ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT | GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
Gospel Light City Church | Charity No. 1205907 |
Year 2024
0
ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT | GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
Table of Contents
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY ...................... 2 BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT ............................................................................ 3 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................. 3 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE ................................................................. 3 STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT ......................................................................... 4 VOLUNTEERS AND DEPARTMENTS ...................................................................... 5 ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................................... 5 Sunday Services ............................................................................................................. 5 Teaching Services (Bible Study on Thursdays) ............................................................ 6 Volunteer Training Meetings .......................................................................................... 6 Optimise Youth Conference (Annual Event) ................................................................. 6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NOV 2023 – SEP 2024) ............................................... 7 Income ............................................................................................................................. 7 Expenditure ..................................................................................................................... 7
1
ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT | GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY
Chair
Mr. Joseph Obese-Amaning
Trustees
Isimeme Omijie Ogechukwu Stanley Ezeobi Veronica Mensah
Haziel Jude Tettey Asare
Registered Office
Moston Methodist Church 419 Moston Lane Manchester M40 9PA
Registered Charity Number
1205907
Bankers
Lloyds Bank
42–46 Market Street | Manchester | M1 1PW
2
ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT | GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT
The Trustees are pleased to present their report with the audited financial statements for Gospel Light City Church (Charity Registration No. 1205907) for the period November 2023 to September 2024.
This report provides an overview of our activities, achievements, and financial summary for the period, reflecting our continuing mission to impact lives through the Gospel of Christ, grow in community, and advance the Christian faith locally and beyond.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The primary purpose of Gospel Light City Church is to advance the Christian Faith in accordance with our Statement of Beliefs, as the trustees deem appropriate.
Gospel Light City Church is a church organisation that holds regular services comprising corporate prayer, praise and worship, and biblical teaching. These services aim to build attendees in the knowledge of the Christian faith, develop spiritual maturity, and support practical Christian living.
Additionally, the church conducts outreach, teaching programs, and charitable support to meet spiritual and physical needs in our local and extended community.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The organisation holds regular worship services every week on Sundays from 13:00 to 15:00 at the Moston Methodist Church (2nd auditorium, 419 Moston Lane). These services typically have an average attendance of 40–50 people each week. The church advertises its activities and meeting times on various social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, enabling the public to engage with its services. The organisation also maintains a presence on Spotify Podcasts, where recordings of sermons and teachings are uploaded so that the general public can benefit from them at any time.
In addition to weekly services, the organisation holds special meetings and seminars focused on teaching biblical principles and spreading the Gospel for the benefit of the public. Church members actively share the Gospel in the local community (especially around Moston Lane) and invite interested individuals to attend our services and events. Some teachings are conducted online (via Zoom) or streamed, allowing us to reach a wider audience beyond those who can attend in person.
3
ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT | GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
The church’s activities provide significant public benefit by equipping and edifying those who attend. The meetings allow members of the public to be spiritually strengthened and emotionally refreshed. This can be seen through several outcomes:
-
Spiritual Growth and Learning: Attendees profit from mutual teaching, inspiration, and even gentle correction in line with Christian principles. They gain knowledge and guidance that help shape their faith and daily living.
-
Community and Fellowship: Attendees find joy, comfort, peace, love, and unity through fellowship with one another. The sense of community in our gatherings provides encouragement and support to all involved.
-
Character Development: Attendees receive God-given opportunities to build character, humility, patience, and other virtues. They become more aware of ways to grow in kindness and forgiveness towards others.
-
Positive Impact Ethos: Attendees are admonished and encouraged to positively impact the environments in which they find themselves – among their colleagues, friends, and families – thereby living out their faith in practical ways that benefit society.
-
Financial and Emotional Support: Attendees facing financial challenges can receive modest financial help from the church after assessment. The testimonies of those who have been helped provide inspiration to others. The organisation also continually seeks ways to support individuals in need, offering extra encouragement and emotional support alongside spiritual guidance.
STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT
The organisation’s activities are managed by the resident Pastor (Mr. Joseph ObeseAmaning) together with a leadership team composed of the trustees. The church is organized into various departments, each with designated leaders, who conduct their operations as delegated by the Chair and the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees, with support from the department leaders, is responsible for implementing policies and strategies in accordance with the objectives of the charity (and with Charity Commission guidance). Department leaders and the Pastor report to the trustees, including assessments of any risks and how those are managed. The effectiveness and success of the church’s activities are evaluated through regular leadership meetings. In these meetings, the Pastor and trustees discuss and plan how to continuously improve the church’s services and programs for the benefit of all members and attendees.
4
ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT | GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
VOLUNTEERS AND DEPARTMENTS
The organisation comprises several key departments, with roughly 20 volunteers actively serving across these departments. The dedication, teamwork, and skills of our volunteers form the mainstay of the church’s operations. The departments are as follows:
-
Music Department: Leads worship through music and praise, coordinating musicians and singers for services.
-
Logistics Department: Handles the setup of venues and equipment and ensures that meetings and events run smoothly from a practical standpoint.
-
Ushering Department: Oversees hospitality and welcoming of attendees, including seating, ushering congregants, and maintaining order during services.
-
Media Department: Manages audio-visual needs, live streaming, sound, and recordings (including preparation of sermon recordings for podcast upload).
-
Sunday School Department: Provides faith-based instruction and activities for children during services, helping to teach and engage the church’s younger members.
Our volunteers contribute countless hours to these departments. Their passion and commitment enable Gospel Light City Church to carry out its mission effectively.
ACTIVITIES
Throughout the year, Gospel Light City Church schedules various events and services as the leadership deems suitable, based on the needs of the congregation and community. These activities are designed to develop the spiritual and personal capacity of members as well as to reach out to the broader community.
The key regular and special activities are as follows:
Sunday Services
Our Sunday Service is the main weekly gathering for worship and fellowship, held every Sunday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the church’s venue. Each service typically begins with an opening prayer (about 30 minutes) to invoke God’s presence and guidance. This is followed by approximately 30 minutes of praise and worship, where the congregation sings and offers worship to God, led by the Music Department. The core of the service is a sermon or teaching lasting around 1 hour, where the Pastor (or occasionally a guest minister) preaches and teaches from the Bible. Through these sermons, attendees receive inspiration, guidance, and empowerment to carry them through the week ahead. The service usually concludes with closing prayers, announcements, and a benediction. Sunday Services are the primary point of contact for most members and visitors, providing communal worship and sound biblical teaching each week.
5
ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT | GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
Teaching Services (Bible Study on Thursdays)
This is a weekly Teaching Service conducted every Thursday evening online via Zoom (typically 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM). These sessions are dedicated to in-depth teaching and learning to enhance spiritual growth and biblical understanding. The Pastor or a teaching leader shares detailed lessons on scripture, doctrinal topics, or practical Christian living. On average, about 25 people attend the Thursday online teachings each week. While the format is usually a lecture-style or presentation of the Word, there is occasional interactivity – some sessions may include a short Questions and Answers segment, open group discussions, or even a special guest teacher if the topic calls for it. This interactive study environment allows participants to delve deeper into the Bible, ask questions, and clarify their understanding of the faith. The convenience of Zoom means members can join from home, and it also opens the opportunity for people outside the immediate area to participate in our teachings.
Volunteer Training Meetings
Volunteer training meetings are held monthly as dedicated sessions for all church volunteers. In these meetings (with an attendance of roughly 20 volunteers), those who serve in various departments come together for additional training, equipping, and spiritual development. The focus of these sessions is to help volunteers become more effective workers in the church and to grow as disciples of Christ.
Training may include practical workshops specific to each department (for example, sound system training for media volunteers or hospitality training for ushers) as well as general teachings on leadership, teamwork, and Christian character. Volunteers also use this time to share their experiences, challenges, and successes with one another. This open forum builds unity and encouragement among the team as they learn from each other’s insights. The volunteer meetings are primarily for equipping and do not involve any formal recognition ceremonies — rather, they are ongoing discipleship and skills-development opportunities. By investing in our volunteers in this way, the church ensures that each department can operate smoothly and that those serving are continually growing in their abilities and faith.
