Barrow Baptist. church Church Report Review of 2025 ## **Contents:** |**1. **
|**Charity Informa0on**|- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -|p. 2| |---|---|---|---| |
**2. **
|**2025 Synopsis**|- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -|p. 3| |
**3. **|**Minister’s Report of 2025**|- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -|p. 3| ||Rev. Neil Jones||| |**4. **
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**Mission Support**|- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -|p. 8| |
**5. **
|**Fabric of the Building**|- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -|p. 8| |
**6. **|**Finance**
|- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -|p. 8| ## **1. Charity Informa3on** ## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025** **Charity name:** Barrow upon Soar Bap,st Church **Charity registra/on number:** 1129860 **Address:** Barrow Bap,st Church, Beveridge Street, Barrow Upon Soar, LE12 8PL **Property Trustees:** The East Midland Bap,st Trust Company, Bap,st House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 8RT **Bankers:** The Co-opera,ve Bank p.l.c., 1 Balloon Street, Manchester M4 4BE **Independent Examiner:** **Charity Trustees:** Rev Neil Jones (Chair) Reuben Sneller (Secretary) Ed Dring (Treasurer) Dominic Boston Sharon Bradwell MaVhew Gudger (to November 2025) David KnoV Davina Smith ## **Structure and management:** Barrow Bap,st Church is an unincorporated associa,on and is governed by its Cons,tu,on. Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Cons,tu,on which requires them to be or to have been publicly bap,sed on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or following other modes of bap,sm to renew their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Members’ Mee,ngs currently take place in alternate months; the Members’ Mee,ng has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. The elected Trustees (listed above) are responsible for the overall governance of the church, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. Trustees are elected by the Church Mee,ng; details of the process for elec,on of Trustees are described in the Cons,tu,on. The Trustees meet every month in order to assist in the smooth running of the charity. The minister of the church, Rev Neil Jones, is responsible for the day to day running of the church, supported by the Trustees, also known as the Church Leadership Team (CLT), who are also responsible for the spiritual direc,on of the charity. There is also a small staff team of church worker, finance administrator and church administrator. ## **Ac/vi/es and objec/ves:** The advancement of the Chris,an faith according to the principles of the Bap,st denomina,on to include the advancement of educa,on, community service and such other general charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine. 2 ## In order to achieve the principal objec,ve, which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of ac,vi,es both to its membership and to the community generally and as such is described as a community church. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer rela,onship with Him as living Lord. central to this is the provision of regular public services of Chris,an worship and ,mes of prayer and also includes conduc,ng Chris,an wedding services, funerals as well as running groups to support children and their parents / carers as well as seniors. ## **2. 2025 Synopsis** **----- Start of picture text -----**
New Members 11
Bap/sms 0
Deaths 2
Resigna/ons 3
Transfer to other Bap/st Churches 2
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **3. Minister’s Report of 2025** ## **2025: Another Year of Growth, Blessing, and An9cipa9on** 2025 has again been an exci,ng and fruicul year for Barrow Bap,st Church, we have seen spiritual growth, outreach, and blessings from God all happening within the church. Our aVendance at all ac,vi,es has increased, where capacity permits, and people have been responding to the good news about Jesus Christ and the work he conducts in our lives today ## **Our Year Text:** We began the year by focusing on our new Year Text: **Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”"** (John 20:21). This verse was chosen for its themes of mission and discipleship. It has reminded us throughout the year that our primary calling is to follow Christ, and to join him in his mission, which links nicely to… 3 ## **Our church vision:** Having discerned a church vision in late 2024, it was launched and preached on in early 2025. The vision is made of 12 dis,nct elements, all but one of which received aVen,on in preaching in sermons in the first quarter of the year (the 12[th] element was adopted later and has not been preached on). The vision statement is: **Joining God in His mission to save all people** The 12 elements of the vision are: 1. 