Ministry Overview
Encouraging Christians facing same-sex temptations with biblical clarity and supportive community
MAY 2024 - APRIL 2025
“True Freedom Trust will help your church grasp hold of the culturally sacred topic of sexuality. They will carefully unpack it and help you see it in light of the gospel, whilst always remaining grace-filled and compassionate. Their testimonies and stories help to ground all of it personally and demonstrate a compelling understanding for how we can trust in the Bible’s view on these matters to be good news.” – Chris
2
Index
Introduction
Ministry Overview
2.1 - Resources 2.2 - Speaking and teaching 2.3 - Pastoral support 2.4 - Support groups 2.5 - Women’s ministry 2.6 - Conferences 2.7 - Outreach 2.8 - Online interactions 2.9 - Fundraising
Plans for 2025 - 2026
Governance
4.1 - Membership 4.2 - Voluntary Workers 4.3 - Staff 4.4 - Trustees 4.5 - Financial review
1 - Introduction
In 2024-25, True Freedom Trust (TFT) stood firm on its commitment to teaching and discipling believers on the clear truth of the Bible around matters of sexuality and gender. We continue to do this with gentleness and compassion, combining biblical truth with the recognition from our own lives that purity and obedience in these areas is not easy.
The ministry of TFT began in 1977, and we are beginning to look ahead to the 50-year anniversary in 2027 of all that God has been doing over the last half-century in the lives of people across the UK, Ireland and beyond. As we approach our “golden anniversary”, we want to focus on two areas. Firstly, we want to be celebrating the transforming work of God in the lives of our members: we have always enjoyed sharing the testimonies of our members, but we particularly want to hear the accounts of those who have benefitted from the steady
presence of the ministry in
encouraging them, year after year, to keep following the Lord Jesus in obedience and joy. Secondly, we want to encourage a broader base of our members and partnership churches to support our work regularly through financial giving and prayer. We trust that these two pillars of gratitude (looking back) coupled with hope and commitment (looking forward) will be good foundations for the future.
As I hand over my work into Nat’s capable hands in the coming year, I am expectant that our excellent team of staff and volunteers will continue to ensure that this
ministry will bless many in the years ahead.
Stuart Parker, Director of TFT
2 - Ministry Overview
2.1 - Resources
In 2024-25, we produced quarterly electronic and printed editions of Ascend magazine. The themes were "Cultivating godly desires”, “Cultivating friendships”, “Countering loneliness" and “Teaching sexuality”. We continue to post out around 800 printed copies of the magazine free of charge, as we believe that paper copies are easier to share and that readers tend to read them more thoroughly. However, almost all new subscribers to the magazine opt for the email version, and this format currently has around 1650 direct recipients.
Most of our articles, testimonies and reviews from Ascend also get posted on our website, which extends our readership around the world, and gives visibility to our work from outside our mailing lists. Although there are plenty of good biblical articles from other writers and organisations online, the TFT website is distinctive, due to the honest personal testimonies from a wide range of Christians experiencing same-sex feelings.
We have continued to produce our quarterly podcast, Ascend Higher, connected with the theme of each
Ascend magazine. Our most popular episode this year was entitled “When my pastor decided I was unfit for ministry”. This episode was a conversation with Sarah who described her difficult experience of having support for her ministry withdrawn by her pastor because she was unwilling to pursue a change in her sexual orientation (even though she was not acting upon the same-sex temptations). This was in the context of a wider debate in church circles on the matter of whether sexual temptation is in itself sinful.
We also produced a 2025 version of our popular Recommended Resources leaflet, in both printed and online formats. This leaflet presents the books and podcasts that we think are the most helpful, grouped according to topic. We extended the sections on videos, podcasts and blogs in recognition of the good quality of many of these resources. We are also seeing that many churches and small groups find these electronic resources more accessible and useful than books, particularly as part of a service or group study.
2.2 - Speaking & teaching
2024/5 represented a quieter year for the TFT Speaking Team, who delivered a total of 16 speaking engagements over the financial year. This, however, should not be interpreted as a decline in the need for quality training on matters of sexual ethics and gender identity in our churches.
