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2024-12-31-accounts

STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Stockton Baptist Church Registered Charity No: 1147883

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Contents

Item Page No.
Trustees Annual Report 4
Financial review 6
Charity’s Administration 8
Independent Examiner’s Report 10
Statement of Financial Activities 11
Balance Sheet 12
Notes to the Financial Statements 14

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees present their report and unaudited financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing documents, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.

Trustees of the Charity

The directors of the charity are its trustees for the purposes of charity law. Details of the trustees who have served during the year and since the year end can be found on page 8.

1. Structure, Governance and Management

Stockton Baptist Church is a church established under a constitution dated 11 April 2012. It is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Northern Baptist Association. It is a charity (number 1147883) registered with the Charity Commission. It is also a member of the Evangelical Alliance.

The Church leadership is made up of the Senior Pastor, Elders and Deacons. Elders and Deacons are Trustees , the appointments of which are nominated from the church membership and approved by the church members’ meeting.

The church makes decisions by the church leadership bringing matters to the church meeting for discussion and as appropriate, acceptance, or by raising matters within a church meeting for further discussion and consideration by the church leadership.

2. Objectives and Activities

The objects of the Trust are:

a) The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Stockton-on-Tees and the surrounding neighbourhood; and

b) Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the members of the Church in general meeting further the work of the Church.

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

TRUSTEES REPORT

3. Achievements and Performance

Ministry Highlights:

In 2024 both the Senior Pastor, Craig, and the Children’s Pastor, Lydia, took long awaited sabbaticals. Both had well planned programmes which enabled them to seek refreshing, renewal and reflection benefiting both them and the church.

During Craig’s sabbatical, while he sought God’s direction for church vision, the church also gathered together with prayer meetings to seek God’s direction for the church.

It was with sadness that the church said goodbye to our Associate Minister, Matty Steel, who left after six years. It was great to welcome back our Youth Pastor, Jess Steel, from maternity leave. We also said goodbye to our youth and children’s interns who had all contributed much to both teams and will be missed.

Much of the focus this year was preparing for Festival Teesside, a free, two-day event held in June 2024 at a local park in Middlesbrough and featured live music, sports displays, inflatables, and opportunities to hear the Christian message. The event was a collective effort of 70 local churches and 700+ volunteers, the Good News of Jesus Christ reached more than 30,000 people across the region, culminating in 1,685+ Gospel responses. Stockton Baptist Church supported financially, with volunteers and in prayer. The church building was used in the week running up to the event to provide children’s ministry to over 700 school children as part of festival of Teesside. It was great to see so many of the congregation engaging with the volunteering, training provided and using it as an opportunity to invite friends to hear about God.

The Youth Pastor returned from maternity leave at the end of August 2024. This saw the recommencement of some of the groups that had paused during her maternity leave. It was encouraging to take 20 young people to the Kairos youth camp at the end of the summer. In September, the Youth Leadership team reflected on the past nine months and focused on looking forward to the new school year ahead. In the September five new year 7s began attending the Youth Group and we said goodbye to three 6th formers who left for university. A Christmas concert to raise funds for the Youth’s missionary partners was planned, produced and performed by the Youth Group raising over £1000.

Post covid we continued to find attendance to the children’s groups inconsistent which could be a challenge with planning. It is always wonderful to see the children growing up and exploring who Jesus is, learning to know Him and love Him for themselves. The children enjoy studying the bible and learning to apply what they read as they are encouraged by our Deep Divers, River Riders (Sundays) and Kids Life Group (Tuesdays) teams. Our Starfish (creche) group on a Sunday morning has grown and we often have parents come in and stay so we can get to know them. We started to stream the service through to the creche room and this has helped parents to still feel connected to the service when their little ones are finding it hard to settle.

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

During Lydia’s sabbatical she was able to experience chaplaincy within hospitals, learn about Messy Church and visited Arkansas, in the USA to gain an insight into different models of children’s work.

Schools Ministry continued and, after a break while on Sabbatical, it was encouraging to be asked back into schools again to run Art Club and listen to readers (Mill Lane) and lead Collective Worship (Holy Trinity and Thornaby). Volunteers continued to help in the Mill Lane Community every Friday by picking up food and delivering it to the local school for their food pantry.

Mid-week groups continued including Kids Life Group, Little Fish Toddlers and Rooted Club along with our Brigades with even more committed volunteers. Every year we run our Children’s Weekend Away.

RAS is an integral part of our church ministry with two drop-ins a week and ongoing support from the dedicated teams supporting our friends from overseas.

320@5 is a gathering that runs on the second and fourth Sunday evening of the month. It continues to be well supported and provides a family feel where worship can be expressed freely.

