## Bethel Baptist Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 March 2024
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE The Manse Minyrafon Tredegar NP22 4AL GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution dated 12 February 2015 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1164490 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Rev T Hallam MANAGING THE CHARITY Mr R Harding Mr C Hutchings Mr C Jones Mr J Williams Mr T G Keough (Appointed: May 2024) BANKERS Barclays Bank PLC INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Lisa Darby FCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
## **INDEX**
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-7 Trustees' Report Page 8 Independent Examiner's Report Page 9 Receipts and Payments Account Page 10 Statement of Assets and Liabilities Pages 11-12 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.
## **Objects of the charity**
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a constitution. The Trust seeks to present the Christian Gospel in words and actions to the local community in Tredegar and further afield.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the Trust.
The method of appointment of Church trustees is set out in the Church constitution and rules. At Bethel, the trustees are made up of the Church minister, together with the other four elders who are appointed by the Church membership following recommendations by the Church eldership.
The trustees are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance in church matters including deciding on how the funds of the Church are spent. All major financial decisions are confirmed by the membership of the Church.
## **Aims and purposes**
The trustees of 'Bethel Baptist Church' Tredegar have the responsibility of co-operating with their minister, Rev Trystan Hallam, in promoting 'the advancement of the Christian Faith in accordance with the Church's basis of faith, primarily but not exclusively within Tredegar and the surrounding neighbourhood and such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the members of the Church in general meeting, further the work of the Church.'
The trustees are also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church premises located in the Georgetown area of Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent.
## **Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements**
The trustees and minister of the Church are committed to enabling as many people as possible, both young and old to worship at our Church and participate in the many activities undertaken at the Church and elsewhere each week.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission. In particular, we try to enable people from all walks of life to live out their faith as part of our Church community through:
- Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus Christ.
- Provision of pastoral care for people living in the community.
- Missionary and Outreach work for both young and old alike.
To facilitate this work, it is important that the trustees oversee the maintenance and fabric of the Church premises in Georgetown, Tredegar.
Page 2
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## a) WORSHIP AND PRAYER
The minister and trustees are keen to offer a range of services and activities during the week and over the course of the year – that members of the community find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling.
On Sundays, two worship services are held in the morning and evening, with Sunday school and crèche activities incorporated into the morning service. Whenever possible, these services are livestreamed to a wider audience. A number of family and youth services have also been held throughout the year which have been well received by those attending. Midweek services have continued for children of primary school age together with a senior youth group for those attending secondary school. A well attended toddlers and carers group has also helped in establishing links with the community. The weekly morning walk at ‘Brynbach Park’, the ladies knitting group and ‘Encourage’ group for those struggling with addiction problems have continued, whilst the weekly prayer and bible study has remained a priority for the church members.
Saturday morning times of prayer covering all the church activities have been held in January and September of the year, whilst a Men’s Bible study was begun in the Autumn to help identify suitable candidates to become new church officers in 2024.
At present there are 59 members of the church. During the twelve months of this report – two members were removed from the church membership roll because of death or resignation, three new members were gladly received into membership during the year.
Numbers attending both Sunday and midweek service have remained consistent, with between 50-70 in attendance in the morning and 35-50 in the evenings, although these numbers are greatly increased at the special services held at Christmas, Easter and the Mission weekend.
As well as our regular services and activities, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through believers’ baptism, we thank God for the gift of spiritual life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services both family and friends are able to express their grief and give thanks for the life of the deceased. During the twelve months of this report there have been no weddings at the church, but sadly three funerals, whilst we give thanks to God for one baptism held over that period.
Regular trustees and elders’ meetings have been held throughout the year with trustees decisions and recommendations discussed and confirmed at regular church membership meetings.
Grateful thanks must be recorded by Pastor Trystan and the elders for the work of the many members involved in the ministry of both Sunday and midweek services and activities throughout the year, together with those responsible for the live-streaming and recording of our Sunday services for a wider audience on various social media platforms.
Page 3
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## b) PROVISION OF PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral care for both church members and attendees has continued under the direction of Pastor Trystan Hallam together with the other four elders, each responsible for those assigned to their pastoral care group. Trustees are grateful for the conscientious work of one of the elders – Carl Hutchings, who has continued to be employed one day a week assisting the Pastor and the other elders in the regular pastoral visitation and care of both members and friends attending the church fellowship.