It has been an immense privilege to witness a growing number of people willing to stand up in their own church contexts and share their story of walking faithfully with same-sex attraction alongside proclaiming biblical truths. We very much see it as part of the legacy of TFT’s now 48 years of ministry in this area that a growing number of Christians who
experience same-sex attraction are now confident to add their voice to the conversation.
The topics we were asked to speak on throughout 2024/5 reflect a continuing trend of churches feeling more confident in the delivery of their own biblical overview of sexual ethics, but wanting our help when it comes to the practical outworking of that teaching. Of the sixteen engagements we delivered, eleven asked for training on how to be welcoming/loving churches for those who experience same-sex attraction, while four also asked for input on engaging well with those with different views (be that outside the church, or within their own denomination). We continue to be immensely thankful for the eight individuals who serve on our team, in addition to Simon as team lead, who provide a wealth of differing experiences from their own geographical/church contexts.
2.3 - Pastoral Support
TFT receives website forms from those asking for pastoral support at the rate of 4 per week; the struggles faced in these requests have become more complex. Contacts mostly come from within the UK, but also, more commonly, from around the world.
Most of the requests relate to same-sex attraction (SSA) and gender dysphoria. Ministers who are negotiating issues with pastoring same-sex couples, providing care for those with gender incongruence and wanting to honour God and also be welcoming have been helped. Parents of children who struggle have opened a Barnabas Group in order to be a learning, supportive community.
Voluntary Workers are trained not only to give face to face support, but help by video call and phone. Three trainings are provided a year; this reporting year training included responding well to pastoral requests, mental health issues, accountability and TFT policies and safeguarding.
Members joining Barnabas support Groups have increased exponentially - it has been exciting to experience lives being transformed.
2.4 - Support Groups
Barnabas Groups are valuable for providing support and community for our members with same-sex attraction and/or gender incongruence. We have in-person groups who usually meet monthly and range from 4-14 members. They are in Wirral, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds, Essex, Cambridge, West Midlands and London (2 groups). We were delighted to open three new groups during this reporting year in Ipswich, Glasgow and Stockton-on Tees.
The number of online Barnabas Groups and Book Clubs has flourished, significantly growing from 7 to 16. 7 of those are for women, 2 are mixed and 4 are men’s groups. We also have a group for parents, for married men and for married couples.
Our groups have a bible-based thought or book study on same-sex attraction, gender or a relevant theme as a focus, with discussion and prayer. One of the women’s groups is intentionally small in order to meet to concentrate on intimacy in sharing struggles and praying; there is an accountability focus in one of the men’s groups. Many of the BGs meet socially.
2.5 - Women’s Ministry
The women’s ministry is continuing to grow with new members joining support groups and participating in conferences. 30 women attended the National Conference, a record high. Existing members form a firm foundation of committed and loyal women who provide pastoral care, write articles and testimonies for the Ascend magazine, record podcasts, are used regularly on the speaking team and lead seminars at events.
Two new women’s Barnabas Groups opened in 2024/25, one which was set up to be a small, intimate group specifically for sharing struggles and praying. Two mixed Barnabas Groups re-opened and are jointly led by women. All women’s groups are online, with several members from countries in Europe, the US, Africa and Canada. This gives the great opportunity of learning from and supporting members from other cultures, welcoming and broadening different Christian experience.
A new parents group led by 3 female VWs was set up to be a learning environment for parents wanting to support their children with SSA or gender incongruence. – They are finding “Parenting Gospel Principles” by Paul David Tripp a helpful focus for discussion. The couples group, with wives who experience SSA, is now firmly established. 3 new Voluntary Workers joined the team of 16, one of whom works as an accountability partner.
The annual women’s weekend was held in May in Wirral with a study on solitude and rest, fun activities and mutual support. This year’s day conference in February 2025 was on the theme of accountability and was led by Laura Oliver. 30 women attended and found the talks, worship and community so encouraging. Two women gave testimonies at a Zoominar, with questions on their stories from the audience.
There are 48 members in our private Facebook group “Women of Light”, with WhatsApp groups connected to each Barnabas Group.
2.6 - Conferences
In June 2023, we held our London conference. The theme of the conference was “Friends, fears and idols”. We repeated the talks from this conference online in November for those who were unable to attend in person focusing on the theme of emotional dependency. We also held day conferences in Dublin and Edinburgh.
Our residential National Conference, “What on earth is heaven?”, in October 2024, had Jim Paul as our speaker. About 115 delegates attended.
