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2025-08-31-accounts

Charity number: 328247

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers 1 - 2
Trustees' report 3 - 8
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements 9 - 12
Statement of financial activities 13
Balance sheet 14
Notes to the financial statements 15 - 29

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Trustees

Kenneth Noecker Richard Perry Andrew Pettman, Chair Rev. Peter Mackenzie Jean Pierre Fahed

Charity registered number

328247

Principal office

31 Lynton Road London W3 9HL

Independent auditors

Baldwin Scofield Ltd Chartered Accountants Registered Auditors 3 Newhouse Business Centre Old Crawley Road Horsham West Sussex RH12 4RU

Bankers

Barclays Bank plc London NW10 7JA

Solicitors

Lewis & Dick 443 Kingston Road Ewell Surrey KT19 0DG

Investment managers

CCLA 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET

M&G Securities Limited P O Box 6108 Basildon SS15 5NA

Page 1

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Safeguarding advisers

Thirtyone:Eight Greenbox Storage College Road Swanley BR8 7LT

Christian Safeguarding Services 39 Gracedieu Road Loughborough LE11 4QF

Page 2

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of The Servants of the Word Trust for the 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

Policies and objectives

The primary object of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith, which it continues to do by supporting the life and mission of the Servants of the Word, a Christian religious community of single men based in three households in London, Belfast, and in Lebanon, and of its associated communities and outreaches in the Sword of the Spirit. By working in partnership with these organisations, the Servants of the Word furthers its missionary objectives and the Servants of the Word Trust fulfils its charitable objects. In planning the activities of the charity the trustees have given due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance on the advancement of religion.

The members of the Servants of the Word are engaged in Christian service in partnership with the Sword of the Spirit and its member communities and outreaches, and with similar outreach organisations including the Antioch Community and Koinonia in London, the Charis Community, UCO and Youth Initiatives in Belfast, and the People of God Community and UCO in Lebanon, providing leadership, pastoral care, evangelism and administrative support. These organisations’ charitable bodies make grants to the charity, which were a major source of income during the year. The other main source of income is from two members of the Servants of the Word who are engaged in ‘secular’ employment, contributing their income to the charity.

As a consequence of the Servants of the Word’s membership of the Sword of the Spirit, grants are also made to some of the charitable bodies of the Sword of the Spirit and its communities. Further information on grants made is given in note 4 to the Financial Accounts.

The religious life of the Servants of the Word continued to be the focus of the households in London, Belfast and Lebanon. The spiritual life of the members is directed, nourished and sustained by the pattern of life that they share, particularly through worship, prayer and scripture study. The households take care to ensure that day to day work does not impinge upon their commitment to prayer and a common life. There are now 13 men in Europe and the Middle East with a lifelong commitment to the Servants of the Word.

The life of the Servants of the Word community is intended to be a ‘prophetic witness’, pointing people to a higher eternal purpose and thus inspiring them to live lives of service to God, to the Church and to humanity in general.

Page 3

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Objectives and activities (continued)

Statement of purpose of the Servants of the Word

We are a missionary brotherhood of men from different Christian churches, pursuing a life of dedication to God in worship and active service, using our resources to advance the work of the Kingdom of God in the face of the challenges of modern society. This we do as members of our international community, the Sword of the Spirit, in support of its mission.

The Sword of the Spirit is an international, ecumenical Christian community, comprising men and women, families and single people, from all walks of life, who make a commitment together to serve God and his people through Christian life and service.

For the sake of the love of God, we desire to witness to the joy of following Christ in a shared, celibate life characterised by simplicity and commitment to one another.

We dedicate ourselves to:

Achievements and performance

Review of activities

The charity and the religious community have continued their work in partnership with the Sword of the Spirit and its member communities and outreaches, and with similar outreach organisations, and have supported the community’s members as they have worked with these communities and outreaches, as follows:-

• Koinonia, UCO Belfast and UCO Lebanon: overseeing the organisation, leading the student outreach programme, providing staff development and training, serving as a trustee, providing administrative support running spiritual retreats for high school students.

• Europe and Middle East Regional Council and European Zonal Council: participating in the governance of the region and zone, overseeing the development of mission, participating in community building, providing leadership training and formation, teaching at conferences.

• International Executive Council: participating in the governance of the Sword of the Spirit worldwide, teaching at conferences, organising leadership conferences, supporting its principal officers.

