TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025
Trustees Report 01[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025
Trustees: Geoffrey Rutendo Rondozai (Chairman), Elaine May (Treasurer), Rachel Bull (Secretary), Richard Bibby (ceased 10[th] October 2024)
The trustees are pleased to present the report on the activities of Worldwide Crusades Charity. The charity operates as Whittlesey Christian Church and during the period has operated from its base at 23 Broad street, Whittlesey.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. We meet every Thursday evening at the rear of the church, at 19.30 for a meeting lasting 1.5 hrs. Our attendance varies, usually between 10-18 people. We finance the meeting by voluntary contributions by people attending, we make a contribution to the church as and when we can, usually monthly. We have used the church as a venue for our meeting for many years, apart from during the Covid lockdown, and have always had a good collaboration between us and the church, which we hope will continue.
T@23- Elaine May
Every Wednesday the church hosts “Tea@23” an adult coffee morning for the community. Attending are a wide range of guests from young adults with a learning disability to people from a local residential home for older people. During school holidays some children attend with their parents. We offer free cake and beverages however monetary donations are welcomed. It is run by dedicated volunteers and we average at 60 people who visit each week.
The ethos of the church is reflected in all we do in serving God at this event. We offer individual prayer sessions throughout the morning plus a short message and prayer to the whole group.
Whittlesey Christian Church Children’s work
Hello, my name is Cate Ross, I’m the children’s ministry leader at the Whittlesey Christian Church and have been for 27 years now. In this role it has been my joy to work with a team of dedicated volunteers who seek to share the Gospel with as many children and families as possible. We are doing this in two main ways.
- Lighthouse Gang, our 2-11’s children’s church club and community outreach. At Lighthouse Gang on Sunday morning, we walk through the bible with stories,
songs,games, video clips, activities and more. The children are also encouraged to pray and share their thoughts. During the summer holidays we also host Lighthouse Gang Summer Holiday club to the wider community and again we share the good news of the gospel using bible stories, songs, games, video clips and more. We also host special events around Easter, All Saints Day and Christmas.
- Little Angels, our pre-school parent/carers outreach community group.
At Little Angels, which runs Tuesdays during term time, we welcome parents/carers and their children into a safe space where we seek to support them and share the gospel. We do this by providing a craft table, free play equipment, story time, song time, and big indoor play equipment too! We have a time of refreshments and are delighted to say that we have, the very popular, giveaway table which is loaded with items no longer used or needed to bless one another. This year for the first time we decided to keep connected during the summer. holidays by still meeting on a Tuesday at different venues. This worked very well.
I give God all the glory for the privilege of being a part of this work which has allowed me to see individuals won for his kingdom.
Women's Ministry – Margaret Rondozai and Cristina Neves
We are a sisterhood with Christ at the centre of all we do. We begin every year with a prayer breakfast meeting, this is an opportunity to fellowship and pray for the year ahead, pray for ourselves, our community and our church. We share Testimonies of what God has done for us to encourage each other.
In year 2024 we had many healing and protection testimonies. We have seen God’s provision and protection. The highlight events of 2024 included, Games Night, Light Night Walk, Open Worship Night and a very popular Movie Night. We always celebrate our diversity and talents in our church”.
International Day-Rachel Bull
On November 22nd, we hosted our second International Evening — a celebration of the rich and diverse cultures within our church family. It was a wonderful evening with a great turnout, as we shared and enjoyed a wide array of delicious dishes from around the world. At least eight countries were represented, making it a truly global experience.
Men's Ministry
The men during the year have held a number of events. These included breakfast and meals at the church and at local restaurants. They have been able to interact and share their faith with different people and also encouraged each other. The events were arranged by Fabio and Austin who have.
The charity has continued to maintain a strong presence in the community and has been ready to support those in need. Through the church the emphasis has been to ensure that Jesus Christ is at the centre of our community activities and outreach.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Worldwide Crusades is a charitable trust set up in 1977 to use its resources to promote the Gospel in any area of the world. The charity operates as Whittlesey Christian Church, based at 23 Broad Street, Whittlesey, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE7 1HA.
The Church Office has not been open at set times, but has been available on an on demand basis.
Those who served from 1st April 2024 until the date this report was approved were Elaine May, Rachel Bull, Geoffrey Rondozai (from 25[th] September 2024).
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The activities of Whittlesey Christian Church are overseen by the Leaders of the Church. The governing document of the registered charity is the founding Trust Deed dated 1977.
The Trustees are responsible for the financial administration of the Church, and the care and maintenance of Church premises.
The members of the Leaders Meeting included the minister in charge (Richard Bibby until 10[th] October 2024, Raymond and Sarah Manoehoetoe were identified as the new Pastors for the church in November. They were living and ministering in Huddersfield and will be moving to Whittlesey to take on their new role. Currently, there are no appointed senior leaders (elders) who will assist in strategic planning.
A Business Meeting has not been held during the year.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Whittlesey Christian Church seeks to advance the Christian religion through its activities and the facilities offered to the community by its building, and described more specifically in its mission statement as “Serving the Fenland Community”.
The Leaders of the Church are aware of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in "The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit" and has regard to it in the administration of the Church. During the financial period, Richard Bibby ceased to be Senior Leader, a position that has now been filled by Raymond and Sarah Manoehoetoe as Pastors.
The Trustees believe that the Church provides benefit to the public by providing resources and facilities for public worship, pastoral care and the teaching of Christian doctrine, both for the congregation and the local community.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
(1) There has been a decrease of total overall income of about 8%. The level of giving has remained largely similar to the previous financial year. As in the previous year, no Gift Aid claim was made with HMRC. This is due to lack of capacity and clarity by the trustees of this process. It is hoped, this will be achieved in the coming financial year.