During the months of May and June 2023, Pastor Trystan was able to enjoy a sabbatical leave of absence from his church duties in recognition of his faithful ministry at the church over the past six years. During his leave of absence, Pastor Trystan was able to write a paper on the life of John Newton presented to a ministers conference, together with attending a conference and lectures at ‘Union’ College, Bridgend, as well as visiting a number of local churches on Sundays. His time away allowed him to be spiritually refreshed – ready to recommence his duties in July 2023. Trustees are grateful for all those ministers who took the Sunday services during the time of sabbatical leave of absence together with the elders who led the weekly prayer meetings and undertook the pastoral care of church members and attendees during this time.
With an eye to the future and the appointment of new church officers, a special church meeting was held in April 2023 for Pastor Trystan to preach on the duties and responsibilities of church elders and deacons, whilst in the Autumn of 2023, a men’s bible study group was established in order to help identify suitable candidates for becoming an elder or deacon – the eventual appointments to be made in April/May of 2024.
## Safeguarding Matters:
Trustees are grateful for the continued work of those appointed by the church to oversee this important ministry, namely: Pastor Trystan as the lead safeguarding person, Adrian Tuck – deputy together with committee members Ann Harding and Carl Hutchings. DBS checks have been reviewed and updated as required together with a review of the Church Safeguarding policy.
In addition to the safeguarding policy, trustees are grateful for the work of Adrian Tuck who has written new church policies on the following subjects: Reserve policy, complaints procedures policy, conflict of interest policy, harassment and bullying policy, expenses policy, church investments policy, media policy. Copies of all these policies are available for perusal with a file containing all the policies kept at the church.
Page 4
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## c) MISSIONARY AND OUTREACH WORK:
The Church at ‘Bethel’ demonstrates its faith in practical terms by helping those in need, both in the local community and also further afield.
Throughout the year, the weekly provision of food parcels have been delivered to needy individuals and families in the local community. Trustees are grateful to the generous giving of supplies towards this vital work by church members and friends together with those members who organise this ministry of the church. Over the Christmas period – special Christmas food hampers were distributed bringing great joy for those who received them.
Note 3 of the accounts sets out the gifts paid out during the year to the following Christian charities: ‘Leprosy Mission’, ‘Release International’, ‘Associating Evangelical Churches of Wales.
In addition, regular gifts have continued to be sent in support of ‘Casa - Mea’ - a home looking after individuals with additional needs in Moldova, ‘Barnabas Aid’ and the ‘Christian Institute’. Financial support has also continued for a number of Christian workers based in Wales working for ‘UCCF’ in Cardiff and with ‘Hope for the Valleys’ working in various schools and churches in the Heads of the Valleys area.
Despite the on-going cost-of-living crisis, trustees are grateful for the continued faithful giving of both members and friends associated with the church which has enabled this financial support for both the needs of the church and further afield to continue.
Grateful thanks must also be expressed to the church treasurer – Jeff Williams for his diligent work in administering and distributing the funds raised for these various causes.
## Outreach in the Community
Sunday services at the church have continued to be live streamed whenever possible throughout the year and made available to a wider audience through various social media platforms. The church website has also proved to be a useful vehicle in establishing links with those interested in the Christian faith but unable to attend the church in person – with its archive of sermons preached in recent years.
Continued visits to the local Bedwellty Park has proved to be popular with the church and local community. Over Easter an extremely successful egg hunt and trail were organised resulting in over 360 eggs, together with Easter literature being given away. During August a well-attended church family picnic was also held on a Saturday afternoon in the Park.
Visits to ‘Woffington House’, ‘Ty Scott’ and ‘Greenacres’ communities of help to the elderly and persons with additional needs were held to celebrate Easter and Christmas with the residents. Over Christmas the church was very busy manning a stall on the evening of the town lights being switched on, one Saturday morning carols were sung in the shopping precinct accompanied by the town community band, whilst a craft and carols afternoon was organised at the local ‘Georgetown Hub’, together with the community shop/warm space being open the fortnight before Christmas.
Once more, an Autumn mission weekend was organised with a Friday evening buffet at the Orchid Café in Bedwellty Park, with Mark Stone, the guest speaker who also shared in the Sunday Family service. To complete the weekend a well-attended community fun morning at the local leisure centre was held on the Saturday. For those interested in discovering more about the Christian faith, a ‘Christianity Explored’ course has also been held followed by a ‘Discipleship Explored’ course with encouraging relationships built up over the times of the courses and in the following days.
