Strangers Rest Mission Report and Accounts Year ended 30 September 2024
STRANGERS REST MISSION
CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Trustees
Mr Mark Mullins Mr Keith Burden Rev Peter Ratcliff Rev Edward Malcolm (appointed 5 March 2024) Mr Thomas Yates (appointed 5 March 2024) Mr Keith Burden
Secretary Mr Keith Burden Management Committee Mark Mullins (Minister) Ernie Amurao (Assistant Minister) Governing Document Trust Deed dated 5th October 1917
Trust Deed dated 5th October 1917 Scheme dated 18th September 1995, 19th December 2019 and 3rd October 2020
Charity Registration Number 209117 Principal Office 131 The Highway, London, E1W 9BP Independent Examiner Neville Reid, 19 Mills Grove, London, E14 0RH Bankers National Westminster Bank
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity Information | 1 |
| Trustees’ Report | 2–4 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 8–11 |
1
STRANGERS REST MISSION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 2 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 of the charity
The Trust Deed of Strangers Rest Mission (SRM) requires the trustees to permit on the premises, “evangelical Christian work by persons holding the tenets set forth in the schedule hereunto among the people of the district generally or otherwise, for the encouragement and furtherance of such objects and purposes as may be approved by the Trustees.”
The church's objects are to glorify God through the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the inhabitants of Shadwell and wider afield, and to build up those who are believers so that they may grow to maturity in their understanding and obedience to the Word of God. The church also supports missionaries working overseas and gives assistance to those who are in financial hardship. The policies adopted in furtherance of 3 of these objects are to preach the Word of God, to pray, and to encourage believers to build each other up. There has been no change in these objects during the year.
The Trustees have considered these objectives and believe that the Charity is fulfilling these objectives in its actions and activities.
The Trustees confirm that they have considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and are of the opinion that this is achieved through the advancement of religion.
Governance
The trust is governed by Mr Mark Mullins (Chairman), Mr Keith Burden (Secretary and Treasurer), Rev. Peter Ratcliff, Rev. Edward Malcolm and Mr Thomas Yates.
The policy decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees. The Chairman of the trust is the Minister at Strangers Rest Evangelical Church. The Secretary/Treasurer's children attend meetings most weeks, and he keeps in close contact with the Church Administrator, Angela Baker. The trustees meet three times a year.
2
Review of Activities
During the year the church continued to hold services of worship on Sunday mornings and evenings, pre-service prayer meetings on Sunday morning and evening, a Kids Club on Friday evenings during the school term time, prayer meetings on Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings and Bible studies on Wednesday evenings. The Wednesday morning ladies' prayer meeting continued during the reporting period. Zoom and YouTube have continued to allow flexibility for those unable to attend the Church in person and to promote the work wider afield. Meetings for the Kids Club took place both in person at the Church and by Zoom. Sunday School from 4-5pm was online throughout the year. Preaching on Sunday mornings has continued to be through books of the Bible: continuing John’s Gospel in the morning. The Minister continued to preach through Proverbs during the evening services
During the year the Bible Study themes included imprecatory psalms, hyper Calvinism, head-covering and beginning a series on baptism. Church worship continued to be exclusively Psalm singing. Numbers attending services in person were fairly steady, with attendance fluctuation between about 15 and 25 in the morning meetings and on average 6-8 in the evening.
In February 2024 Mark Mullins and David Cooke, pastor of Banbury Evangelical Free Church, visited Sri Lanka in order to investigate Jeyakanth Selvarajah, a pastor resident in the UK who was receiving heavy financial support from churches in the UK for his mission work in Sri Lanka. The aim was to produce an independent report thoroughly examining the allegations and opportunities were offered to Jeyakanth and his supporters to answer the allegations. The report was sent to the Charity Commission and is on the church website together with a summary. During the period Muralee Kanagalingam visited the church and preached.
Throughout the year evangelism took place once a month in partnership with the London City Mission in the local area as well as separate street evangelism when this was possible. We also maintained links with a nursing home in Stepney and held an Advent evangelistic service there in December.
Volunteers continue to make an important contribution cleaning the church, providing refreshments, helping with the children and taking services.
