## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From** 1.1.2024 **Period start date To** 31.12.2024 **Period end date** **Charity name:** Diss Baptist Church CIO **Charity registration number:** 1181369 ## **Objectives and Activities** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|The purposes of the church are: 1. The
advancement of the Christian faith in
accordance with the basis of faith primarily
but not exclusively within diss and the
surrounding neighbourhood; and 2. Such
other charitable purposes as shall, in the
opinion of the charity trustees, put into
practice the Christian faith in accordance
with the basis of faith, including but not
limited to: the prevention and relief of need,
hardship and sickness; the advancement of
education; and the provision of facilities in
the interests of social welfare for recreation
or other leisure time occupation of
individuals who have need of such facilities
by reason of their youth, age infirmity or
disability, financial hardship or social
circumstances with the object of improving
their conditions of life provided that the
advancement of such purposes must be
undertaken in a manner that is consistent
with the doctrinal distinctives and ethical
statements as may be adopted and
amended by the church from time to time in
accordance with the provisions of the church
handbook.| |Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.|Para 1.17 and
1.19|Our purpose as a local church in Diss
continues to be to offer relevant and
impactful teaching from the Bible in a way
that our congregation can not only learn from
but practically apply in their daily lives.
A major step forward for us as a church in
2024 was formally affiliating to the
Fellowship of Independent Evangelical
Churches (FIEC) in October. Joining the
FIEC gives Diss Baptist Church a secure
place to locate both doctrinally and ethically
in the 21st Century UK evangelical church
space. We look forward to growing this link
along with our continued support and
affiliation with the Norfolk Gospel| Partnership. In 2024 our morning services attracted around 80 people, drawing in visitors and also people enquiring about the Christian faith. A Sunday school is available at this service and numbers are slowly increasing as new folks arrive. At 6pm we hold an evening service drawing a congregation of around 30 people. This service gives the wider leadership of the church an opportunity to lead and preach as well as other men to explore and develop their gifts in preaching and teaching. Our midweek activities continued strongly thanks to the hard work and commitment of our small army of volunteers. On a Tuesday our ladies meet together for bible teaching and prayer. Wednesday is a busy day for the church. Our morning ‘Coffee Stop’ bustles each week and during 2024 we continued to incorporate a short bible-based thought for the day which is appreciated by all who come, including those with no faith. On a Wednesday afternoon, JAM – our family and children’s club has continued to serve as a vital connection point with the community. Many good connections and friendships were built with the community through this endeavour. On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings we continued to go deeper in the bible in our fortnightly Life Groups and on the opposite fortnight our prayer meetings continued to be well attended and much valued. The weekly coffee morning each Thursday called Chatterbox continued throughout 2024 and is especially useful as a connection point on the Taylor Road neighbourhood. The work amongst the men of the church continues. On the last Saturday of the month a full English breakfast and a time for sharing, testimony, and prayer continued to be valued amongst the men. 2024 was a big year for local outreach and mission. Our ‘180 Street Outreach Team’ has gone on from strength to strength with a now established presence every third Saturday morning in the town. Following on from the previous year, Life Fest 2024 was held on Saturday 31st August. This festival style outreach devised and hosted by DBC was an afternoon on Diss Park of music, talks, games, crafts, stalls, Way Sport Motor Sport Team and all sorts of food establishments. It was great success as an opportunity to reach out to our town with the good news of the life that is offered in Jesus Christ. Diss Baptist Church played a prominent role |||in the town amongst refugees who were
placed in the Park Hotel. DBC was central to
the organisation of clothing, essential items,
and support amongst the community during
the early months of the year. We welcomed
many international families into our Sunday
services, children’s work, warm space, to our
coffee mornings, as well as befriending.
Most significantly we provided through the
first few months of 2024 EFL classes. A
team of volunteers was assembled to take
on this massive task.
We are grateful to God for our good
relationship with Diss Town Council. We
were also pleased to develop a good
friendship with Roydon Primary School
which became home to our Sunday services
from July 2024. This large, modern,
accessible and welcoming space with ample
parking is ideal for our growing congregation
and we are very grateful to the school.
We give thanks to God for the generosity of
our church members in their financial
support, their prayers, and their practical
help and support in so many ways (often
totally unnoticed). But most of all we thank
Him for the reason we do this - His Son
Jesus Christ, and the reason we can do this,
the divine help he gives us through God the
Holy Spirit.| |---|---|---| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|The charity trustees of Diss Baptist Church
have had regard to the guidance on public
benefit in the activities of the charity.| ## **Additional information (optional)** ## You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other ## **Achievements and Performance** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.|Para 1.20|See information and comments included in
the main activities identified above.| **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Achievements against
objectives set|Para 1.41|| |---|---|---| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|| |Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|| |Other||| ## **Financial Review** |**Financial Review**||| |---|---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|Total income for the year from collections
was £126,053.50 . After adding gift aid (from
HMRC) specific mission giving total income
was £153,821.85
Total expenses for the year were
£89,563.04, of which £ 43,734.74
was spent on employees’ salaries and
expenses. Total mission giving was £6,192
for the year.