Page 5
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
Throughout the year, a small team of workers from the church, led by Ann Ford has continued their visits to a number of local primary schools, presenting the Christian faith to the pupils attending these sessions. Members have also assisted Mick Moffett – ‘Hope for the Valleys’ worker in his outreach into schools and the community by using the football cage.
This year has seen a major expansion of community outreach led by the church’s full-time community outreach worker Melanie Zieglar. She has established a number of new ventures with members manning a stall in the town’s classic car day together with Cefn Golau’s Fun Day. Her links with folks from various countries has also led to a number of events being held at the chapel for these ‘Internationals’ to get together and forge friendships. Her greatest contribution, however, has to be her work in setting up the community shop/warm space in the town. Two venues were used during the year, the current venue opened in December 2023 prior to Christmas and has continued for two days per week up until the present time. Melanie, helped by the members of the church meet there with a large number of needy folk who would not normally visit the church, sharing with them in their difficulties and problems and extending a hand of friendship in troubled times. At the close of the year, grants were being sought from various Christian charities to possibly extend Melanie’s two year contract from December 2024.
d) CHURCH PREMISES
During the year, repairs to the roof at the front of the chapel were undertaken costing £4,920. Whilst the scaffolding was erected, the surrounds of the windows, door and name of the church were repainted with grateful thanks to Jeff Williams and Gerald Phillips. At the back of the church, on the Greenfield side, trees were cut back together with large bushes which had grown up over the years. In October 2023, a new case was fitted at the front of the church, housing the defibrillator – a lifesaving help to immediate neighbourhood and the church.
The usual annual service of the boiler together with the fire inspection in August were also undertaken.
Trustees express their grateful thanks and appreciation for the diligent work of Mr and Mrs Graham Francis – church cleaners/caretakers together with others who have continued to work conscientiously throughout the year to keep the church premises clean and safe for all those who attend.
Trustees would also wish to record their grateful thanks to all the voluntary helpers who work so hard in the many activities and services, the church provides for the community.
## **Financial review**
Trustees are grateful to God for His continued goodness in enabling members and friends of the church to generously continue their financial support of the church despite the ongoing cost of living crisis. Many members have continued to use bank transfers to facilitate their giving, whilst others prefer to use the weekly offering envelopes which are still available to use. The finances have allowed the church to fully renumerate all its employees, namely Pastor Trystan Hallam, Carl Hutchings – pastoral visitor for 1 day per week, Melanie Zieglar - Community Outreach Worker and Mr and Mrs Graham Francis – cleaner/caretaker. As already stated, the church has also been able to continue its generous support of many Christian organisations together with individual Christian workers. Trustees express their grateful thanks and appreciation for the diligent work of Jeff Williams (church Treasurer) for his conscientious administration of the church finances including in October 2023 the transfer of funds from the account held in ‘Kingdom Bank’ to the account held in the charities deposit fund, thus gaining a far better interest rate for savings held in this account.
Page 6
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
At the end of the year, total funds held were £108,930 (2023: £119,529). Of these £107,405 are unrestricted funds of which £19,099 are designated for purpose and the remaining £88,306 are for general use. The charity holds £1,525 of restricted funds relating to income received with restrictions placed on its use.
## **Reserves policy**
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of three months' of normal unrestricted expenditure, so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. This would amount to a reserve requirement of approximately £23,600 whereas at the year end the charity held unrestricted cash of £107,405. The charity is holding excess reserves in anticipation of future recruitment of staff posts and therefore the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
## **Approval**
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
## Trystan Rh Hallam
Trystan Rh Hallam (Jan 22, 2025 16:22 GMT)
____________________________ Rev. Trystan Hallam
Jan 22, 2025 Date:_______________________
Page 7
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Bethel Baptist Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024 on pages 9 to 12 following.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2. 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 to be reached.
Lisa Darby Lisa Darby (Jan 22, 2025 16:26 GMT)
Lisa Darby FCA
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
> Date: Jan 22, 2025
Page 8
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations and grants
Gift aid receipts
Income from charitable activities
Interest received
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
3
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
5
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net
of
receipts
/
(payments)
before
transfers
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly|Unrestricted
Funds
£
64,504
14,100
1,454
2,701
82,759
89,289
5,240
94,529
(11,770)
-
(11,770)
119,175
107,405|Restricted
Funds
£
2,166
-
-
-
2,166
-
995
995
1,171
-
1,171
354
1,525|Endowment
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2024
£
66,670
14,100
1,454
2,701
84,925
89,289
6,235
95,524
(10,599)
-
(10,599)
119,529
108,930|2023
£
71,435
14,564
1,555
656
88,210
72,792
11,839
84,630
3,580
-
3,580
115,949
119,529|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 11-12 form part of these accounts.
