African Pastors’ Fellowship
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Registered Charity number 282756
Karen Hanlan Independent Examiner Limited
African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Report of the trustees | 3-7 |
| Statement of Trustees responsibilities | 8 |
| Report of the independent examiner | 9 |
| Statement of financial activities | 10 |
| Balance sheet | 11 |
| Principle accounting policies | 12-14 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 15-24 |
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Report of the trustees
The trustees of the African Pastors’ Fellowship (“the Charity”) have pleasure in presenting their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Constitution 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 (FRS102) (updated 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
As set out in its Constitution, the Charity is established for the advancement of the Christian Religion by the provision of financial, spiritual and medical assistance to Church leaders of all denominations and their dependents in Africa, and other such countries as from time to time may be determined, and the training of such leaders. This is achieved by providing:
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A: 1. Local Training courses
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Related literature in relevant languages
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Basic equipment for ministry – books, bicycles, etc
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Additional pastoral care
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B: Expanding a fellowship of supporters who will aid the work of the African Pastors’ Fellowship in developing countries through prayer and practical giving.
In shaping the objectives for the year and planning activities, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance ‘public benefit: running a charity (PB2)’.
The vision of APF is to empower Christian leaders so as to enable effective ministry that delivers community transformation through the local church.
The mission of APF is to develop the capacity of Christian leaders in partnership with African agencies to provide training, equipment and pastoral care (APF pastor the pastors that pastor the pastors).
The ultimate goal of our charitable objectives is to bring community transformation, mainly in rural sub-Saharan east Africa, through the local church (registered networks, denominations and related partner NGOs). This is achieved largely through investment in capacity building of faith community leaders (both lay and ordained). The future strategy is to resource and release indigenous leaders with vision, capacity and an existing ministry ‘pastoring pastors’ so as to increase, multiply and better culturally contextualise the work. Some projects bring obvious and immediate community transformation (such as sustainable domestic solar technology) while other projects (such as training in family values, entrepreneurship and sustainable farming) will bring lasting benefit in the longer-term.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Activity and Achievements
2023 was another busy and productive year. Progress continues being made to increasing the number of eVitabu subscribers and building digital capacity both practically and theologically. The biggest growth of eVitabu users were in Rwanda and Zambia due to the work of Rev Victor Imanaturikumwe and Pastor Lawson Lovyson, respectively. There continues to be organic growth across the continent and at the time of writing there are now 1,750 eVitabu users in 34 nations reaching an estimated number of 1.75m believers with Biblical, theological, social justice and development resources that are being used to shape communities with Christian hope. Work also took place to build capacity around digital tools, training and theology.
A number of significant new partnerships were developed, notably with the Uganda Assemblies of God and Baptist Convention of Kenya. There was also an exciting new venture in partnership with Spurgeon’s College in the UK to offer their online Equipped for Digital Ministry course at a substantially subsidised cost to African pastors’ applying through APF. To date more than 40 African pastors have enrolled with around 15 paid and making a start on their studies.
50 overseas grants were sent to support the ministry of African Training Partners (ATPs). The number of transactions was reduced from 2022 and this is in part a reflection of our strategic priority to resource fewer African Training Partners but with larger grants for them to manage. There were around 40 grants for in-service-training conferences in Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Some ATPs received academic scholarships, travel costs, subsistence and support with administration and compliance costs. Multiple eVitabu awareness raising workshops and induction events were delivered, including an APF hosted conference in Kampala for Church of Uganda and other key east African partners, plus a variety of church and community projects such as Growing Greener in Malawi continue to be funded. Financial support was also availed for youth worker training and pastoral responses to humanitarian needs such as assistance for vulnerable women and children, medical and educational costs for African friends and partners.
There were two visits by UK personnel to Africa for networking, monitoring and training purposes. There will always remain a need for in-person contact but the mentoring and coaching of ATPs is seen as a more efficient, appropriate and sustainable model than multiple intercontinental trips each year. All of the above Africa-facing activity was supported by the UK team delivering excellent levels of administration, regulatory compliance and governance. This is an essential cost to the charity, especially with our mission being in the developing world, the diligence and skill of the UK staff should not be underestimated.
