Association of Evangelists
54 Henry Doulton Drive, London, SW17 6DB. Charity Number: 266005 website: aofe.org.uk
Annual Report – 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
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.
All the evangelists and affiliates are responsible for submitting their own personal accounts and making payments to HMRC as required.
Report 2023-24
The work of the Association of Evangelists has continued in much the same pattern as it has done for many years. It continues to: provide support for the 12 associate and affiliate evangelists based in the UK; provide training for a variety of other evangelists around the UK; and support the work of The Metropolitan Mission, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India (see separate report).
Page 1 of 4 Association of Evangelists – Annual report 2023-24
We organised our Annual Supporters Conference in November 2023. However, we are not planning one this November. Many of the supporters are now older and find it difficult to attend, and costs have increased considerably over the years. Also, we now have a regular on-line reporting back evening each month which fulfils one of the needs that the annual conference was intended for. We will continue to monitor the situation going forward as to whether we run this conference again.
The annual Conference for Evangelists was held in January at Yarnfield Park in Staffordshire. The number of attendees was slightly up on the previous year, and it was particularly encouraging to see younger men and women who have a vision for evangelism joining the conference
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. There are some who we have been in discussion with who may join us in the future.
During this last year we also had our ‘Away Days’ in Yorkshire (June 23) for the Associates and Affiliates within the AofE. Plans are in place for these two events (Evangelists’ Conference and ‘Away Days’) to be run again in 2024-25.
The evangelists and affiliates work mostly ‘in-person’, although there are occasional events that are done line due to geographical limitations. They have worked with many churches and groups around the country, taking the opportunities to share the Good News about Jesus Christ to many people from all backgrounds and across the 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. These evangelists ‘live by faith’, meaning that they are not employed by the charity, or any other churches or organisation. They depend on gifts made by individuals to cover their living and ministry costs. Many of these gifts come via the Association of Evangelists and are duly recorded in the accounts of the charity.
The five Association of Evangelists Affiliate Evangelists are Peter Barker, Vinny Commons, Andy Nash, Steve Neal and Carl Porter (resigned Feb 2024). Some of the Affiliate Evangelists are employed by other churches or organisations, and hence have ‘affiliate’ status. Their work is normally less ‘itinerant’, working more specifically with a church or other organisation. Carl has resigned his position to enable him to devote his time to establishing a new church in the Swindon are where he lives.
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 others. It has been encouraging to see local Christians getting involved. Most of these have been in the Northwest of England, where there is a cluster of young men with a vision to run them.
The associates and affiliates have continued with their diverse range of opportunities around the country, working and serving with many different churches and 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 activities of many Churches and Christian Fellowships throughout the UK, and it continues to be a privilege to facilitate and serve them in the work they do.
Roger works mostly with churches of varying sizes around the UK (including Northern Ireland). These opportunities will often include a full week of meetings with special guest interviews each evening. Attractive evenings are organised to draw in those not regularly attending church. Andy continues to head up the work of Yorkshire Camps (camps for children and young people). Each year a new voluntary team joins to be trained up and help run the camps. Tony, based in Bradford, continues to work extensively to reach those who are caught up in new religious movements and is also involved in training others within
Page 2 of 4 Association of Evangelists – Annual report 2023-24
different churches around the country. Joe has a YouTube channel with many subscribers and a wide reach around the world. He also does regular ‘street work’ in different towns and cities in the Northwest.
Gus (now in his 80’s!) continues to do a remarkable and effective work with the homeless community and drug addicts in Blackpool. Many on the margins of society have been helped to face up to reality and consider the Good News of Jesus. Martin works mostly with Christian Unions at universities around the UK, but also with different churches. Michael works in a similar way both here in the UK and elsewhere in Europe (including countries where the church has experienced restrictions).
Andy, Steve and Pete (Affiliate Evangelists) are employed/work within different churches. Most of their work is done within those churches, but they also enjoy the fellowship, support and training provided by being affiliates within the A of E. Vinny is involved in a variety of activities and is often seen using his ‘Potter’s Wheel’ to communicate the message of the gospel.
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 has once again been 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 below.
