BRIXHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Charitable Incorporated Organisation RegiSted Charity Number: 1175103 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
STATUTORY INFORMATION Name of the Charity.. BRIXHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Registered Address: Market st Brixham Devon TQ5 8EU Charity Registration Number. 1175103 Date of Registration: 11 October 2017 Trustees from 181 January 2023 to the date of this report Julia Andrews (from March 2023) Barrie Chivers (resigned April 2024) James Collins Jonathan Cox (resigned May 2023) Chris Forster (resigned December 2023) Rev Darrell Holmes Bemard Lewis Rev Colin Opie (from February 2024) Minister.. Rev. Darrell Holmes Property Trustees: The Baptist Union Corporation, {Baptist House. PO Box 44. 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxon, OX118RT). Bankers: Lloyds TSB. Independent Examiner: lan Barrett FCA FCIE BARREThS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND CHARTERED TAX ADVISERS 22 Union Street. Newlon Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2JS CHARITABLE OBJECT The Charity is govemed by an Approved Goveming Document since 11 Ih October 2017 when the Charitable Incorporated Organisalion was fomied. The Approved Goveming Document, the Constitution, affirns the principal pUoSe of the Charity as being the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom andlor other parts of the world. The Church occupies prernises which are held in trust for the Church by the Baptist Union coOratIon Ltd. as Holding Trustee. The premises continue to be held on Trusts which are entirely compatible the above objectives. Included in the premises are four small flats let to tenants at a low rent. A Manse is provided for the Ministerfs use, however it is currently rented out.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DECISION MAKING PROCESSES Membership of the church is obtsined in accordance wrth the procedures outlined in the Goveming Document of the church. Whilst highly valuing and encouraging baptism by total immersion, the thurch praclises open membership in that those who seek membership but have not been baptised according to the Baptist Union's Declaration of Principle may. at the discretion of the church members, meeting, be accepted for full membership based on their profession of faith. Church members are expected to adhere to the beliefs of the church, to commit themselves to serving Christ within the church and beyond, and to abide by the decisions of the ¢hurch meeting. Church Members. meetings take place al regular intervals through the year with one of these meetings constituting the Annual General Meeling at which members receive the annual accounts and reports, and consider matters of relevance for the coming year. A minimum of four ordinary meetings are required annually. Ordinary Church Members. meetings took place during the year on 29th January, 2181 March (including AGM). 23 May, 18th July. 20th September and 28th November. The church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. and all trustees are appointed by church members, meetings, observing the requirements of the goveming document. The managing trustees are responsible for the day to day running of the church's work and witness and for the financial and legal aspects of the charity. Church members are encouraged to seek appropriate roles furthering the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective. The trustees take relevant matters to the church meeting for consideration. and similarly matters may be raised by church members for trustee discussion and deliberation. A consensus of opinion is sought whenever possible. however. the governing document pemiits decisions to be made by voting or secret ballot. This was the second full year of the ministry of our Pastor Rev Darrell Holmes. Colin Opie Continued to seNe the church as part time Pastor in Training. Maria Orton continued to serve as part time Children Youth and Families Worker. Sharon Stoneman retired as part time cleaner and was replaced by Adline Lewis. Our Mission continued to be "Shining for Jesus in the dat*ness°which is focussed around: Shlnlng for Jesus and Ilving Ilves glorlfylng to Him. Sharing Jesus wlth the next generation and rwnoving obstacles that prevent them coming to Him. Shaping our community with love, showing compasslon to the least, the last and the lost OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The church provides, and provided in 2023, a variety of activities available to its membership and to the community at large. in order to achieve tts stated principal
