Annual report of the Trustees of Fatherless Barn Evangelical Church, Hedgefield Grove, Halesowen, West Midlands. B63 2HJ Year Ending 31 December 2024 Governin Docllment 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 Christopher M Adams Mr Alan Cutler (Died 21 October 2024) Mr Wesley R Erpen Mr AIan J Harborne (Chainnan) 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 Kiddenninster Worcestershire 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 communily with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. A summary of the &hievements in these activities is set out below. The TnteeS are satisfied that these achievements clearly demonstrate that the Charity has tlroughout the year fifilled its Ksponsibility to meet the requirement of providing a Public Benefit and has thereby complied wth its duty to have due regattl to the guidance published by the Charity Commission. The Church is led by Elders and supported by Deacons who are elected by the Church membership in accordance with the constitution. The Church does not employ anyone, all roles are done by volunteers. There have not been any related paty transactions during the year. The policy of the Trustees is to ty and keep at least £1,5(K) in cash for the General Fund, as reserves for contingencies. In planning for th¢ future we will also need to increase funds for possible building alterations and the employment of a Church Community Outreach Worker or Pastor. 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 tnjstees have considcred 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 Elders and Deacons make any needs known at a Church members meeting and norninations are invited. There is also a need to make sure that the various activitics arc adequately staffed by appropriate volunteers, again requests 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 tbanks to God for bringing us through another year and for all that He has done in us and through us on Fatherless Barn estate. It was very sad to say goodbye to dear Matthew Vangool, one of our members, who went to be with the Loid on 19 January. The church was full for his Thanksgiving Service, and as would be expected. it was a very emotional time. Matthew was loved by all, and he had impacted many people with his clear and constant faith as he faced so many challenges. It has been encouraging to have one or two other people off the estate attend the church on a Sunday morning fairly regularly. We have also had a family with four children who used to attend FB return for our morning Services. If everyone who sometimes attends church came on the same day, we would easily have over eighty people. In January we had a Christian comedian. Andy Kind, come and do a Saturday evening 'outreach' event. It was very well attended, and Andy's presentation was well received. It was encouraging to have three people attend who come to the Little Sunbeams on a Wednesday morning. During the year a young adults meeting started which met on a Friday evening. They have had up to a dozen attend and they have enjoyed the Bible studies, chilling out together, and the regular pl71 The 'Encounter Service,, on a Friday evening. has continued throughout the year, and has been appreciated by all those who attend. The numbers have been consistently around forty. The 'Music Group, have done an excellent job in leading the worship for this event as they have at every other Service in the church. Some Sundays there are ten people in the 'Group' and they meet most Monday evenings to prepare for the Sunday. Our weekend away at the Quinta was well attended. It was great having Andrew and Ruth Garvey Williarns join us from Ireland to be our speakers. We ran a Christianity Explored Course for six weeks. Some weeks they had a dozen people attend which was encouraging. It was a thrill to baptise four young people in September and the church was full. Others who attended the baptism course were considering being baptised. Following a Members mccting and further discussions in our Elders and Deacons mccting, it was decided that at the moment we wouldn't move ahead with applying for membership of the FIEC. This might change in the future, but we agreed at present to consider becoming a member of the Evangelical Alliance. Many people who visited the church during the year commented on how fresh the building now looked after the new carpets had been laid, new curtains hung, and the stage removed. Most of the ministry has once again been delivered by members of our Leadership Team and we have been systematically been going through the Gospel of John. It bas also been helpful to have a number of visiting speakers, bringing variety to our Services. Our '60 Plus, club has continued once a month on a Monday. The team of volunteers do a great job, and they have ov¢r twenty older folks attending, all enjoying their meal and time together. The 'Knit & Natter, group on a Friday mornino has seen up to sixteen people attend and everyone enjoys the opportunity of just spending time together. The Ladies Bible study group on a Friday has also continued.
Our children's and youth work has Continue and we are thankful that so many people volunteer either in teaching in Sunday School. helping with JAM Club. or nll)ning Ignit4 on one occasion sixtecn young people went to BCM'S Fulfil event in Birmingham. At our JAM Club, the numbers have regularly been around the fifteen mark. Everyon¢ enjoys it including the leaders who love the opportunity of teaching the children the Word of God. The 'Little Sunbeams,, our parent and toddler group. has continued to run on a Wednesday morning. Sorne Wednesdays there have been up to twenty-five children and lots of positive conversations take place with th¢ parents. The Christmas Craft Day was the busiest ever with over 150 people passing through the church. Some of the men 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 with around twenty-five men attending Christmas was a busy time. The young people put on their Chrislmas presentations in the morning Service and our Candlelit Carol Service saw the church more-or-less full, and it was great to have such a clear challenge from our guest speaker. Our House Groups have continued on a Tuesday evening with a Halesowen and a Stourbridge Group meeting. Dudley MBC have used the Church for elections, including th¢ General Election. The Church building has also been used a number of times by a local charity 'Freetirn¢' for meetings. The Church House continues to be occupied by Wesley and Jackie Erpen on a rent free basis. Church Buildin All of the annual checks of the gas appliances. electrical appliances and fixed wiring have been done and are up to date. The new audio-visual system has made a big difference to our worship. Outside, work is being done to the grounds at the back of the Church where a new fence is needed and it needs a general 'tidy-up'. On the side, facing the road, the grdss is being levelled up to make it usabje in the summer months and an area where wedding photos can be taken. The kitchen is in need of attention and we are looking at updating OT relocating it to the rear hall. Fillance Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2024 have been independentIy 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 Source5 Donations and gifts are our main source of income and we are most appreciative of the continued support of church members and others who give in various ways. We do not make appeals for funding to people outside of Church membership other than through collections rnade at our Sunday morning family seivice. We do not use professional fundraisers or commercial participators. Future Plans Further to our meeting with Paul Mallard about joining the FIEC, after a discussion with the Church membership the leadership of the church agreed that w¢ would not join. It was agreed that we should consider joining the Evangelical Alliance. Searchlight Theatre Company have been asked to corne to us again for a Saturday evening outreach event. Oth¢r outreach events such as the breakfasts, will continue. We are expecting a number of people to be baptised. We are stilI ke¢ping in rnind the need to keep praying that the Lord will guide us regarding whether we employ a part-time worker or a full-time Pastor.