David Donegani Chairman, Association of Evangelists 26[th] September 2024
Report on the activity of the Metropolitan Mission for the period between April 1[st] 2023 and March 31[st] 2024
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 100 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, and many of the churches and worship centres were closed. The remaining Churches have reopened though and are functioning normally again. The Children’s Home and both the schools (they have a primary school in Telegu medium, and another in English medium) have also reopened.
Page 3 of 4 Association of Evangelists – Annual report 2023-24
Of the 100 pastors and Bible women and social workers that are supported by the MM, 74 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.
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 Chandavaram and Jagganandapuram. 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 have largely completed the 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. The Children’s Home reopened in 2021. Numbers of children fluctuates according to need. The mission usually has many more applications for entry than it can fund. Children may join the home and settle well but then domestic circumstances can change and they may be withdrawn. Also a small number each year fail to settle so return to their families. Numbers of children therefore do vary throughout the year. During the period covered by this report, there were 105 children resident there, 60 boys and 45 girls. 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. During the time span covered by this report the MM was supporting 36 college students
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 is a growing preference for English Medium Education, even amongst the poorest village people and so gradually the strength of the Telegu School is decreasing. There were 50 pupils in this school during this year. There are 5 teachers in this school. The English Medium school remains popular as part of the MM ministry to the surrounding villages. There were now 183 pupils in this school with 10 teachers. The mission 2 drivers to collect the students with the bus, and 4 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.
Finally, the mission seeks to help people in the surrounding villages who face particularly difficult circumstances. They provide some regular financial support to the families of 83 handicapped children, and 10 single mothers.
Page 4 of 4 Association of Evangelists – Annual report 2023-24
Associatlon ol Evan8dlsts Charlty Number I66(5 Income & Expendlture Ststement 1st Aprll 2023 . 31st Paavth 2024 April 2023 - March 2024 1 37567.21, Aprll 2022- Marcii 2023 6278188 Opening Balance In¢ome Donatlon for work in India Gift Aid {Indlal Gift Aid IEvan8lAss & Genl Donations for E¥angelistslAffiliates Gifts for Mlnistry Fund Gifts for other charitre5 AofE Conference FEW Conference Bank Interest Ilndlal Bank Interest IGenl Income Tot•1 Income 90896.23. 67911.37 7721.IKI 17514.38 220179.18 17441.32 36817.50 1 207418.44. 6187.06 | 13&J6.691 15663.921 12365.48 14156.63 21.10 447.11 3817.91, 418575.12 357508.77 420291.65 Èxpendhure Gifts to India Bank Charges for Foreign Payments Payments to Évan8elistslAff linc GIAldl Gffts to other Charlfjes Gifts to nominated bodies FEW Conlerence AofÉ Coriference Meettn8 Expen5es/Caterin8 Webslte/Licencelioom Travel costs Speakers expenses Publicity 101124.93 180.ixl I 251912.19, 90886.90 180.(K) 247787.51 52fy). I 22490.36, 11815.981 103.94 1 44.83 21412.97 16474.82 314.40 2413.15 1785.fy)1 459.23, Total expendituré Closlrrf 8•nk 8alanc¢ 397085.41, 21489.71 382724.44 37567.21 Current account 13415743 Gen Reserve accovnt 13520350 Gen Current account 13469428 Indio Reserve account 13520369 India C45h Ba14n e Ji Mar<h made upof..- To be sent to India To be Sent to Evan8elist5lAssoc Conference FEW Conference Reserve Fund MSnistry Fund 17486.82, 33126.58 4002.89 21489.71 4440.63 37567.21 4(4)2.89., 597.50 12757.5CI 2426.39 5sYJ.OJ 18622.87 37567.21 15326.02, 21489.71 io
.i.SSOCIATION OF EVANGELISTS YDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT i ear Ended 31" MArch 2024 B¥d8ed upon my examination of the accounts for the Assoeialion of EvaDgeli5t5. no matter has eome fo my ttention which gives me reasonable cause to beliei'e that, in Any material respec( Ihe ae¢ouDts do not comply witb tbe requirements of the Charity Commissioners. o matter has come to my attention in connection with rny examination wbere further information is required to enable Yd proper understanding of the *¢¢ount8 to be reaehed. D."C. Tavlor Retired Accountant 8 Ti¢¢hwell Road, London SW183LW Ih D4t¢d: 10 Augusl 2024