Annual Report 2024
Bunyan Baptist Church
Charity Registration Number: 1128843 Registered Address: Basils Road, Stevenage, Herts SG1 3PY Trustees: Mr Michael Price (Secretary) Mrs Judith Turner (Treasurer) Mr Eric Beach Mrs Margaret Bugyei-Kyei Mr Alan Curtis Mr Paul Feltham Mr Peter Homfray-Cooper Mr Stephen Jackman Mrs Hannah Mettle-Mensah (from 28[th] November 2024) Mrs Sheila Smith Mrs Titilope Soyinka Property Trustees The Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8RT Bankers National Westminster Bank Independent Examiners Brian Kelly
The Trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements for 2024.
Bunyan Baptist Church Annual Report 2024
Charitable Object
The Charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document which states that the principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination to include the advancement of education, community service and such other general charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine.
The Church occupies premises, which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, on Trusts, which are entirely compatible with the above object.
Organisational Structure and Decision-making processes
Bunyan Baptist Church is an unincorporated association with Charity Trustees appointed by a meeting of members.
Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution. Baptism by immersion upon personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry into the membership of a Baptist church. Bunyan Baptist Church operates open membership so that persons seeking membership who have not been baptised may at the discretion of the Church Members’ Meeting be accepted for full membership based on their own public profession of faith.
The Members Meeting normally takes place five times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint Elders and Deacons, who together with the Ministers, Church Secretary and Treasurer (who are also appointed by the Members), are responsible for the day-to-day running of the church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. They are collectively known as the Charity Trustees.
All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.
The Church Members Meeting is an opportunity to consider and review routine matters associated with the life of the Church including issues related to church membership, the appointment of the Charity Trustees and the approval of the budget. There will also be opportunities for considering proposals from the Charity Trustees or other Church Members for the development of the Church and the advancement of its purpose through its activities.
Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at Church meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.
Objectives and Activities
In order to achieve the principal objective which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as living Lord.
We are an all-age community with a passion for Jesus and sharing the good news of His love. We get together regularly, with groups and events for all ages. Our Sunday services are held at 10:30am (which is also live-streamed onto YouTube) and at 6:30pm in the evening. There are occasional services at other times which are advertised in the Church Notices
Bunyan Baptist Church Annual Report 2024
and the website at www.bunyan.org.uk. There is a full children’s and young people’s programme during the morning services. The church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and anybody is free to attend any of these services.
The Church runs a series of house groups for the growth of faith and discipleship in the homes of some members, and further details of these can be obtained from the Charity Trustees on request, or at the Sunday services of worship.
The Church is responsible for a Toddler Group (Twinklers), which meets in the Church premises on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings during term time, with the purpose of assisting the community and demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ. It also runs a group called Tiny Twinklers for parents/carers with new-born babies until 12 months, which meets later on a Tuesday morning during term time.
Weekday Welcome meets on Wednesday afternoons from 3.15 pm to 4.15 pm, which provides an after-school meeting place for families, and will offer a space to sit, chat and play, over a cuppa and some cake!
The Church runs a Monday Youth Club for young people aged 11 to 18 during term time. They regularly enjoy the comfort of the Lounge in our refurbished premises, as well as enjoying a programme of outdoor activities and outings. These are all properly supervised by a trained team of youth workers.
The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted regarding the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The Church runs a daytime group (Time Out) for adults of all ages which meets twice per month.
Achievements and Performance
The Church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas such as fellowship and encouragement.
The Trustees continued to search for a new Lead Minister throughout 2024, but as the year drew to a close, a candidate was writing to us with an expression of interest that was to bear fruit in 2025. We continue to celebrate baptisms, dedications, and weddings, and to enjoy a full programme of events, both inside, and outside in our local parks.
Following a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, seven young people were baptised, and one person was received into church membership. At 31 December 2024 the membership stood at 152, four less than a year earlier.
We are also encouraged by the positive part the church plays in the life of the community of Stevenage, since in addition to activities formally linked to the church, members also served as volunteers in other local charities and organisations. This included work with a local homeless charity called The Haven, serving as volunteers in local youth, children’s and community charities, helpers at local schools, and the foodbank.
Financial Review
The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation. No wider public appeal was made for funds during the year.
The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants to national and international Christian organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives
Bunyan Baptist Church Annual Report 2024
compatible with the church’s own charitable purpose.
The Church is heavily dependent on its membership working as volunteers in all aspects of the church’s activities, many of which run with little or no impact on the church’s expenditure, but nevertheless contribute substantially to the achievement of the church’s objectives.
The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements.
The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy, and are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date, together with ongoing income anticipated, to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year. The Trustees have assessed the major risks facing the church, and are satisfied that there are policies in place to minimise these risks.
