Trustees Report Year 1° January 2023- 31st December 2023 The Trustees of Iron Hall Evangelical Church (Iron Mission Hall) subfflit their annual report and the financial statements for the year ending 315t Dmber 2023. 1. Name of Chanty as it appears on the Register. Iron Mission Hall (Iron Hall Evangelical Church) 2. Nl Charity Commission Number. 107368 3. The Purpose of your Charity- The charity's purpose is 'The Advancement of The Christian Faith and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God.. 4. Names of Chanty Trustees asat 31* December 2023: Mr William Macmillan (Treasurer), Mr Hugh Martin (Chaimian). Mr Colin Murray. Mr Lewis Roberts. 5. The Trustees are aware of and have regard to the Charity Commission's Public Benefit Requirement. 6. Trustees Report for Activities of Iron Mission Hall (Iron Hall Evangelical Church). The Iron Mission Hall (Iron Hall Evangelical Church) is an independent k)cal thurch constituted by a Trust Deed executed on 201h March 1934. The day-to-day spiritual care of the assembly is the responsibilty of the elders and the day-tfrday practical matters are overseen by the deacons. The responsibility of leading specific works and departments within the church is undertaken by church members who are appointed by and responsible to the elders. The workers in all the activities carried out by the church are made up of church members and augmented by some people who are regular attendees but not in membership. The elders meet each month to pray and discuss matters regarding the work of the churth and at addrtional times rf emergencies require. The elders meet with the deacons once every 3 months for fellowship. prayer and discussion of the work in the church. The Iron Mission Hall (Iron Hall Evangelical Church) was registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 10th February 2020 as required by the Charities AGt (Northem Ireland) 2008 and complies with the Statement of Rec(ynmended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities. issued in July 2014 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northem Ireland) 2015. Mr Edward Wilson who is a church member has fvlfilled the role of honorary independent examiner of the financial statements. The Trustees thank Ed for his willingness to fulfil this role and for the time he has taken to examine the church's records arKI fonn his report. Rlsk The Trustees consider that there are two main areas of risk which they must monitor on behalf of The Iron Mission Hall (Iron Hall Evangelical Church) Financial -The church relies on the income received from freewill offerings without which the Iron Mission Hall (Iron Hall Evangelical Church) would not be able to achieve its, tharitable objectives. If there We to be a reduction in offerings received. the Trustees would bring this to the membership in order to redress the matter and also implement a program of cost reduction to ensure the financial stability of the church on behalf of our members. utational - The Iron Mission Hall (Iron Hall Evangelical Church) has provided a wide range of ministries with children and young people during the reporting period. to mitigate any risk in this area we provided refresher training in January 2023 by a qualified instructor (Mr David Jackson of Child Evangelism Fellowship) and have a comprehensive Child Protection Policy arKI procedures in place. The leadership in
each of the departrnents is fulty appraised of their resSIbilieS and trained to oversee their particular aa of ministy and they are monitcKed by, and accountable to the Eldersrrrustees through a Designated Person approved by the Eldersrrrustees. We have also implemented a Data Protection Policy and introduced safeguards in respect of membership records and for the respective works within the church. Personal infornation held relates to the adivities conducted by each department and is disposed of securely when no longer required. The Trustees are satisfied that the levels of infonnation held by each department are appropriate to fulfil their need to operate in accordance wilh both GDPR and the Church's Child Protection Policies. The Trustees have also a Policy in respect of Health & Safaty: this policy give instruction in respect of (Krtbreak of Fire. Emergency Evacuation and First Aid. Ob ectives and Activities The Iron Hall, since being established in 1 in TeMMOre Avenue. Belfast has had as its purpose, been a centre for proclaiming the message of salvation and forgiveness of sins through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This emphasis continues through both our intemal a(Xivities and other inrtiatives outside in the local communty and in supporting others within our own ¢(nty and in other parts of the world. The Iron Mission Hall (Iron Hall Evangelical Church) (ganiSeS a wide raw8 of regular meetings and activities, these include: Breaking of Bread (SurKlay weekly), Family Service {Sunday moming, weekly), Gospel Service (Sunday evening, weekly), Bible Study (Monday evening weekly), Prayer Meeting (Thursday weekly), Sunday School (Sunday afternoon, weekly), Tuesday, Door to Door Outreach In the Local Community, Children's Meeting (Wednesday, weekly), Motherfs & Toddlers (Friday weekly). Youth (Saturday, weekly). Ladies Meeting (Wednesday monthly), Ladies Prayer Meeting (Wednesday monthly). Women's Activity mornings (Wednesday weekty). Throughout the past year we have continued to contribute benefft to our local communlty by provlding a place which is open and without any financial charge for everyone who wishes to come along. The actlvlties organised embrace all age groups and