Optimise Youth Conference (Annual Event)
One of our key special events is the Optimise Youth Conference, a three-day annual gathering aimed at inspiring and empowering young people (and the young at heart) in their Christian faith. This conference is typically held once a year and is a highlight event for the church’s youth ministry. Over the course of three days, attendees experience an immersive atmosphere of deep worship, passionate praise, and transformative teaching of the Word of God. The program includes extended worship sessions led by our music team, powerful messages and sermons from the Pastor as well as guest speakers invited for their insight and expertise in ministering to youth. These guest ministers often bring fresh perspectives and encourage the youth to pursue a closer relationship with God.
In addition to sermons and worship, the Optimise Youth Conference may feature interactive workshops, breakout discussion groups, and dedicated prayer sessions that address the real-life challenges young Christians face (such as school or university life, career, relationships, and personal purpose). The conference creates a space for youth to encounter God’s presence in a profound way, be filled with the Holy
6
ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT | GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
Spirit, and connect with one another in fellowship. Many participants testify to lifechanging encounters and renewed passion for God as a result of this event. By the end of the three days, the young people are not only uplifted spiritually, but also equipped with practical teachings and a supportive peer community to help them continue strong in their Christian journey. The Optimise Youth Conference encapsulates the church’s vision to “light the life of young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” building up the next generation of faithful, confident Christians. (Note: In some years, the name or theme of the youth conference may vary depending on the leading of the leadership team, but the core purpose remains to engage and develop youth in their faith.)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (NOV 2023 – SEP 2024)
Income
All of Gospel Light City Church’s income during this period came from donations, tithes, and free-will offerings given by members and supporters. Total income for the period was £13,717.98. These generous funds helped the church carry out its activities with ease. All donations were received through the church’s official bank account (via bank transfers, card payments, and cash deposits). The church did not apply for any grants or external funding during this period. (Of the total income, £0 came from grants, legacies, endowments, or other external sources — essentially 100% of our funding was from member giving.) No investment income was generated, as no investment opportunities were explored or considered; the finances were focused entirely on supporting the ministry through congregational giving.
| Income | Amount(£) |
|---|---|
| Tithes and Offerings | 13,717.98 |
| Gift Aid | 0.00 |
| Grants or Donations | 0.00 |
| Total Income | 13,717.98 |
Expenditure
Total expenditures for the period amounted to £8,692.35. This includes all costs related to running the church’s activities and events. Major expenditure categories were:
- Rent of Facilities: As a growing church without its own building, we rent space at Moston Methodist Church for our services and events. We pay a rate per hour for use of the auditorium and facilities, per our rental agreement. (The number of hours per week can vary depending on the length of services or additional meetings, but this rental expense is a significant part of our monthly outgoings.)
7
ANNUAL CHARITY REPORT | GOSPEL LIGHT CITY CHURCH
-
Equipment Purchases: Investments were made in musical equipment and media equipment to enhance our worship services and online ministry. This includes items such as instruments, sound system components, cameras, or streaming devices necessary for effective ministry.
-
Events and Programs: The church incurred costs for organizing events like the Optimise Youth Conference and other special seminars (e.g., printing materials, guest speaker hospitality, venue arrangements beyond regular rent, etc.). These expenses are crucial for the success of our outreach and spiritual growth programs.
-
Charitable Activities: Some funds were used for direct charitable activities, such as supporting members in need (financial assistance as mentioned earlier), community outreach initiatives, and the production or distribution of Christian literature. These expenditures align with our mission to demonstrate love and provide practical help in our community.
All expenses were paid from the church’s bank account and were carefully managed to ensure funds were used efficiently in line with the charity’s objectives. At the end of the financial period (September 2024), the church’s finances remained in a healthy state. The surplus (the amount by which income exceeded expenditure) was retained to be carried forward into the next period. These remaining funds will be available to support the church’s ongoing activities and any future projects or needs, thereby further advancing the mission of Gospel Light City Church in the coming year.
Prepared by the Board of Trustees, Gospel Light City Church – Annual Report 2024.
8