Charity number: NIC102557 The Bible Society in Northern Ireland Trustees. Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2022
The Bible Society in Northern Ireland Contents Page Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers Trustees. Report Trustees, Responsibllities Statement 10 Independent Audltors, Report on the Financial Statements Statement of Financial Activities 14 Balance Sheet 15 Notes to the Financial Statements 16-25
The Bible Society in Northern Ireland Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity. its Trustees and Advisers For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 Trustees Mr Thomas Stewart, Chairl Reverend Captain Colin Taylor. Vice Chairl Mr James Diffin Reverend Dario Leal (resigned 31 October 2022) Ms Sarah Farling Reverend Karen Salmon Mr John Stewartl Mrs Rachel Swift, Treasurer1 Mrs Nicola Taylor (resigned 14 February 2022)1 Reverend Brian Anderson Member of the Finance Committee Charity registered number NIC102557 Principal office Bible House 27 Howard Street Belfast BT16NB Key Management Personnel Mrs Catherine Hillcox, General Secretary Mr Campbell Moore. Office Manager Miss Keren Roebuck, Communications and Fundraising Manager Ms Suyai Rodriguez Cameron. Project and Admin Support (from April 2022) Andrew Dickson, Community Partnerships Manager (until July 2022) Independent auditors ASM {B) Ltd Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors 4th Floor Glendinning House 6 Murray Street Belfast BT16DN Bankers Danske Bank Limited Donegall Square West Belfast BT16JS Page 1
The Blble Society in Northern Ireland Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity. its Trustees and Advisers (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 Solicitors Cleaver Fulton Rankin 50 Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7FW Page 2
The Bible Society in Northern Ireland Trustees, Report For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 The Trustees of the Bible Society in Northern Ireland are pleased to present their report and the audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022. 2022 was a year full of opportunity for Bible Society in Northern Ireland but also one not without challenge. The Trustees are grateful for the hard work and dedication of the staff team throughout the year. During 2022 there was disruption to the day to day working of the team following an electrical fire in Bible House in December 2021. This could have been significantly worse than it was with fire doors preventing the blaze to ignite. The electric panel smouldered and created a lot of smoke. With challenge comes opportunity and Bible House is now in a better position than before the fire with new fuse boxes, a change to LED lights, upgraded heating system, new paint and a deep clean. The disruption did mean clearing the offices to allow work to be done again an opportunity to clear out the contents of the attic. The Trustees are grateful to all the professionals involved in getting Bible House back to good working order after the fire. 2022 a150 seen the start of the Bibles for Babies project. With the distribution of Toddler Bibles to little ones and their families by volunteers. In 2022 almost 1600 Toddler Bibles were sent out with some really positive feedback returned. This project has changed the dynamic in our office and many of the conversations we have with supporters and churches around Northern Ireland. The Trustees are grateful to the Bible Societies of Australia, Norway and Scotland for their financial support for this project and others in Northern Ireland as a result of the World Day of Prayer focus being on England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Objectives and Activities The Bible Society in Northern Ireland's stated mission is 'to reach everyone with God's Word in a language and medium they can access and afford, so that each person might experience God's purpose for their life., Bible Society Nl is one of over 150 different Bible Societies that make up the Global Fellowship of United Bible Societies (UBS). During 2022 significant milestones were reached with Bible Translation meaning that more people than ever before have a complete Bible in their own language. Bible Society in Northern Ireland support Bible Translation, Publishing, Distribution projects as well as Literacy work, Bible Engagement and Advocacy around our global Fellowship and here in Northern Ireland. Achlevements and Performance The Societys work is considered under the following headings. Governance and Management The Trustees of the Bible Society in Northern Ireland continue to focus on five strategic aims.. Growth in awareness of the work of the Society to reach everyone with God's Word. Increase and development of the support base for the work of the Society by increasing the number of donors and developing newways to generate funds. Increase of financial support for global Bible mission through United