Each of these organisations sets its own objectives which are monitored and reviewed by their leadership and governing bodies. Members of the Servants of the Word serve on these bodies as part of the partnership between these organisations and the Servants of the Word. Through these partnerships the Servants of the Word achieves its goals of proclaiming and sharing the Christian faith, and seeing people, especially young people, grow in their Christian discipleship.

Some members of the Servants of the Word serve the internal life of the religious community, leading the region and its households, giving spiritual direction to its members and formation to its younger members, and providing administrative support.

Page 4

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Financial review

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.

Reserves policy

The Servants of the Word Trust is committed to the long term support of the ongoing life and mission of the Servants of the Word. To this end, the Trustees have established three designated funds:

The Continuing Support Fund had a value at the year-end of £1,652,048 (2024 - £1,603,035). It provides for the support of members of the Servants of the Word in old age, and is funded mainly by annual transfers from the General Operations Fund.

The Housing and Equipment Fund had a value at the year-end of £1,818,460 (2024 - £1,784,401). The principal assets of the fund are the fixed assets of the charity (houses, cars, office equipment) which are needed for the life and mission of the Servants of the Word. Depreciation of those assets is charged here. The amount in the fund in excess of the net value of the assets is invested and is intended to provide for the future growth of the religious community, and in particular the purchase or rental of additional housing.

The Education and Mission Fund had a value at the year-end of £1,973,462 (2024 - £1,805,820). It operates as an expendable endowment. It provides for the future expansion of the work of the charity, by funding the education of members of the Servants of the Word, and by funding costs of projects for which grant funding is not available. The intention is to grow this fund in line with the growth in the membership of the religious community.

The remaining ‘free’ reserves in the General Operations Fund are held to fund working capital requirements, which the trustees consider to be between £40,000 and £80,000. The present balance is higher than this range, because of the expected deficits in our budget for the next few years.

Financial review

The charity’s principal source of funds is grants received from the charitable bodies of the Sword of the Spirit and other outreach organisations with whom both the charity and the religious community work in partnership. The other main source is the income of individual members in ‘secular’ employment.

The expenditure of the charity was incurred in supporting the members of the Servants of the Word living in Europe and the Middle East, and in supporting the work of the Servants of the Word internationally.

In line with the policy to grow the Education and Mission Fund in line with the growth in the membership of the religious community, £100,000 was transferred from the Operating Fund accumulated surpluses to the Education and Mission Fund. All other surpluses in funds were retained in those funds.

Page 5

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Investments policy and performance

Investments are held by the Continuing Support Fund, the Education and Mission Fund and the Housing and Equipment Fund.

The Continuing Support Fund is invested in Common Investment Funds managed by CCLA and by M&G. During the year the investments (excluding cash) had unrealised gain of £23,751 and a year-end value of £1,545,835 (2024: £1,522,085). At the year-end 74% of the assets were invested in equities, 14% in bonds, 6% in property and the remaining 6% were held in cash deposits. The target ranges are 70-80% in equities and 2030% in bonds and property. The trustees take the view that the long term prospects for these investments are good.

The Education and Mission Fund is similarly invested in Common Investment Funds managed by CCLA and by M&G. During the year the investments (excluding cash) had unrealised gain of £12,707 and a year-end value of £1,809,600 (2024: £1,686,893). At the year-end 78% of the assets were invested in equities, 8% in bonds, 5% in property and 3% were held in cash deposits. The target ranges are 85-95% in equities and 5-15% in bonds and property and the trustees are keeping the variance from target under review. The trustees take the view that the long term prospects for these investments are good.

The Housing and Equipment Fund is similarly invested in Common Investment Funds managed by CCLA. During the year the investments (excluding cash) had unrealised gain of £30,080 and a year-end value of £1,469,403 (2024: £1,399,323). At the year-end 58% of the assets were invested in equities, 6% in bonds, 35% in property and 1% were held in cash deposits. The target ranges are 55-65% in equities and 35-45% in bonds and property. The intention is to hold all these investments for the medium term while their prospects are good and the return on cash is very low. The medium to long term intention is to invest these funds in a house for operational purposes.

Financial risk management

The trustees have established a risk management programme to assess the risks to which the charity is exposed and implement risk management strategies. A process of identifying risks and implementing a continuous programme of activities to monitor and manage risks has been undertaken and is regularly reviewed by the senior management and considered at least annually by the trustees.