app8al to many from our local mmUnIty arKI beyond. In September 2023 the Elders appointed Roberta Sherk)ck as a Chiklren's & Youth Worker. Roberta has been a church member for many years and had been working with Child Evangelism Fellowship in East Belfast. In conversation th Roberta and after prayer the elders appointed Roberta to this role arKI designated Roberta's role as working alongside the Leaders of the Sunday Sthool. Children's Meeting, Mothers & Toddlers, and Youth Leaders. Roberta's experience in these areas of mlnisty and her vision to see them develop within our local church will. we trusc with God's blessing see these ministries grow and achieve greater impact in the lives of all connected wilh them. The weekly gatherings for children on a Wednesday evening & Sunday aftemoon have conllnued throughout the year. The Sunday School has altered its time of meeting to 5.20pm from 3.30pm to ty to attract new children and to facilitate the Sunday afternoon schedule of the teachers. This has attracted some new children, but the attendance of others has been inteittent or fallen away. The boys and girls who attend regularly continue to enjoy their time both leaming from the bible as well as enjoying the friendship of other t)oys' and girfs. arKJ with the leaders and workers in these departments. The Mother's and Toddlers have enjoyed a noticeable and increased engagement with the mothers and little ones who attend regularly and the numbers over the past year have been consistently high with many from our locality including those from different ethnic backgrounds enjoying the facilities provided. There has also been an opportunty over the year to facilitate 'birthday parties. for some of the children and their associated wider families. this has been greaty appreciated by the mothers. The opportunity to meet in a friendly environment and hear the good news G(Kl's love is well re(*ived by all who atterKI.
We were also able this year to attend 5 of our lo1 primary schools with the Amazing Joumey. The Amazing Joumey is an interactive bible presentation created and presented by Jem Hudson from Foundation Matters. This was greatly enjoyed by tt)e children and well received by the Head Teachers and Staff in each of the schools we attended. All of our activities continue to be provided free of charge and in a(Idition to teaching from the bible, these times also give opportunty for social and re(xeati(Thl elements to be enjoyed. The benefrts received from these 9atherings and other similar iniliatives have been clearly evidenced by the positive feedbad( and goodwill generated from many families who attend and others who express their appreciation. The teachings of the bible arKI the practical help given through the works within the church have benefited many irrespective of their own personal ba(*grourKI or beliets. We have organized Prize days as well as Christmas wties and outings throughout the year and these were greatly appreciated by both childn and pants. The activities for youth and teenagers have also continued throughout the year and included recreational activities. a weekend away as well as opportunilies to gather weekly in a relaxed manner to socialise and study the bible together. The Ladies Activity Morning which meets on the * Wednesday each month has seen an increase in attendance and provides an oPptUnty for social and spiritual fellowship amongst the older ladies who attend. The annual 'Battle of the Somme, celebration on the 1# July generates massNe cxowds and brings 100's of people to Templemore Avenue. We have this yew again opened our buikdings for Refreshments and also to provide, 'welcome facililies. for the many who atterKI the event We have been able to welcome many to our services both as visitors and others as speakers in the past year. We were able to organize a week of Gospel Mission in November with Evangelist John Weir which was well attended each night by church members and visitors alike. We regularly support Christian work in many places both financially. prayerfully. and practically as well as sending workers to be part of mission teams. A significant number of church members are engaged in serving the Lord in the church, as well as others who are engaged in Chrislian wort( outside the church: this indicates the benefrt this church endeavours to be to others around us. The objects of the church are spiritual and therefore are rt easity measured in many respects. It has however been encouraging to see God's hand work in many lives and many have expressed the benefft and blessing they have received Ihrough the a¢x1ves of the churd) this past year. Throughout the year many who have been ill. suffered bereavemenL or needed support. have been helped and found encouragement in their time of need through the ministry of the church. 7. The Chaiity's Financial position for the financaal year end 3111212023 is set out in the separate Financial Statement and the attached Rep(xt relates to the financial year 1 St January 2023 to 318t Dernber 2023. 8. Our activities. (x)nta(X detsils and related infomalion are listed on (xjr thurch wetrFsite. www.ironhall.com 9. Names of Elders and Deacons Elders who served during the year Mr William Macmillan. Mr Hugh Martin. Mr Colin Murray. Mr Lewis Roberts.
Deacons who served during the year: Mr John Alexander. Mr Arthur Carnaghan. Mr Terence Elwood. Mr Graham Grant. Mr Dawson Keff. Mr David Rea. Mr Stephen Roberts. Mr William Smyth. Mr Leslie Stewart. Treasurnr: Mr William Macmillan. 10. Signature of Trusteos: Mr William Macmillan Mr Hugh Martin Mr Colln Murray Mr Lewis Roberts Date 5