The Church of Emmanuel Spiritual Healing Ministry (CESHM) operates under a structured, transparent, and biblically grounded governance system that ensures spiritual integrity, operational excellence, and full accountability in all areas of ministry and charitable service.

As outlined in our Constitution and Operational Manual, CESHM is constituted as a Faith-Based Non-Profit Organisation (Charity), established in 1952 in Sierra Leone and replicable internationally by authority of the Board of Governors.

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Biblical principles of stewardship

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African communal leadership traditions

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International charity governance standards

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Safeguarding and financial accountability

01
Governing Council

Board of Governors

Strategic Oversight & Policy Direction

The Board of Governors is the highest governing authority of CESHM. It provides strategic leadership, policy approval, fiduciary oversight, and doctrinal accountability.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Approving strategic plans and budgets
  • Ensuring compliance with charity law and regulatory standards
  • Overseeing safeguarding and risk management systems
  • Authorising international branch establishment
  • Protecting the doctrinal integrity of the Ministry
  • Appointing and evaluating senior leadership

Board Composition:

The Board includes expertise across:

Governance & Compliance Finance & Audit Missions & Evangelism Education & Training Welfare & Community Services Infrastructure & Development Legal Advisory (Non-Voting)

The Board operates collectively, making decisions through prayerful deliberation, majority vote, and documented resolutions. This structure ensures that spiritual leadership is supported by professional competence.

02
Executive Directorate

Operational Leadership & Administration

While the Board provides oversight, the Executive Directorate manages day-to-day operations.

The Directorate ensures:

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Programme implementation

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Financial controls

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Staff management

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Donor reporting

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Communications and public engagement

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Monitoring and evaluation

Clear separation of governance and operations ensures accountability and compliance with international charity governance standards.

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Spiritual Leadership Structure

Integrating Spiritual Authority with Institutional Accountability

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General Overseer (Prophet)

The General Overseer provides:

  • Spiritual oversight
  • Doctrinal guidance
  • Prayer and healing leadership
  • Ministerial mentorship

Financial and operational decisions are governed through the Board and Executive systems to ensure transparency.

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Holy Cross Bearers

A structured spiritual leadership body responsible for:

  • Intercessory prayer
  • Spiritual discernment
  • Supporting healing and pastoral ministry
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Ministers, Evangelists & Disciples

Frontline leaders responsible for:

  • Teaching & discipleship
  • Evangelism & outreach
  • Pastoral care
  • Community engagement

This integrated structure ensures CESHM remains both spiritually vibrant and administratively sound.

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Standing Governance Committees

Functional Excellence & Risk Management

CESHM operates mandatory committees as outlined in Section 7 of the Constitution

Safeguarding Committee
Finance & Audit Committee
Infrastructure & Development Committee
Education & Sponsorship Committee
Health & First Aid Committee
Welfare & Food Support Committee
Sanitation & Water Committee
Missions & Evangelism Committee
Risk Management Committee

Each committee operates with:

Chairperson Secretary Minimum three members Approved Terms of Reference Regular reporting to the Board

This ensures institutional accountability at all operational levels.

05
Financial Management & Stewardship

Strict Financial Controls

Financial Controls Policy ensures:

  • Dual authorisation of expenditures
  • Annual financial reporting
  • Segregation of duties
  • Audit compliance
  • Donor-restricted fund management
  • Transparent asset registers

Sources of income include:

  • Tithes and offerings
  • Grants and donations
  • Fundraising activities
  • International partnerships

No Board member or officer may benefit personally from Church funds.

Annual audits are conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory frameworks.

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Safeguarding & Ethical Framework

Comprehensive Ethics System

CESHM adopts a comprehensive safeguarding and ethics system aligned with international best practice.

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Safeguarding Policy

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Financial Controls Policy

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Anti-Corruption & Anti-Fraud Policy

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Data Protection & Privacy Policy (GDPR-Aligned)

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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

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Health & Safety Policy

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Conflict of Interest Policy

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Whistleblowing Policy

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Risk Management Policy

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Complaints & Grievance Policy

These policies ensure:

Protection of children and vulnerable adults Ethical use of funds Transparency in leadership Respect for dignity and human rights
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International Replication & Oversight

Global Unity with Local Compliance

CESHM may establish branches internationally subject to Board approval.

All branches must:

  • Adopt the CESHM Constitution
  • Align with CESHM Doctrine
  • Comply with local laws
  • Submit annual reports to the Board
  • Maintain spiritual accountability to the General Overseer
  • Maintain administrative accountability to the Board

This ensures global unity while respecting local legal contexts.

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Meetings & Decision-Making

Formal Decision-Making Procedures

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Annual General Meeting (AGM)

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Scheduled Board Meetings

Quorum requirements

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Recorded voting procedures

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Documented resolutions

Major constitutional amendments require:

Two-thirds Board majority Ratification at AGM
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Commitment to Public Benefit

CESHM operates exclusively for charitable purposes, including:

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Advancement of the Christian faith

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Relief of poverty

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Promotion of education

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Improvement of health and wellbeing

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Community development

All programmes are implemented in accordance with the charitable purposes outlined in the Constitution and the Concept Note.

Our Governance Philosophy

"Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:40)

CESHM believes that strong governance strengthens spiritual impact.

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Biblical stewardship

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African communal wisdom

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International governance standards

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Professional financial management

We ensure that every prayer, every donation, and every project is handled with integrity.

Transparency Statement

CESHM is committed to full transparency. Governance documents, safeguarding policies, and audited reports are available upon formal request.

For governance enquiries, please contact:

📧 governance@ceshm.org

📧 admin@ceshm.org