The successes and achievements briefly outlined above are set against a challenging financial backdrop where regular monthly unrestricted income for core costs is rarely enough to meet fixed monthly payments. In the modern geo-political and economic context gaining new donors and trust funding is hard to come by, especially for UK costs, however in 2023 several major donors committed to grants for more than one year, which is helpful and although cash-flow is sometimes hard to manage this does help a little with future planning.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Finances in 2023
2023 was a satisfactory year for the charity from a financial perspective. Overall, income was up on 2022 and expenditure was lower. An increase in grant funding compared to 2022 was reflected in higher expenditure from restricted funds. Higher income and lower expenditure during the year also meant the Charity was able to replenish its reserves.
We remain very grateful for the generosity of our supporters who continue to provide for the work of APF through regular giving, responding to appeals and from gifts in wills. We also continue to benefit from generous gifts from grant making trusts.
Overall, our finances remain satisfactory, enabling us to move forward with our strategic objectives. The day-to-day challenge of cash-flow and ensuring reserve levels are maintained makes mid- to long-term investment difficult. A significant increase in funding would, for example, enable faster development and rollout of eVitabu and the appointment of national and regional directors in Africa, both of which are key strategic priorities.
Pension Liabilities and Reserves Policy
Since August 2022, an agreement referred to as a ‘buy in policy’ meant Just Group provided financial backing for all defined benefit (DB) pensions provided through the Baptist Pension Scheme. As a result, the scheme is no longer in a shortfall position and pension liabilities effectively ceased. Deficit contributions were reduced to a nominal £1 per month to reflect this. During 2024, members of the DB Plan will become policyholders of Just and in 2025 the DB Plan of the Baptist Pension Scheme will be wound up.
The current reserves policy is to maintain, as a minimum, sufficient general funds to cover at least three months’ unavoidable costs, being approximately £21,000. General funds at 31 December 2023 were £35,526, compared to £12,886 at 31 December 2022. The Trustees have effectively built reserves to the minimum level during the year.
The Trustees are confident that the Charity will have sufficient cashflows to meet the annual liabilities as they become due. They see no reason to deviate from planned charitable expenditure, however, they will continue to monitor the charity’s finances carefully.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
The African Pastors’ Fellowship is a registered charity (No. 282756) and governed by its Constitution originally adopted on 1 June 1981 and subsequently amended on 27 November 1990, 16 June 1999 and 27 March 2003.
Appointment of trustees, induction & training
New Trustees are appointed by invitation to join the Board given that they have the necessary skills and experience to contribute to the Trust’s activities and to be able to discharge their obligations as Trustees.
Management
The Trustees delegate the day to day running and administering of the Charity and its activities to the CEO and UK staff team.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees: Revd Richard Suffern - Chairman Mr Andrew Richardson - Treasurer Mr John Chambers Revd David J Howard (resigned 25 April 2023) Revd Richard Tucker Revd Andrew North Mrs Florence Anne Lyttle (resigned 25 April 2023) Mr Peter Flew (appointed 11 July 2023) Mr Kingston Ogango (appointed 11 July 2023) Ms Rose Mugabi (appointed 15 January 2024)
Chief Executive Officer: Projects& Finance Coordinator: Revd David Stedman Mr Geoff Holder
Charity Number: 282756 Registered Office: Independent Examiner: Station House Karen Hanlan, ACA Station Approach Karen Hanlan Independent Examiner Limited Adisham 1 Saracen Close Canterbury Ettington CT3 3JE CV37 7SZ
Bankers: Virgin Money Yorkshire Bank CCLA Investment Management 154-158 Kensington High Street 7-11 High Street Senator House London Coventry 85 Queen Victoria Street W8 7RL CV1 5SB London EC4V 4ET
Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:
Date: 13[th] May 2023
Revd Richard Suffern Chairman of Trustees
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and UK Accounting Standards including Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’.
The trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit incurred by the Charity for that year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgments 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 accounts; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to exist.
The trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the Charity has an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which 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.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and to provide reasonable assurance that:
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the Charity is operating efficiently and effectively;
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its assets are safeguarded against un-authorised use or disposition;
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proper records are maintained and financial information used within the Charity or for publication is reliable;
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the Charity complies with relevant laws and regulations.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the African Pastors’ Fellowship
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the African Pastors Fellowship (‘the Charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 10-24.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I can 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:
1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3) the accounts do 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.
