Charity Registration numbw: 1160436 ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
STTHOMAS BAvnsT CHURCH YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CONTENTS Page Legal and Administrative Infomation Trustees. Annual fteport Independent Ex8minAWs Report Receipt) and Payments Accounts Statement of Assets and Liabilities 10 Notes to the Accounts 11-1d
ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH LEGAL AND ADMINISTrATIVE INFORMATION YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 CHARITY NAME St Thomas Baptist Church CONSTrruTION The Church is part of the Baptist Union and its constitution follows their guidelines as laid down in the Baptist Trusts for Churches 2003. PASTOR Mr Stephen Cousley TRUSTEES E Bailey P Evans- Secretsry R Turner- Treasurer G Curran W Mckenna A Daniel J Bennett S Shortman T Darby-clark Iresigned 25 June 2024) (appointed 1 October 2024) (appolnted 1 October 2024) lappointed a March 202d and reslgned MarGh 20251 ADDRESS St Thomas Bapiist ChurGh Dorsot Avenue Exeter EX41LZ GHARrrY NUMBER 1160436 BANKERS CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent MEl9a INDEPENDEKf EXAMINER Mrs S Truran FCCA FCA Streets Bush Limited Chartered Accountants 2 Bamfield Crescent Exeier EX1 1QT
ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH TRUSTEES. REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The Trustees. present their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The flnancial statements have been PrePad in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 11 and complywith the Church constitution.the Charities Act 2011 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charit18s" Financlal Reporting Standard 102 {FRS 1021. Objectiv85 and Activity St Thomas Baptist Church is a charity whose Principal purpose is the advancement of the Chrislian faith. This can be done in a number of ways including the church demonstrating love and concern for our members and friends, but also for the community around us. We provide public benefit to the local community in this way through our local outreach activities, allowing the community to interact with us. We also provide support for those who gather with us and who are included in our fellowship. As a church. we are thankful to the Lord for hls faithfulness and providence as we continue to grow in number and sustain a fellowship. We hold close to our mission statement to -know Christ and make him known" in and around our local community. We are incredibly blp.q.qed to have our pastor Stephen Cousley leading the church and formally give him all our thanks for his dedicatlon and humble service. He is ably supported by Joanna and tlie family and we are thankful for the whole family for everything they do. Stephen has continued as our sole pastor. working tirelessly in his preaching. pastoral care for ourfellowship and outreach to members of the community. We hope to find an assistant pastorto help support and share the physical and emotional workload that being a paator brings. 2024 has been a year of new lifc, growth and chango. We waro dglighted that Hannah and Caleb went through the waters of baptism as we celebrated this new birth and declaration of failh. We now have a number of new families, parents and babies in our congregation. This has truly made St Thomas Baptist a multi-generational church as we discover the meaning of being a church family who unconditionally love and care for one another. We are grateful to all the deacons within the leadership team for their support and taithful attendance during the year. Gary Curran and Tom Darby-clark were elected at ourAGM in March and later in the year we welcomed the appointmerrts of Samuel Shortman and John Bennett. With Alan Collins stepping down atthe end of 2023. we were incredibly grateful to Richard Turner for taking on the role of church treasurer despite busy family Circumstances and the arrival of their second child. Richard's appointment as treasurer was intended to be on a short-term basis as we aim to appoint a new treasurer in 2025. He is well supported by a fantastic treasury team who all volunteer their time and work diligently to ensure our accounts remain complete and transparent. We want to place on record our thanks to all our leadership team who give their time and energy to keep the church running. As well as changes to our leadership. we have increased the number of employed staff to five. At the beginning of the year we welcomed Anntrmarie Immanuel to share the Families. Children
ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH TRUSTEES" REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 and Youth Coordinator IFCYC) job role with Becty Shotter. Later in the year, Matthew Blaylock was appointed as fixed maternity cover for the Church Operations Manager. Hannah Torpey Blaylock and Becky Shotter went on maternity leave from their respective roles. We pray for them and their new children and look fOard to welcoming them both back later in 2025. We are immensely grateful to all our employed staff and for everything they do in supporting the church. We are delighted to send out people from St Thomas Baptist Church to seNe elsewhere in the world. Most recently. Alan Collins started at Moor College in Sydney, Australia at the beginning of 2024 as he started his pastoral studies. Amy Cousley completed her intern role at Grace Church in Bath in August. We continueto supportthem in prayer as a congregation and thankthose who voluntarily give financially. During 2024 we had two baptisms and one wedding. At the end of 2024, we had 77 members and we expect to see further new members next year as more people start to attend the church. We continue to prayerfully consider the possibility of a saarch for an AssistantlAssociate Pastor to work alongside Stephen. We look fonp4ard to this progressing in 2025, if it is God's will. We eontiniie a.q a church to offer a variety of regular weekday events. as well as our services on a Sunday, which provlde support to members of the surrounding community. The8e include thc Toddler group which meets on Wednesday, the Thursday Drop-in group and the Friday Youth group. Once a month wè hold a 'Soup and Sweet, as well as the Thursday Drop-in group which provides an opportunity for members and frlends to have fooij prepared for them. Likewise, we continue 10 supporr members of our congregation through OUT Six home groups that meet in members, homes every fortnight. alternating with our weekly prayer m8eting in the church. We continue to support our members who have been bereaved in the Bereavement Support Group, as well as our studenis from the Unive151ty who join us each year and who are supported through their own dcdicated weekly m88ting. We continue to preach through various topics and books of the Bible on Sundays and various themes are addressed, from a biblical perspective, in our home groups. We continue to live stream our serrfices lif appropriate) on YouTube to allow those unable to attend in person for various reasons to access our seriCeS. We regularlyfinancially support a number of missions across the world. Specifically during 2024 we gave money to BMS World Mission. Initiatives in ChTiStian Education IICEI, South West Baptist Assoc¥ation Home Mission. University of Exeter Evangelical Christian Union IECUI, St George's Morden, Love into Action, Mission Aviation Fellowship {MAF). Rwanda Hope. Trans World Radio. Emmanuel Church Lapusna and Alan Collins towards his college fees and maintenance. The Trustees have noted the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in Producing this report and consider that the activities undertaken bythe church during the year. provide benefit both to those who worship atour church, the local community and those places in theworld that the church continues to support.
ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH TRUSTEES. REpoirr YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Contribution made by volunteers Apart from our five paid employees, much of our activtty of the church is undertaken by volunteers and without them it would not be possible for the church to provide many of its do various jobs around the church. many of them unseen. We are, as ever. immensely grateful to all our volunteers, especially those who have gone above and beyond to keep people connected during the lockdowns. A¢hlevements and Performan¢e The main achievements of the charity are identified above, as w811 as our benefit to the wider society particularly in our local community and St Thomas. We do however continue to support church missionaries elsewhere both in the UK and beyond and during the year a sum of £12,780 was given to Mission and other charitable causes. Financial Review The church made a deficit in the year of £1.95212023: deficit £10.529). Total income Increased by 6.4°h compared lo 2023 wilh a 3. increase in donation3. Total expenditure was very much in linc with the previous year. Total cash funds amountèd to £82.630 at 31¥1 Decémber 2024. of which £16.867 is held in restricted funds - £11.253 of this being held for building improvements. God continues to be very faithful to this Church and glvlng has remained at a level thdt more than Gover6 the expenditure of the church. The truatees eontinuc to bc very conscious of th8 need to ensure this money is spent on the charitable activities of the church and are actively looking for ways to make best use of this income for Ihe eensIOn of God's klngdom on earth. Reserves Pollcy The reserves policy is to retain between 3 and 4 months unrestricted expenditure which is approximately between £23,000 and £32.000. At the year end. the church's f ree reser4es totalled £65.763 (cash less r8Stricted funds). Structure. Govern•n¢o and Management The charity is governed by its Constitution. whlch was revised in 2023. The church is an unincorporated association. Trustees (the elected leadership team) are elected at the churctt AGM to stand for three years. before needing to stand for re-election. Office holders (sectary & Treasurerl are appointed or re-appointed each year at the AGM. Church elders (apart from the Minister) are also elected by th8 AGM. with a three year term. according to the constitution. Philip Evans. and Stephen Cousley continued to be elders of St Thomas Baptist Church during this year, in accordance with the constitution. Philip Evans and Richard Turner were ele¢ted as Church Secretary and Treasurer respectively at the 2024 AGM and continued to serve during this year. Both were supported by various members of the Fellowshipwho assisted them, particularly
ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH TRUSTEES. REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 in the Treasury team working with Richard. and Hannah. the Church Operations Manager. working with the ChurGh Secretary• who is also her line manager. In the AGM March 2024 Gary Curran and Tom-Darby Clark were proposed and accepted for a further term on the leadership team as deacons. In the Church Members Meeting in October 2024, Samuel Shortman and John Bennett were proposed and a¢¢epted on to the leadership team as deacons. The following individuals have been elected by the church membership to stand as trustees for the church during the last twelve months. Trusts• nam• Office (il anv) Datss acted rf not for whole year Retired as deacon in June 2024 Elizabeth Bailey Deacon Ann Daniel Deacon Tom Darby-clark Deacon Elected as Deacon in March 2024 Re-elected as deacon in March 2024 Re-elected as elder in March 2024 Gary Curran Deacon Philip Evans Church Secretary & Eldei Dcacon Deacon and Treasurer Deacon Wendy Mckenna Richard Turner Samuel Shortman E'lected in October 2024 Elactod in Octobgr 2024 John Bennett Deacon The trustees declare that they h charity's trustees approv e trustees. report a ove igned on behalf of the Signature Full name hilip Evans Richard Turner Position Church Secretary Church Treasurer Date 38Lr
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Si Thomas Baptist Church (the Church) forthe year ended 31 December 2024. which are set out on pages 7 to 14. R8sponsibiliti•s and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Church you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Trust are not required to be audited and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charl$ accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 1.the 2011 Act"). In carrying out my examination I have followed the directions givens by the Charity Commission under section 145(511bl of the 2011 Act. Independent Examinerfs Stat•mont I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have Come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Church as required by section 130 of the Act: or the aGcounts do not aGcord with those reGord8; or the accounts do not comply with the applicable reouirements concerning the form and content of accounts Set oul in Ilie Charities (AGGounts and Report51 Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'tru8 and fair viev/ which is not a matter considered part of an independent examination. I have no concern3 and have come across no other matters in connoction with th? examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mrs S Truran FCCA FCA Streets Bush Limited Chartered Accountants 2 Barnfield Crescent Exeter EX11QT Date: a I 2<7 >S
