ASHFORD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

Registered charity 1157611 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as Bright City Church

Ashford Christian Fellowship, which trades as Bright City Church, is a Free Church and member of the Evangelical Alliance. We are a family of people from all over the world who love Jesus. We shine the light of his love and good news in our community and across the nations where we also provide practical and social support. We worship together on Sundays and meet in smaller groups during the week.

Causes: Education/training · The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty · Religious Activities · Recreation · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£202k
Latest spending
£238k
Registered
2014
Accounts read
FY2024

Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £73,063 for the year ended 31 December 2024, resulting in total net assets of £394,407. The trustees acknowledge that the charity's resources are dependent on donations and fundraising activities, noting this as a factor in their going concern assessment. Most available reserves are held in restricted funds, with unrestricted funds standing at £311,056.

Automated summary of the FY2024 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: £25,000 (held: £311k)
a reserve of £25,000 is normally maintained in readily available funds.
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Going concern: noted by the trustees or auditor
The trustees have considered the financial resources and commitments of the charity and acknowledge that these are dependent on donations and fundraising activities of the church. — page 5
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: Ian Fowkes received wages and salaries of £35,060. Rachel Fowkes (key management connected to trustee) received £21,359. Alison Hill (connected to trustee) received £11,605.
Ian Fowkes served as church leader and received the above payments for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document. — page 14
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Employment benefits to Rachel Fowkes
Rachel Fowkes, who is closely related to Ian Fowkes, who is a trustee and a member of key management, received employment benefits totalling £21,359 (2023: £22,971) for working as a pastor of the church. — page 18
Alison Hill, who is closely related to Richard Hill, who is a trustee, received employment benefits totalling £11,605 (2023: £11,081) for providing administrative services to the charity. — page 18
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Employment benefits to Alison Hill
Rachel Fowkes, who is closely related to Ian Fowkes, who is a trustee and a member of key management, received employment benefits totalling £21,359 (2023: £22,971) for working as a pastor of the church. — page 18
Alison Hill, who is closely related to Richard Hill, who is a trustee, received employment benefits totalling £11,605 (2023: £11,081) for providing administrative services to the charity. — page 18
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Property (HM Land Registry)

2 registered titlesin England and Wales held by the charity’s company or corporate body (2 freehold). All charity-held property. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook

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Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Kent

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/12/2025£202k£238k
31/12/2024£301k£228k
31/12/2023£210k£287k
31/12/2022£201k£209k
31/12/2021£250k£209k

Common questions

Is ASHFORD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP financially healthy?

Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £73,063 for the year ended 31 December 2024, resulting in total net assets of £394,407. The trustees acknowledge that the charity's resources are dependent on donations and fundraising activities, noting this as a factor in their going concern assessment. Most available reserves are held in restricted funds, with unrestricted funds standing at £311,056. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.