Sh¢¢tl Ass0¢iation of EvanÈeliS Charity Number 266(#JS Income & Expendlture Statement 1st April 2022- 31st M•rth 2023 April 2022- March 2023 ..April 2021- March 2022 Openlng Balance Income Donation for work in India Gift Aid Ilndial Gift Aid IEvanB/Ass & Genl Donations for Evan8elistslAffiliates Gifts for Minlstry Fund Gifts for other charitl•s AofE Conference FEW Conferenc• Bank Interest Ilndijl Bank Interest IG•nl Total Intome 67911.37 7721.th) 17514.38 220179.18 17441.32 178231.90 20197.00 158270.44 56945.50 15619.73 10701.78 1.17 4.27 488908.26 14156.63 198.31 420291.65 E¥pendlture Gifts to Indl Bank Chary•s for For•i¢n Payments Paymenls to Evan8elists/Aff linc GIAidl Gifts to other Charit1¢5 Gifts to nominated bodies FEW Conf•r•nc• AofE Conf•rene• Meetini Exp•ns•slCaterlni Web55te/Licencelioom Travel costs Speakers expense5 PublScity Books Tolal exptndltur• Closlni Bank B4l¥nc• SY)886.90,' 180.00 247787.51, 170457.11 225.C4J 223002.93 BOO.00 78.C¥) 21412.97. 16474.82 314.40 107.99 2413.15 1181.50 10594.CQ 16930.45 367.32 694.16 1529,81 1000,00 404.60 120.00 426125.38 62782.88 328.thj 382724.44 37567.21 Current account 13415743 Gen Res•rv• account 13520350 G•n Current actount 13469428 Indi Reserve account 13520369 India oulStandin8 ch•que C•sh Balance 0 31 Marth made up of:. To be Sent to Indla To be s•nt to Evan8ellstslAssoc Conference FEW Confernt• Reserve Fund Ministry Fund o.fy) 33126.58 42928.82 4440.63 19854.06 a77.21 62782.88 4440.63 12757.50, -1180.18,, 2426.39 500.001 18612.871 19854.06 7542.50 6175.44 10437.65 500.00 18273.23 37567.zl 62782A8 Page I
Association of Evangelists
54 Henry Doulton Drive, London, SW17 6DB. Charity Number: 266005 Website: aofe.org.uk
Annual Report – 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
Objectives and Activities
The Objectives as defined in the original Trust document, and listed on the Charity Commission of England & Wales website are:
The furtherance of the gospel in Great Britain or elsewhere in accordance with the doctrines set out in the schedule of the deed particularly in the North of England and for the advancement of Christian religion in any way which the trustees shall in their absolute discretion deem fit and in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing (1) to engage in evangelism by tent campaigns church crusade united church rallies mass meetings or personal evangelism (2) to publish Christian books magazines literature records tapes and films and (3) to provide sell or give away bibles testaments tracts Christian books magazines literature records and tapes
The ‘Charity Overview’ on the Charity Commission Website lists the activities of the charity as:
To support evangelists who proclaim the Christian gospel to adults and children in the UK and abroad and provides support to Christian pastors in India and sponsors children in an orphanage in South India. All funds are committed as above, therefore no unsolicited requests for money are accepted or responded to.
Trustees
Frank Brearley, David Donegani (chair), Derek Guest, Carl Venn
Finances
The trustees are once again grateful for all donations received during the year, enabling the charity to continue in its work as spelt out in the Objectives and Activities above. All funds are processed and used in accordance with the requirements as laid down in the UK government guidelines and charity law, and in the governance policy of the Association of Evangelists. The accounts are available in a separate document.
Report 2022-23
The work of the Association of Evangelists has continued in much the same pattern as the previous year. It continues to provide support for the 13 associate and affiliate evangelists based in the UK, and also the work of The Metropolitan Mission, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India (see separate report).
A particular highlight of the year has been the growth of the annual Conference for Evangelists held in January. We moved to a new venue this year with the intention of growing the conference over the next few years to provide a programme for others involved in similar works and charities. This year’s attendance was up around 30% from the previous year, and it was noticeable the increase in numbers of younger people attending.