2. Pathways to faith 3. Share the gospel simply and generously 4. 5. Discern; Equip; Enable 6. Cul,vate discipleship and holiness 7. We: Have been saved; Are being saved; Will be saved 8. ‘Health check’ the church olen 9. Stress importance of: Church, serving, walking together 10. Focus on young people 11. We will be good stewards of everything God has entrusted to us (new element) 12. Take risks During 2025, we had a focus on Pathways to faith, Discern; Equip; Enable, and Focus on young people. This led us to carry out some work to understand how our church ac,vi,es interrelate, encourage, pay for, and support people to use their God-given talents or respond to the calling he has placed on their lives, and a real focus on the youth and children’s ministries within the church. The vision has inspired many and is a regular focus within our preaching. ## **Ministries and Regular Ac9vi9es** Our regular groups and ministries con,nued to thrive in 2025, including: - **Sunday morning services** including **children’s and youth groups** . - **LiWle Buds & Baby Buds** - **Tuesday morning prayers** - **Connect Café** - **Restored** - **The Harbour Wellbeing Café** , which included training for the leaders about mental health issues and crisis. - **Food Bank** - **Sports and Cra[s** - **Growth Groups** 4 Monthly ac,vi,es included: - **Messy Church** – A crea,ve and interac,ve family-friendly worship service. - **Evening Praise** - **Firepit Friday** – A relaxed outdoor gathering for fellowship and support (this ceased to operate mid-way through 2025) - **Who Let the Dads Out** connect through fun and meaningful ac,vi,es. - **Thrive** – a group for people with memory loss and their carers. AVendees are encouraged to stay alerward and visit The Harbour Wellbeing Café. - **Monday morning prayers** – 7am prayer for the ac,vi,es and ministries of the church and our wider community. - **Body Builders** included: The Bible, Iden,ty, Disagreeing well, Truth in a post-truth world, How to really read the Bible, Science and faith, Looking back to look forward. and reach out to our community. ## **Notable Highlights** This year brought many special events and milestones: - **Guest Speakers** `o` **Cathy Madavan** - Speaker, broadcaster and author (Sunday morning service) `o` **Phil Knox -** Evangelism and missiology senior specialist at the Evangelical Alliance (Sunday morning service) `o` **Brent CuWs** - Representa,ve for MAF (Mission Avia,on Fellowship) (Restored) `o` **Steve Finamore –** Principal emeritus of Bristol Bap,st College and past-President of the Bap,st Union of Great Britain (Sunday morning service) `o` **Terry Garde** - Interna,onal Miners’ Mission representa,ve (Sunday morning service & Restored) `o` **Alan and Meghan Barker** – our BMS (Bap,st Missionary Society) link missionaries (Restored) - - **MaWhew Gudger** stepped down as a member of the CLT aler three years of service. - The remainder of the CLT (Church Leadership Team – named as trustees above) remains the same. The CLT work well together, suppor,ng, encouraging and blessing one another, and giving of their ,me and gilings to support the work of the church. Without them and their sacrifices, the church would not func,on as it does. 5 - In 2025 our long-term Administrator lel for another role. In her place, we recruited a Finance Administrator (to oversee the financial func,ons of the church and to work closely with the Treasurer) and a General Administrator (to oversee the day-to-day running of the church as it pertains to legal and administra,ve affairs) ## • **Key Events:** - **Holy Week devo/ons** focused on the words of Jesus from the cross. - Reverend Neil Jones ran the **London Marathon** raising money for our mission partner **Bap/st Missionary Society** . - **Alpha & Chris/anity Explored Courses, the Prayer Course** and **the Good Book Course,** along with other courses of Chris,an interest have run in the church. - There was a **public speaking workshop** for those who are involved in speaking and preaching within the church and at other churches. `o` Various **seniors’ events** were held throughout the year, including fish and chip lunches and a visit from local entertainer Johny Victory. - **Download Fes/val chaplaincy