The outlook for income in the following year is expected to be about the same as for the current year. However, as we have not claimed Gift Aid in the last 2-3 years, once claimed this will be a significant inflow.
(2) The Church would like to maintain an amount equal to at least 12 months’ regular expenditure as “free” reserves, in order to meet future shortfalls in income. The current account balance of £74123 (including non-identified savings) at 31 March 2025 represents about 11 months of net expenditure.
This report was approved by the Trustees on 01/01/2026 and is signed on its behalf by Geoffrey Rondozai (Chairman).
Whittlesey Christian Church Rachel Bull Geoff Rondozai Elaine May
WORLDWIDE CRUSADES
OPERATING AS WHITTLESEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Whittlesey Christian Church
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Whittlesey Christian Church (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance
with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under s. 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under s. 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Signed LWSisimayi Name MR LOVEMORE WILSON SISIMAYI
L WILSON & CO
Accountants
30 Hanover Court
Priory Lane Roehampton
London SW15 5JQ
Date 1[ST] Janaury,2026
WORLDWIDE CRUSADES
OPERATING AS WHITTLESEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes Assets Monetary assets: Barclays Community current account Barclays Active Saver. Barclays Active Saver – Reserve. T@23 Bank Account Non-monetary assets: Property at 23 Broad Street 2 Land at 19 Broad Street 3 Furniture and equipment (net book value) 4 |
2025 Total for Year £ 11468 74123 5117 1294 92002 881,477 25,000 475 906,952 |
2024 Total for Year £ 12409 73039 5042 680 |
2024 Total for Year £ 12409 73039 5042 680 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 91170 881,477 25,000 475 |
|||
| 906952 |
WORLDWIDE CRUSADES
OPERATING AS
WHITTLESEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
NOTES TO THE STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL
ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Notes on accounts
1) Accounting policies
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis.
2) Property
The insurance value of the property at 23 Broad Street has previously been £854,535 as at 31 March 2014. The extension work is now complete. In September 2015, the church purchased solar panels to the value of
£17,812, increasing the value of the property to £872,347. In August 2018, the church upgraded the heating system and installed new radiators to the value of £9,130, increasing the value of the property to £881,477.
3) Land
The remaining land at 19 Broad Street has been included at a value equal to the net cost balance of
£25,000.
4) Furniture & equipment
Furniture and equipment has been depreciated by the reduced balance method at a rate of 25%.
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WORLDWIDE CRUSADES
OPERATING AS WHITTLESEY CHRISTIAN
CHURCH
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS &
PAYMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
TAX YEAR 2025 2024
£ £
RECEIPTS
Bank Interest.
Donations, legacies and other.
similar receipts:
29028.3
Identified giving. 17637
9
Donations.
Unidentified Donations. 10292
Cash deposits( Rev Richard) 375
Insurance Refund 2175
Energy Income 1392
Catering Income 57
Subscription Incmoe 175.98
Returns 79
Tax recovered
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| Activities forgenerating funds: | |||||
| Venue and room hire | |||||
| Investment Income receipts: | |||||
| Bank Interest | 1170.66 | 959 | |||
| Other income: | 680 | ||||
| Incomegenerated from Solar Panels | 5152 | ||||
| Other income(Grant-Support Services) | 2000 | ||||
| TOTALS | 34078.0 3 |
37095 | |||
| Payments : Charitable Services | |||||
| Pastoral Services | |||||
| Zambian orphanage | 0 | ||||
| Speakers expenses(honorarium) | 6570 | 400 | |||
| Pastoral Services(other) | 607 | ||||
| Special events | 342 | 0 | |||
| Catering | 612 | 913 | |||
| Donationsgiven | |||||
| Support costs | |||||
| Wages | 0 | ||||
| Subscriptions | 368 | 914 | |||
| Church light,heat and water | 4146 | ||||
| Maintenance & upkeep | 10710.1 | 16161 | |||
| Telephone | 1104 | 1376 | |||
| Trainingcourses Creative arts | 335 | 81 | |||
| Management & administration | |||||
| Printing,stationery&postage | 150 | ||||
| Bank charges | 52 | ||||
| Accountancy | 1070 | 400 | |||
| Insurancepremiums | 1919 | 1877 | |||
| Depreciation | 0 | ||||
| Other | 1534 | ||||
| Telephone Services | 175 | ||||
| Otherpayments | ||
| HeatingServices | 200 | |
| Safeguarding | 705 | |
| Flowers | 70 | |
| Children's Ministry | 86 | |
| Licences | ||
| Sundries | 425 | 2446 |
| Advertising | 691 | 904 |
| Legal fees | 0 | |
| Equipment | 156 | 27 |
| Software Package | 141 | |
| Plumbing | 263 | |
| Charitable activities(tlcr us) | 275 | |
| Video Hosting | 121 | |
| Other charities | 60 | |
| Support costs | 1150 | |
| Fire Protection | 1408.01 | |
| Sundries | 413 | |
| Cleaner | 1278 | 1125 |
| Cleaningsupplies | 673 | |
| Sundries(Paypal) | 749 | |
| Sundries(Sump) | 0 | |
| Transport | 0 | |
| Utilities(Gas) | 377 | |
| Utitities(Energy) | 1130 | |
| Other(God Powered) | 434 | |
| Identified Giving() | 82 | |
| Printer | 770 | |
| Other utilities | 291 | |
| Sundries(Ebay) | 1091 | |
| Utilities | 4789 | |
| TOTALS | 33887 | 40258 |
| Surplus /Deficit | 191.03 | -3163 |
| SUMMARY |
| Net receipts /payments | 191 | -3,163 |
| Balance brought forward frompreviousyear | 461,101 | 464,264 |
| Balance carried forward at end of year | £461,29 2 |
£461,101 |