Annua] report of the Trustees of Fatherless Barn Evangelical Church, Hedgefield Grove,
Halesowen, West Midlands. B63 2HJ
Year Ending 31 December 2023
The Church is governed by the Trust Deed and its Basis of Faith and Constitution. It is registered with the
Charity Commission under registration number 518320.
The Trustees who served during the year were:
Mr Clllistopher M Adams (Appointed 23 March 2023)
Mr Alan Cutler
Mr Wesley R Erpen
Mr Alan J Harborne (Chairnian)
Mr Richard J Mansell
Mr Paul D Vanden Branden
Mr Robert J Warner (Treasurer and Secretary)
Trustees are appointed after receiving unanimous approval by the other trustees.
Bankers
HSBC UK Bank plc
31 Church Street
Kiddern]instei'
Woi'cestershire DYI 0 2AY
Independent Examiner
Mrs G Morton
I l Abbey Crescent
Halesowen B63 2HP
The aims of the Charity are to provide a meeting place for its members and others who are interested in the
Christian faith. We seek to reach out to those in the community with the Gospel of ow. Lord Jesus Christ. A
summary of the achievements in these activities is set out tElow. The Trustees are satisfied that these achievements
clearly demonstrate that the Charity has thmughout the year fulfill￿ its responsibility to meet the requirement of
providing a Public Benefit and has thereby complied with its duty to have due iEgwd to the guidance published by the
Ch￿lty Commission.
The Church is led by Elders and supported by Deacons who are elected by the Church membeiEhip in
accordance with the constitution. The ChuTch does not employ anyone. all roles are done by volunteers.
Theie have not been any related party transactions during the year.
The policy of the Trustees is to try and keep at least £1,500 in cash for the General Fund, as reserves for
contingencies. In planning for the future we will also need to increase funds foi. possible building alterations.
During the year this has been maintained and funds retained for the possibility of making improvements to the
Church building.
The Church does not have any specific investment powers.
The trnstees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed. These are making sure that there
are sufficient leaders to look after the Church when others are absent or if any should leave. The Eldei's and
Deacons make any needs known at a Church members meeting and nominations are invited. There is also a
need to make sure that the various activities are adequately staffed by appropriate volunteers, again iequests

are made to the Church as the need arises. The Trustees are satisfied that any risks have been mitigated.
Review of Activities and Future Plans
Once again, we can give thanks to God for bLinging us through another year and for all that He has done
in us and thiough us on Fatherless Barn estste.
Chureh Ministries
We can thank God that the numbers of people attending our Sunday morning Service has continued to increase
slightly throughout the year. It has also been encouraging to see that those who have recently joined are
beginning to feel part of the FB family. We are grateful to our worship group who give so much of their time to
practice for all our Services and make such a positive difference to our worship. It was great that in July Paul
Vanden Branden was confirmed as an Elder. Most of the ministry has once again been deliveiEd by members
of our Leadership Team. At the beginning of the year, we concluded our study of the book of Romans. It has
also been helpful to have a number of visiting speakers, bringing variety to our Services.
In January, our Encounter Service restarted on a Friday evening and at the first meeting thei'e wei'e over forty
people who attended. This Service has continued throughout the year with similar numbers attending. It has
been great to have such a wide selection of speakers at this even¢ from those within and without the church.
In the autumn, our '60 Plus, restarted on a Monday. The team of volunteei's do a great job, and they have close
on twenty folks attending, all enjoying their meal and time together. One of our ladies had the vision of starting
'Knit & Natter, group on a Friday morning and although the numbers have fluctuated between about six and
ten, it has been appreciated by all. It has been good to have people attend who have had nothing to do with ow.
church.
Our children's and youth work has continued, and we are thankful that so many people volunteer eithei in
teaching in Sunday School, helping with JAM Club, or running 18nite. Ignite is our teenager's group, and on
one occasion they took sixteen young people to BCM'S Fulfil event in Binningham. They have also taken a
group to Alton Tours as well as local visits to the tenpin bowling in Dudley and walks up Clent. At our JAM
Club the numbers have been less than last year with around the fifteen mark. Everyone enjoys it including the
leadei's who love the opportunity of teaching the children the Word of God. The 'Little Sunbeams,, ow. parent
and toddler group, has continued to run on a Wednesday moining. Some Wednesdays there have been up to
thirty children and lots of positive conversations take place with the P￿Ents. The c1￿1stmaS Craft Day saw
'ound ten of these moms call in with their children.
Some of the rnen of the church once again went to Snowdon for the weekend and as on other occasions had a
great time. Some climbed Snowdon and others enjoyed the local amenities, but the highlight was just being
together. It was great having some younger men attend. In the autumn, a men's breakfast took place and
around twenty-five men attended. Our Candlelit Carol Service saw the church more-or-less full, and it was
great to have such a clear challenge from the speaker.
House Groups have continued on a Tuesday evening rneeting in homes in Halesowen and StO￿'bridge.
We also meet monthly for our church prayer meeting in the chui'ch.
During June we had an outreach event with Searchlight (hwna company. It was a woithwhile event with
around sixty people attending. We plan to organise other similar Outreach events in the future. Ow. annual visit
to Bromsgrove Baptist Church for the Saltmine Pantomime took place again, and around eighty people went
from our church.
Church Buildin
In April we had the car park resurfaced with block paving it has made a massive improvement to the look of
the church and perhaps more importantly, to the safety of people watking over the car park. The old slabs that
we had had for decades were way past their sell by date. Towards the end of the year, we also had the old
carpet replaced in the main ball and smaller hall, the stage taken down to give more flexibility. The main hall