objective, as set out above. The aim throughout is to show, through word and deed, the love of Jesus Christ to the community in which the church is set and to the wider world beyond, and to bring people into closer relationship with Him as living Lord. WORSHIP Central to this worf( is the provision of regular public ServIS of Christian worship. These services continued throughout 2023 with a moining service at 10.30am followed by a time of fellowship and drinks, which has proved very popular. A new initiative which proved popular was Breakfast Church when members of the adult congregation and the children and families from 'Shine' rnet for breakfast and a more informal service in the renovated Churth Hall. Al the first Breakfast Church missionaries from Afri(a working with BMS presented news of their work. Further Breakfast Church services are planned. A wide range of people from within the congregation have been involved in our Sunday services, for example preaching, leading or sharing prayers, reading scripture. sharing answers to prayer and leading sung worship. Our weekly teaching has been presented in sennon series: Knowing Jesus the l AM, Born for change (Moses), Jesus understands, Courageous limng (Joshua) and Ordinary people involved in the nativity. These have been applicable to everyday life and appreciated for giving insight into parts of both Old and New Testament. They are available by YouTube from the church website: brixhamba tist.or .uk . Regular alkage services have also enabled the children and families to join wtth the main congregation for foujsed teaching. Furthermore, barely a week went by withoul at least a few visitors from around the country and world, many of whom were on holiday or made us a destination church when they were in town. Our services have been liveslreamed and have had a strong following from online viewers, averaging around fifty devices each week. Brixham Baptist Church is therefore reaching far more than just the local community. PRAYER We acknowledge that prayer is a vital part of our cory)orate and individual lives. Regular midweek prayer meetings (altemate Wednesdays) and pre-service Sunday prayer meetings were held. A monthly Ladies Prayer Breakfasl took place. Other Prayer events during the year included Prayer for Unity and Prayer for Healing. An on-line prayer nelwork enabled prayer requests to be shared.
FELLOWSHIP Several groups continued to meet for friendship, study, prayer and encouragement. A new men's group commenced. EVANGELISM As part of our vision lo share Jesus and in keeping with Ihe Baptist Union's Declaration of Principle that it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to take part in the evangelisation of the world, we have organised specific evangelistic events including the Easter Trail and perf0rrnan of the Fishennan's Tail both at Furzeham Primary School and in the Church. CHILDREN, YOUTH and FAMILIES WORK In 2023, we ntinUed to connect wtth around 30 families in the local community through our various church activibes and community contacts. Our Children Youth and Families Worker, Maria Orton, worked with a dedicated team of 20 volunteers who were able to continue with the following activities. Our aim this year continued to be to share and show the love of Jesus and to enhance the childrens, and young people's quality of lrfe through providing a range of weekly activities that support and engage the local community. Shine (formerly called excite> Our Sunday Moming programme for children and families continued to be a great success. Shine delivered a diverse and engaging programme that provided a relevant and accessible framewoth for showng and sharing God's love. It met the needs of families of all backgrounds, those that are new to church and Ihose that have grown up in church. Families ate together. explored a series in the Bible in groups wilh creative craft. and then psented what they had done to the wider church family at the end of the seNice. It was great to see Shine continually growing and we were pleased to welcome some new families in 2023. Girls Brigade: The Girfs Brigade continued to meet on Thursday evenings. We are grateful to the dedicated team of officers and helpers who run the Girls Brigade as part of our church. It remained well attended and a fruitful part of our Children's WoJl(. Parents, Carers and Toddlers: Our Parents, Carers and Toddlers Group continued to reach a good number of families in the community and has a good reputation within the town for being a warm and welcoming group for relationship building, where the children can leam and grow in a safe environment. Each week we shared a Bible Story which was well received.