Bunyan Baptist Church Annual Report 2024
Bunyan Baptist Church
Annual accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
Bunyan Baptist Church, Basils Road, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 3PY Registered charity no 1128843
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Seclion A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of Bunyan Baptist Church. Stevenage On a¢¢ounts for the year ended 31 Decembw 2024 Charity no lif any) 1128843 Set out on pages 1and2 Irerr.embèr to IndudÈ the page numbers ol 4¢dititTrn4i1 snEelE I I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 31112 12024. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in acC(dan wth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Acf). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directs"ons given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5Xbl of the Act. I have completed my examinab"on. I confimi tbal no material matters have come lo my attention n connection with the examination which gNes me cause to believe that in. any material respect: accx)unling records were not kept in accordance with se¢tion 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statsment I have no concems and have rne aeross no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the words in Ihe brackefs rfthey do not apply. Slgned: Date: 241212024 Name: BRIAN KELLY Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body (rfany): 8.A. PGCE Address: 346 Grace Way Stevenage SG1 SAP IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of chanty accounts.. direGtion5 and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the gxaminer wishes to disclose. Note .' Please see High Ve1 summary of the years 2016 - 2024 IER Octol)er 2018
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Bunyan Baptist Church
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes Incoming resources Donations & Tax Refunds 2 Investment Income 3 Hire of Church & Hall Total incoming resources Resources expended Charitable expenditure Grants payable 4 Cost of charitable activities 5 Total resources expended Transfers between funds (Des/Restr) Transfers between funds (Unrest/Rest) Net movement in funds Total Funds brought forward Total Funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 153,947 - 8,930 162,877 194,010 3,394 - - 3,394 3,570 2,545 2,545 1,631 |
|---|---|
| £159,886 - 8,930 £168,815 £199,211 |
|
| 31,540 - 5,519 37,059 32,832 64,566 - 2,468 67,034 76,192 |
|
| £96,106 - £7,987 £104,093 109,024 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 11,356 0 -11,356 0 0 75,136 0 -10,414 64,723 90,187 |
|
| £1,533,820 £20,000 £38,408 £1,592,228 £1,502,040 £1,608,955 £20,000 £27,994 £1,656,950 £1,592,228 |
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SOFA202 B•ptrot Church BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEAIBER 2024 Notes 2024 T*)94b Fixèd a$6ets 1.463,531 1.438,515 Current A$s81$ DÈbtotS ank & Cash 27.433 166 584 194.017 '36'.?.? Current Liabilitkes Creditors due wlhin l year Long Temi Creditors 22 C49 10 $97 £193,419 £133,852 t assets £1.056,950 £1.592 227 Ch8ritable Funds Restricled D&si9n¥led UnrnÈknc 27.994 20 000 1.608 955 12 1.533.820 t.6S6.950 £1.592 22B not8s on pages 3 to 6 forrn an integral part of Ihe88 accounts. se arUnts w8r8 appro¥ed by the Trusts85 m 6th Mareh 2025 8NJ $vJn8d on Ihair beha by Judrth Tumer Hon. Tro8surer Mikg Price Secfetary Paw2oF7 252025 1647
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BUNYAN BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- a Basis of Preparation
The accounts have been prepared on a "receipts and payments" basis in accord with S133 Charities Act 2011.
- b Donations
Donations are accounted for gross when received.
- c
Investment Income
Investment income is included in the accounts in the year when it is payable.
- d
Grants Payable
The church makes grants to other organisations whose charitable objects complement its work. They are accounted for in the year in which they are payable.
- e
Fixed assets
Buildings : The Church premises are included at their insurance valuation which was reviewed in 2022 by the Baptist Insurance Company
At 31 December 2024 the buildings were insured for £2.175m.
Furniture & Equipment : Assets are shown at cost less depreciation
f Depreciation
Electrical equipment - assets are written off over 3 years on a straight-line basis Other furniture etc - assets are written off over 10 years on a straight-line basis.