team** involvement by four members of the church `o` Some men aVended **The Gathering** , a men’s ministry event hosted by CVM and the **Brothers in Christ** local conferences. - A number of ladies aVended the **Refresh** local conferences. - **Church camp** was a weekend held in Melton Mowbray, culmina,ng in an outdoor service. - Alternate weeks during the school summer holiday we held two **Summer Cafes** per week, aimed at the usual aVendees at LiVle and Baby Buds, Restored, and Sports and Crals (one week was cancelled due to roof works on the premises) `o` We held a church family **Barn Dance** in November, which was a lot of fun for the church family. - Various other Christmas events took place including par,cipa,on in the local seniors’ - club’s **Carols service** , **Sing Christmas** event at the local cons club and the **Christmas Minus One** service. Two highlights of the season were the **Na/vity service** and **Carols by Candlelight** service. All services were very well aVended. ## • **Community Engagement:** - This year we par,cipated in the village **Christmas market** as usual, with a stand with video games and crals for children and then had an aler-event at the church premises called the **A[erglow** , which comprised of firepits, marshmallow toas,ng, café, live music, prayer space and sparklers. This was well aVended by people in the community. - Our High Street Link (HSL) con,nues to interact with local businesses, being a ‘light in the darkness’ and offering chaplaincy. This year, the HSL was frequently accompanied by others from the church to assist in the work that is carried out. 6 ## **Other items of note:** - **Pastoral care** con,nues within the fellowship, extending to those we have contact with through various ac,vi,es, neighbours and anyone who calls on us or we see in need. This last year we have been able to give many people lils to appointments, services and other welfare needs. The primary place of pastoral care is within Growth Groups, though there are other channels, including with Pastoral Care Co-ordinator and with the Minister. - In 2025 we had an infant dedica,on service, a wedding and said goodbye to three dear Brothers and Sisters who had died. - In September, our Sunday morning children’s groups (up to school year six) had a makeover. Rather than one group of all those in the age range, we have three: **Embers** for preschoolers; **LiWle Sparks** for KS1 children; and **Big Sparks** for KS2 children. Further, we are providing 1:1 support for a child in LiVle Sparks. ## **Churches Together in Barrow** Through Churches Together in Barrow (CTiB), we partnered in Lent Lunches, Good Friday services, the Week of Prayer for Chris,an Unity, World Day of Prayer and Remembrance Day. During 2025 we supported Street Pastors in Loughborough through collec,ons at the joint events. We also join together to support Chris,an Aid Week. In 2025 we held a joint ‘animal blessing’ service at Holy Trinity (Anglican church) which was well aVended by people and their pets (and a cuddly toy!). Monthly joint prayer mee,ngs con,nued to unite us with other local churches. Neil also led fortnightly assemblies at Hall Orchard as part of our work together. ## **Looking Back and Ahead** The year brought both joys and sorrows. While we celebrated increased aVendance at services, we also mourned the passing of three dear friends, two of whom were church members. Though we grieve their loss, we rejoice that they are with the Lord. In preaching, we explored: - The church vision statement and elements (early 2025). - Times when God spoke to Moses (primarily in Exodus, also Numbers and Deuteronomy – late spring into summer). - - Paul’s leVer to the Philippians (autumn series). - Themes of ‘light’ in the Na,vity. ## **Conclusion** in discipleship. We are grateful to God for all he has done in, through and with us this year and we are excited to see what his plans are for the future. We are also grateful to one another, those who worship with us and serve in the church - the body of Christ - for the sacrificial generosity of ,me, talents and finances to enable the work and vision of the church to con,nue and grow. 7 ## **4. Mission Support** We con,nued to support a variety of other mission groups and projects who are mee,ng needs and sharing the gospel in our area and around the world. In 2025 we gave 15% of our total income to mission groups. ## **Local** Bap,st Associa,on and across the country. We have been involved in mission in Barrow upon Soar, including through our ‘High Street Link’. ## **Global** We support the work of the Bap,st Missionary Society (BMS), and are linked with Alan & Megan Barker and their work in Nepal. We also support three mission organisa,ons on a rolling three-year basis. Interna,onal Miners’ Mission was our new mission partner, and we con,nued with our support for Mission India. The year concluded our support for Mission Avia,on Fellowship (MAF) and we chose Wycliffe Bible Translators to be our new partner for 2026. ## **5. Fabric of the Building** This year, two key projects ensured our premises remained safe and welcoming: - **Replacement of the main fence and shed.