WHITEWELL METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 The trustees present their annual report and finanal statements for the year ended 30 September 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wrth the accounting policies set oul in note 110 the finaneial statements and compty with the church's trust deed, the Charities Aci (Northem Ireland) 2008 and "Accounting and Reporting by Chanlies.. Statement of Recommended Prac11 applicable to chatilies Preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ifeland {FRS 102)" {a8 3m8nded for accounting periods commencing Irom 1 January 2019) Objectives and activities The unchanging objective of the chuFch is to (x)nlinue to proclaim, promote and further spread the Christian faith as defined in the pages of the Bible. Our beliefs, precepts and practises are defined and decided. not by the words or decrees of men but, by the Word of Gc*J which we IK)Id to be the highest authority, being the unvamished and inspired Word of the God. The main activities of the church, in order to achieve the above are Ihe holding of regular religious SeNS each week, the providing of youth aclimties and the broadcasb'ng of our seivTrces along wrth the provision of services of a charttable bènéfit to the commijntty and abroad. The trustees have paid due regard lo guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what 3Ctiwbes the churth should undertake. The Un8ung Heroes As always we are so very grateful lo God for the fantast giving of our u)ngregation that allows us to employ a nLSmber of people to help with our ministry and il is only right we pay tribute to the great army of volunteers who faithfully labour behind the scenes. These faithful souls do all kinds of things from dnving buses, leading youth actmiies, car park duty, deaning, playing instruments, leading worship, fund faising, door to door wrtnessing. operating cameras to provide our on- line services, welcoming people al the doors, visrting the housebound and providing crèche faulrties. The whole church functions and wo5 because so many people play an important. sometimes unseen part. 1 Corinthians 15.'58 "Always abounding in the work of the Lord. for as much as you know, that our labour is not in vain in the lonl.. Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone. Achievements and performance The recent Covid pandemic changed the religious landscape & although il hasn't wenl away most church services and activities have returned to a pre Covid situation although there is still a measure of 'social distancing, in place regarding seating. Some people with underlying health COnmS continue to prefer to watch the seTvices on-line. The plus side of the on-line ministry is the increasing number of viewer5 we have from all over the UK and around the world. People regularly Mew from the USA, Australia, Afrtca and New Zealand. A few congregations, who don't have a minister meet together lo watch our on-line services. OtheT5 who have no suitable church near them regard Vwhitewell as their church and we even have enquiries about Ihe possibdtty of being on-line members of Whitewell which is something we are considering. The Word of the Lord is certainty sounding forth from Whitewell and il is a humbling prmlege to be abse to minister lo so many. Over Ihe months our church services (worship and Word) have been good and people IntInUe to me to failh in Christ. Tliece has been approximately 30 people of all 8ge3 undergoing the ordinanca of baliever5 baptism, 12 baby dedications 8nd 16 new converts rA)mpleting the new converts course.
WHITEWELL METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE TRUSTEES, REPORT (COPINUED} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 Notable events throu hout the ear In nclober Pastors Dawd and Shaw visited and ministered at a church in Norlhamptonshire who fvave asked us to supply them with their next minister from our Academy. We also held a memorial seNice to remember church membefs and loved one's of church members who had passed away due to Ihe Covid pandemic. In November a 'Remembrance Servi, was held whth also accommodated Ihe enrolment of our Gid's Brigade and Scouts. We also held our annual Chrislmas Fare wilh a weallh of stalls and activities. It was revamped from previous years and held in the larger youth centre premises and was brilliant SUPPOrted and the money raised used to help needy families over the Christrnas period. In December we hosted the annual Christmas dinner in church for our '5enior members, with a short program afterwards and each one leaving with a gift from 'Falher ChTisbnas.' There was also the annual community Carol SeNitte which is ahvay5 brillianlly attended. In January we commenced the new year with a week of Prayer, and Pastors David and Frankie visited our missionary endeavour5 in Ethiopia and Kenya. The staff were encouraged lo see them and a goixl report was brought home to Ihe Whitewell congregalion continuing to juslify our financial investment there. In February tho church celebrated its 66th annivefsary with pastor Nick Cassidy from Cork preaching all day. In March our Shepheid's Academy hosted an 'Answers In Genesis. day an apoiogelic ministry known worldwide and it wa5 so successful, we have been asked to repeal il next year. In April after 3 days of prayer and fasting the church held a healing service for the purpose of praying for the 51ck. Also major renovalion and building work coMMend on the foyer area and main front and rear entrances. This was the first lime since the opening of the church this area of the chvrch was enhJftd. All agree it is a fabulous job. A 'Gifl Day. was held to cover this necessary building work. A few of our students from the academy accompanied by a pastor visited churches in Northamptonshire