Behind the scenes 4: finances

This blog post is to share with you all a letter Helen sent out to all of our amazing donors two weeks ago.  God has been so good to us!  If you would like to support the work of CMM, please download and fill in this form, or go to our mydonate page.

Dear friends,

I am writing this letter on behalf of the EBRG Trust, the charitable trust that supports the work of Roger Jones and Christian Music Ministries. Over many years God has graciously and generously provided for our needs, mostly through a mixture of donations and income from musical tours. In 2008 we felt it was right to follow God’s lead and end the tours, instead focusing on spending time in individual churches either with a musical-related activity or teaching on music in worship. While this has been very worthwhile, it has resulted in a considerable lowering of income.

In late 2015 the trustees felt it was right to make a special appeal to the supporters of the ministry. The bookings for Roger and the CMM team had not slowed at all, and if they were to fulfil these appointments stretching beyond 2017, an increase in funding was needed. 

We are pleased to be able to inform you that the response to the appeal was very good indeed, and we are bowled over by the generosity of our friends and excited by all God still wants to do through us.

• Following the appeal our monthly standing orders have increased by over £700. 
• We received over £15000 in one-off donations in response to the appeal. 
• The projection of our treasurer Jonathan Chappell is that the funding of the ministry can continue at least until 2020. 

Gift Aid is an incredibly helpful means of increasing our income. If you are eligible for Gift Aid and have not signed a form, please contact the CMM Office on 01527 576 440 or trust@cmm.org.uk and we will send one to you. 

Thank you so much for your response to the appeal, however great or small. We are incredibly blessed and humbled by your love and support. We are so excited by what lies ahead, including numerous performances of Roger’s latest musical Barnabas, a mission trip to Cyprus, 7 Worship Works events in 2016 alone, and plenty of other occasions where we can fulfil our mission statement: 

Christian Music Ministries aims to use music to share the gospel, minister in the power of the Holy Spirit and to equip and encourage individuals and churches. 

Many thanks and God bless, 

Helen Pollard 

Christian Music Ministries