Bible Societies (UBS) and locally through collaboration and partnership. Promotion of Bible Engagement in Northern Ireland. striving for best practice governance. finance and administration policies and prOdureS to ensure effective and efficient management of the society. The 'Whole Family Bible Engagement, projects (Bibles for Babies, Daring to Hope and 52) supported by other Bible Societies through the World Day of Prayer focus have accelerated progress in the above aims. We have a new audien and opportunity to develop through the contacts developed by Bibles for Babies especially. During 2022 there were changes to the staff team. Suyai Cameron Rodriguez joined as Project and Admin Support in April 2022. Andrew Dickson moved on from the role of Community Partnerships Manager in July 2022 to a role within the Council for Congregational Life and Witness in the Presbyierian Church in Ireland. Page 3
The Bible Society In Northern Ireland Trustees. Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 Meetings with Trustees were both online and in person. Trustees met as a Board on 4 occasions {2 in person and 2 online). The Finance Committee met on 3 occasions online. It is anticipated that Board meetings will be in person whilst committees of the Board will meet online in the future. During 2022 Nicola Taylor and Rev Dario Leal resigned from the Board of Trustees. The Trustees are grateful for their contribution over the years. Bible House remained fully occupied during 2022. 2. Developing our fundraising potential During 2022 the income received as a result of our fundraising efforts increased in comparison to 2021. 2022.. £616,232 {2021: £533,460) The main sources of income remain the same- Bible-a-month Partnership, Direct Mail Appeals, Word at Work Supporters Magazine. and an altemative Christmas present option called Greatest Gift. We receive generous gifts from churches and ChUh groups as well as general gifts from individuals. Bible-a-month Partnership income continued to see an increase compared with the previous year. During the yearwe have seen an overall increase in the number of Direct Debit donors. Three Direct Mail Appeals were sent out in 2022 focusing on China, Uganda and the Gulf region. The response received for the China appeal was exceptional in comparison to other appeals confirming the importance of this work with our donors. The Bible Society in Northern Ireland supporters. magazine, 'Word at Work,, was produced three times during the year. We made Northern Ireland the focus of our Spring magazine and then highlighted projects in Peru and Serbia along with news of other work also. The Society receives generous donations from churches and church groups throughout Northem Ireland. Opportunities to vistt groups and ChUheS increased during 2022 however they have not returned to the levels before the pandemic. Other income was received by the Society from Grant Making Trusts. Support from church denominations continues with support from World Mission Partnership (Methodist Church in Ireland) for projects in Portugal and Cuba. Support was received from the Global Mission Department of the Presber1an Church in Ireland for the Bible Society in Sri Lanka. The Society receives rents under lease or licence agreements for occupation of the ground floor retsil unit and the second-floor offices. Legacy income was reiVed in 2022 from individuals who often had supported the work of the Bible Society in Northern Ireland through their lifetime. {2022.' £96,220,. 2021- £80,273). We are grateful to everyone who remembers the work of Bible Society Nl in their will. Bible Society Nl continued to receive support from corporate donors. Bible Society Nl was involved in a major donor fundraising movement IllumiNations in 2022 at an in person gathering. This movement presents Bible Translation to donors on behalf of a collaboration of charities, at the 2022 event these included Bible Society in Northern Ireland, Scottish Bible Society. British and Foreign Bible Society (England and Wales). Biblica, Word for the World and Wycliffe UK. Whilst no new funding was received by Bible Society Nl as a result of the gathering the opportunities to be involved in this movement is very significant. Page 4