Karen Hanlan, Institute of Chartered Accountants, England & Wales Karen Hanlan Independent Examiner Limited
Date: 13 May 2024
1 Saracen Close, Ettington, CV37 7SZ
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Statement of financial activities
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Un-|Total|Total|
|restricted|Restricted|funds|funds|
|funds|funds|2023|2022|
|Note £|£|£|£|
|INCOME FROM:|
|Donations and legacies|1|131,269|35,268|166,537|153,869|
|Other trading activities|2|3,444|-|3,444|5,802|
|Investments|384|-|384|37|
|──────|──────|──────|──────|
|TOTAL INCOME|135,097|35,268|170,365|159,708|
|──────|──────|──────|──────|
|EXPENDITURE ON:|
|Raising Funds|(24,217)|-|(24,217)|(26,651)|
|Charitable activities|(88,202)|(45,597)|(133,799) (152,878)|
|Other expenditure|-|-|-|(680)|
|──────|───────|─────── ───────|
|TOTAL EXPENDITURE|3|(112,419)|(45,597)|(158,016) (180,209)|
|──────|──────|─────── ───────|
|Net losses on investments|
|-|-|-|(10,032)|
|──────|──────|───────|───────|
|Net income/(expenditure)|22,678|(10,329)|12,349|(30,533)|
|Transfers between funds|(38)|38|-|-|
|Other recognised gains|-|34,870|
|──────|──────|─────── ───────|
|NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS|22,640|(10,291)|12,349|4,337|
|RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS|──────|─────|──────|──────|
|Total funds brought forward|12,886|27,835|40,721|36,384|
|──────|───────|─────── ───────|
|Total funds carried forward|35,526|17,544|53,070|40,721|
|═════|═════|═════|═════|
----- End of picture text -----
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Balance sheet
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible assets 5 Investments 6 Current Assets Debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Current Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 Net current assets Creditors: amounts falling due in more than one year 9 Net assets Funds of the Charity: Restricted Funds 10 Unrestricted Funds - General 10 - Designated pension liability 10 Total un-restricted funds Total funds of the Charity |
2023 2022 £ £ - - - 33,730 |
|---|---|
| - 33,730 3,896 2,565 53,738 11,478 |
|
| 57,634 14,043 (4,508) (6,984) |
|
| 53,126 7,059 |
|
| (56) (68) |
|
| 53,070 40,721 |
|
| 17,544 27,835 35,582 12,954 (56) (68) |
|
| 35,526 12,886 |
|
| 53,070 40,721 |
The accompanying accounting policies and notes form part of these financial statements.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Revd Richard Suffern Chairman of Trustees
Date: 13[th] May 2024
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Principal accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (updated 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS102)) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
Going Concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the charity will continue to operate. The validity of this assumption is dependent upon the continuance of support from its donors. The charity’s budget for 2024 shows that the charity will be able to operate in the foreseeable future. Based on this understanding the trustees believe that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. The financial statements do not include any adjustments, which would result from the basis of preparation being inappropriate.
Funds
General accumulated funds are unrestricted funds available for general purposes and include funds designated for a particular purpose; the use of such funds remains at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds are funds subject to conditions imposed by the donor or by specific terms of the appeal under which the funds are raised. The restrictive conditions are binding upon the Charity.
Income and expenditure
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income relating to future periods is deferred until activity takes place.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Staff costs are allocated to expenditure categories in accordance with the amount of time spent by staff across the different activities in which the Charity operates.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Principal accounting policies (continued)
Irrecoverable VAT is allocated to the expense heading to which it relates in accordance with standard accounting practice.
Donated services and facilities
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102, general volunteer time is not recognised.
On receipt, donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay for the for the facilities provided; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
Investment income
Bank interest and dividends are shown on the basis of amounts receivable in the year.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at a rate calculated to write off the cost on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset at the following rates:
Office & Computer equipment - 3 years
Fixed assets are capitalised when their cost exceeds £500.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Creditors
Creditors are recognised when the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in a transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.
Taxation
As a registered charity, no provision is considered necessary for taxation.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Principal accounting policies (continued)
Pensions
The Charity makes contributions to Pension Schemes at rates determined by the rules of the scheme. Contributions are charged to employee costs in the year in which they are payable.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements
1. Income from donations and legacies
| Gifts and donations Gift Aid receivable Legacies receivable Grants Donated facilities/services Gifts and donations Gift Aid receivable Legacies receivable Grants Donated facilities/services |
2023 Un- restricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 117,648 18,868 136,516 10,221 - 10,221 - - - - 16,400 16,400 3,400 - 3,400 |
|---|---|
| 131,269 35,268 166,537 |
|
| 2022 Un- restricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 74,090 30,870 104,960 14,248 - 14,248 386 - 386 135 30,600 30,735 3,540 - 3,540 |
|
| 92,399 61,470 153,869 |
Donated facilities comprise the use of office space provided free of charge.