A new Farsi service began in 2024 and meets on the first and third Sunday evening of the month. It allows Farsi speakers the space and freedom to worship in their own language.

Janet Bare and Julie Barnett once again organised Coats for Kids, providing local children from the town centre area with a new coat ready for the winter.

Ladies socials continued in 2024 bringing together a wide range of women from all ages and backgrounds to enjoy time together and building relationships. It is always well attended with people using it as an outreach to invite friends and family to church.

Luncheon club and Ladies link continue to be a lifeline to people attending, offering friendship and the gospel message at each event.

As part of the Sunday morning series, studies covered the books of Acts, Philippians, Lamentations and 1 Peter.

We also welcomed back the Northern Women's Convention which took place from the church building with a number of the congregation involved in stewarding the event as well as attending.

The membership at the end of 2024 stood at 281.

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

It is important to acknowledge that the work of the church is underpinned and could not operate without the selfless support and dedication of a large number of volunteers who work both seen and unseen undertaking numerous role and responsibilities throughout the life of Stockton Baptist Church. We are grateful to God for providing them and to the volunteers for answering the call to serve.

4. 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.

Income in 2024 increased to £443,709 from £435,581 in the previous year of which £10,155 was restricted.

The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by giving to national organisations societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the Church’s own charitable purposes.

Expenditure of £451,658 (2023: £476,445) was incurred of which £16,006 was for restricted purposes. At 31 December 2024, the charity had unrestricted funds of £2,475,229.

The trustees are satisfied with the financial position of the organisation at 31 December 2024 and are confident that the strategies in place will lead to the organisation being able to fulfil its growth objectives. The Trustees expect to continue the activities of the charity in accordance with their current objectives.

The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements.

Reserves Policy

It is currently the policy of Stockton Baptist Church is to hold three months’ worth of all budgeted expenditure to allow the church to adapt to any changes in circumstance of the church. Based on the planned contractual and other essential expenditure within this year’s budget this amount is £91,672. It is proposed that we will hold sufficient free cash reserves at the year end to satisfy this policy. This policy will be reviewed annually.

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

5. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable Charity Law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTATIVE DETAILS

Name: Stockton Baptist Church Charity No: 1147883 Principal Address: The Square Stockton-On-Tees TS18 1TE

TRUSTEES

----- Start of picture text -----
Trustee Craig Downes Senior Minister/Chair
Trustee Peter Dawson Church Secretary
Resigned February 2024
Trustee Mark Askew Operations Manager
Elders
Trustee Dave Blackman Resigned June 2024
Trustee Cath Ingram Resigned June 2024
Trustee John Mark Ryder
Trustee Seyedemad Nejati
Trustee Steven Douglas Appointed June 2024
Trustee Rev. Timothy Hyde Appointed June 2024
Trustee Florence Waniwa Appointed June 2024
Deacons
Trustee Adrian Korynek
Trustee Andrew Barnett Resigned June 2024
Trustee Peter Gurney Resigned October 2024
Trustee Richard Hasthorpe Appointed September 2023
Holding Trustees
Stuart Cornwell
Ernie Hepplestone
Martin Greenwood
Baptist Union Corporation
----- End of picture text -----

Bankers: Nat West Bank plc 123 High Street Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1AY

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Independent Examiner: Alan Brown Sedgefield Accountants First Floor Suite 6 High Street, Sedgefield, Stockton-On-Tees. TS21 3AR

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approval

This report was approved by the trustees on 27 October 2025

and signed on their behalf by:

Full Name: John Mark Ryder

Position: Trustee

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

Report to the Trustees of Stockton Baptist Church on Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 4-6.

Respective responsibilities of the Charity and the Independent Examiner

As members of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 3(3) and section 144(2) of the Act do not apply and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

Basis of examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity

Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act ; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Alan Brown

Sedgefield Accountants

Date: 24[th] October 2025

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Income
Donations and Legacies
Charitable Activities
Other Trading Activities
Investments
Total Income
Expenditure
Charitable Activities
Other Expenditures
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Transfer between funds
Total funds b/f
Total funds c/f		 Note Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Total
Funds
2024
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£		 Total
Funds
2023
£
2
2
2
2
2		 281,372
10,115
2,501
293,988
148,697
-
-
148,697
1,024
-
-
1,024
-
-
-
-		 346,110
86,967
1,859
645
431,093
10,115
2,501
443,709		 435,581
411,861
16,006
22,459
450,326
1,332
-
-
1,332		 476,445
-
413,193
16,006
22,459
451,658		 476,445
17,900
-5,891
-19958.00
-7,949
-
-
-
-
2,457,329
20,557
69,630
2,547,516		 -40864
-
2,588,380
2,475,229
14,666
49,672
2,539,567		 2,547,516