Church Flat
The church flat was occupied throughout the period with rent being paid.
Financial Review
Income from general donations and gifts was £3,617 lower than the preceding year, which included larger tax refunds under Gift Aid. In addition, two legacies were received in 2023, totalling £30,400, but none in 2024. The total level of revenue expenditure was £900 higher than the previous year, and a further £12,029 was expended on security bollards which were accounted for as fixed assets. The overall result for the year was a deficit of income over expenditure of £8,498. There was a net increase on the General Fund of £8,608, after gains in value of investments, leading to a closing balance of £282,367.
Reserves Policy
The Charity holds significant financial reserves. It aims to maintain general reserves of at least £140,000 to meet future capital needs.
3
Risk Statement
The charity is not exposed to any major financial risk. The most significant area of uncertainty relates to the downward trend of reserves over recent years, but the legacies received in recent years replenished reserves sufficiently to cover foreseeable deficits that might arise in the next few years.
Responsibilities of the Trustees
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.
Approval
This report was approved by the Trustees on 22 May 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Mark Mullins Chairman of Trustees
4
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STRANGERS REST MISSION
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
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 Charities 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
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give 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 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.
Neville Reid ACA
19 Mills Grove Poplar London E14 0RH
22 May 2025
5
STRANGERS REST MISSION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities Investments Total income and endowments EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) before investment gains Net gains/(losses) on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2024 2023 £ £ 21,128 55,145 12,205 12,737 6,875 5,735 |
|---|---|
| 40,208 73,617 |
|
| 48,706 47,806 |
|
| 48,706 47,806 |
|
| (8,498) 25,811 17,104 2,081 |
|
| 8,606 27,892 273,761 245,869 |
|
| 282,367 273,761 |
Movements on reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above.
The notes on pages 8–11 form part of these accounts.
6
STRANGERS REST MISSION
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 9 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 10 Investments Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 11 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS FUNDS OF THE CHARITY General funds TOTAL FUNDS |
2024 2023 £ £ 18,476 11,779 |
|---|---|
| 4,418 3,827 226,278 159,174 34,481 101,712 |
|
| 265,176 264,713 |
|
| (1,285) (2,731) |
|
| 263,891 261,982 |
|
| 282,367 273,761 |
|
| 282,367 273,761 |
|
| 282,367 273,761 |
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf on 22 May 2025 by:
Mark Mullins Chair of the Trustees
Charity number: 209117
The notes on pages 8–11 form part of these accounts.
7
STRANGERS REST MISSION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1 Basis of Accounting
The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at fair value. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the 2019 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS 102)), and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern. The most significant area of uncertainty relates to the downward trend of reserves over recent years; this is addressed in the Trustees’ report.
2 Accounting policies
The following are the accounting policies which have been applied in dealing with material items.
a) Recognition of income:
Donations and legacies are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:
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the charity becomes legally entitled to the resources;
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it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources; and
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the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
b) Tax reclaimed on donations and gifts:
Gift Aid receivable is included in income at the same time as the cash donations to which they relate, when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be unrestricted income unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.
c) Settlement of insurance claims:
Insurance claims are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met, and are included as an item of other income in the SoFA.
d) Volunteer help:
The value of voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees’ report.
e) Investment gains or losses:
This includes any realised or unrealised gains or losses on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.
f) Liability recognition:
Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources, and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
g) Governance costs:
This includes the costs of preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings, and any cost of legal advice to Trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
8
STRANGERS REST MISSION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
h) Church property:
In so far as consecrated property is excluded from the statutory definition of “charity” by section 10(2)(c) of the Charities Act 2011, such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements. All expenditure on the building is charged to the SoFA in the year in which it is incurred. The church flat is included as it is integral to the building and designated for the minister when he requires accommodation in London.
i) Fixed assets and depreciation:
Fixed assets acquired for use by the charity are capitalised and depreciated over their estimated useful life unless they cost less than £2,000 when they are written off on purchase.
Depreciation periods are as follows:
| ation periods are as follows: | |
|---|---|
| Kitchen fittings & equipment | 7 years |
| Security fittings & equipment | 7 years |
| Office equipment | 3 years |
j) Funds:
Unrestricted funds are donations and other income received or generated for the objects of the charity without specified purpose, and are available for purposes as directed by the trustees. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are amounts received where the donor has specified the purpose for which they should be used.