and Yorkshire. This provided a great deal of valuable experience for students who May be conlemplating the ministry themsefves. In May the church hosted its first 'Men's Conferen, with 4 different speakers which again was well attended. On the back of this a new 'Men's Fellowship, also mmenced meeting together one night every six weeks for fellowship. In June the Ethiopia team hosted a 'Southem Gospef concert to raise funds for the important Ethiopian missionary projecl. There was also the 2nd academy meal for our Shepherds academy students. and a Youth Mission was held in a marquee in Donaghadee which saw ouf youth lead the services and many local people attended. In July the Elim Pentecoslal Church held their annual 'WondeTOUS Conferen. at our church for 4 days and nights. So pleased have the leaders of Elim been that they are asking that this becomes an annual event. A Holiday Bible Club fr)r children was also hosted with many children attending. On the 19th August saw the church PLrt on a free event of a church BBQ and Funday al Crawfordsbum County Park. A host of activibes were put on lo caler for all. 11 was a wonderful time. In August we also held another week of prayer in preparation of our September Mission event and also undertook a large scale disiribulion of Invrtes to home5 oveT a Gonbiderable aiea over a three week period. This work was done by OUT church members. In September our Shepherd's Academy commenced its 3rd year with many students returning as well as a new intake of students. The first day back induded a lunch for all. The churth also pul on our rnajor evangelistic endeavour of the year thal we call, 'Alive Belfasy over 4 nights. David Ham from New York was our speaker and a Iremendous time was had with many people from other churches also presenl.
WHITEWELL METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 Activities Our many childien's activities indude. Scouts and Girl's Brigade, Chikyren's church or 'Weewellers' on Sunday momings and there is also a children's church during the Sunday evening service. Our two missionary projects each have a team of volunteers at ltewell helping with fvnd Taising and practical support 12 months of the year and a special Christmas appeal sees money sent for the African children to also recewe a Christrnas gift. God's prèeious Word eonlinuès to be preach wep.k afièr week with our sènior minister who is responsib for preaching and leaching delrveiing new series of seimons for the spiritual growih of the believers individualty and the church collectivety. Durin9 the year he has brought series on 'The 10 commandments, and 'The M1cUlouS ministry of th8 Lord Jesus, and Yhe T8tmacl8 in th8 wildemess, and 'A book and a woman, both called Esthe and 'Getting the gospel nghf and a series on the subject of Bible prophecy. Two other ministries that continue to make a dffterenL are.. The street project lo the homeless, 'Manna for Many, Tun by Stanley Donaghey. Our food hamper ministry run by a lady called Jewel which brings food to needy families. The Shepherd's Academy Back in September 2021. Whitewell opened it's very ()wn Bible college called 'the Shepherd's Academy, for the purpose of producing a new generation of church leaders and workers for the church. Now into our 3rd adeM year the academy has grown beyond our dreams with nearfy 200 students enFolled. Many of these are from other churches inside and outside of Northem Ireland. Lead by pastor David Purse with the help of an academy boafd the academy has students of all ages. Some just want lo learn more about the faith but others are studying lo obtain our own church based 'Lliploma in Pastoral and Biblical Studies.. Our academy is glowing pastors and elders and church wod(ers for the present as well as the future. Two couples who have completed Ihe 'pasloral care, module now help with the chu¥ch visitation program of Ih05e who are elderfy or house b)und. It is our prayer that the academy 11 not only secure Whitewell's future but also be able to assist other churches. This is a project the trustees and oversight are very encouraged about. Ethiopia & Kenya The Church has founded and conlinues to support a number of foreign missionary projects in Ethiopia and Kenya. These missions help relieve severe poverty in the local areas by assisting in the piovision of food and dothing. The missions also help provide religious and secular education to the children and adults of the area and also assists in Providing medical care. The Church curTenlly ftjnds three project in Ethiopia". Kunftu Compound, Babagaya Sthool & Churi, and Ambo Church. The Church also funds the Metropotan Sanduary and Nyeri Church in Kenya. HundTrds of lives are being touched in both locations as well as the project emtdoying over 50 indiwduals. We contir¢ue lo say'lo God be the gk)rl. Ethiopia Our Church, Schools and Clinics at Kurfflu, Bobagaya, and Ambo continue to support Ihe needy children, their families and the local communty in the surrounding villageg of Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Our main assistance is lo bring Chllstianity to all children from differenl ethnic religions through evangelism and the provision of biblically-based teaching, and to advance the education of all children and young adults in the relief of poverty and hunger, bringing an holistic approach to help the people in these areas in their SPiTrtual. educatr.onal and physic31 needs. The Metropolltian Tabernacle ChuTch in Etliiopia serves ihe bJL719)mmunity in reaching souls and where we have seen God's plans come to fruition over the many years. The missionary project in Ethiopia is growing strong and vibrant. 11 continues to b8 5UPPOrted at home by Mrs Eleanor Mcclelland and her daughter Karen ak)ng with Pastor Michael Bunting.