As a consequence, the surplus with income
greater than spending was £64,258.81| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|Reserves policy – general reserves (not
including funds already designated for
specific spending) should normally be
between 3 and 6 months spending| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|Total unrestricted funds held were equal to
£130,928.27.
Reserves are higher than the reserve policy
stipulation, but with the sale of the Manse
and the potential for purchasing a new
property, additional funds for development
may be needed.| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|N/A| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|N/A| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|N/A| **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |||| |---|---|---| |The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|Para 1.47|| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|| |Other||| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s
trusts:||| |---|---|---| |Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|Trust deeds: Church Building, Church
Manse; Handbook and Constitution.| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|CIO| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Para 1.25|The Constitution covers the election of
trustees – elders of the church (voted on by
church members) become trustees. If there
are fewer than 3 elders then their number is
supplemented by members of the diaconate.| **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
training of trustees|Para 1.51|| |---|---|---| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|| |Relationship with any related
parties|Para 1.51|| |Other||| ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|Diss Baptist Church| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|N/A| |Registered charity number|1181369| |Charity’s principal address|Diss Baptist Church
Denmark Street
Diss
IP22 4LE| ||| **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
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20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee(if any)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Jonathan
Armstrong|Pastor/elder||Membership| ||Trevor Hart|Elder||Membership| ||Joseph Bannister|Elder||Membership| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| – Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved **Director name** Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity **Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year** ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** **Type of Name Address adviser** ## **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** ## **Exemptions from disclosure** Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details ## **Other optional information** Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signaturnls) Position leg Secretary. Chair, etc) ## **Pastor’s/Trustees’ Report 1st January – 31st December 2024** Our purpose as a local church in Diss continues to be to offer relevant and impactful teaching from the Bible in a way that our congregation can not only learn from but practically apply in their daily lives. A major step forward for us as a church in 2024 was formally affiliating to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) in October. Joining the FIEC gives Diss Baptist Church a secure place to locate both doctrinally and ethically in the 21st Century UK evangelical church space. We look forward to growing this link along with our continued support and affiliation with the Norfolk Gospel Partnership. In 2024 our morning services attracted around 80 people, drawing in visitors and also people enquiring about the Christian faith. A Sunday school is available at this service and numbers are slowly increasing as new folks arrive. At 6pm we hold an evening service drawing a congregation of around 30 people. This service gives the wider leadership of the church an opportunity to lead and preach as well as other men to explore and develop their gifts in preaching and teaching. Our midweek activities continued strongly thanks to the hard work and commitment of our small army of volunteers. On a Tuesday our ladies meet together for bible teaching and prayer. Wednesday is a busy day for the church. Our morning ‘Coffee Stop’ bustles each week and during 2024 we continued to incorporate a short bible-based thought for the day which is appreciated by all who come, including those with no faith. On a Wednesday afternoon, JAM – our family and children’s club has continued to serve as a vital connection point with the community. Many good connections and friendships were built with the community through this endeavour. On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings we continued to go deeper in the bible in our fortnightly Life Groups and on the opposite fortnight our prayer meetings continued to be well attended and much valued. The weekly coffee morning each Thursday called Chatterbox