Our annual Women’s Conference in February 2025 was on the theme of “From death to life: growing in godliness through accountability”.
2.7 - Outreach
We are keen as ever that all those Christians who would benefit from the work of True Freedom Trust are able to find us. We continue to enjoy good relationships with churches and networks within the evangelical constituency. In November Simon, Rob and Jane visited the FIEC Leadership Conference in Blackpool and
staffed an exhibition stall
promoting the work of TFT. It was a pleasure to chat to church leaders about the ways in which we might support them in their ministry. We also found ourselves having conversations with those needing support for either themselves or to best serve loved ones.
In September, Simon and Iain visited the ReNew conference in Leeds, which provided opportunity to chat with Anglican leaders about the pressures of the Church of England’s PLF process. As part of our speaking work, we continue to enjoy long-standing relationships with several bible colleges and training providers, with whom we visit on an annual basis. These strategic relationships allow us raise our profile with representatives from many churches in a single speaking engagement. Do join us in praying we continue to grow and deepen these partnerships in the Gospel into 2026 and beyond.
2.9 - Fundraising
This year we focused our fundraising efforts on encouraging members of TFT to consider giving. We ran various adverts within the Ascend magazine as well as emails and adverts in our prayer newsletter. The aim was to
encourage regular giving to help us budget well. We have continued to be supported by many individuals, churches and trusts throughout 2024/25. We are very grateful to them for their financial support.
2.8 - Online interactions
3 - Plans for 2025-2026
On Saturday 7th June 2025, we are once again combining with Living Out to put on a one-day London Conference. We are delighted to have Vaughan Roberts speaking to us on the marks of a healthy heart.
We have a members’ day conference coming up in Edinburgh (5 July 2025). And we hope to have another day conference in Ireland in the autumn. We have also now established an annual rhythm of using the recordings from one of our conferences to hold a shorter online version of the conference in the autumn, particularly for the benefit of those who were unable to attend our in-person events.
On 26-28 September 2025, we have one of our trustees, Iain Baker, speaking at our annual residential members’ conference from the book of Revelation. Our members look forward to this annual fixture, benefitting from both the teaching and the relaxed times of fellowship.
- “It was good to hear the TFT talk. It was interesting, engaging and the most compassionate I’ve heard on this subject." - (Joel, 19)
4 - Governance
4.1 - Membership
In the past year, we were able to welcome 33 new members, taking the total number of people supporting the ministry to 1736 individuals.
In addition, we have 190 churches and partnership ministries as corporate members of TFT.
We have tightened up our membership application procedure: we now ask for photo identification and a recommendation from a church leader before considering new applications for membership from individuals.
4.2 - Voluntary Workers
A comprehensive review of our Voluntary Workers took place in 2024/25 and the continuation of development of a framework for a rolling training programme. Voluntary Workers were provided with 2 online mornings and one inperson training day. There are quarterly meetings for VWs to share any personal struggles, discuss pastoral and support group issues and pray together.
We have 52 Voluntary Workers with 9 new appointments. 41 of those provide pastoral care, 11 are chiefly speakers and 36 lead or co-lead Barnabas Groups. Pastoral Voluntary
Workers take webform and telephone referrals and support those who seek help with same-sex struggles, sexual addiction and pornography, a need for accountability and gender confusion. They are often Barnabas Group leaders too, who assess contacts for membership and joining support groups. Speaker Voluntary Workers speak publically at churches and bible colleges, expounding orthodox biblical teaching, answering audience questions and following up on pastoral issues arising from events.
Voluntary Workers are invaluable members of our team, who offer their time and gifts to support and further the work of TFT.
“ The highlight for me was having the opportunity to connect with other men and women to whom I can relate, when it comes to sexuality and singleness. These are people who are also trying to navigate life with same-sex attraction while following Jesus.”
4.3 - Staff
Yen Tay joined the staff team in November as Team administrator. The staff team going into 2025-26 consists of Stuart Parker & Nat Johnson (Director), Simon Byrne (Teaching & Outreach Manager), Ruth Daly (Women's Worker), Owen Leadbetter (Digital Media Technician & Events Co-ordinator) and Yen Tay (Team Administrator).
