The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Church's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)".
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Church should undertake.
Pastors' Report – AGM 2025–2026
Looking back over the past year, we are thankful to God for His faithfulness and for everything He has done. It has been a year of growing together, serving our community, and building friendships.
The year began with celebrating our first anniversary at the Hub. Soon after, a work day was held to help look after the building and grounds. Lots of people gave their time to work in the garden, trim hedges, clean, and take care of different jobs around the Hub. It was a great chance to serve together, and the day finished with a BBQ picnic.
One of our main focuses this year has been growing in faith. Life Groups worked through The Practicing the Way Course by John Mark Comer, leading to many helpful conversations and lots of positive feedback. After that, Life Groups moved on to studying the Book of Romans, alongside a Sunday preaching series through the same book. It has been encouraging to hear how God has been speaking to people through this study. Many have said it has challenged them and helped them grow closer to God.
Prayer has continued to be at the heart of church life. During the year, the single general prayer meeting was replaced by separate men's and women's prayer gatherings, giving more opportunities for prayer, encouragement, and spending time together. Men's fire pit evenings and a men's breakfast were also enjoyed, both well attended.
Several community activities have continued throughout the year. After the winter break, coffee mornings restarted, with an ongoing effort to welcome more people from the local community and other churches. In December 2025, a Christmas Carol Service was held at St Michael's Close. The year also included several Harvest Alliance Hub gatherings, welcoming people from churches in Harlow, Hemel Hempstead, Cambridge, and nearby areas. A summer church picnic brought together four churches in Harlow, and the Easter celebration at the Harvey Centre was a chance to worship together and share the Good News of Jesus' resurrection.
Our young people enjoyed a range of activities, including swimming, bowling, and mini golf, with some events organised together with other churches in Harlow. A Mental Health Day was also hosted, giving people the chance to learn more about mental health and talk about how churches can be places of welcome, care, support, and understanding.
This year, Stuart Lindsell stepped down from church oversight, and we want to thank him for his faithful service over many years. Brian and Mary continue to serve in oversight, and their support, encouragement, and guidance are greatly appreciated.
The friendships and support received from the leaders across Harvest Alliance are also a great blessing.
It has also been great to see the Hub being used by other groups in the community, especially Rainbow Services, who regularly use the building for activities that support older people in the area.
One of the most exciting developments this year has been progress towards extending the building. The plans would provide more meeting space, move the church office downstairs, and free up the flat so it can be rented out, creating an additional source of income. This extra space and income would help serve both the church family and the wider community. The planning process is going well, and there is hope of a positive decision from the council during the summer.
Looking ahead, we do so with thankful hearts and great hope. Thank you to everyone who has served, volunteered, prayed, and supported the church throughout the year. May we together continue to faithfully live out God's call to know Him and make Him known.
Many blessings,
Mauricio & Sibele Colussi
Total income during the year was £107,565 (2025: £81,770) of which £40 (2025: £5,356) was restricted. Total expenditure during the year was £102,191 (2025: £106,682) of which £40 (2025: £756) was restricted.
Total funds at 31 March 2026 amounted to £731,811 (2025: £726,437) of which £19,060 (2025: £19,875) were restricted funds.
It is the policy of the Church that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Church’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
Under the Memorandum and Articles of the Association the charity has the power to make investments at the discretion of the trustees. The current policy of the charity is to ensure investments are low risk and funds are currently held with a number of difference banks ensuring that no more than £120,000 is on deposit with any single organisation. Alternative opportunities are regularly reviewed.
Risk Management
We have entered into an agreement with Trust Advice to provide advice on these matters on a call off basis as and when required.
Gateway Freedom Church Harlow is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 7th August 2003 in England and Wales. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association,
The company and charity name was changed from Gateway Christian Fellowship, Harlow to Gateway Freedom Church on 6th May 2010. The registered office and charity numbers remain unchanged.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles are known as members of the Charity. The number of trustees is not less than three but is not subject to any maximum. Trustees are eligible to serve for a three-year period and may then be re-elected for further three-year periods.
Trustees must be at least sixteen years of age and are required to subscribe to the Statement of Beliefs set out in the Articles, as Gateway is a Christian congregation. In the event of particular skills being lost due to retirement or resignation, individuals are approached to offer themselves for election to the board of trustees. The chair of trustee meetings, is appointed by consensus of the other trustees.
Gateway has three trustees as at 31 March 2026 who are responsible for governance, financial and fiscal matters. The board meets at least six times a year and at least one of the Pastors also attend.
Responsibility for the day-to-day operations is delegated to the Senior Pastors and Leadership Team.
Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Finance issues are reported on and considered by the trustees on a regular basis. Minutes of trustee meeting are circulated to the church's leadership. The minutes of the leadership team meetings are also circulated in a similar way.
Trustees induction and training
New trustees are given an orientation pack, which briefs them on a trustee's legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision making process, and the most recent audited accounts and Annual Report.
Gateway links nationally and internationally with Harvest Alliance, a family network of churches and ministries in pursuit of sustained revival in the church and the outpouring Kingdom of transformation in the nations.
More locally, Gateway is also part of Heart 4 Harlow, a group of evangelical church congregations in Harlow who are seeking to work together in local mission. Gateway is also a member of the Evangelical Alliance.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Gateway Freedom Church Harlow for the purpose of company law, 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).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Church and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Church will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Church and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Gateway Freedom Church Harlow (the Church) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Church are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Church’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Church as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Gateway Freedom Church Harlow is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 7th August 2003 in England and Wales. The registered office is Gateway Hub, Maddox Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 3RW. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association,
The members of the company are the trustees. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The Church is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Church has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Church. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Church has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Church has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Property, plant and equipment are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following basis:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Only items over £250 are capitalised and depreciated by the charity.
The annual depreciation charge for tangible assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are reassessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets.
The freehold property is shown at purchase price. The trustees are assuming that the building which includes two residential flats will not suffer permanent impairment of value, providing it is kept is good repair. Any aggregate surplus or deficit arising from changes in fair value will be recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Property improvements relate to the refurbishment and improvements to the building which are depreciated on a straight line basis over five years.
At each reporting end date, the Church reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The Church has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Church's balance sheet when the Church becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other payables and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade payables are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Church’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Church is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the Church’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Other income is income tax recovered in relation to donations received under Gift Aid and includes past arrears in the 2025/26 claims.
The rental income is for one of the flats that is located in the church building and rented out via a letting agency.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, but one of them was reimbursed a total of £230 for expenses (2024: two trustees were reimbursed £198).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The key management personnel consist of the two senior pastors. Total remuneration includes gross salary, employer pension and national insurance contributions and value of housing provided.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The Church operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Church in an independently administered fund.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Youth projects fund represents funds received and expended on winning and developing children and young people for sake of the gospel.
Special offerings fund represents funds received via special offerings for a particular purpose.
Kindness project fund represents funds received and expended relating to our project to bless people in the community - this fund was closed in 2026.
Building and equipment (formerly Building PA fund) represent funds given to spend on the church building and audio visual equipment. In 2026 three funds were combined - the Building fund and Audio equipment fund were closed and funds transferred into the Building PA fund - this new combined fund was renamed the Building and equipment fund.
Outreach fund represents funds received and expended on winning and developing people for the sake of the gospel.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
Church Fund represents fund received and expended on the general running costs of Gateway Freedom Church.
Tithe Fund represents 10% of our general offerings which is designated to be given away to charitable causes in accordance with our aims and objectives.
There were no related party transactions during the year (2025: the spouse of trustee Mr T Stanesby was employed and paid £5,467).