Page 9
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**A Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
COIF Charities Deposit Fund
Kingdom Bank
Cash in hand
**B**
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
**C**
**Liabilities**
Potential Repayment of Grant
Fee for Independent Examination
**D**
**Assets retained for charity's own use**
Freehold building
Equipment|Unrestricted
funds
£
22,023
66,262
-
21
**88,306**|Designated
funds
£|Restricted
funds
£|Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
-
**-**|2024
£
42,647
66,262
-
21
**108,930**
13,305
**13,305**|2023
£
55,032
24,236
40,234
28
**119,529**
14,100
**14,100**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||
|||19,099
-
-|1,525
-
-
-||||
|||**19,099**|**1,525**||||
||13,305
**13,305**|-
**-**|-
**-**|-
**-**|||
||-
1,440
**1,440**|-
-
**-**|1,300
-
**1,300**|-
-
**-**|1,300
1,440
**2,740**|-
1,320
**1,320**|
||||||Insurance
value
2024
£
1,600,140
78,867
1,679,007|Insurance
value
2023
£
1,600,140
78,867
1,679,007|
The trustees have used insurance values as the trustees are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
Trystan Rh Hallam by Trystan Rh Hallam (Jan 22, 2025 16:22 GMT) date Jan 22, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------Rev. Trystan Hallam
The notes on pages 11-12 form part of these accounts.
Page 10
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects. Endowment funds are donations that are retained as capital in accordance with the donor's wishes. The nature of the restriction determines whether the endowments represent permanent endowments or expendable endowments.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
funds funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
Employment costs Note 4 61,928 - - 61,928 48,113
Property costs:
Repairs and maintenance 7,551 - - 7,551 7,272
Utilities 4,815 - - 4,815 3,319
Cleaning 2,280 - - 2,280 2,280
Insurance 1,634 - - 1,634 1,309
Visiting preachers 2,130 - - 2,130 1,390
Equipment - - - - 837
Licences and safeguarding 1,376 - - 1,376 1,951
Outreach activities 3,305 - - 3,305 3,605
Printing and publications 121 - - 121 -
Work among the young 1,051 - - 1,051 987
Independent examination fee 1,320 - - 1,320 1,200
Legal fees - - - - -
Other costs 1,779 - - 1,779 529
89,289 - - 89,289 72,792
3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others
Organisations:
Mission giving 5,036 995 - 6,031 10,817
Individuals:
Benevolent and mission gifts 204 - - 204 1,022
5,240 995 - 6,235 11,839
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **4 Transactions with related parties**
Rev Trystan Hallam served as the Pastor and Mr Carl Hutchings served as Pastor's Assistant and received remuneration (including pension where relevant) of £34,440 (2023: £34,440) and £6,996 (2023: £6,997) respectively for serving in those capacities, not for serving as trustees. The constitution of the church permits the remuneration of the minister and an assistant minister notwithstanding that they are trustees of the church.
During the year, a congregational collection of £316 was paid for a gift to Trustee Clive Jones in celebration of his 50th wedding anniversary. This transaction is part of the specific offerings restricted fund movement for the year.
All other payments made to trustees are direct reimbursements for expenditure incurred on behalf of the charity.
Page 11
## **BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**5**
**Movement of funds**
General funds
Designated Funds
Staff Fund
**Unrestricted Funds**
Restricted funds
Specific offerings
Community Worker Fund
**Restricted Funds**
**Total funds**
Transfers between funds:|Balance at
31 Mar 2023
£
84,231
34,944
119,175
354
-
354
119,529|Receipts
£
82,084|Payments
£
(75,704)|Transfers
£
(2,305)
2,305
-
-
-
-
-|Balance at
31 Mar 2024
£
88,306
19,099
107,405
225
1,300
1,525
108,930|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||675
82,759
866
1,300|(18,825)
(94,529)
(995)
-|||
|||2,166
84,925|(995)|||
||||(95,524)|||
The General fund transferred £2,305 to the staff fund as part of its 10% mission giving for 2023/2024
Page 12