IPC AGAPE STOKE-ON-TRENT
Charity Number: 1212614
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
For the period 20 March 2025 to 31 December 2025
1. Reference and Administrative Information
Charity name: IPC Agape Stoke-on-Trent Charity number: 1212614 Legal structure: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO – Foundation), registered 20 March 2025 Registered address: 35 Stafford Avenue, Newcastle, ST5 3BN Reporting period: 20 March 2025 to 31 December 2025 (first accounting period following CIO registration)
Trustees during the period
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Pastor Lalan Mathew | Chair |
| Levin Mathew Lalan | Trustee |
| Ligin Stalin | Trustee |
| Sam Kanjirathinkal John | Trustee |
2. Structure, Governance and Management
IPC Agape Stoke-on-Trent is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO – Foundation) governed by its constitution, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 20 March 2025. Prior to incorporation, the church operated as an unincorporated association, and its net assets were transferred to the CIO on registration.
The charity is governed by a board of four trustees who are jointly responsible for the overall management and administration of the organisation. Trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration.
The trustees met as required during the period to oversee the charity’s activities and finances.
IPC Agape Stoke-on-Trent | Charity No. 1212614 | Page 1 of 3
3. Objectives and Activities
The objects of the CIO, as set out in its governing document, are:
“For the benefit of the public: to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs by the holding of prayer meetings, sermons and producing and/or distributing literature on Christianity to enlighten others about the Christian faith as the trustees from time to time may think fit.”
In carrying out these objects during the period, the charity undertook the following activities:
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Weekly Sunday worship services held at the Baptist Hall, providing regular congregational gatherings for prayer, praise and the teaching of scripture.
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Informal weekday prayer and fellowship gatherings hosted at the homes of church members, providing pastoral support and community within the congregation.
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Evangelism and gospel outreach, including the hosting of visiting pastors and speakers to advance the spread of the Christian faith.
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Support for wider Christian mission through contributions to IPC regional conventions and charitable appeals.
The trustees confirm that all activities during the period were carried out in furtherance of the charity’s objects and for the public benefit.
The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. They consider that the charity provides public benefit through public worship, prayer meetings, pastoral support and the advancement of the Christian faith. Worship services are open to members of the public wishing to attend.
4. Achievements and Performance
During this first accounting period, the charity successfully established its operations as a newly incorporated CIO. Key achievements include:
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Maintained consistent weekly Sunday worship services throughout the period for a congregation of approximately four families.
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Sustained regular weekday fellowship gatherings, strengthening pastoral care and community bonds among members.
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Hosted visiting pastors and speakers, enriching the spiritual life of the congregation and supporting gospel outreach.
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Contributed financially to IPC regional conventions and wider charitable appeals in support of Christian mission.
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Established the CIO’s governing framework and bank account during the period.
The trustees consider the charity’s performance during this first period to be satisfactory, given its size, the short duration of the reporting period, and the resources available.
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5. Financial Review
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. During the period, the charity received total receipts of £4,092.40, including £736.20 transferred from the predecessor unincorporated church upon incorporation. Total payments amounted to £1,907.50, leaving a cash balance of £2,184.90 at 31 December 2025. All funds held by the charity were unrestricted. Full details are set out in the accompanying Receipts and Payments Accounts.
Reserves Policy
The trustees aim to maintain a minimum cash reserve of £500 at all times to ensure continuity of charitable activities in the event of a shortfall in income. The closing cash balance comfortably exceeds this threshold.
6. Plans for the Future
So far as is practicable, the trustees intend to:
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Continue to hold regular weekly Sunday worship services for the congregation.
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Maintain weekday prayer and fellowship gatherings to support the pastoral needs of members.
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Continue gospel outreach and evangelism activities, including hosting visiting speakers.
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Support wider Christian mission through participation in IPC regional conventions and charitable appeals.
7. Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved this Trustees’ Annual Report and that it has been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and applicable Charity Commission guidance.
Approved by trustees on: 12/07/2026 Signed: Lalan Mathew Name: Pastor Lalan Mathew Capacity: Chair, on behalf of the Trustees of IPC Agape Stoke-on-Trent
IPC Agape Stoke-on-Trent | Charity No. 1212614 | Page 3 of 3
IPC AGAPE STOKE-ON-TRENT
Charity Number: 1212614
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
For the period 20 March 2025 to 31 December 2025
(First accounting period following CIO registration)
Statement of Receipts and Payments
| RECEIPTS | £ |
|---|---|
| Transfer of net assets from predecessor unincorporated church upon incorporation (20 March 2025) |
£736.20 |
| Donations, tithes and Sunday offerings | £3,356.20 |
| Total Receipts | £4,092.40 |
| PAYMENTS | £ |
| Venue hire – Baptist Hall and Quaker Hall | £1,370.00 |
| Visiting pastor honoraria | £350.00 |
| Charitable contributions and mission giving | £101.50 |
| Community events and catering (Watch Night service) | £86.00 |
| Total Payments | £1,907.50 |
| Net surplus for the period | £2,184.90 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As at 31 December 2025
| ASSETS | £ |
| Cash at bank and in hand | £2,184.90 |
| Other assets | Nil |
| Total Assets | £2,184.90 |
| LIABILITIES | £ |
| Amount owed to trustee (Pastor Lalan Mathew) – see note below | £119.00 |
| Other liabilities | Nil |
| Total Liabilities | £119.00 |
| Net Assets | £2,065.90 |
IPC Agape Stoke-on-Trent | Charity No. 1212614 | Receipts & Payments Accounts | Period ended 31 December 2025
Note on liability: At 31 December 2025, the charity owed £119 to Pastor Lalan Mathew comprising two payments made from his personal funds on behalf of the church: a £91 contribution to IPC UK central, being the church’s share of a special offering requested from all IPC UK branch churches (paid from personal account, cleared 2 January 2026), and a £28 Sunday school gift (paid from personal account, 2 June 2025). Both amounts are to be reimbursed from church funds in 2026 as reimbursements for 2025 expenses, following trustee approval. All other funds are unrestricted. The charity held no fixed assets, investments or endowment funds during the period.
Basis of Preparation
These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and Charity Commission guidance for charities preparing receipts and payments accounts. The accounts cover the first accounting period of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, from the date of CIO registration on 20 March 2025 to 31 December 2025.
These accounts are unaudited. An independent examination is not required for a CIO with gross income below £25,000.
Approval
These accounts were approved by the trustees and authorised for submission on:
Date approved: 12/07/2026 Signed: Lalan Mathew Name: Pastor Lalan Mathew
Capacity: Chair, on behalf of the Trustees of IPC Agape Stoke-on-Trent
IPC Agape Stoke-on-Trent | Charity No. 1212614 | Receipts & Payments Accounts | Period ended 31 December 2025