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ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 ACCOUNTING POUCIES The receipts and payments accounts have been prepaTed under the Charities Act 2011 using a receipts and payments basis. In¢om• Offerings and donations are recognised when received by or on behalf of the Church. Gift aid tax refunds and the gift aid small donations scheme are recognised on a cash basis. Expenditure Expenditure is included when paid and includes any VAT which is not recoverable. Ass•ts Retsined for Charity's Use Assets retained for charis use are valued on the following basis: Land and buildings Fixtur8s & fittfngs Computer equipment The church and manse aTe now reported at their site market value (previously in 2023, it had been the insurance rebuild value). Stte value Market value Market value Investment Assets Investments are valued at market value at 31 December. All investments are held within the UL The invesiment holder 15 currently in liquidation however. this is yet to be finalised. Once the liquidation is complete the investments value will be updated depending on the outcome of th¥ liquidation. Other Monetsry Assets A8sets are rccognised at the amounts due to the charity which will pmvide a benefrt. Liabilities Liabilities are recognised at the amounts obligatod to be paid by the charity. Unrestricted and Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds represent the funds of the Church that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the Church. Designated Funds are fijnds that are not subject to any restrictions but have been set aside by the trustees for future expenditure or commitrnent. By earmarking funds in this way, the trustees set up a designated fund that remains part of the unrestricted funds of the charity. Restricted Funds are where the income has been raised for specific purposes. for individuals or for specific events. Going con¢ern The trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the charity's abiSity to continue as a going concern.
ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 RESTRICTED FUNDS Balance BIForward Receipts Payments Balance Clforward Transfers Mission fund Camp fund Church plant fund Building project fund Student WA Food Bank Church WA Moor College 1710) 23 398 682 11,253 398 11,253 297 385 4.329 1,485 11,186) 889 20 405 4.129 1200) 11,750) 265 Total Funds 12,333 7.183 (3,846 1.197 16,867 The Mission Fund continues to support various mission projects both at home and abroad. The Camp Fund was set up to fund young people, particularly those from families on low incomes to go on evangelistic summer camps. Due to the Covld 19 pandemic. no camps took place in the current year. The Church plant fund ie monies given for a potential new congregation to be planted in the future. There was no movement In thls fund during the year. The Building project fund was sel up to en**ble the construction and equipping of a functional church office and additional church building improvp.ments. There wgre 4 new rostrieted funds during 20?a which were set up as specific areas of ministry or giving identlfled by ihe trustees. These were the student weekend away, thc Excter Food Bank, the church weekend away and Alan Collins pastoral study at Moor College in Sydney. Australia. Previous Year Balan¢89 CiFoMard BIForward Receipts Payments Transfers Mission Fund Camp Fund Church Plant Fund Building Project Fund Local Outreach Fund (585) 25 11.253 11,253 Total Funds 12.333 25 12,333 12
ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 INCOME Donations received during the year are broken down as follow3: 2024 2023 Offerings and donations Gift aid tax refunds and GASDS 103,180 19.224 99,316 18.606 122.404 117.922 Income from charitable activities recelved during the year are broken down as follows: 2024 2023 Coffee morningsl Soup & Sweet Youth group subscriptions & Other income Junior Church Church Weekendl Student Weekendl Away Day Funeral service 1,285 2,539 839 2,401 225 3,337 4,926 238 8,988 6.802 EMPLOYMENT COSTS Total employee'8 remuneration fortho year amounted to £77.52712023: £61.5331 for five employees12023: three employees). Gross salarles amounied to £71,70712023: £54,002). Employer5, NIC amounted to a refund of 1£343) after a backdated claim of the employment allowance12023: £1,270). In addlilon. pension coiilributions of £6.163 were paid12023: £8.261). There were no 8mployees with rèmuneration above £60,000. 13
ST THOMAS BAPTIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 MISSION GIVING Grants were made to the following organisations in the year 2024 2023 Baptist Missionary Soc?ety ICE Trust (Schools Mission) Baptist Union Home Mission Exeter University Evangelical Christian Union Spurgeons St George's Morden Love into action Mission Aviation Fellowship Rwanda Hope Mission Trans World Radio Limited Moldova Other giving18ible College) 1.650 1.900 1.980 1,800 2.040 1,980 500 710 830 830 850 850 830 1,175 1,175 1.175 1,175 1,175 8,880 950 1,750 12,180 22.025 RELATED PARTY THANSACTIONsrrRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES No trustee, nor any person connected with them, received any ramuneration or other contributions from the charity during the year. No reimbursemeni of expenses In respect of services provtded by the trustees haa becn made or is due to be made to any of them in respect of the year. 14