UCB Annual Report 2023

CHANGING LIVES FOR GOOD

BY THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD UCB 2023 Annual Review Summary

A THANK YOU FROM DAVID L’HERROUX Dear Friend, Looking back at 2023, at times it felt like a year of shaking and disruption.

Global conflicts escalated and fears about the economy grew, but through it all, UCB has remained encouraged by the increased response and demand for life-changing content through radio, devotionals, and our other platforms. We remain steadfast in the belief that though the world may shake, the Word of the Lord stands secure forever.

With all this in mind, I am delighted to share some of UCB’s highlights from 2023. This is really just a snapshot of the many projects and plans we have been involved with, but I hope it gives you a flavour of all that God has done and how we have stewarded the resources e has blessed us with.

We are so thankful for our dedicated staff and volunteer team and we are grateful to you for your ongoing support, whether that is through prayer, volunteering, or through giving.

Here at UCB we are fond of saying ‘Together, we can,’ and that has never been more true in 2023!

Together, we can reach the UK (and the world) with the timeless truths of God’s Word together, we can see more lives changed for good by the power of God’s Word.

Thank you for your support!

Every blessing,

David L’Herroux UCB Chief Executive

CONTENTS A letter from David L’Herroux Broadcasting Peju’s story Communications Real life stories Prayerline Kingdom Academy Stewardship of funds Exciting things to come

P2 P3, P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11

BROADCASTING Anne Henderson, Head of UCB 2

Paul Hammond, Head of UCB 1

UCB RADIO

2023 was another year of exciting growth for UCB Radio. With the introduction of new specialist music shows, Bible-based podcasts, and the ability to share incredible lifechanging testimonies on air (thanks to a new Testimonies Producer role), we have been able to create fresh new content across our radio and podcast platforms.

We were also able to fully update our radio studios with the latest broadcast technology, including improved ways for our listeners to engage with us.

UCB 1 listening via UCB Player up by 25% and unique users increased by 44% UCB 2 listening via UCB Player up by 20% and unique users increased by 35%

Matt Brown, UCB 2 Presenter

Helen Lea, UCB 1 Presenter

Total users were up by 99% and total listening was up by 96% A UCB1/UCB2 simulcast from the Big Church Festival was successfully trialled linking to the UCB stage for exclusive artist interviews

YouTube views increased by 60%

STUDIO

STUDIO

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Vicky Gibbens, News & Current Affairs Editor

News & Current Affairs It has been an exciting year of growth for UCB News including: •The upgrade of a dedicated UCB News studio enhancing live broadcasting •The creativity of UCB’s broadcast journalists and producers to find new, engaging and informative Christian commentary on continuing issues, such as the Israel-Gaza war, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the cost of living crisis, strikes, and climate change.

•The introduction of UCB News emails with several thousand people now receiving regular news updates.

UCB Player The UCB Player app has continued to be updated and refreshed in 2023. App users can listen to live radio, catch up on missed shows, keep up to date with UCB News reports, and discover new podcasts. With new features and exclusive UCB Player content, it really is UCB in your pocket!

We have also massively expanded our range of podcasts, aiming fresh content at new audiences, reaching more and more people with the Word of God in a relevant and engaging way. With more new releases planned in 2024, it’s an incredibly exciting time for podcasts on UCB.

Total lifetime downloads

198,133 27,397 Total 2023 downloads

Kezia Martin, UCB News Team

Slightly down on 2022 numbers, but 2024 numbers are much higher, which is exciting for next year’s report!

Top Three Podcasts •Bible Books in 30 Minutes – 1,047,240 listens •The UCB Word For Today – 451,867 listens •Jesus, Then and Now - in 30 Minutes – 53,446 listens

Total 2023 podcast listens

1.8

UCB.CO.UK/player 4

LISTEN TO PEJU’S STORY HERE

I was born in Nigeria and came to live in the UK in 1994. I felt I had let my parents down in a number of ways.

The following day a copy of the UCB Word For Today dropped through my letterbox... and I read it.

I was going to prove myself by having a career in the UK as a consultant psychiatrist.

It spoke to me and that began my journey out of the darkest time of my life.

But then the news came...

It spoke to my situation that I was going to get out of this.

I hadn’t passed the exams, and had just about three months left on my visa. I hit rock bottom. I thought, you know what, I was well-placed for ending it all.

And then I heard my daughter cry out in her sleep and it jolted me.

That moment brought me out of the state of mind, but it didn’t solve the problem.

Since then, I’ve been recognised as a female psychiatrist in the UK, I’ve been impacting people’s lives, and trained many doctors who are now consultants.

I thank God for the UCB Word For Today. It has been transformational for me.

Peju at Hanchurch with The Word For Today

FINDING HOPE IN THE DARKEST TIME OF MY LIFE

SCAN WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE

PEJU’S STORY

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COMMUNICATIONS The ongoing generosity of UCB’s supporters is just incredible. In 2023, over £4.6 million out of the over £10 million raised was through regular gifts to the ministry (Direct Debit or Standing Order). We are so thankful for this loyalty and commitment to changing lives by the power of God’s Word, month by month, year by year.

Light up your inbox

442,000 copies of the UCB Word For Today printed each quarter

SIGN UP

80,000 people

receive the devotional by email

120,000 copies of Just For You – new evangelistic resource

There was also a huge increase in the value of legacies and gifts received from churches, plus three successful Radio Appeals on UCB 1 and UCB 2.

DOWNLOADS OF BIBLE APP FOR KIDS, 2023 We continue to work closely with our friends at OneHope

17 million worldwide downloads

59,067 UK downloads

119 million+ lifetime downloads * 967,000 UK installs.