Fundraising

The charity conducts its own fundraising directly and does not employ a professional fundraiser or commercial participator. The charity does not currently participate in any voluntary scheme for regulating fundraising. The charity is not aware of any fundraising carried out on behalf of the charity by anyone else. The charity has received no complaints about fundraising activities. The charity takes care to protect vulnerable people from intrusive or persistent or pressured fundraising activity.

Page 6

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Structure, governance and management

Constitution

The charity was established by a deed of trust dated 7 June 1989, and its trustees are constituted as an unincorporated association. The statutory power to appoint trustees applies. Four of the five trustees are members of the Servants of the Word religious community, two of whom are administrators of the charity with day to day responsibility for its operations. The board of trustees follows the principles of the Charity Governance Code for smaller charities.

The Servants of the Word religious community is an international brotherhood of men under common religious governance led by its Presiding Elder and Assembly of Elders. It is divided into regions, each with its own separate corporate governance based in the UK, the USA, Mexico and the Philippines. The Servants of the Word as a whole is a member community of the Sword of the Spirit, and it works in cooperation with other member communities and affiliated outreaches of the Sword of the Spirit.

Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.

Plans for future periods

The charity plans to continue its existing work. These have been no significant events since the year end that need to be reported upon, other than those stated above.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the 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 & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. 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.

Page 7

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' report is approved has confirmed that:

Auditors

The auditors, Baldwin Scofield Ltd, have indicated their willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trustees.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 8 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Andrew Pettman (Chair of Trustees)

Page 8

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Servants of the Word Trust (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST (CONTINUED)

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST (CONTINUED)

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the charity and determined that the most significant are those that relate to the reporting framework in conformity with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and the relevant direct and indirect tax compliance regulations in the United Kingdom.

We understood how the charity is complying with those frameworks by making enquiries of management to understand how the charity maintains and communicates its policies and procedures in these areas and corroborated this by reviewing supporting documentation and minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur by considering the risk of management override to be a fraud risk. In addition, we considered the risk of management override by sampling from the entire population of journals, identifying specific transactions which did not meet our expectations based on specific criteria and investigated these to gain an understanding and then agree back to source documentation.

Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify noncompliance with such laws and regulations. Our procedures involved verifying that material transactions were recorded in compliance with Financial Reporting Standards in conformity with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report.

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THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST (CONTINUED)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and its trustees, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Baldwin Scofield Ltd Chartered Accountants Registered Auditors 3 Newhouse Business Centre Old Crawley Road Horsham West Sussex RH12 4RU 8 June 2026

Baldwin Scofield Ltd are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 12

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investments
4
Other income
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
Total expenditure
Net income before net gains on investments
Net gains on investments
Net movement in funds before other recognised
gains/(losses)
Other recognised gains/(losses):
Gains/(losses) on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
260,207
1,600
94,991
10,577
367,375
246,208
246,208
121,167
66,538
187,705
1,191
188,896
5,400,723
188,896
5,589,619		 Total
funds
2025
£
260,207
1,600
94,991
10,577
367,375
246,208
246,208
121,167
66,538
187,705
1,191
188,896
5,400,723
188,896
5,589,619		 Total
funds
2024
£
217,146
-
90,184
1,731
309,061
240,227
240,227
68,834
405,824
474,658
-
474,658
4,926,065
474,658
5,400,723

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 15 to 29 form part of these financial statements.

Page 13

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
Current assets
Debtors
13
Investments
14
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
15
Net current assets
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
17
Unrestricted funds
17
Total funds		 75,072
4,824,838
368,352
5,268,262
(17,465)		 2025
£
338,822
5,250,797
5,589,619
-
5,589,619
5,589,619		 77,021
4,608,301
396,603
5,081,925
(27,125)		 2024
£
345,923
5,054,800
5,400,723
-
5,400,723
5,400,723

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 08 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Andrew Pettman (Chair of Trustees)

The notes on pages 15 to 29 form part of these financial statements.