Kids Matter: We ran this parenting course'to equip parents and CarS in the local community who are facing disadvantage with confidence and compelence enabling them and their children to thrive.. Youth Alpha: We ran a Youth Alpha course on completion of which the group of young people continued to meet for teaching and friendship. Par8nt Disciploshlp: Maria spent time discipling, supporting and praying with parents. Christmas Hamper Project In November, we invited local Health Visitors and Social Services lo work with us to provide hampers for families in need within Ihe local community. We made 40 hampers of books, toys, Bible Stories and more and these were a great blessing to Ihe families who received them. We also hosted a Christmas Dinner Celebration for 100 people comprised of families we are connected with through our various provisions. We Ihank God for the many opportunities he has given us to disciple and bless families in our local CA)mmunity. OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES Our café The Front Room, continued throughout 2023 although reduced to Iwo days a week. It was staffed by a team of volunteets most of whom were connected with our church, but a few came from other churches and the wider Brixham community. The Front Room was open to all, fulfilling the aim of the church to be engaged with its community and providing a space in which customers felt welcomed and secure. It provided hot and cold drinks and a limited food menu and enabled people, both local residents and visitors to Brixham, to sit and chat. It was very busy at times and was a regular meeting place for individuals and groups in the town. Communlty coffea mornlngs were reo)mmenced in Ihe Church Hall on Thursday mornings following the closure during covid. They provided a drink and biscuits to those from the community or the congregation free of charge with the opportuntty of donations. This provided a meeting place forfriendship particularly to those who may be lonely wthout such provisions. Craft and Chat group met weekly forfriendship while participants could join in a range of craft activities in the"Front Room". Bible Journaling group also met regu- larly and enjoyed craft activities focusing on the bible. Both of these groups were open to all and were not restricted to members of the congregation. Meals were provided at Christmas and New Year to which members of the commu- nity and congregation were invited.
We donated Filled Backpacks for distribution by a charity for the horneless in Tor- bay. We also donated Shoeboxes filled with iiems for children in need distributed by Samaritan's Purse. A new Church W8bsit8 was developed to provide access to the general public and more detailed access to church members or leaders. Our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures were reviewed, updated and brought to the attention of the congregation. We discussed and responded to the Baptist Unlon Consultation on Ministerial Recognition Rules related to same sex marriage. USE OF THE BUILDING A new Pastor's Office more appropriate for use was built within the church building. The Church Hall was renovated and carpeted making it a more welcoming spa. An increasing number of groups from the community used the premises during 2023. In addition to the four flats which are rented out. we have subrnitted plans for conver- sion of part of the building to two more flats. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE The church measures its performance not simply in terms of numbers, including financial numbers, but also through the assessment of its success, or otherwise, in less tangible areas such as encouragement, discipleship and fellowship. We had 6 new members in 2023. We were saddened to lose 2 church members who resigned or transfeed membership and 3 church mernbers who died during 2023. At the end of the year church membership stood at 68. We are graleful to all the volunteers who gave their lime and effort to the work of the church. FINANCIAL REVIEW 2023 The church continued lo raise the funds needed to cary on its activities from within its membership and wider congregation. This was supplemented by the net rental income received from the flats and manse. and income received from the Front Room cafe together with income from hiring out both the church hall and The Front Room. The church played its part in the lrfe of the wder Church through grants made to organisations, societies, and individuals, working nationally or intemationally with Christian objectives compatible with the church's own objectives. Specific aid was given to Compassion UK and the Syriarrurkey earthquake appeal. The church is heawly dependent on its fellowship working as volunteers in all aspects of the church's activities, most of which ran without significant impact on the church's experKliture. but nonetheless contributed considerabty to the achievement of the church's objectives.