Page 1 of 4 Association of Evangelists – Annual report 2022-23
During the year one of our affiliate Evangelists has resigned as the scope of his work has changed and his work is now more focused with a single church, rather than a broad range of involvement. We continue to be on the lookout for others doing similar works who may be able to join us as associates or affiliates to further advance the work of the charity.
During this year we have once again run our three main events: the ‘Away Days’ in Yorkshire (June 22) for the Associates and Affiliates within the A of E; the ‘Annual Supporters Conference’ at King’s Park, Northampton (November 22); and the ‘Conference for Evangelists’ (January 23) for the A of E workers along with many others involved in gospel works in other Christian charities, organisations, and churches. These were all well attended and greatly appreciated by all able to get along. Plans are in place for these three events to be run again in 2023-24. The Conference for Evangelists moved to a different venue for January 2023 to accommodate more attendees. During the next year the Annual Supporters Conference (November 2023) will move to a new venue in the Midlands; and the Away Days will be at a new venue in June 2024.
The evangelists and affiliates have worked mostly ‘in-person’, with occasional ‘on-line’ training and events. Thay have worked with churches and groups around the country taking the opportunities to share the Good News about Jesus Christ to people of all generations around the UK. There have also been some overseas visits made to other Universities, churches, and Christian organisations.
The seven Associate Evangelists (Tony Brown, Roger Carswell, Gus Eyre, Joe Kirby, Michael Ots, Martin Povey, and Andy Peace) have continued to work in many different areas of the UK and beyond. Each of the evangelists ‘live by faith’ which means that they are not employed by any other church or organisation and depend on gifts from individuals to cover their living and ministry costs. Many of these gifts come via the Association of Evangelists and are recorded in the accounts.
The six Affiliate Evangelists within are Peter Barker, Vinny Commons, Nathan Ling (resigned November 2022), Andy Nash, Steve Neal and Carl Porter. Their work is normally less ‘itinerant’, working more specifically with a church or other organisation. Some of the Affiliate Evangelists are employed by other churches or organisations, and hence have ‘affiliate’ status.
We have continued to run ‘GO days’ in towns or city centres. The evangelists meet up with others from local churches and then go out into the town or city either visiting homes, doing questionnaire work, manning book tables or directly preaching. These are good opportunities to work with and train other churches. It has been encouraging to see local Christians getting involved.
The associates and affiliates have continued with their diverse range of opportunities around the country, often working and serving with many different churches and other Christian organisations. Most of these opportunities are for those who have little or no contact with the church. They are an important part of the regular ministry of many Christian Fellowships throughout the UK and it continues to be a privilege to facilitate and serve them in the work they do.
One of the evangelists works mostly with churches of varying sizes around the UK. These opportunities often include a full week of meetings with special guest interviews each evening which are good ‘hooks’ to raise the interest of those not regularly attending church. Another of the evangelists continues to head up the work of Yorkshire Camps (running camps for children and young people). Another of our evangelists works extensively to reach those who are caught up in new religious movements; and another has a YouTube channel with many subscribers and a wide reach around the world.
One of the evangelists (now in his 80’s!) continues an effective work with the homeless and drug addicts. Another is regularly out on the streets meeting people in great need. Many on the margins of society have been helped to face up to reality and consider the Good News of Jesus. Two of the evangelists work regularly with universities, both here in the UK and in Europe (including countries where the church has experienced restrictions).
Page 2 of 4 Association of Evangelists – Annual report 2022-23
The ‘Real Lives’ You Tube Channel continues, with live Saturday night events on-line and a regular following on the YouTube Cannel.
In summary, the evangelists have been regularly involved in many opportunities both inside and outside the church to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in places such as schools (whole school assemblies, Christian Union meetings and RE classes); Colleges & Universities (by invitation to one off special events or a series of meetings); camps for children and young people (Yorkshire Camps); city centres (eg London, Edinburgh and Liverpool); on the beach (with United Beach Missions) and other many other places. They also participate in many other meetings including coffee mornings, senior citizen clubs, Bible studies, breakfasts, special meetings in old people’s homes and sheltered accommodation.
Writing and the distribution of Christian literature continues to be an important part of the work. New resources have been written and published which can be used for gospel work more widely. These include new books, short Christian ‘tracts’, and other materials for teaching children.
The Association continues to support and encourage its partner mission, the Metropolitan Mission in Andhra Pradesh, South India. See the separate report.