WHITEWELL METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 Kenya The Meiropolilan Sanctuary for Children wilh Disability Gontinued lo offer servi5 during the year under the leadership of Paslor Mary Whaom and her dedicated team. During the year the sanctuary offered rehabilitation services and organised trainin9 for Community Health Volunteers and for care givers in the fA)mmunsty. Sittsng aids. stsnding aids. slabilisers and wheethairs were given lo Children in need. Tha sanctuary also provided Sal support through Ihè provision of food packages and transport. Medical assistance, support for families bereaved and home visits were also prowded by the sanctuary staff. The Church, through the sanctuary, continues to reach out lo the local community- The Kenya missionary project is continuirbg lo be strong and vibrant. supported al home by Pastor Ftankne Weir. Flnancial review The Board of Trustees consider that the unTestricled funds of the charty have stthcient resources and assets available which are adeqijate lo fuKIl their obligations. AI 30 September 2023 the balance of unrestricted reseNes was £7,712.987 (2022- £7,801,926). It is the policy of the church Ihat unrestricted funds which have not been designaled for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent lo belween srx and nine monlh's expenditure. The Iruslees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a ygnificant drop in funding. they will be able to continue Ihe church's current actiwties while thought is given to way5 in which addiiiDnal funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year. The trustees have assessed the major rtsks lo which the church is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to miligale exposure lo the major Tisks. Stwcture, governance and management The Church is constituted as trustees incorporated as a body and was estsblished by a eharilable trust deed. The trustee5 who served during the year and up to the date of signalure of the financial statements were.. Pastor David Purse Mr Charles Purse Pastor Robert Higgins Mr Alan CartWTight Mr Derek Mcllveen (Appointed 19 December 2023) (Appointed 19 De¢ember 2023) The Oversight of the church have, by resoluiion at a meeting of same. the power to appoint new trustees. There are 5 trustee positions on the trustee board. We hold that there ought to be more non paid tnjstees than employed trustees. Finally, for all we are able to do lo serve one another and beyond the walls of our churth we ullimately say, Sola Deo Gloria, 'Glory lo God alone,.
WHITEWELL METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 Statement of trustees, responsibillties The trustees are responsible for preparing thè Trustees, Report and the financi31 statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accnunting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland requTrs the trustees to prepare finan(yal statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the church and of the incoming SOurceS and application of resources of the church for that year. In preparing Ihese financial slatements. the Irustees are required to.. select suitable accounting poliaes and then apply them con5iStentiy: obseTve the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 102)- make judgements and eslimales Ihat are reasonable and prudent., stale whether applicable accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the finanaal ststements.. and prepare the financial statemerbts on the going ¢xncem basis unless il is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The tsustees are resF)onsible for keeping adequale accounting recvwtls Ihal disGbse with reasonable 8CLuracy at any time the financial position of the (*urth and enable them lo ensure thal the financial ststements comply with the CharlieS Act Northem Ireland (2008). the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northem Ireland) 2015 and the provisions of the trust deed. They a atso responsible for safeguarding the assets of the chur and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The tru was approved by the Board ofTrustees. Pastor, Trustée