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THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1. Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The Servants of the Word Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

1.2 Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

1.3 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

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THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

1.4 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £NIL or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

Freehold property - 2% on cost
Motor vehicles - variable reflecting 7-9 year life from new
Office equipment - between 25% and 50% on cost

1.6 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

1.7 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

1.8 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

1.9 Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1. Accounting policies (continued)

1.10 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

2. Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Grants
Donations
Grants		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
62,725
197,482
260,207
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
30,957
186,189
217,146		 Total
funds
2025
£
62,725
197,482
260,207
Total
funds
2024
£
30,957
186,189
217,146

3. Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted Total Total
funds funds funds
2025 2025 2024
£ £ £
Housing Fund Income 1,600 1,600 -

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THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

4. Investment income

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Investment income - other local unlisted
90,206
Investment income - local cash
4,785
94,991
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Investment income - other local unlisted
82,275
Investment income - local cash
7,909
90,184		 Total
funds
2025
£
90,206
4,785
94,991
Total
funds
2024
£
82,275
7,909
90,184

5. Other incoming resources

Other incoming resources
Other incoming resources		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
10,577
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
1,731		 Total
funds
2025
£
10,577
Total
funds
2024
£
1,731

Page 18

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

6. Analysis of grants

Grants to
Institutions
2025
£
Grants to UK charities
34,653
Grants to overseas charities
35,461
70,114
Grants to
Institutions
2024
£
Grants to UK charities
26,749
Grants to overseas charities
48,171
74,920
The Charity has made the following material grants to institutions during the year:
2025
£
Name of institution
European Outreach Trust (The Sword of the Spirit)
7,698
Antioch Community Trust
5,316
Servant Trust (Charis Community)
6,376
Charitable donations to local churches and charities
15,263
Servants of the Word Incorporated
35,461
70,114		 Total
funds
2025
£
34,653
35,461
70,114
Total
funds
2024
£
26,749
48,171
74,920
2024
£
5,530
5,149
2,942
13,128
48,171
74,920

Page 19

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Direct costs - Activities
Direct costs - Overseas grants
Direct costs - Activities
Direct costs - Overseas grants		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
210,747
35,461
246,208
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
192,056
48,171
240,227		 Total
2025
£
210,747
35,461
246,208
Total
2024
£
192,056
48,171
240,227

8. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Direct costs - Activities
Direct costs - Grants to overseas charities		 Activities
undertaken
directly
2025
£
176,094
-
176,094		 Grant
funding of
activities
2025
£
34,653
35,461
70,114		 Total
funds
2025
£
210,747
35,461
246,208

Page 20

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

8. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Direct costs - Activities
Direct costs - Grants to overseas charities		 Activities
undertaken
directly
2024
£
165,307
-
165,307		 Grant
funding of
activities
2024
£
26,749
48,171
74,920		 Total
funds
2024
£
192,056
48,171
240,227

Page 21

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

8. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of direct costs

Community support
Housing
Transportation and travel
Regional support costs
Education Fund expenses
Governance costs
Auditors' remuneration
Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual
accounts		 Total
funds
2025
£
51,653
36,899
45,310
33,237
4,185
4,810
176,094
2025
£
5,355		 Total
funds
2024
£
49,496
37,353
44,253
29,335
-
4,870
165,307
2024
£
5,100

9. Auditors' remuneration

10. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) .

During the year ended 31 August 2025, expenses totalling £ 16,545 were reimbursed or paid directly to 4 Trustees (2024 - £3,683 to 3 Trustees) .

Page 22

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

11. Trustee benefits

Four of the trustees who served during the financial year are members of the Servants of the Word religious community and, as such, receive the normal support given to any member of the community, which includes annual living allowances amounting to a total of £1,800 each (2024: £1,764 each). No other trustee or person connected with any trustee receives remuneration, expenses or other benefits from the charity.

In the community households the management of finances is shared among household members and overseen by a finance manager (who in the London household is a trustee of the charity). Each month the charity pays the budget allocation for each household's expenses to the finance manager, who in turn, distributes the allocation among the household members, and receives a report of expenditure at the end of each month. In the financial year these allocations were as follows:

Location
London
Total		 2025
£
50,830
50,830		 2024
£
57,018
57,018

Page 23

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

12. Tangible fixed assets

Cost or valuation
At 1 September 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 August 2025
Depreciation
At 1 September 2024
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 August 2025
Net book value
At 31 August 2025
At 31 August 2024
Debtors
Due within one year
Other debtors
Current asset investments
Unlisted investments		 Freehold
property
£
632,347
-
-
632,347
306,278
15,235
-
321,513
310,834
326,069		 Motor
vehicles
£
57,841
16,699
(11,323)
63,217
39,978
6,692
(10,514)
36,156
27,061
17,863		 Office
equipment
£
10,471
-
(2,204)
8,267
8,479
808
(1,947)
7,340
927
1,992
2025
£
75,072		 Total
£
700,659
16,699
(13,527)
703,831
354,735
22,735
(12,461)
365,009
338,822
345,924
2024
£
77,021
75,072 77,021
2025
£
4,824,838		 2024
£
4,608,301

13. Debtors

14. Current asset investments

Page 24

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

14. Current asset investments (continued)

Investments are stated at mid-market value and are held in the following funds:

COIF's Charities Investment Fund (CIF) COIF's Global Equity Income Fund (GEIF) COIF's Property Fund; and M&G's Charifund (M&G)

15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2025 2024
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 17,465 27,125

16. Financial instruments

2025 2024
£ £
Financial assets
Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure 5,193,190 5,004,904

Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure comprise current asset investments and bank balances.