SRM currently has no designated or restricted funds.
3 Analysis of income
| Donations and legacies: Donations and gifts Gift Aid tax refunds Legacies Charitable activities: Rent and parking income Printing income Income from investments: Interest and other investment income Total income |
2024 2023 £ £ 19,853 20,901 1,274 3,844 - 30,400 |
|---|---|
| 21,128 55,145 |
|
| 12,205 12,737 - - |
|
| 12,205 12,737 |
|
| 6,875 5,735 |
|
| 6,875 5,735 |
|
| 40,208 73,617 |
In addition to the above, there were gains and losses on the market value of investments. These are shown separately in the Statement of Financial Activities.
9
STRANGERS REST MISSION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| 4 Analysis of expenditure a Direct Charitable Costs Staff costs Building maintenance Catering Church car Church flat Cleaning External Ministry Conferences Gas, electricity & water Travel Youth & children's work Grants payable Note 8 b Support & Administration Governance costs Insurance IT support Telephone & internet Other administration costs Total expenditure on charitable activities 5 Fees for examination of the accounts 6 Staff costs Salaries and wages Pension costs (defined contribution scheme) Total staff costs Independent examiner’s fees |
2024 2023 £ £ 7,944 9,320 8,728 14,461 343 594 2,966 2,492 1,979 3,255 898 652 3,876 245 5,876 6,435 807 728 150 157 9,307 3,143 |
|---|---|
| 42,874 41,482 |
|
| 1,050 1,000 1,941 1,737 658 1,575 571 608 1,612 1,404 |
|
| 5,832 6,324 |
|
| 48,706 47,806 |
|
| 2024 2023 £ £ 1,050 1,000 2024 2023 £ £ 7,560 8,834 384 486 |
|
| 7,944 9,320 |
In 2024 the charity had 1 permanent members of staff (2023: 2).
The Charities SORP requires disclosure of the number of employees with remuneration above £60,000. No employees were paid more than this amount.
Under their contracts of employment, the permanent members of staff are entitled to employer contributions to an occupational pension at 5.5%.
10
STRANGERS REST MISSION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
7 Trustees
The trustees received no payment or benefit from the charity in the year (2023: £nil).
The charity paid no remuneration to any Board member of the Trustee during the year, nor to any person connected to them; nor were they reimbursed expenses during the year (2023: £nil).
The Charities SORP requires disclosure of the aggregate amount of donations received from Trustees. Material donations were received from one of the Trustees, but the Trustees do not consider it necessary or desirable to disclose this amount.
8 Grants
| Analysis of grants: Gifts to visiting speakers and missionaries Gifts to other ministries Analysis of grants – Previous year: Gifts to visiting speakers and missionaries Gifts to other ministries |
Grants to Grants to Total Institutions Individuals £ £ £ 700 6,545 7,245 584 1,478 2,062 |
|---|---|
| 1,284 8,023 9,307 |
|
| 50 2,045 2,095 440 608 1,048 |
|
| 490 2,653 3,143 |
The institutional grants in 2024, including speaking fees, were £750 to London City Mission (2023: £290), £290 to Christian Heritage, £150 to Unevangelized Fields Mission, and £60 to Creation Research (2023: £200 to the Protestant Alliance).
9 Tangible Fixed Assets
| Fittings and equipment At 1 October 2022 Depreciation charge for the year At 30 September 2023 Additions Depreciation charge for the year At 30 September 2024 10 Debtors and prepayments Tax recoverable Prepayments and accrued income 11 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals |
Cost £ 31,417 - |
Accumulated Net depreciation book value £ £ (15,123) 16,294 (4,515) (4,515) |
|---|---|---|
| 31,417 12,028 - |
(19,638) 11,779 - 12,028 (5,331) (5,331) |
|
| 43,445 | (24,969) 18,476 |
|
| 2024 2023 £ £ 1,025 812 3,393 3,015 |
||
| 4,418 3,827 |
||
| - 656 1,285 2,075 |
||
| 1,285 2,731 |
11