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
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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 prO￿dureS 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.
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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 ChU￿h 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 ChU￿heS 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
Presb￿er1an 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 re￿iVed 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.
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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.
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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 preSb￿erlan Church in Ireland.
The Society also participates in various ne￿orkS 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.
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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 a￿ayS 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 l￿e1Ve-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,.
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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..
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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