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Restated

Fixed Assets
Land and Buildings
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Held in BU Trust
Petty cash
Current Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due withing one year
Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year
Net Current Assets
Net Assets
FUNDS
Unrestricted General Funds
Restricted Funds
Designated funds
Charity funds		 Note 2024
£		 2024
£		 £ 2023
£
3
4		 138,630
7,600		 2,405,392
134,175		 135,507
7,600
178		 2,405,392
142,124
146,230
12,055		 143,285
1,161
-
12,055 1,161
-
2,539,567 2,547,516
2,475,229
14,666
49,672		 2,457,329
20,557
69,630
2,539,567 2,547,516

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

For the year ending 31 December 2024, the Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Trustees’ responsibilities:

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Oversight on 27 October 2025.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees:

Full Name: Carol Martin Position: Trustee

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities and applicable accounting standard FRS102.

Stockton Baptist Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Fund Accounting

Restricted Funds comprise revenue donations or grants for a specific activity intended by the donor. Where these funds have unspent balances, interest on their pooled investment is apportioned to the individual funds on an average balance basis.

Unrestricted Funds are income funds which are to be spent on the general purposes.

Designated funds are general funds set aside for use in the future. Project funds are designated for particular projects for administration purposes only. Designated funds remain unrestricted, and the will move any surplus to other general funds.

Incoming Resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Capital Grants are released over the economic useful life of the asset to which they relate.

Resources Expended

Resources expended have been analysed using a natural classification. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2. FUNDS

Restricted funds
Andrew & Helen Symmonds
BMS
CAP
Fellowship fund
Funeral collections
Garden Fund
Gifts
Overseas Mission
RAS
Spurgeon's Childcare
Youth Missions
Total Restricted funds		 BalanceB/F Income Expenditure Balance C/F
£
£
£
£
1
-
1
-
3,068
-
3,068
-
2,025
500
-
2,525
2,648
689
2,483
854
102
-
102
-
156
-
156
-
913
-
913
-
3,095
20
250
2,865
8,134
8,550
8,414
8,270
414
131
394
151
-
225
225
-
20,556
10,115
16,006
14,665
Designated funds
Children's work
Community garden
Event income
Ministry & Mission Work
Tab Toddlers
Youth work
Total Designated Funds		 Balance B/F Income Expenditure Balance C/F
£
£
£
£
2,600
100
82
2,618
1,647
1,611
1,650
1,608
1,138
-
155
983
60,411
40
17,667
42,784
1,379
300
1,679
2,455
450
2,905
-
69,630
2,501
22,459
49,672

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ANALYSIS 2024

INCOME
Income from Donation & Grants
Gifts and Donations
Other Donations/Grants
Income from Charitable Activities
Use of Building
Tax Refunds
Surplus on sale of properties
Investment Income
Other income
Total Income Resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable Activites
Administration
Office costs
Building costs
Ministries
Ministry Team
Mission
Salaries
Total expenditures		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Total
Funds
2024
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
271,613
3,105
850
275,568
9,759
7,010
1,651
18,420
281,372
10,115
2,501
293,988
21,689
-
-
21,689
50,153
-
-
50,153
76,855
-
-
76,855
148,697
148,697
1,024
-
-
1,024
1,024
-
-
1,024
431,093
10,115
2,501
443,709
11,777
556
-
12,333
6,506
24
-
6,530
122,739
362
-
123,101
26,635
1,198
3,142
30,975
8,250
-
-
8,250
16,211
13,866
19,317
49,394
221,075
-
-
221,075
413,193
16,006
22,459
451,658

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FUND RAISING

Support cost type
Administration
Office costs
Building costs
Ministries
Ministry Team
Mission
Total		 Charitable
Activity
Other
Total
£
£
£
11,777
-
11,777
6,506
-
6,506
122,739
-
122,739
26,635
-
26,635
8,250
-
8,250
16,211
-
16,211
192,118
-
192,118

3. FIXED ASSETS

Cost
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the period
At 31 December 2024
Net book Value
At 31 December 2024		 Land and
Buildings
Total
£
£
2,405,392
2,405,392
-
-
-
-
2,405,392
2,405,392
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,405,392
2,405,392

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STOCKTON BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

4. CREDITORS – Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
HMRC		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
Funds
£
£
£
161
161
11,894
-
11,894
12,055
-
12,055

5. SALARIES AND WAGES

Number of employees
Gross salaries and NI		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
221,075
0
221,075
221,075
0
221,075
2024
11

6. BANK AND CASH IN HAND

Natwest Reserve
Natwest Current
Baptist Together
Petty cash
Total		 ~~S~~
2024
£
97,105
41,525
7,600
-
146,230

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