4.4 - Trustees
The Trustees met three times in 2024-25. Two meetings were in London and one was at the Wirral office with the staff team. The Trustees going into 2025-26 are Iain Baker, Donald Dewar (Chair), Graham Baker, Naomi Skull, Robert Walsh, Laura Oliver and Duncan Beet. Jane Gibbs has stepped down as a trustee. We would like to thank her for her service.
4.5 - Financial Review
We are thankful to God for our donors, many members and nonmembers of TFT and churches and trusts, for their financial partnership in our shared aim to provide sound biblical teaching and a community of Christian support. We are also humbled and deeply thankful to our Volunteer Workers and our event speakers who have worked tirelessly in gospel partnership with us. Without both financial and gospel partnership, we would not have been able to provide a safe place for same-sex attracted Christians, and those who support them, to
meet and serve/encourage one another in following the Lord Jesus Christ.
The 2024/2025 financial year ended with a deficit of £1,584. Although income has dropped slightly in this financial year compared to the previous financial year, we are thankful to God that currently we have sufficient reserves to absorb this deficit, and we rely on God to provide sufficient donations for the 2025/2026 financial year. Here is a summary of our income and expenditure:
< Expenditure Qui 20242U2i ix¥¢IJJiiure thcompa¢tyMwith rh¢kn finanuaiyearKas fow. 741 £8&2#.901 Expndlturo Total £1.026 SprIn 41& Turhi £7.Wl. 4X £]4J6J.IX £a8.474.X
TFT’s stated public benefit is “the advancement of the Christian faith, in particular (but not limited to) providing teaching based on the biblical principles in the Statement of Faith on issues around sexuality and by providing support for those who are struggling with such issues.”
In practice, this means providing teaching within churches on issues related to same-sex attraction, as well as providing pastoral care and guidance to church leaders, individuals and families affected. The main activities undertaken for the public benefit include pastoral support, creating resources and teaching at churches, colleges and other organisations.
TRUE FREEDOM TRUST (TFT) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), governed by constitution dated 29/10/2014, registered in England and Wales with the Charity Commission. Charity number: 1159015
True Freedom Trust
Charity Number: 1159015
Receipts and Payments Accounts for the period 01/05/24 to 30/04/25
True\=_~ .*\ ‘
| Receipts and payments | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestrictedfunds tothe nearest£ |
Totalfunds tothe nearest £ |
LastYear Totalfunds |
||||
| Receipts | to the nearest £ | |||||
| TotalDonations SalesandFees |
£159,298 £19,143 |
£159,298 £19,143 |
£184,608 £15,312 |
|||
| Totalreceipts | £178,441 | £178,441 | £199,920 | |||
| Payments | ||||||
| Expenses Media&Resources Salaries&Nat.Insurance OfficeRent&Utilities Post Comms &Tech Support Office Equipment TransactionFees Miscellaneous Expenses Conferences&Meetings Pensions |
£14,081 £2,724 £121,257 £4,451 £3,192 £8,536 £2,033 £1,522 £0 £16,541 £5,689 |
£14,081 £2,724 £121,257 £4,451 £3,192 £8,536 £2,033 £1,522 £0 £16,541 £5,689 |
£22,195 £3,221 £127,794 £4,913 £2,946 £1,596 £1,565 £1,205 £0 £14,665 £6,975 |
|||
| TotalPayments | £180,026 | £180,026 | £187,075 | |||
| Netofreceipts/payments | -£1,584 | -£1,584 | £12,845 | |||
| Cashfundslastyearend | £114,676 | £114,676 | ||||
| Cashfundsthisyearend | £113,092 | £113,092 | ||||
| Statement of assets& liabilities atthe | theendofthe | period | ||||
| : Unrestricted funds |
||||||
| to the | nearest £ | |||||
| Cashfunds | Bank PayPal |
£112,606 £486 |
||||
| Cash | £0 | |||||
| Total | £113,093 | |||||
| No other assets or liabilities | ||||||
| Signedby the Treasurer |
can'~Y | |||||
| th — |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
True Freedom Trust
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30 April 2025
Responsibilities and basis of the report
As the charity Trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 201 1 (“the Act”).
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 Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to 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 Act, or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
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 may be reached
Date 29 August 2025
A. E. M. McGraa 18. Poulton Green Close. Bebington, Wirral CH63 9FS