The Bible Society in Northern Ireland Trustees. Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 3. Achieving the public benefit of the Bible Society in Northem Ireland The Bible Society in Northem Ireland is one of a small number of grant making I resourcing Bible Societies within the United Bible Societies (Global Fellowship of Bible Societies). Projects are selected from within a database from Bible Societies all over the world,. in 2022 support was given to Bible translation, publication and distribution. to literacy work using the Bible as a leaming tool and to Bible engagement and advocacy. Care was taken to not only cover the various elements of Bible mission but to also reach across the globe providing support to Africa. Asia, Europe. the Middle East and to South America. In 2022 the projects supported were as follows.. Country Albania Algeria Argentina Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Cambodia China Cuba Egypt El Salvador Ethiopia Ghana Guatemala Gulf States Gulf States Project Friends for Life - Sports Centre Scriptures for Seekers West Toba translation Moving Gospel- Children's Bible camps in Border villages Scriptures for refugees including those in detention centres or in prison Bible distribution for the Azerbaijani nation Literacy Programme.. Learning through Listening Affordable Bibles for the Millions in China A Bible for every Cuban with engagement strategies Festivals.. instilling Biblical principals in children New Testament Tour in Schools Children Bible in Amharic Scriptures for School Pupils Free to Live: Rescuing girls from trafficking Sharing the Good News with migrant workers in Bahrain through Story Telling. Reaching illiterate and semi-literate migrant workers with the Scriptures by training them in storytelling in Kuwait FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar- Distribution of 18,500 copies of the Gospel of John and NT in 14 languages Bible distribution to Police and Prisoners in one of the most violent countries in the world Empowering Urban Slum Dwellers Translation projects.. 13 languages in 2022 Core Presence to the Arab Israeli Bible Society Providing Jordanians with the Word of God Bible distribution among marginalised children and youth Working with Syrian and Iraqi refugees Serving the persecuted church in the Middle East Equipping Rural Pastor5 for Mission New Translation of the Lithuanian Bible Youth who can't afft)rd a Bible Family Scripture Engagement Packs A Spring in the Desert- Core Presence support for the Bible Society Audio Bible Project- Life transfomiation by hearing God's Word Beacon in the darkness of illiteracy Growing with the Bible project Child of Bethlehem - Bible Distribution through children's work Proclaim it! The Bible brings us together El Amanecer boat- Distribution to remote and isolated communities Bread of Life - Holistic project providing Bible materials alongside breakfast for School children Almeida Translation 200th Anniversary of Almeida Bible- A time of opportunty for Bible Advocacy in Portugal Support for Digital engagement with local community Good Samaritan= Fighting against HIV and AIDS New Translation of the NT for a New Generation Healing the wounds of Trauma Braille Bibles for Sri Lanka Tamil Old Version Bible Revision for Sri Lanka Swati Study Bible Gulf States Honduras India India Israel Jordan Kenya Lebanon Lebanon Liberia Lithuania Macedonia Malawi Morocco Nepal Pakistan Pakistan Palestine Palestine Paraguay Peru Portugal Portugal Portugal Rwanda Serbia Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Swaziland Page 5
The Bible Society in Northern Ireland Trustees, Report (continued For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 Syria Togo Uganda Uganda Uganda Ukraine Uruguay Venezuela Zimbabwe The Scriptures are testifying of me - Distribution project Faith Comes by Hearing Acoli Inter-confessional Bible revision Scriptures for People with Visual Disabiities The Bible in every Hand, Heart and Home Distribution Project Response to the war in Ukraine - Central Scripture supply for Ukraine and Ukrainian Refugees Draw my own Bible- engagement project with children and youth Uwottuja {Piaroa) Old Testament Translation Empowering mothers of differently able children - World Day of Prayer Distribution project The above list of projects represents around £518,000 (2021: £379,000) worth of financial support to Bible Societies around the world through the International Support Programme of United Bible Societies. In addition to providing financial support the Society generates significant prayer support from across Northern Ireland through printed material in 'Word at Work,, Direct Mails and our Bible-a-month calendar as well as prayer and news emails each month. A monthly online prayer meeting has continued throughout the year for supporters to join the staff team as we pray for our colleagues around the world. During 2022 Bible Society Nl received support through the International Support Programme in UBS for our 'Whole Family Bible Engagement, project. This involved a new project - Bibles for Babies, a print of the previously digital resource 52 and a new small group resource Daring to Hope. We are grateful for the financial support and encouragement received from Bible Society Australia, the Nornegian Bible Society and the Scottish Bible Society. In 2022 almost $60,000 was pledged for these multi-year projects. Bibles for Babies This is a Bible Distribution project for children. Babies receive a Toddler Bible on their First Birthday, Birthday Cards and other fun materials on their Second, Third and Fourth Birthdays and then another age-appropriate Bible