2. Income from trading activities
| Fundraising events Fees receivable |
2023 2022 £ £ 3,137 4,951 307 851 |
|---|---|
| 3,444 5,802 |
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
3. Analysis of expenditure
| Analysis of expenditure | |
|---|---|
| Salaries Printing, publicity& platform fees UK Fundraiser UK Fundraising Events African project costs - restricted Other African project & travel costs News & Prayer publications UK office costs (including in-kind £3,400) Postage & stationary UK travel & hospitality UK Training Website/IT costs Independent Examiners' fee Trustees meetings and expenses Total Investment managers fees Salaries Printing, publicity& platform fees UK Fundraiser UK Fundraising Events African project costs - restricted Other African project & travel costs News & Prayer publications UK office costs (including in-kind £3,540) Postage & stationary UK travel & hospitality UK Training Independent Examiners' fee Interest cost on pension liability Total |
2023 Raising funds Charitable activities Other Expenditure Total £ £ £ £ 20,633 60,655 - 81,288 883 - - 883 1,776 - - 1,776 925 - - 925 - 45,596 - 45,596 - 9,185 - 9,185 - 3,126 - 3,126 - 6,992 - 6,992 - 1,271 - 1,271 - 2,077 - 2,077 - 2,334 - 2,334 - 1,413 - 1,413 - 1,150 - 1,150 - - - - |
| 24,217 133,799 158,016 |
|
| 2022 Raising funds Charitable activities Other Expenditure Total £ £ £ £ 183 - - 183 20,633 64,567 - 85,200 425 - - 425 3,486 - - 3,486 1,924 - - 1,924 - 50,672 - 50,672 - 17,228 - 17,228 - 3,994 - 3,994 - 6,610 - 6,610 - 1,043 - 1,043 - 3,306 - 3,306 - 4,358 - 4,358 - 1,100 - 1,100 - - 680 680 |
|
| 26,651 152,878 680 180,209 |
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
4. Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses
| Salaries National Insurance Pensions (Baptist Pension Scheme) Pensions (Other schemes) Total Average number of employees (full-time equivalent) |
2023 2022 £ £ 73,531 77,031 2,593 3,011 4,508 4,508 656 650 |
|---|---|
| 81,288 85,200 |
|
| No. No. |
|
| 2 2 |
No employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2022: £nil).
Key management personnel comprise the Chief Executive Officer and the Trustees. Employee benefits for key management personnel total £49,588 (2022: £49,588) including pension contributions.
The charity Trustees were not paid nor received any other benefits from employment or provision of professional services in the year (2022: £nil). No Travel expenses or other costs were reimbursed to Trustees (2022: £nil).
5. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At beginning and end of year Depreciation At beginning and end of year Net Book Value At 31 December 2023 and 2022 |
Office Equipment £ 3,501 |
|---|---|
| 3,501 | |
| - |
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
| 6. Investments At beginning of the year Additions Disposals Revaluations At end of year Historical cost Investments comprised: Listed investment funds Cash awaiting investment 7. Debtors Prepayments Gift aid receivable Other income receivable 8. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals Other creditors including taxation and social security 9. Creditors: amounts falling due in more than one year Liability for pension fund contributions |
2023 2022 £ £ - 57,409 - 10 - (47,387) - (10,032) - - - - - - - 33,730 - 33,730 2023 2022 £ £ 525 475 3,371 1,163 - 927 |
|---|---|
| 3,896 2,565 |
|
| 2023 2022 £ £ 2,030 4,997 2,478 1,987 |
|
| 4,508 6,984 |
|
| 2023 2022 £ £ 56 68 |
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
10. Funds
| Restricted funds eVitabu - eVitabu devices - Christian Leaders Fellowship, Somalia African Training Partners - African Partners Project - Specific ATP’s supported - Wisdom Bible School - Atirir Bible School - Church of Uganda - St Paul’s TC (Kapsabet) - Children’s Workers Training Church Community Projects - Local Language Bibles - Bicycles - Growing Greener - Jubilee Trees - Other Solar projects Total Restricted Funds Unrestricted funds - General fund - Designated pension reserve Total Funds |
Balance at beginning of year Income 2023 Expenditure Transfers Balance at end of year £ £ £ £ £ 629 - (629) - - 4,985 - (4,112) - 873 |
|---|---|
| 5,614 - (4,741) - 873 1,665 14,600 (13,889) - 2,376 - 1,100 (1,100) - - 2,150 - (195) - 1,955 1,885 1,850 (1,943) - 1,792 7,075 200 (2,627) - 4,648 1,400 2,200 (3,591) (9) - - 2,600 (2,694) 94 - |