Page 25

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

17. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
Housing and
equipment fund
Education and
mission fund
Continuing
support fund
General funds
General Funds
Total
Unrestricted
funds		 Balance at 1
September
2024
£
1,784,401
1,805,820
1,603,035
5,193,256
207,467
5,400,723		 Income
£
3,374
84,370
9,262
97,006
270,369
367,375		 Expenditure
£
(15,235)
(4,185)
-
(19,420)
(225,597)
(245,017)		 Transfers
in/out
£
15,840
74,750
16,000
106,590
(106,590)
-		 Gains/
(Losses)
£
30,080
12,707
23,751
66,538
-
66,538		 Balance at
31 August
2025
£
1,818,460
1,973,462
1,652,048
5,443,970
145,649
5,589,619

Page 26

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

17. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
Housing and
equipment fund
Education and
mission fund
Continuing
support fund
General funds
General Funds
Total
Unrestricted
funds		 Balance at
1 September
2023
£
1,667,801
1,575,223
1,420,942
4,663,966
262,099
4,926,065		 Income
£
1,555
80,812
8,484
90,851
218,210
309,061		 Expenditure
£
(15,935)
-
-
(15,935)
(224,292)
(240,227)		 Transfers
in/out
£
15,840
16,710
16,000
48,550
(48,550)
-		 Gains/
(Losses)
£
115,140
133,075
157,609
405,824
-
405,824		 Balance at
31 August
2024
£
1,784,401
1,805,820
1,603,035
5,193,256
207,467
5,400,723

Page 27

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

17. Statement of funds (continued)

Purposes of funds

The Housing and equipment fund is funded by transfers from the General operations fund. It makes provision for the fixed assets (houses, cars and office equipment) needed for the life and mission of the Servants of the Word community. Depreciation of those assets is charged here. The goal is to fully fund existing fixed assets and to make provision for future growth.

The Education and Mission fund operates as an expendable endowment. It is funded by transfers from the General operations fund. It provides for the future expansion of the work of the charity by funding the education of members of the Servants of the Word, and funds the costs of projects for which grant funding is not available.

The Continuing support fund is funded principally by transfers from the General operations fund and investment returns. Contributions may also be received from brotherhood regions where UK members are temporarily serving. It provides for the support of members of the Servants of the Word in old age.

The General operations fund is used to support the ongoing daily life of the Servants of the Word, a religious community of men who have made a lifelong commitment to their Covenant, which is their rule of life. Grant income is received from other UK charities with whom the charity works on common projects. Other income is received from members of the Servants of the Word who are in "secular" employment, and sundry other sources.

Inter-fund balances are treated as internal loans, either interest free or with interest on a monthly basis at rates approximating to prevailing bank base rate.

18. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

Balance at 1 Balance at
September Transfers Gains/ 31 August
2024 Income Expenditure in/out (Losses) 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £
Designated
funds 5,193,256 97,006 (19,420) 106,590 66,538 5,443,970
General funds 207,467 270,369 (225,597) (106,590) - 145,649
5,400,723 367,375 (245,017) - 66,538 5,589,619
Summary of funds - prior year
Balance at Balance at
1 September Transfers Gains/ 31 August
2023 Income Expenditure in/out (Losses) 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Designated
funds 4,663,966 90,851 (15,935) 48,550 405,824 5,193,256
General funds 262,099 218,210 (224,292) (48,550) - 207,467
4,926,065 309,061 (240,227) - 405,824 5,400,723

Page 28

THE SERVANTS OF THE WORD TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

19. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
Tangible fixed assets
338,822
Current assets
5,268,262
Creditors due within one year
(17,465)
Total
5,589,619		 Total
funds
2025
£
338,822
5,268,262
(17,465)
5,589,619

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
345,923
5,081,925
(27,125)
5,400,723		 Total
funds
2024
£
345,923
5,081,925
(27,125)
5,400,723

Page 29