on their 5th Birthday. This project is aimed at promoting Bible reading habits with children and their families and was inspired by the 'Bibles for Bubs. project developed by Bible Society Australia. The project was promoted through our Social Media channels in November 2021 which generated a phenomenal response almost 1000 babies had been registered within 24 hours. In total 1600 Babies were registered to receive a Toddler Bible on their First Birthday during 2022. A team of volunteers were recruited to write cards. wrap Bibles and pack the materials for each little one. Materials for Bibles for Babies are prepared each Thursday in Bible House. Feedback from families has been really positive with lots of engagement through our social media pages. There was a significant increase in those choosing to follow us for the first time on social media and also receive information about our work as a result of the project. 52 52 is a family Bible reading plan that was created during 2021 and downloaded through our website. Like Bibles for Babies this resource is aimed at farnilies to encourage Bible engagement at home. The financial support facilitated the printing of this resource to encourage more families and church communities to get into the habit of Bible engagement and start to understand the big story of the Bible. Daring to Hope Daring to Hope is a 5-week small group resource which focuses on the practice of LamenL It can be hard to take our lament to God. instead individuals can often present a mask of things being OK in front of God when really, they are dealing with a range of emotions. Thi5 resource was written by Andrew Dickson. our former Community Partnerships Manager. Page 6
The Bible Society in Northern Ireland Trustees. Report (continued For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 4. Enhancing the Society's profile within the local Christian community and the United Bible Societies Fellowship 2022 was a much more 'normal' year for opportunities to share about the work of Bible Society in Northern Ireland with groups, at Church gatherings and at events. However, the number of speaking engagements was still much lower than before the pandemic. Material for churches to share with their congregations was made available online, this included Bible Sunday infomiation. Bible Sunday material was supplied by the Scottish Bible Society for 2022, this was a great support at a time when the Society was without a Community Partnerships Manager. The Society maintains strong links with the main Protestant denominations and annually presents a Bible to the new President of the Methodist Church in Ireland and the new Moderator of the preSberlan Church in Ireland. The Society also participates in various neorkS which raises our profile and provide support to the Society team. Bible Society Nl are members of MAP (Mission Action Partnership) and AMS (Association of Mission Societies - Church of Ireland). In November 'The Gathering, Event was held by the Society to provide an opportunity for supporters to gather together. The evening was held in T3 at the House of Vic Ryn. The House of Vic Ryn generously make this space available for groups to use and it is equipped with many helpful resources and facilities. The Society was pleased with the number of supporters who attended and enjoyed listening to our guests and the time of fellowship afterwards. At the Gathering the Society welcomed international visitors from the wider United Bible Societies Fellowship. Ramez Atallah from the Bible Society of Egypt as well as Iga Zalisz from the Bible Society in Poland joined us for the evening in person. Those gathered also heard from one of the Bibles for Babies volunteers as well as more updates about the work of the Society. The Society plays an important role within the United Bible Societies Fellowship. Events and meetings continued to happen online throughout 2022 with some invitations to participate in the events of other Bible Societies throughout the year. The General Secretary continues to serve the wider Fellowship through several committees including the Membership Committee of the Global Council, the Resource Mobilisation Group (the General Secretary has now taken up the position of Chair of this group) and the Europe Middle East Affinity Group. The General Secretary and the Community Partnerships Manager were part of a Bible Engagement Forum organised by the British and Foreign Bible Society (England and Wales) in Swindon in March 2022. This time proved to be a very useful opportunity to share news of projects and developments in Bible engagement in contexts similar to Northern Ireland. 