|
| 14,175 22,550 (26,039) 85 10,772 4,779 2,000 (880) - 5,899 815 - (815) - - - 10,718 (10,685) (33) - 60 - (60) - - 2,392 - (2,377) (15) - |
|
| 8,046 12,718 (14,817) (48) 5,899 |
|
| 27,835 35,268 (45,597) 38 17,544 |
|
| 12,954 135,097 (112,419) (50) 35,582 (68) - - 12 (56) |
|
| 12,886 135,097 (112,419) (38) 35,526 |
|
| 40,721 170,365 (158,016) - 53,070 |
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
| Restricted funds eVitabu - eVitabu devices - Christian Leaders Fellowship, Somalia - eVitabu general African Training Partners - African Partners Workers - Wisdom Bible School - Atirir Bible School - Church of Uganda - St Paul’s TC (Kapsabet) - Training Ministry/Cephas - Children’s Workers Fund Church Community Projects - Local Language Bibles - Bicycles - Pastoral Care - Growing Greener - Jubilee Trees - Other Solar projects Total Restricted Funds Unrestricted funds - General fund - Designated pension reserve Total Funds |
Balance at beginning of year Income 2022 Expenditure Transfers Gains/ (losses) Balance at end of year £ £ £ £ £ £ 629 - - - - 629 - 6,250 (1,265) - - 4,985 6,734 21,248 (39,145) 11,163 - - |
|---|---|
| 7,363 27,498 (40,410) 11,163 - 5,614 - 12,838 (11,173) - - 1,665 2,500 - (350) - - 2,150 1,825 1,680 (1,620) - - 1,885 - 6,250 (4,175) 5,000 - 7,075 - 2,400 (1,000) - - 1,400 4,289 - (4,289) - - - 2,651 200 (3,015) 164 - - |
|
| 11,265 23,368 (25,622) 5,164 - 14,175 11,295 4,700 (5,966) (5,250) - 4,779 1,324 66 (575) - - 815 1,000 - (1,000) - - - - 5,600 (5,416) (184) - - 527 238 (705) - - 60 2,392 - - - - 2,392 |
|
| 16,538 10,604 (13,662) (5,434) - 8,046 |
|
| 35,166 61,470 (79,694) 10,893 - 27,835 |
|
| 38,482 98,238 (99,835) (13,899) (10,032) 12,954 (37,264) - (680) 3,006 34,870 (68) |
|
| 1,218 98,238 (100,515) (10,893) 24,838 12,886 |
|
| 36,384 159,708 (180,209) - 24,838 40,721 |
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
Transfers to restricted funds relate to spending on projects from general funds where project funding was insufficient.
Projects have been grouped under the Charity’s key activity headings and specific funds are for the purpose described below:
eVitabu – eVitabu is an Android app placing an entire library of text, audio, and video resources into the hands of African church and community leaders. The app contains text, audio and video resources from academic institutions, development agencies, publishers, and prominent Christian leaders in a range of languages. Funding is allocated for development, maintenance, production, and delivery of eVitabu. This project is now such a fundamental part of the Charity’s core work that income raised to support this activity, which comes from individuals, trusts and organisations is treated as general income unless a more specific restriction is applied.
Christian Leaders Fellowship, Somalia - CLF is a network of churches and pastors from various nations working with the UN in the Mogadishu International Airport Green Zone. APF supports an outreach to the hospital within the Green Zone, which is popular with local Somalis, as well as eVitabu use among leaders. With the International Association of Evangelical Chaplains, a conference was organised during 2023 in Uganda for civilians and service personnel to reflect on chaplaincy in conflict zones, especially in majority Muslim locations.
African Training Partners
African Partners Workers (APWs) – APW is a generic term used to describe key personnel and partners in Africa who are either commissioned to work on a contracted basis in the delivery of charity objectives and/or apply to the charity for funding to deliver training programmes, eVitabu workshops, academic scholarships and pastoral grants for personal need or seed funding community-based projects. APWs include each of the partners listed below as well as individuals such as Daniel Odor Gwara (Kenya) and Heavenlight Luoga (Tanzania).
Wisdom Bible School – Wisdom Bible School provides training for rural pastors in Gakenke and Rulindo Districts of northern Rwanda. Recent Rwandan government regulations require pastors to have a basic accredited theological qualification and the Wisdom Bible School is supporting the formal training of rural pastors who cannot continue to lead their churches without it.
