Family Church is governed by a team of Senior Leaders (known as the elders of the church). The Senior Leaders are:
- Andrew & Gina Elmes (Senior Pastors)
- Steuart & Carla Payne (Executive Pastors)
- Geoff & Jane Wood (Congregational Pastors, Gosport)
- Wayne & Nicky Keeping
The Senior Leaders of Family Church are supported by a team of Core Leaders and General Leaders. A list of these can be obtained on request.
Family Church is a working name of Hearts on Fire for Jesus Ltd. This is our charity name and we have been registered in the UK as a charity (registered number 1058285) since 1995.
Hearts on Fire for Jesus Ltd is a registered company in the UK (private, limited by guarantee, no share capital), so we are known as a Charitable Company. Our company registration number is 03053642 and our registered office address is:
4 Exchange House
122 London Road
Portsmouth
PO2 9DD
As a Charitable Company we have a Governing Document (Memorandum and Articles of Association) and a council of management (the Board of Trustees, known as the Directors) who are legally responsible for the governance and management of the Charity. Directors are selected for the skills and experience they can contribute. The Directors comprise of:
- Sally Davis
- John Hargreaves
- Wayne Keeping
- Duncan Payne-Shelley
- Simon Smith
The Directors work in close consultation with the Senior Leaders of Family Church. The Directors are responsible for the financial affairs, legal management and policies of the Charity. The Senior Leaders are responsible for the spiritual direction and strategy of the Charity.
Authority to conduct the day-to-day operations of the Charity is delegated by the Directors to the Senior Leaders of Family Church. The Senior Leaders are responsible for the implementation of policies and strategies on behalf of the Directors.
The Directors act as guardians, ensuring decisions made are financially and legally sound and that the charity’s aims are carried out for the public benefit. Our aims are based on the following three charitable purposes, as set out in the Charities Act:
- The advancement of religion.
- The prevention or relief of poverty.
- The advancement of education.
Our aims (also known as objects), as stated in our Governing Document and in the Register of Charities of England and Wales, are as follows:
- The advancement of the Christian Faith by the proclamation and furtherance of the gospel of God.
- The promotion of the worship of God by any means whatsoever, including the preaching and proclamation of the Christian gospel; the teaching of Christian doctrine and principles; and the printing, production and distribution of Christian literature, media products and other resources.
- The relief of persons in conditions of financial need, or of those persons who are infirm for reasons of old age or sickness.
- The advancement of education on the basis of Christian principles including the provision of educational establishments, materials and bursaries for the general education of children or adults on the basis of such Christian principle.
The Company Secretary is the person responsible for keeping legal documents up-to-date and for filing Annual Returns and audited Accounts to the Charity Commission and to Companies House. The Company Secretary is Steuart Payne.
Our accountant is Chris Goodhead of:
Knight Goodhead Chartered Accountants
7 Bournemouth Road
Chandler’s Ford
Hants
SO53 3DA
Useful information regarding company and charity law can be gained from the following websites:
www.charity-commission.gov.uk
www.companieshouse.co.uk
www.hmrc.gov.uk
The Charity’s Annual Report and Accounts are available online via the Charity Commission website.