Signed on behalf of the charity's Trustees On Illio/z /FI1 Alan J Harborne Chairnian
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 2024 518320 Set out on pages One to three I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (he Trust.) for the year ended 3111212024 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 {Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material spect. accounting records were not kept in accordance wtth section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no cOnmS 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. Signed: Ol Date: 22 September 2025 Name: Gillian Morton Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 11 Abbey CreSnt Halesowen West Midlands B63 2HP Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). IER October 2018
FATHERLESS BARN EVANGELICAL CHURCH Hedgefield Grove. Hales¢)wEn STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 310ECEMBER 2024 INCOME Unrestricted Funds Rostrlcted Funds Totsl Funds 2024 Total 2023 Donation5 and Legacies 33.400 7,591 40,991 28,576 Charitable Aolivrf(ies 1.145 1,145 Other Incomo 895 895 Investments 526 526 650 TOTAL INCOME 34,821 8.736 43,557 29,226 EXPENDITURE Cost of Raising Funds Charitable Activities 43,513 10,192 53.705 62,696 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 43,513 10.192 53.705 62,696 NET INCOMEIEXPENDITURE -8,692 -1.456 -10,148 -33,470 Fund Balance8 at Beglnnlng ol Year 26,510 1.496 28,006 61,476 FUND BALANCES AT END OF YEAR 17.818 40 17,858 28,006 Regi8teTrd Charity No 518320
FATHERLESS BARN EVANGELICAL CHURCH He(hJefield Grove. Halesowen INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT I JANUARY- 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 9,339.50 20.421.07 18.32 3,581.25 589.65 640.75 40.00 120.00 1145.00 895.01 526_10 6,240.00 43.556.65 28,005.92 71,562.57 2023 8,369.19 12,648.00 4.93 3.441.25 2,915.03 297.61 INCOME Offerings & Donations Gift Donations Offertory Box HMRC Tax Refund Gifts for Maintenance Fund Gifts for Missionary Fund Gifts to Missionary Fund for R Gidney Support Gifts for PA Fund 60+ Lunch Club Other Income Intsrest Received Quinta 2024 Total Income Opening Balan 580.00 649.68 320.00 29,225.69 61,475.91 90,701.60 EXPENDITU 2,963.58 1.456.24 186.76 1,125.00 620.00 3.400.00 2,760.00 44,024.31 Gas Electricity Water Rat8s- Church Insurance- Church Speakers Expenses and Gifts Gifts to Missionaries Gifts to Birmingham City Mission Building Repairs. matenaa arKI Improvements Group Youth Expenses Thirty one eight (Fomierfy CCPAS) Training Outreach Expenses CCLI - Copyright Licen Quints 2024 Olher Miscellaneous Expenditure Bank Charges Legal Expenses Insuran - Church House Water Rates - Church House Church House Repairs and Maintenance Church House Councbl Tax Total Expenditure Balance Carried Fop*ard 1,789.15 806.15 193,34 1,140.00 810.00 3,300.00 3,720.00 24,007.63 1,971.93 384.80 145.00 176.15 901.91 877.37 7,933.50 1,079.03 76.50 600.00 455.38 1,322.43 300.00 1,714.18 53,704.45 17.858.12 71,5e2.57 540.73 145.00 252.00 1,063.41 820.70 200.00 611.71 71.20 427.78 396.19 1631.07 62,695.68 28,005.92 90,701.60 Representsd By: Current Account Savings Account Cash in Hand 512.06 17,285.28 60.78 17,858.12 1.507.55 25,725.47 772.90 28,005.92 In additlon to the Cash balanS held above the charty owns Ihe freehold Church buildlngs and the Church house in the unrestricted fund. Liabilitle8 There were no liats41ities outstanding at the year end. Registe0 Chwity No 518320
FATHERLESS BARN EVANGELICAL CHURCH HedgeTId Grove. Halesowen Restrlcted Funds Missiona Fund Malntenance Fund Quinla 2024 120 6240 -6360 60+ Grou PA Fund 580 120 -700 Total 1,496 8,736 -10.192 40 Balances as at 31 December 2023 Income for the year Expenditure for the year Balances as at 31 December 2024 590 1145 -1941 -601 40 -590 Unrestrlcted Funds Balance as at 31 December 2023 Net movement in year Balance as at 31 December 2024 26,510 4,692 17.818 Total Fund Reslficled Funds Unrestrlcted Funds 40 17.818 17.858 Regstered CharityNo 518320