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2 Donations & Tax Refunds
| Donations & Tax Refunds Offerings Gift Aid refund Other Income Twinklers Income |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 116,664 8,021 124,685 148,890 23,249 909 24,158 29,949 3,155 - 3,155 4,588 10,878 10,878 10,584 |
|---|---|
| 153,947 - 8,930 £162,877 £194,010 |
"Other Income" includes CTIS admin contribution, EasyFundraising income and funeral donations
Restricted Offerings includes Building Fund £2,024, Foodshed/Broadwater Fair Trade £2,204 and Familia Moja £2,633, before Gift Aid. Payments are shown under Grants Payable
| 3 Investment Income Bank etc Interest 4 Grants Payable Baptist Missionary Society Home Mission Fund Bridgebuilders Familia Moja WEC - Smiths AIM - Pughs Broadwater FairTrade/Foodshed Other |
3,394 3,394 3,570 |
|---|---|
| 3,394 - - £3,394 £1,210 |
|
| 200 200 200 5,500 5,500 7,620 3,300 3,300 3,537 6,925 2,478 9,403 1,481 3,665 3,665 3,300 11,750 11,750 13,150 3,042 3,042 3,544 200 200 - |
|
| £31,540 £0 £5,519 £37,059 £32,832 |
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| 5 Cost of Activities Notes Ministry a Mission b Premises c Other expenditure d |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 29,789 - 523 30,312 32,528 5,754 - - 5,754 7,062 20,051 - - 20,051 19,399 8,972 - 1,945 10,917 17,203 |
|---|---|
| £64,566 £0 £2,468 £67,034 £76,192 |
Unrestricted payments totalled £75,035 in 2023 and Restricted payments totalled £1,157
a Costs of Ministry
| Salaries Social Security costs Pension costs Other costs Total b Costs of Mission Evangelism Children's work Youth work Training Hardship Fund Twinklers c Costs of Premises Electricity, Gas & Water Insurance Cleaning Upkeep of church premises Hire of premises d Other Costs Travel Office Costs Telephone & Internet PA & Worship materials Affiliation fees Refreshments Sundries Bank Charges BU Loan Interest Charges Depreciation |
25,723 25,723 28,613 - 0 242 1,115 - 1,115 1,323 2,951 523 3,474 2,350 |
|---|---|
| £29,789 £0 £523 £30,312 £32,528 |
|
| 729 729 189 791 791 968 783 783 158 12 12 1,120 1,000 1,000 1,262 2,439 2,439 3,365 |
|
| £5,754 £0 £0 £5,754 £7,062 |
|
| 7,757 7,757 4,632 3,157 3,157 3,070 46 46 351 9,090 9,090 11,345 - 0 - |
|
| £20,051 £0 £0 £20,051 £19,399 |
|
| - 0 843 2,899 2,899 3,444 412 412 386 656 1,945 2,601 1,716 1,217 1,217 1,217 670 670 2,354 256 256 441 892 892 945 474 474 5,856 1,497 1,497 |
|
| £8,972 £0 £1,945 £10,917 £17,203 |
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| 6 Fixed assets 01-Jan-24 Additions Disposals Depreciation 31-Dec-24 |
Premises Furniture Computers Total 2024 Total 2023 & Fittings & Equpt. 1,457,034 - 1,541 1,458,575 1,419,369 558 5,895 6,453 39,206 - 0 1,497 1,497 0 |
|---|---|
| 1,457,592 £ - £ 5,939 £ 1,463,531 £ £1,458,575 |
Money spent during 2024 on the building project has been capitalised to reflect the increased value of the property. Interest charges on the BU Building Loan have NOT been capitalised.
| 7 Debtors Prepayments/Funds advanced Gift Aid to claim Prepayments represents 2025 insurance 8 Bank & Cash BU Deposit A/c (7-day notice) BU Deposit A/c (3-month notice) Natwest Current A/c Natwest Savings A/c Equals Money prepaid card Twinklers Current A/C 9 Creditors Baptist Union Loan (for repayment due within 1 year) Sundry Creditors _includes £380 held for Timeout as well as outstanding donations to Missionaries be paid_ 10 Long Term Creditors Baptist Union Loan 11 Restricted Fund This represents money given for particular purposes, not yet expended: New Building Project Building Loan Fund Streaming Funds 12 Designated Fund Long Term Maintenance |
3,230 3,157 24,203 30,018 |
|---|---|
| £27,433 £33,175 |
|
| 25,524 30,029 96,912 44,132 27,357 45,853 5,186 5,112 136 51 11,468 10,945 |
|
| £166,584 £136,122 |
|
| - 21,682 597 417 |
|
| £597 £22,099 |
|
| - £13,546 |
|
| 27,994 28,552 - 7,911 - 1,945 |
|
| £27,994 £38,408 |
|
| 20,000 20,000 |
|
| £20,000 £20,000 |
This represents money set aside for Long-Term Maintenance
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13 Pensions
The Church is a participating employer the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers Pension Fund, started in 1925. At the beginning of the financial year, the scheme comprised of a defined benefits scheme which was closed to future accrual on 31 December 2011 and a defined contribution plan which was opened in January 2012.The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.
For the current financial year, the pension provision for members of the Scheme is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members’ Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Broadstone Corporate Benefits Ltd. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members if they are unable to work due to long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva Limited. Furthermore, members of the Basic Section pay reduced contributions of 5% of Pensionable Income, and their employers also pay a total of 5%.
In October 2024, the insurance company Just Group completed a buy out of the liabilities of the closed defined benefit scheme. From that date any remaining liability of the participating scheme members to defined benefit scheme ceased and the £1 per month deficit contributions payable by the participating employers which were agreed in the recovery plan approved in August 2022 also ceased from that date. Administration of the closed defined benefit scheme transferred from the pension trustees to Just Group from that date.
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent ExamineT'S Report Report to the trusteesl members of Bunyan Baptist Church. Stevenage On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charity no Ilf any) 1128843 Set out on pages 1 and2 IremLJinbor 10 InclLJde rhe p3ce numbers ¢f additional sh.¥vl. I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust'l for the year ended 31112 12024. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accoLtnls in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1 the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of thè Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{51{b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect= accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Acl or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examÉner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete rhe words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signèd: Date: 241212025 Name: BRIAN KELLY Relevant professional qualiflcatlon{s) or body (if any): B.A. PGCE Address: 346 Grace Way Stevenage SG1 SAP IER October 2018