was repaintsd and new curtains fitted. The porch on the Church House, which was in poor Conditio￿ was
replaced.
Finance
Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2023 have been independently examined. The accounts show a
very healthy position. We give thanks again to God for His provision and for all who give to the work of the
Church.
Principal Funding Sources
Donations and gifts are our main source of income and we are most appreciative of the continued suppoit of
church members and otheis who give in various ways. We do not make appeals for funding to people outside
of Church membership other than through collections made at ow Sunday moilling family Se￿]ce. We do not
use professional fimdraisers or commercial participators.
Future Plans
In May we had a visit from a representative of the FIEC (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical ch￿theS)
who spoke about what joining the FIEC would look like. He was very clear and helpful as we consider the way
ahead. The leadership of the church are prayerfully considering whether the church should join. The Church
meTnbers will also be asked how they would feel about linking up with the FIEC.
We are still exploring the possibility of appointing a part-time Pastor or Community Outreach Worker.
Togethei. with our solicitors, we are looking at the possibility of becorning a Charitable Inco4)oiated
Organisation.
A number of times during the year we have reminded ourselves of the need to keep praying that the Lord will
guide us regarding whether we employ a part-tirne worker or a full-time Pastor.
We are exploring the possibility of improving our audio-visual system, as we have had some problems with it.
Quotes are been obtained. We are also considering ways of how to make the rear of the chui'ch look better and
be mole useful.
Dudley Council have used the buildin8 for one of their local Councillor meetings and on the back of that
requested that they could use our building for the voting as there is a desire to stop disrupting children's
education by using schools. We have agreed that they can use the building in the future.
Signed on behalf of the charity's Trnstees
th
On 9 Octobei. 2024
Alan J Harborne
Chairn

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's
report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trusteesl
members of
Fatherless Bam Evangelical Church
On accounts for the year
ended
Charity no
(if any)
31 December 2023
518320
Set out on pages
One to three
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity ("the Trusf) for the year ended 3111212023
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation
basis of report of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 {￿he Acr).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I
have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commlssion
under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no rnaterial matters have
come to my attention in connection wtth the examination which glves me
cause to believe that in. any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of
the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Independent
exarniner's statement
Signed:
Date:
14 October 2024
Name:
Gillian Morton
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(If any):
Address:
11 Abbey Crescent
Halesowen
West Midlands B63 2HP
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete rf the exarniner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32.
Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidan￿ for
examiners)-
IER
October 2018