David Donegani Chairman, Association of Evangelists
Report on the activity of the Metropolitan Mission for the period between April 1[st] 2022 and March 31[st] 2023
The Metropolitan Mission (MM) is an indigenous church organisation working in the city of Vijayawada and the surrounding districts, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, South India. As well as organising Christian Worship in the 150 affiliated churches and worship centres, it is also engaged in reaching out to surrounding neighbourhoods with the gospel message that Jesus saves and with practical help to many struggling and disadvantaged groups The MM is committed to the orthodox Christian message that man is separated from God by sin and rebellion and that the only way this breach in relationship can be overcome is through individual faith in Jesus Christ, his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave.
During the coronavirus pandemic the work of the mission was very disrupted, but things have returned to normal now. Churches have reopened and so has the children’s home and both the schools (they have a primary school in Telegu medium, and another in English medium).
Of the 107 pastors and Bible women and social workers that are supported by the MM, 77 are helped through a sponsorship scheme facilitated by the Association of Evangelists. Individuals and churches in the UK can donate money regularly to the scheme, which goes to their nominated worker and allows these individuals to support their families as they assist their churches and communities. As well as the normal duties of church workers, such as preaching and bible teaching, conducting weddings and funerals, and pastoral visiting these individuals provide a vital link between the social work activities of the MM and the poor communities they work amongst. Over the last year the work has continued to expand in the eastern districts of Andrah Pradesh, around Vishakapatnam. The mission planted a church congregation in the town of Tuni last year and this year they have also expanded into Sabbavaram. As part of this work, they have started supporting 2 local evangelists there.
There is a lot of maintenance and building work required in the different worship centres. During the period of this report a new church building was completed at Venkatatanda and building continues at the
Page 3 of 4 Association of Evangelists – Annual report 2022-23
headquarters in Gunadala (the large church there is fully operational now, though there are a few outstanding jobs to complete). There has been a lot of maintenance work in the children’s home in both the boy’s and the girl’s quarters and they are making steady progress with the large dining hall near the boys’ dorms, which the government has asked them to build so that boys and girls can eat separately. Often the building projects take quite a long time to complete as they progress when and only when the funds are available.
Another important aspect of the work of the MM is the Children’s Home. This is situated near to the village of MV Gudem. As mentioned above there is always on-going maintenance required for these buildings which draws on the mission funds. During the covid crisis the home was closed temporarily, in line with the government policy at that time but it reopened in 2021 and now has 152 children resident there. Some of these children are sponsored by churches and families in the UK. They send a regular donation to the mission and the funds raised help support the entire work of the home, including the care of the unsponsored children. No distinction is made between sponsored and unsponsored children in the home. The families in the UK receive information on the progress of their sponsored children through their education so that they can pray for them as they grow. The home provides a safe environment for the children where they can be fed and sheltered and given space to do studies and attend school. If they progress well, they will have the opportunity of moving on into higher education and the MM supports them in courses where needed.
The Children’s home is located on a compound in the countryside which it shares with the MM primary schools. There are 2 schools on the compound. In one the education is conducted in Telegu, the language of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Most of the children attending the Telegu school live in the children’s home itself, though some do attend from local villages. There are 5 teachers in this school. The English Medium school is a growing part of the MM ministry to the surrounding villages. In the English medium school there are now 250 pupils. The mission employs 12 teachers for the schools, 3 drivers to collect the students with the bus, and 3 ayas for the very small children. The home has 5 staff to look after the boys and 3 for the girls, 3 cooks, 2 security men and another who also tends the garden on site, plus 1 dhobi.
Page 4 of 4 Association of Evangelists – Annual report 2022-23
ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELISTS tNDEPENDEKf EXAMINER'S REPORT Ye*r Ended 31" Mareb 2023 B&sed upon my examination of the accounts for the Ass(Kiation of Evangelists, no matter has come to my attention which gives m¢ r¢awnable eause lo believe thaL in any material respecL the accounts do not Comply with the requirements of the Ckjarity Conllnissioners. No matter has come to my attention in connection with my examination wh¢r¢ further inforniation is required to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to b¢ reached. D. G. Tay Relired Accountant 8 Titchwell Road. London SW18 3LW Dat¢d: 24th June 2023