** - **Roof repairs:** - **Full survey of the premises.** ## **6. Finance** the following page. The Church con,nues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its ac,vi,es from within its own membership and congrega,on. The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants to na,onal and interna,onal Chris,an organisa,ons and socie,es with Chris,an aims and objec,ves compa,ble 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 ac,vi,es, many of which run with liVle or no impact on the church’s expenditure, but nevertheless contribute substan,ally to the achievement of the church’s objec,ves. 8 out in the accompanying financial statements. the Balance Sheet date, together with ongoing income an,cipated, to enable the church to func,on effec,vely in the coming year. there are policies in place to minimise these risks. ## **Reserves policy** and mortgage payments plus one month’s running costs, to cover emergency situa,ons which may arise. 9 Statement of Financial Position Barrow Baptist Church As at 31 December 2025 Aceount 31 Dec 2025 31 D•c 2024 Fixed Assets Ta￿ltrAe Assets EquiDn￿nt Less Ac¢un￿lated t￿r￿latIon on Computer Equit*￿nt Less AccurNlated Oeprecialion on Equipr￿t Tech & Computer EqUip￿￿nt Total Tanolble Assats Total Fix•d A$￿ts 22.999.14 111,115.771 116.532.691 17,051.91 12.402.59 12.402.$9 21.318.17 110,872.821 114.858.141 16, 165.69 11,752.90 11.752.90 Current Assets Cash at bank and In hand Barrow BaDtist Church Cash record Deposit Account Savinqs account Total Cash at barf( atyl In hand Total Cwr•nt Assets 46.493.09 467.18 38.490.90 21,195.80 106.646.97 106.646.97 42.841.88 890.26 27.447.37 20,605.09 91,784.60 91,784.60 Creditor$: amounts fallin Roundinq Total Cr•thtors: amamts falllw wltNn yoar duo within ono gar 10.311 10.311 10.321 10.321 11 ital and R•servo8 Current Year Earninos Retained Eaminqs Total Capital arKI Roser4e 15,512.05 103.537.82 119,049.87 21.452.43 82.085.39 103.537.82 Statement of Profit and Loss Barrow Baptist Church Forthe year ended 31 December 2025 Tumover Card pavn*nts from orouDs Cash from arouDs Catèdno Ext8mal Co118Ctions Fun8ral Fees Gift Aid ClairrEd Interest Incon 4.297.50 4.370.00 3.907.00 4.710.08 5,396.20 5,058.95 2.351.84 2.209.86 280.00 1.020.00 29.011.65 25.814.43 1.634.24 1.745.17 F Il Offerina - Bank Transfer Offerina - Card Davn*nt Off8rinq - Cash Offerinq - ￿ one-off Offerinq - ¢> reqular Offering - Standing Order other Revenue Rwm Hi Sal8S Trtal TLYrTh•r 9.339.30 5.974.50 0.00 100.00 5,837.58 8,573.46 1.869.22 0.00 2.140.00 2.110.00 128.179.16 114.240.03 2.928.57 3.920.40 7.360.50 6,791.13 400.00 0.00 204.932.76 186.638.01 Gros$ Prdll 204 932.76 180 638.01 mlnls Adrrin Buildinq Repairs & Voint8nance Buildinq Nnninq costs Caterinq l ￿fresh[r￿nts t*oreciation Exoense EouloNent Inon asset realsterl Ext8mal G)Ilections out Grant ExD8nditure Insurance Leadership Developrnent Manse loan repavnEnl anse rTh)rtoaoe ￿08vMents Manse runnina costs Marketinq & ConYnunicatDn Ministers Fbu5ino Costs miscellan￿us itern5 MisS￿n Givino other exDenditure Penslon$ tkflclt Practical SuDOOrt Preachinq Fe85 Resources Staff emlovTrEnt Subscriptions l Merr*ershiD l Llcenses Travel ExDenses Irision I￿￿1•[￿￿tat￿jn Trtal knln18tratlv8 Costs 1.162.30 1.085.42 20.149.00 13. 178.52 8.842.99 8.771.88 10.601.06 8.218.45 3.417.50 2.663.78 651.28 1.246.35 1.583.29 2.069.20 1.383.16 0.00 2,406.84 2,287.97 1.584.05 651.58 1.432.80 1.426.20 33.632.95 25.781.40 986.46 386.37 497.68 1,484.55 3.710.85 3.428.95 2.146.23 390.00 27.898.00 24.747.60 2.125.75 3.240.76 0.00 10.00 569.51 96.20 400.00 404.40 4,986.58 2,861.43 73.056.30 68.756.40 2.604.57 2.821.60 248.53 64.80 2.742.12 0.00 208.819.80 176.073.81 7.04 10 564.20 r In CAsh offerina - can't claim GASLK8 tbnations - q8neral Giviw - non-oift-aid for sinqK8 orfi Grdnt Fundino Leaacies nse owts Mi8cellan￿uS incorr Trtal Other Income 1.700.00 870.00 65.00 116.46 0.00 498.50 250.00 5.557.28 14.399.09 0.00 2.960.00 3.360.00 25.00 485.99 19.399.09 10.888.23 Prcllt 41n Orrlnar Actlvltl•8 Beforo Taxatlon 15 512.05 21 452.43 ## **Barrow Baptist Church 2024 Accrued expenses & income** |**Date**|**Description**|**Ref**|**Account**|**Ministry Area**|**Accrued expenses**|**Accrued income**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |06-Jan-25|Christmas collection for Exaireo|2024|External Collection|General Church|£ 585.80|| |27-Jan-25|BMS World Mission|2024|Mission|Mission Giving|£ 1,143.00|| |27-Jan-25|BU Home Mission|2024|Mission|Mission Giving|£ 1,143.00|| |**Totals**|||||**£ 2,871.80**|**£ -**| |**Ministry Area**