Give here brief details of
any items that the
examinerwishes to
disclose.
IER
October 2018

FATHERLESS BARN EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Hedgefield Grove. Halewen
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTWITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
INCOME
Unrestrlcted
Funds
Restrlcted
Funds
Total Funds
2023
Total
2022
Donations and Legacies
24.463
4,113
28,576
26,434
Charitable Activlties
Other Income
4.660
Investments
650
650
95
TOTAL INCOME
25.113
4.113
29,226
31.189
EXPENDITURE
Cost of Raising Funds
Charltable Activilles
59,283
3.413
62.696
24,850
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
59,283
3,413
62.696
24,850
NET INCOMEIEXPENDITURE
-34.170
7(Kl
-33.470
6.339
Fund Balances at Beglnnlng of Year
60.680
796
61,476
55,137
FUND BALANCES AT END OF YEAR
26,510
1.496
28.006
61.476
Registered Charity No 51&7

FATHERLESS BARN EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Hedgefield Grove. Halesowen
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 1 JANUARY - 31 DECEMBER 2023
2022
6,743.22
12.235.00
5.77
3.349.54
INCOME
Offerings & Oonalions
Gift Atd Donations
Offertory Box
HMRC Tax Refund
Gifts for Maintenance Fund
Gifts for Misslonary Fund
Gifts for PA Fund
Gifts for Ciechenow City Mission
Interest Received
Quinta 2022
Quinta 2024
Tolal Income
Opening Balance
2023
8,369.19
12,648.00
4.93
3,441.25
2,915.03
297.61
580.00
3000.00
94.60
5,761.50
649.68
320.00
29,22S.69
61,475.91
90,701.60
31.189.63
55,136.76
86,326.39
EXPENDITURE
1,001.59
393.20
174.99
1,050.00
500.00
3,100.00
3.000.00
2.760.00
1,391.34
6,476.50
43.75
129.00
255.60
251.39
743.17
Gas
Eleclricty
Water Rates- Church
Insurance- Church
Speakers Expense5 and Gffts
Gifts to Missionaries
Gift for Ciechenow City Mission
Gifts to Birmingham City Misslon
Building Repairs. Mainlenance and Improvements
Church Weekend Qulnta
Youth Expenses
Thity one elght (Fomierfy CCPAS)
Tralnlng
Outreach Expenses
CCLI - Copyright Llcen¢e
Quinta 2024
Other Mlscellaneous Expenditure
Bank Charges
Insurance - Church House
Water Rates- Church House
Church House Repairs and Maintsnanc8
Church House Council Tax
Totsl Exponditure
Balance Carded Forward
2,963.58
1,456.24
186.76
1.12S.00
620.00
3,400.00
2,780.00
44,024.31
540.73
145.00
252.00
1,063.41
820.70
200.00
611.71
71.20
427.78
369.11
97.60
399.10
584.40
730.68
1,399.06
24,850.48
61,475.91
86.326.39
396.19
1,631.07
62,695.68
28,005.92
90.701.60
Represenled By.
Current Account
Savings Account
Cash in Hand
1,375.91
59.409.72
690.28
61,475.91
1,507.55
25,725.47
772.90
28,005.92
In addttion to the cash balances held above the charity owns the freehold Church buildings and Ihe
Church house in the unrestrÉcted fund.
L5abilitles
There were no liabilities outstanding at the year end.
Regstered ChafityNo 518320

FATHERLESS BARN EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Hedgefield Grove, Halesowen
Restrl¢ted Funds
Misslona
Fund
Malntenance
Fund
Quinta
2024
60+
Grou
796
PA Fund
Total
796
4,113
-3.413
1.496
Balances as at 31 C)ecember 2022
Income for the year
Expendilure for the year
Balances as at 31 December 2023
298
-298
2915
-2915
580
320
-200
120
580
796
Unrestdcled Funds
Balance as at 31 December 2022
Net movement in year
Balance as at 31 December 2023
60,680
-34.170
26.510
Total Funds
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
1,496
26,510
28,006
Reglslered Charity No 518320