To continue the legacy of the late UCB Word For Today author Bob ����� �e �l�o hel� o�r �r�t ��ll��e of Hope Day on air to raise funds �or �o� ���� �����tr�e�� ��ll��e o� Hope project in Romania.

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“I used to listen on the radio until we moved to the countryside where our radios couldn’t pick it up anymore! I have recently been using the app and my husband and I have been enjoying the Bible Books in 30 Minutes podcast. I find that during the day it is much healthier and uplifting to have UCB on in the background reminding me of God’s goodness than the nonsense that’s on the TV!” Lydia

“For me Prayerline is just an incredible resource. When we really need something, when we really need God, I must have used it over 100 times. The people that I’ve met are seasoned believers and prayer warriors, they pray and God answers, and He’s answered me an incredible number of times, and usually [when I was in] the darkest places. I’ve given to UCB for maybe 15 years plus, and I’ve always tried to continue that so that there is stability in the radio station. I’d hate to think of this world without UCB. To be honest, it would be a much darker world not to have that radio station to turn on to, not to have the Prayerline to call up when you’re at your most desperate.”

Christopher

REAL LIFE STORIES

“I especially like the recent 'news in depth' item that appears just after 5pm. I find it really well researched and presented.”

Hazel

“I particularly find Life Issues so helpful in coping with life as a Christian.”

Sheila

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“When I was going through a stressful time with a new job onboarding process, there was a time when it looked like I was not going to get the job. However, I got straight on the phone to Prayerline and the lady I spoke to prayed with me when I was at my lowest and desperate.

We continue to be amazed at how God works through Prayerline.

Thankfully, my prayers were answered, the lady’s prayers were answered, and the job situation was resolved. I can only praise God and ask God to bless the UCB family.”

Shani-Marie

ANN STANYER, Prayerline Team

volunteers), we are able to continue praying for people in their darkest time of need. As a team, we have also been able to launch seven new regional volunteer groups (which we call Geohubs), and we’ve also been able to host more monthly training events to ensure all the team are fully trained and feel supported in their role.

Phone Calls

91,524

Website and Emails

10,903

Voice Messages

8,782

Letters

2,240

Comms

1,890

Supporter Care

3,041

(Received and prayed with)

(Received and prayed over)

(Received and prayed over)

(Received and prayed over)

(Supporters’ prayers from mailing prayed over)

(Supporters’ prayer requests prayed over)

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Change your life. Change the world.

Highlights & Achievements After 18 months of research into the Christian training and development landscape, 2023 saw the launch of the UCB Kingdom Academy – an international training hub designed to empower people of all ages to release God-given potential and equip the church for growth.

A week-long launch celebration featured International Broadcaster and Award-Winning Author Sheridan Voysey along with a host of other Industry Media Professionals and Ministry Leaders.

Sheron Ferguson, Academy Director

Focusing on a blend of five pillars – Ministry, Mission, Management, and Music – a total of 80 people engaged throughout the pilot year in our newly developed courses: A 10-month Pilot Media Programme featuring ‘placements’ in teams in our Broadcast Centre in September 2023.

A series of Worship Training courses in partnership with Visible Christian Music College, Memphis, Tennessee.

Learning skills in

Training in

Creating inspiring radio programmes

Worship night

Interview techniques and media law

Music theory

Digital content creation

Instrumental and vocal groups

Management and leadership

Workshops (song writing and worship leading)

Biblical and theological foundations

Band performances and worship time 9

STEWARDSHIP OF FUNDS Below is a breakdown of how UCB has allocated the resources with which God has blessed the ministry in order to continue sharing His Word with the nation.

2023 INCOME Total

2023 EXPENDITURE

£10,149,095

Fundraising and publicity costs

Charitable donations and grants

£854,375

£539,546

Broadcasting and digital media

Global broadcasting and publication support

£4,301,389

£170,693

Publications

OneHope

£2,163,127

£66,101

Prayerline

Kingdom Academy

£349,148

£154,262

Total Expenditure £8,598,641 The above figures are summarised from our audited reports and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

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EXCITING THINGS TO COME…

Exciting things to come in 2024 KINGDOM ACADEMY

Cameras in the live radio studios to capture guest interviews, acoustic music sessions, presenter promos for socials, etc.

NEW PODCASTS

PRAYERLINE GEO-HUB With volunteers based around the country, 21 or so, Prayerline Geo-hubs are being set up. These are groups of volunteers who live in a region, who will meet to encourage, share, and learn from one another.

MUSIC

MEDIA

OTHER COURSES

INTEGRATED DATA Integrated data project, to improve the ways we communicate with our supporters, and the way readers, listeners, and viewers interact with UCB.

A NEW VIDEO-BASED YOUTH APP For young people – helping them to connect in an exciting new way with God’s Word.

CURRENT AFFAIRS The development of the Current Affairs articles on the new website.

Jonah

Chapter 1-4

New Youth App Mockup

Stories of Hope (in partnership with Junction 42); Unstoppable Church – Then and Now (the story of Acts recorded on location from Jerusalem to Rome).

APPLY NOW

Change your life. Change the world.

CONTACT

New Podcast 2023

LIVE BROADCASTING

COURSES

UCB Kingdom Academy

Develop an extended Kingdom Academy training programme with our ministry partners offering a range of short or long-term courses both on site and online.

ABOUT

DEVOTIONAL VIDEO

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Thank you for partnering with UCB to make 2023 an incredible year of growth for the kingdom!

If you have a story of how God has blessed you through UCB, please do get in touch.

Email: testimonies@UCB.CO.UK