Ext. collections
Mission giving
**2025 Accrued expenses & income**||||**Ministry Area**|**Accrued expenses**|**Accrued income**| |||||Ext. collections
Mission giving|£ 585.80
£ 2,286.00
**£ 2,871.80**|**£ -**| |||||||| |**Date**|**Description**|**Ref**|**Account**|**Ministry Area**|**Accrued expenses**|**Accrued income**| ||Christmas collection for Carpenter's Arms|2025|External Collection|General Church||£ 10.00| ||Christmas collection for Carpenter's Arms|2025|External Collection|General Church|£ 653.92|| ||Christmas collection for Carpenter's Arms|2025|External Collection|General Church|£ 500.00|| ||Sing Christmas Collection for Rainbows|2025|External Collection|General Church|£ 210.43|| ||BMS World Mission|2025|Mission|Mission Giving|£ 1,645.18|| ||BU Home Mission|2025|Mission|Mission Giving|£ 1,645.18|| ||International Miners Mission|2025|Mission|Mission Giving|£ 392.06|| ||MAF|2025|Mission|Mission Giving|£ 392.06|| ||Mission India|2025|Mission|Mission Giving|£ 392.06|| |**Totals**|||||**£ 5,830.89**|**£ 10.00**| |||||**Ministry Area**|**Accrued expenses**|**Accrued income**| |||||Ext. collections
Mission giving|£ 1,364.35
£ 4,466.54
**£ 5,830.89**|£ 10.00
**£ 10.00**| ## **Mission Giving 2025:** ||**Mission Giving 2025:**|**Mission Giving 2025:**||| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**To take out of total for mission giving:**|||| ||Manse giving & gift aid £ 3,384.00 Grant|||| ||funding £ 250.00 Camp income £|||| ||2,113.00|||| ||External collection income|£ 2,351.84||| ||The Harbour income|£ 469.35||| ||**£ 8,568.19**|||| ||Income - above =|**£ 215,763.66**||| ||**15%**|**£ 32,364.55**||| |Actual mission payments=||£ 27,898.00||| |Payments to make up =||£ 4,466.55||| |||||£| ||5%|£ 10,788.18|BMS|1,645.18| ||||Home Mission|£| |||||1,645.18| ||||Other 3|£| |||||1,176.18| ||||Each of the 3|£ 392.06| Notes to the accounts ## **1. Basis of accounts** These accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis and in line with S130 Chari9es Act 2011. ## **2. Assets held in Trust** The church is the beneficial owner of land and buildings on Beveridge Street, Barrow upon Soar, the legal title to which is held by the church's custodian trustee; the East Midlands Baptist Trust Ltd. A value for the aforementioned is not included, because reliable cost information is not available and valuation would incur significant costs, which would be onerous compared to any additional benefit gained. The church is also the beneficial owner of land and buildings at 70 Thirlmere Road, Barrow upon Soar, LE12 8QQ, for use as a manse, the legal title to which is held by the church's custodian trustee; the East Midlands Baptist Trust Ltd. The value of this property in September 2021 was £410,000. ## **3. Manse Loan** In September 2021, the church took out a loan from the Baptist Union Corporation for the purpose of purchasing a manse. At 31/12/2025 the balance of the loan was £225,042.33. Additional interest free loans totalling £23,000 were received from church members, of which £10,222.50 has been repaid or gifted, giving a balance of £12,777.50 at 31/12/2025. ## **4. Deprecia9on Method** The depreciation method is as follows: Appliances: reducing balance over ten years Computer equipment: reducing balance over five years General equipment: straight line over ten years Sound equipment: straight line over ten years ## **5. Reserves** Restricted reserves: Fellowship Fund following the closure of the Thornton & Hickling Trust in 2019 £7,037.30 For further information see the minutes of the Trustees meeting on 25/02/2019 ## **Declara9on** The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities set out above, relating to the year ending 31 December 2025, are as approved by the Charity Trustees. **Signed on behalf of the Trustees of Barrow Baptist Church:** Name: Signature: Date: 14 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGiAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report ReF￿rtIO th? trustees ftww Bf)p