2024-03-31-annual-report

GOUK Trustees Annual Report for Financial Year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024

Company registered number: NI036107

Charity registered number: XR32472

Charity Commission NI number: 101920

1. The Purpose of the Charity

1.1 Purpose: The Advancement of Religion

Per the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charity’s objectives are for the advancement of the Christian faith (religion) and in pursuance of this objective it may:

• (i) Spread the gospel of Jesus Christ at home and abroad in word and in deed;

(ii) Engage in religious preaching, teaching, crusading, ministering, counselling, witnessing, missions (domestic and foreign) and soulwinning for the Lord Jesus Christ.

(iii) Operate in an evangelistic manner to support local churches and various religious youth activities, and where possible to assist in support for worthy benevolent humanitarian projects.

1.2 Purpose: Benefit to the Public

• Provision of training to ministers of the religion.

• Spreading the principles of the religion.

• Raising awareness and understanding of the religion’s beliefs and practices.

• Carrying out missionary and outreach work.

1.3 Purpose: Intended Beneficiaries

• The general public i.e. anyone and everyone.

• By any and all means possible, for example, radio, videos, internet and public meetings.

1.4 Purpose: Benefits of the Charity

• To help others at their point of need, for example, food.

• To contribute to the mental health and wellbeing of others, for example, counselling.

• To provide relief to those in need, for example, medical supplies.

• To promote and maintain beliefs in the region.

• To attract new followers in same beliefs as the region.

• To establish and support the establishment of new churches in the region.

• To support the maintenance of existing churches in the region

1.5 Purpose: Benefit for the Public

• The charity’s benefits are all, the general public, anyone and everyone.

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• The adoption of a moral framework which encourages people to be good citizens.

1.6 Purpose: To be beneficial, not harmful

• To demonstrate respect, caring, kindness and compassion to everyone at all times including those who do not share the same region.

1.7 Purpose: Incidental Private Benefit

• Any private benefit to be incidental in nature.

2. Public Benefit Report

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted nearly every aspect of GOUK’s fundraising activities, with profound effects across multiple divisions. Among the challenges was the cancellation of the annual fundraising banquet during those years. This event must be restructured and reinstated, as its absence has had a widereaching impact on all areas of our organization, both domestic and international. Despite these obstacles, our resilient team has continued to serve within the limits of their abilities and resources.

We have been able to support some overseas projects as funding allows. These projects range from small feeding initiatives in remote villages to modest training seminars on health and wellness. Local workers often display remarkable ingenuity, and we are delighted to support their ideas by providing small project funding. For example, providing a sewing machine enables them to purchase fabric, produce goods, and sell them for a modest profit. This not only boosts their confidence but can also serve as the foundation for a small business, with the potential for expansion as additional equipment is acquired.

This model can be adapted for other purposes as well. For instance, with assistance, locals can rent a small plot of land, plant seeds, and cultivate vegetables that can later be sold for a profit. With slightly more financial support and training, they could manage small-scale livestock projects involving animals like laying hens, ducks, goats, or pigs. These projects—while small in scale—have a profound impact, providing participants with a sense of selfworth and the opportunity to improve their livelihoods. One such project, introduced in Uganda by a member of our team, has shown promising results.

As we slowly recover from the financial setbacks of the recent hard years starting in 2019, the ministry is cautiously exploring and developing these small-scale initiatives in partnership with local workers. These projects hold immense potential, offering exciting possibilities for both the participants and our organization. Training and leadership development remain key pillars that we continue to strengthen .

2.2 Summary of achievements and outcomes during the year

For forty years, we have been operating inside the UK amid other countries. Although our work has become more focused in recent years, we initially operated in many more regions. Witnessing the growth and progress of local workers remains an incredibly rewarding aspect of our efforts.

Advancements in technology have revolutionized how we connect and collaborate with local workers, enabling us to stay engaged in their ministries and skill development. Platforms like Zoom and others have opened up extraordinary opportunities for training and project development. For example, I recently delivered a lecture via Zoom from my office to an audience in an Asian country. Hundreds of people attended the event, which was simultaneously interpreted into two languages and broadcasted to two additional venues, each hosting hundreds more participants. These sessions were further streamed to twelve smaller study groups, involving over 1,200 to 1,500 participants in total. This remarkable reach was achieved with minimal effort and cost.

2.3 Summary of benefits and impact made during the year.

Each passing year offers us a chance to reflect on our journey with careful optimism. In the early days, we utilized the resources and skills we had on offer, grateful for the few who allowed us to mentor them despite our limitations. Over time, both our team and our methods have evolved, and it has been gratifying to see new members join us in our overseas missions.

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Year after year, and decade after decade, we review our progress with a mix of pride and a desire for continuous improvement. The cumulative efforts have fostered strong partnerships with local teams, enabling them to develop skills and gain confidence.

A particularly heartwarming example is the national luncheons held during our visits, where local workers invite their families, including adult children. Many of these children have achieved advanced education, earning degrees in theology, business, music, and other fields, further supporting their families’ ministry efforts. On one visit, a pastor asked how many in the audience had made life-changing decisions when I first lectured there 36 years ago. Sixteen individuals stood up, acknowledging that moment as the beginning of their journey in that assembly.

After forty years of collaboration (and over two decades since GOUKL’s founding in 2001), it is evident that perseverance and dedication yield lasting results. The tangible progress in countless lives over the years is a testament to the commitment and sacrifices made by GOUKL—through both triumphs and challenges—to uphold our mission and support vital community projects overseas.

2.4 Mitigation of harm flowing from activities

It is the charities assessment that there is no possibility of harm to anyone flowing from the purposes of the charity and its activities carried out during the year.

2.4 Private benefit

It is the charities assessment that no private benefit was received by anyone who was not an intended beneficiary of the charity.

3. Charity commissions compliance statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the directors/trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries

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