly encourage our congregation to participate in this scheme, as it benefits both the church and themselves.
The net result for the 17-month period was a surplus of £17,787.
N.B.: In case of any discrepancy, the English version shall prevail.
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Continuity Reserve Policy
In line with the Charity Commission Reserves Policy (CC19), NCEC has designated £2,700 as a reserve to minimize the impact on church from unforeseen reductions in offertory income. This reserve ensures the continuity of essential operations for a period of three months. The policy is reviewed annually in January.
Structure, Governance and Management
The process for admitting members to NCEC is outlined in Section 9(1) of the Church Constitution. The first Charity Trustees were appointed by the Organising Committee pursuant to section 13(1). In subsequent years, Charity Trustees are nominated by the appointing body and then elected by church members at a general meeting.
The NCEC Board of Charity Trustees is responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and significance to the church.
The financial statements are independently examined by Mr Paul Stokes, FCCA, in compliance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.
Acknowledgement
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the brothers and sisters who work tirelessly to keep our church running. In particular, we are deeply grateful to those who have actively supported us, both financially and spiritually, in the past and at present.
Administrative Information
The Northamptonshire Chinese Evangelical Church provides Christian worship and religious services at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 147-155 Kettering Road, Northampton NN1 4BS. The principal office is situated at 3 Falcon Way, Wootton, Northampton NN4 6GT.
NCEC is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission under Charity No. 1204182.
The following NCEC members served as Charity Trustees during the 17-month financial period from 1[st] August 2023 to 31[st ] December 2024:
Mr Ho Lun MAK Chairman Ms Mei Fong KUONG Secretary Mr Yip Yan KOO Treasurer Ms Sau Lai CHAN Ms Mei Po LEE
Approved by the NCEC Board of Charity Trustees on 7[th] January 2025 and signed on their behalf by Mr Ho Lun MAK (NCEC Chairman):
N.B.: In case of any discrepancy, the English version shall prevail.
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RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE 17-MONTH PERIOD FROM 1[ST] AUGUST 2023 TO 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024
| Receipts Offertory Offertory – Gift Aid Church Retreat HMRC – Gift Aid & GASDS Total receipts Payments Rent Honorarium Church Retreat HMRC – Gift Aid & GASDS Refreshment General Administration Evangelical Gifts Donation Religious Services Sunday School Total payments Net receipts/(payments) Transfers between funds Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Last Year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ 31,667 - 31,667 - 3,040 - 3,040 - 1,440 - 1,440 - 1,148 - 1,148 - 37,295 - 37,295 - 8,910 - 8,910 - 5,827 - 5,827 - 1,773 - 1,773 - 1,148 - 1,148 - 624 - 624 - 516 - 516 - 358 - 358 - 213 - 213 - 109 - 109 - 30 - 30 - 19,508 - 19,508 - 17,787 - 17,787 - - - - - - - - - 17,787 - 17,787 - |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Last Year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ 31,667 - 31,667 - 3,040 - 3,040 - 1,440 - 1,440 - 1,148 - 1,148 - 37,295 - 37,295 - 8,910 - 8,910 - 5,827 - 5,827 - 1,773 - 1,773 - 1,148 - 1,148 - 624 - 624 - 516 - 516 - 358 - 358 - 213 - 213 - 109 - 109 - 30 - 30 - 19,508 - 19,508 - 17,787 - 17,787 - - - - - - - - - 17,787 - 17,787 - |
|---|---|---|
| 37,295 - 37,295 |
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| 8,910 - 8,910 5,827 - 5,827 1,773 - 1,773 1,148 - 1,148 624 - 624 516 - 516 358 - 358 213 - 213 109 - 109 30 - 30 |
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| 19,508 - 19,508 |
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| 17,787 - 17,787 - - - - - - |
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| 17,787 - 17,787 |
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N.B.: In case of any discrepancy, the English version shall prevail.
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STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024
| Cash Funds Other Monetary Assets Investment Assets Assets Retained for Charity’s Own Use Liabilities |
Details Unrestricted Funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted Funds to the nearest £ |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Bank 17,787 |
- | ||
| Details Unrestricted Funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted Funds to the nearest £ |
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| - - |
- | ||
| Details Funds to which Assets belongs |
Cost Optional |
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| - - |
- | ||
| Details Funds to which Assets belongs |
Cost Optional |
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| - - |
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| Details Funds to which Liability Relates |
Cost Optional |
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| - - |
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Approved by NCEC on 7[th] January 2025 and signed by all Charity Trustees:
Name Signature Name Signature Mr Ho Lun MAK Ms Sau Lai CHAN Ms Mei Fong KUONG Ms Mei Po LEE Mr Yip Yan KOO
NOTES (constitute part of these financial statements):
1. The inception date of NCEC was 1[st] August 2023.
2. There are no liabilities in our accounts.
N.B.: In case of any discrepancy, the English version shall prevail.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Northamptonshire Chinese Evangelical Church (“the Charity”) for the seventeen months ended 31[st] December 2024 as set out on pages 4 and 5.
Responsibilities and basis of report
The Charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’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
The Charity’s gross income is less than £250,000. The Charity inception date was 1[st] August 2023. The accounts are for the seventeen months to 31[st] December 2024.
I have completed by 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:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 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.
Paul Stokes, FCCA 6 Spens House Chalcombe Avenue Northampton NN2 8JZ
7[th] January 2025
N.B.: In case of any discrepancy, the English version shall prevail.
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