Atirir Bible School – Funding supports theology students attending Atirir Bible School in rural north-eastern Uganda.
Church of Uganda – APF’s partnership with the Church of Uganda National Secretariat APF is helping the CofU in its vision to provide ministry and academic resources to its Tier 2 clergy. As part of this, eVitabu is used as a platform for CofU clergy to publish papers and resources while also cascading the app nationally to an estimated 4,000 leaders within the denomination.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
St Paul’s TC (Kapsabet) – APF receives funds from St Barbara’s Church in Coventry and manages their transfer and delivery to St Paul’s Theological College in Kapsabet, Kenya. The support is allocated for infrastructure improvements at St John’s Theological College and to make good theological education more accessible across the region.
Children’s Workers Fund – The Children’s Worker Fund is used to support children’s and youth leaders in Africa. During 2023, grants were made to APF partners including Faith Babies Home and Love and Care for the Child Ministries, both in Uganda.
Church Community Projects
Local Language Bibles – Across rural Africa, church leaders have very limited access to Bibles, especially in their own languages. The Local Language Bible fund issued to purchase and distribute Bibles to church leaders serving in remote areas through APF partners. During 2023, local language Bible grants were distributed by APF partners Walubo Jude and Joshua Ssemanda in Uganda.
Growing Greener – The Growing Greener fund is used to run sustainable agriculture training to help rural communities reduce poverty and adapt to climate change impacts. The training is delivered by church leaders from New Life Christian Church in Malawi and Word of God Ministries in Zambia.
Jubilee Trees – In partnership with Cephas Leadership Foundation (previously the Baptist Union of Uganda) and Climate Stewards, the Jubilee Trees project is planting indigenous trees around churches in Uganda to provide shade, timber and fruit, in addition to improving local ecosystems and biodiversity. The trees combat climate change by capturing carbon in the atmosphere. Climate Stewards match fund 50% of the project’s budget.
Solar projects – APF works with Morogoro Diocese, Tanzania and Kigeme Diocese, Rwanda to provide church leaders with household solar power for lighting and income from mobile phone charging services. A small percentage of the profits from mobile phone charging services is used by pastors in the project to pay back into the schemes so more solar units can be bought and others can benefit.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
11. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Fund balances at 31 December 2023 are represented by: Fixed Assets Current assets Current liabilities Long term liabilities Total |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds £ £ £ - - - 40,090 17,544 57,634 (4,508) - (4,508) (56) - (56) |
|---|---|
| 35,526 17,544 53,070 |
| Fund balances at 31 December 2022 are represented by: Fixed Assets Investments Current assets Current liabilities Long term liabilities Total |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds £ £ £ - - - 5,895 27,835 33,730 14,043 - 14,043 (6,984) - (6,984) (68) - (68) |
|---|---|
| 12,886 27,835 40,721 |
12. Transactions with related parties
There were the following transactions with related parties during the year:
Donations and gifts, without conditions, from six Trustees - £6,504 (2023: £5,509).
13. Controlling Interests
The Charity is controlled by the Trustees.
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African Pastors’ Fellowship Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
14. Prior Year Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for 2022
| Un- | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| restricted | Restricted | funds | |
| funds | funds | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOME FROM: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 92,399 | 61,470 | 153,869 |
| Other trading activities | 5,802 | - | 5,802 |
| Investments | 37 | - | 37 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| TOTAL INCOME | 98,238 | 61,470 | 159,708 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| EXPENDITURE ON: | |||
| Raising Funds | (26,651) | - | (26,651) |
| Charitable activities | (73,184) | (79,694) | (152,878) |
| Other expenditure | (680) | - | (680) |
| ────── | ─────── | ─────── | |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | (100,515) | (79,694) | (180,209) |
| ────── | ────── | ─────── | |
| Net gains on investments | |||
| (10,032) | - | (10,032) | |
| ────── | ────── | ─────── | |
| Net expenditure | (12,309) | (18,224) | (30,533) |
| Transfers between funds | (10,893) | 10,893 | - |
| Other recognised gains | 34,870 | - | 34,870 |
| ────── | ────── | ─────── | |
| NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | 11,668 | (7,331) | 4,337 |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ────── | ───── | ────── |
| Total funds brought forward | 1,218 | 35,166 | 36,384 |
| ────── | ─────── | ─────── | |
| Total funds carried forward | 12,886 | 27,835 | 40,721 |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ |
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