5. Complying with best practice in the day-to4ay management of the Society During 2022 the Board of Trustees of the Bible Society in Northern Ireland have continued to comply with best practice in the day-to-day management of the Society. All Board Members are provided with monthly and quarterly financial statements which were discussed in depth at the Finance Committee. The Society has taken steps to ensure compliance with safeguarding issues and concems in connection with children and vulnerable adults in the course of its work. We continue to monitor our risk register and review other new policies in place for the society. The work completed following the electrical fire has left the property of Bible House in a better state of repair with a more modern fuse box consumer unit as well as surge protection. The space used by Bible Society Nl is more energy efficient after the installation of LED lights and new electric radiators. The Society invested in an upgrade to the Raisers Edge Database allowing better access by all of the team to the information we have about supporters. This upgrade will allow the Society to consolidate records and move towards using one single platform for sending out email communication. receiving online payments and understanding in greater detail the giving patterns and habits supporters. Page 7
The Bible Society in Northern Ireland Trustees, Report (Gontinued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 Financlal Review The accounts as presented show a surplus of £47,123 (2021: £61,271) on the Income & Expenditure Account. This is down to the timing of gifts by donors and the revaluation of the propety. During the year, the Society's incoming resources from donations and legacies increased by 16% to £616.232 (2021.. £533,460) with the total incoming resources £741,087 (2021= £632.265). an increase of 17 %. In 2022 we had a Direct Mail Appeal for China which is aayS a popular project with supporters this appeal had a very good response compared with other appeals. Total expenditure increased by 33 % to £759,130 (2021= £570,994) resulting in a deficit of £18.043 (2021.. £61,271) this was largely due to an increased amount of international support going to other Bible Societies through UBS (2022.. £518,202., 2021.. £378,600). Reserves At 31 December 2022 the Society's unrestricted funds totalled £811,966 (2021- £796,676). When added to the increased propety revaluation reserve of £236,631 (2021.. £204.798) this brought the Balance Sheet total to £1,048,597 (2021.. £1,001,474). It is the Society's practice to release funds as quickly as possible to support the provision of God's Word to people globally and here in Northern Ireland. Accordingly, it keeps reserves to a level considered broadly necessary to support operating costs over a le1Ve-M0nth period. This has been documented in a Reserves Policy adopted by the Board. Key risks and uncertainties As the global pandemic continued throughout 2022 the Society continued to show resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty in the knowledge that God is in control. Voluntary income is still the main source of funding for the society. Significant work has been continued in 2022 to increase our profile and the awareness that others have of what our core activities are, especially with younger online audiences. The Board of Trustees continue to manage risk and plan for uncertainty as and where it is possible to in current circumstances. Conclusion Looking back on 2022, the Trustees continue to feel grateful for the generosty received from donors and supporters and for the new opportunities that have came about with direct support from other Bible Societies in the UBS Fellowship. The Society is reaching new audiences with new projects in Northern Ireland whilst still maintaining high levels of generosity to wider Bible mission. We are grateful for our dedicated staff team and Board of Trustees who continue to show creativity and drive to reach our full potential. We thank God for the many ways in which we have continued to commit to our mission statement of 'Reaching everyone with God's Word,. Page 8
The Bible Society in Northern Ireland Trustees. Report (continued) For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by: r Thomas Stewart (Chair of Trustees) Mrs Rachel Swift (Treasurer) Date.. Page 9
The Bible Soclety in Northern Ireland Statement of Trustees. responsibilities For the Year Ended 31 December 2022 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 Northern Ireland 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: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently- observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102)., make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent., state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to Sh1 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 (Northern Ireland) 2008. the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northem Ireland) 2015 and the provisions of the Memorandum of Association. 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. Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by: Mr Thomas Stewart (Chair of Trustees) Mrs Rachel Swift (Treasurer) Date: 4-7_13 Page 10