The trustees were graleful to the church's congregation for their generous financial support that enabled the church hall to be upgraded. The financial results for the year. together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements. The trustees are satisfied that they have sufficienl reserves at the year end together with the ongoing income anticipated. to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year. The trustees have made an assessment of the major risks faang the church and are satisfied that there are policies in place to minimise these risks. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES Charity law requires the trustees (the church leadership) to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of Ihe charity at the end of the finanoal year. In doing so the trustees ale required to.. 1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; 2. Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. 3. State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practi have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 4. Prepare the financial statements on the ongoing concem basis unless it Is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The leadership are responsible as managing trustees for maintaining proper accounting records which disdose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with charty law. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and other irregularilies. SIGNATURE AND DECLARATION I declare, in my capacity of charity trustee, that the trustees have approved the report on pages 210 8 and the accounts on pages 9 to 11 and have authorised me to sign on their behalf. Signed.. J. Andrews (trustee) 25th June 2024
Brlxham Baptlst Church Reeelpts and Payments Ac¢ount for the year ended 31st December 2023 2023 Charlty No 1175103 2022 101 Urtrestsyctetl Re5trkted TOTAL Income from: Donations and legocles Donations Offering5 Standing orders Gifts Glft Ald 8M5 Home Mission Other Build fund Churltoble actlvitles Front Room Youth events Bookshop Coffee morning5 Investments Interest Rent TOTAL INCOME 42 9242 37157 225 42 2243 2243 5837 39559 57 28598 216 9242 5837 37157 225 39559 57 18315 10283 216 917 201 917 201 3570 3274 2942 5199 490 8141 490 8044 9345 9345 113 113 91 91 546 36521 95142 546 36521 %556 32 35621 114064 16188 32 35621 130252 Expenditure on.. Choritoble actlvltles Front Room staff costs Travel & other expenses Youth worker expenses Vlsitlng ministry Church Insurance Light. heat & dter Repairs & maintenance Professional survev aeaning expenses Equipment 3550 3550 5828 42995 502 1619 5828 42995 502 1619 100 48694 1476 2769 145 1476 2769 145 i(xJ 4855 4283 3472 1779 54251 4283 3472 56030 6754 11389 6754 22947 11558 219 107 219 281 2650 281 2650 107
Brixham Baptist Church Charlty No 1175103 Receipt5 and Payments Account for the year ended 31st December 2023(tont'd} 2023 unresrrk¢ Resti?rted TOTAL 2022 Unre5trkted RestrfctEd TOTAL Ministeri171 Housing Council tax Housing Monse rentolproperty Insurance Service charge & fees Repairs & maintenance Other Worship & outreach Events Training Professional costs BMS 1909 8820 1909 1854 8400 1854 8820 314 1555 394 314 1555 394 294 1518 450 294 1518 450 1019 1019 65 720 65 855 2160 2100 2423 1530 573 365 855 2160 2100 2423 720 2451 2955 1264 2250 2250 8(Kl 201 705 464 Home Mission Donations Telephone & web hostlng Copyright & TV Licence Stationery & photocopier Church refreshments Other Loan repayment Bank tharges Warm room Calendars 4 Front Theatre Fluts expenditure Repairs & maintenance Development Other 1705 3235 573 365 814 327 327 814 191 586 191 362 0 150L)O 218 362 000 218 219 219 1075 1075 179 179 1033 1033 255 255 6692 3296 4687 4687 3296 4853 4853 TOTAL EXPENDITURE Transfer Net Receipts/pttyments IU028 12928 126956 98163 72031 170194 -18886 -11514 15901 -55843 -39942 Transftrs -11171 11171 Bank & Cash Balances At beginning olyeur Atend olyear I(K1072 70015 2635 102707 2292 72307 84171 58478 It72 2635 142649 102707
Brixham Baptist Church Charlty No 1175103 Statement ofAssets ond tsobilites ot315t December2023 2023 TOTAL 2022 rorAL Unrestrlcted Restri¢ted Unrestricted ResthrtÉd Cash Funds Lloyds Current account Lloyds Deposit account Cash 17595 50283 2137 71M)15 17595 2292 52575 2137 2292 72307 40249 59394 429 IOW72 40249 62029 429 102707 2635 2635 Note The trustees confirm, in accordance wtth the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012. that at the year end the CIO did not have any outstanding guardntees to third parties nor any debts secured on the assets of the CIO. Approved by the Trustees on 25th June 2024 and signed on their behalf by B. Lewis Trustee
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Brlxham Baptlsl Church CIO Charlty no. 1175103 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Brixham Baptist Church (the Church) for the year ended 31 December 2023. Responslbllltles and basls of the 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 2011 {the Act). I report in respect of my examination of the church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Direction5 given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{bl of the Act. Independent examlnerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connertion with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: l. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the church as required by section 130 ofthe Act; or 2. The accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to whith attention should be drawn in this report in orderto enable a proper understandi the accounts to be reached. lan Barrett FCA FCIE Barretts 22 Union Street Newton Abbot TQ12 ZIS I"July 2024