International Christian Fellowship (Icf)
Charity 1123467
Overview
Summary
International Christian Fellowship appears to operate as a Birmingham-based faith community whose role extends beyond worship into informal pastoral support, Christian education and community-facing charitable activity. Its stated remit is unusually broad—covering local, UK-wide and international work—while the available activity description is primarily local and congregation-centred. The organisation may therefore function as a relational hub: combining religious practice with support for people experiencing need, and potentially connecting a diverse membership with wider charitable causes.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Bartley Green
Confidence: medium
Direct evidence identifies a single operational building at St Francis Centre in Woodgate Valley, within Bartley Green. The latest detailed trustees' report available describes regular worship, study, community activities, building management and local partners at that site. However, the most recent Charity Commission financial return, for the year ended 31 March 2025, records £0 income and expenditure and does not provide a narrative confirming that these activities continued at the same level.
- Charity Commission register: International Christian Fellowship (ICF), contact information and governance record
The charity gives its address as Woodgate Valley, Birmingham, and reports that it owns and/or leases land or property. - International Christian Fellowship (ICF) trustees' annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023, filed with the Charity Commission
The report identifies the registered office as St Francis Centre, Woodgate Valley; says ICF regularly provided worship, fellowship, prayer gatherings, Bible studies and leadership training; and says it offered the hall and other parts of the building for community, learning and family activities. - International Christian Fellowship (ICF) trustees' annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023, filed with the Charity Commission
The report names community activity partners including Woodgate Valley Community Association, a Job Club, Birmingham 128 Pioneer Scouts, Birmingham Council Advice Bureau, coffee mornings and other local groups. These partnerships are evidenced as activities hosted or supported at the Woodgate Valley building, rather than as delivery across additional Birmingham wards. - Birmingham City Council councillor information
Birmingham City Council lists Woodgate Valley Church Centre as a venue in Bartley Green Ward.
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence supports a single-site, neighbourhood-based Birmingham operation centred on Woodgate Valley in Bartley Green. The Charity Commission's broader current classification of the charity as operating in Birmingham City does not identify additional Birmingham delivery locations, so it is not sufficient evidence of citywide service delivery.
- The evidence does not establish whether the charity's worshippers, counselling recipients or community-service beneficiaries are drawn mainly from Bartley Green, neighbouring wards or across Birmingham.
- The 2023 report evidences regular support for missions, churches and indigenous groups in the Philippines, and the current Charity Commission record lists Malaysia and the Philippines among the places where the charity operates. This demonstrates an overseas charitable dimension but does not extend its evidenced Birmingham footprint beyond Bartley Green.
- The annual return for the year ended 31 March 2025 records £0 income and £0 expenditure. Without a 2024/25 narrative report or current programme information, it is uncertain whether the activities described in the 2023 report remain active, have reduced, or were reported differently.
Additional evidence needed
- A current programme timetable or official website/social-media update confirming the location and frequency of worship, Bible study, counselling and community services.
- The trustees' report or other narrative evidence for the year ended 31 March 2024 or later, particularly confirmation of building use, tenants and community partnerships.
- Confirmation from ICF of whether St Francis Centre/Woodgate Valley Church Centre remains its active service venue and whether it delivers activities at any other Birmingham locations.
Areas of work
- Education/training
- General Charitable Purposes
- Overseas Aid/famine Relief
- Religious Activities
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Other Charitable Activities
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Other Finance
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A faith community with a wider support function
The available evidence suggests that worship is the organisation's core organising activity, but that it also uses pastoral counselling, prayer and charitable services as ways of responding to hardship and illness.
Why it matters
This indicates that the organisation may be relevant not only as a place of worship, but as a trusted source of relational and spiritual support for people who may not approach formal services first.
Show evidence
“Provides a weekly place of Christian worship, Bible studies, Christian education, counselling services, prayer for the sick and charitable services in the community.”
Source:Organisation“Its objects include relieving persons in need or hardship, and relieving distress caused by age or sickness.”
Source:Charity Commission
A potentially important bridge for ethnically specific communities
Its stated beneficiary groups suggest the fellowship may have particular relevance for people of a particular ethnic or racial origin, alongside a wider public-facing role. This may reflect a culturally grounded faith community with capacity to build trust across social and charitable networks.
Why it matters
Culturally specific community organisations can hold relationships and local knowledge that are less visible to mainstream services. It would be useful to understand whether this fellowship is a connector, advocate or support route for a community otherwise underrepresented in local provision.
Show evidence
“The charity helps people of a particular ethnic or racial origin and the general public.”
Source:Charity Commission“The charity provides advocacy, advice, information, services and other charitable activities.”
Source:Charity Commission
Local activity sits within an expansive geographic mandate
The organisation appears to be locally rooted in Birmingham while retaining permission to work across the UK and internationally, including overseas aid or famine relief. This may indicate an outward-looking congregation or an organisational structure designed to support transnational relationships.
Why it matters
This distinction matters because the fellowship's most valuable relationships may extend beyond Birmingham, potentially linking local residents, other charities and overseas causes. It also raises a useful question about whether international activity is active, occasional or simply permitted by its governing objects.
Show evidence
“Its objects permit work in Birmingham, elsewhere in the United Kingdom and worldwide.”
Source:Charity Commission“Its charitable activities include overseas aid and famine relief.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Which ethnic or racial communities the fellowship serves, and whether this is central to its identity or a broad beneficiary category.
- Whether counselling and charitable support are structured services, volunteer-led pastoral activity or occasional assistance.
- What relationships it has with other Birmingham charities, churches, public services or overseas partners.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or accounts showing beneficiaries reached, spending and any local or international projects.
- Information on service delivery, volunteer roles, referral pathways and partner organisations.
- Evidence of community feedback or case studies showing how people use and experience its support.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Advancing the Christian Faith in the area of Birmingham, by providing a weekly place of christian worship; advance education in accordance to christian principles by conducting bible studies, christian education. Providing counselling services to persons in need or in hardship by the counsel of the scripture, and by praying for the sick. Providing charitable services in the community.
Charity objects
A TO ADVANCE THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF BELIEFS APPEARING IN THE SCHEDULE HERETO IN BIRMINGHAM AND IN SUCH OTHER PARTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OF THE WORLD AS THE TRUSTEES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME DECIDE TO BE NECESSARY. B TO RELIEVE PERSONS WHO ARE IN CONDITIONS OF NEED OR HARDSHIP OR WHO ARE AGED OR SICK AND TO RELIEVE THE DISTRESS CAUSED THEREBY IN BIRMINGHAM AND SUCH OTHER PARTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OF THE WORLD AS THE TRUSTEES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME DECIDE TO BE NECESSARY. C TO ADVANCE EDUCATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES IN BIRMINGHAM AND SUCH OTHER PARTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND OF THE WORLD AS THE TRUSTEES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME DECIDED TO BE NECESSARY. D TO PROMOTE AND FULFIL SUCH OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY IN BIRMINGHAM AND IN SUCH OTHER PARTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OF THE WORLD AS THE TRUSTEES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME DECIDE TO BE NECESSARY.