continued throughout 2024 and is especially useful as a connection point on the Taylor Road neighbourhood. The work amongst the men of the church continues. On the last Saturday of the month a full English breakfast and a time for sharing, testimony, and prayer continued to be valued amongst the men. 024 was a big year for local outreach and mission. Our ‘180 Street Outreach Team’ has gone on from strength to strength with a now established presence every third Saturday morning in the town. Following on from the previous year, Life Fest 2024 was held on Saturday 31st August. This festival style outreach devised and hosted by DBC was an afternoon on Diss Park of music, talks, games, crafts, stalls, Way Sport Motor Sport Team and all sorts of food establishments. It was great success as an opportunity to reach out to our town with the good news of the life that is offered in Jesus Christ. Diss Baptist Church played a prominent role in the town amongst refugees who were placed in the Park Hotel. DBC was central to the organisation of clothing, essential items, and support amongst the community during the early months of the year. We welcomed many international families into our Sunday services, children’s work, warm space, to our coffee mornings, as well as befriending. Most significantly we provided through the first few months of 2024 EFL classes. A team of volunteers was assembled to take on this massive task. We are grateful to God for our good relationship with Diss Town Council. We were also pleased to develop a good friendship with Roydon Primary School which became home to our Sunday services from July 2024. This large, modern, accessible and welcoming space with ample parking is ideal for our growing congregation and we are very grateful to the school. support, their prayers, and their practical help and support in so many ways (often totally unnoticed). But most of all we thank Him for the reason we do this - His Son Jesus Christ, and the reason we can do this, the divine help he gives us through God the Holy Spirit. Diss Baptist Church Profit and Loss January - December 2024 Tolal Incom¢ 2000 C￿NChequeS/Sla￿d[ng Ord8r8 2010 Gfft Ald 126.053.50 2020 GASD Tax Reclalm 2030 Gift Aid Tax Re¢￿¥med 16.452.31 Totsl 2010 GFftAid 17,435.39 2040 IA¢Br8st Red 9.330.46 2060 Jam IAonoy 2070 Taylor Road Money 2100 Mlssion Donatbons Fty 92.X) 2195 Way4SPOrt Total 2100 Mlsslon Do1￿0￿& Fty 2200 Rqthcted 2230 Wtlfare 110 Totsl 2200 Restr￿￿￿tr 110. Total Inc¢)ff 153,821.85 Gros5 Pmfflt 153.821.85 3000 Salary & ExpBTrB8S 3010 Salary Tax Nl 3020 Pon&ion Ci)nt 38.332.82 3,27144 3030 Mikag8 & Expenses 1.125.05 1.005.43 30SO Gu0St Pro8C 124.rKJ Totsl 3000 Salary & Exp•ns8 4000 Man50 43,856.74 4030 Councll TaxlWat¢r Etc. -407.59 Total 401X) Manse 407.59 SOOO Chur¢h 5020 Re￿?￿15 & IAalrtonance 6040 Cleanlng 5050 Ga5 & El8¢ts5¢ty 5060 Water Rats5 557.22 11.91925 490.21 5080 Ir￿u￿t+ 1.878.54 5090 Hlrg of PMnSws for Sunday Sgrylc•s Tolal 6000 Chur¢h 5.1S6.40 20.367.62 6000 Adminlstration 6005 Accounlancy Fee8 6010 Books & Ltterniu 875.60 257.48 6015 Copy Rlght 8020 Gen8ral Cat•tho 6025 Hoalth & Saf 644.85 1.058.83 456.75 6035 Professional Fo08 957.50 6040 PutAlclty 6048 Statlonory & Offi￿ sup￿￿8 6050 Subscrlptlon8 19.(Kl 1.134.27 3.1Q8 87 6066 Talephon• & BwD•dlwKI 6060 Tralnlng 6070 W•bilt•llntomot 579.44 -27.50 2.431 04 Tot•1 601MJ Admlnl•lr•tlon 11.495.93 7000 Actfvlty Exp•r* 7100 OutrM¢h 7105 Chrf•¢i•nlty Explornd 7136 T•yl+X Road 1.423 94 7140 V8rfoLO OutM•ch 7170 1800utrnaGh 187 04 Total 7100 lJulr•ach 2,267.30 7180 Ufg F••t 4.648.55 7170 Rofugo• Ftsnd 7200 Youth 27.49 7110 JIM 1.001 44 7216 J•m+ 1508 7226 sund￿ S¢hool Total 7200 Youih 1,113.00 8.OS6.34 Totsl 7000 Acdvbty Exp•￿# 8000 Mlsalon. Oonatbom To 8010 Asla Llnk 3,(O).Q) 3,0ty).(•J 8012 Grac• 8¥p¢l•t PIS To1•18000 MO••lon. Don•tlon8 To 8.000.00 •OOO Gen•r41 Donlltl( 9010 FIEC 192CK) Totsl 9￿0 13•norn1 Donauo 192.00 Totsi ExpenBe8 89.563.04 Not Operatlno In¢om8 64,2S8.81 64.288.01 Mon¢Jay. M•r 03. 2025 08'.12.'47 WO- G•6h 8•slB Diss Baptist Church Statement of Assets & Llabiiili As of De¢ember 31, 2024 2024 Flxed Assets Church & Pemises F￿tureS l Fumiture l Equipment £350,000.00 £12,803.33 £362.803.33 Mans¢ roslrlct•d Fund £400.275.98 CurrnrtAs8ffl8 Current Account Savings Account 8usine88 Prem: Account £6,935.05 £39,995.98 £86,997.24 Totsi CUrrnntA￿*ts £133.928.27 TotaiA88ats £897.007.58 Totsl £897.007.58 Funds Unrestricted Fund Restrlcted Fund Manse restrlcted Fund Capitsl Fund £130,928.27 £3,000.00 £400.275.98 £362.803.33 Totsl Fund8 £897,007.58 hab* bwn uTrJ•rth¢ Iler*pts & Payftwnts baili. Homecote Creeting St. Peter Ipswich, IP6 8QR T: 01449 490010 E: jo@boaservices.co.uk ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Diss Baptist Church** ## **Charity No. 1181369** ## **Year Ended 31[st] December 2024** I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Diss Baptist ('the charity') for the year ended 31[st] December 2024. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. I report in respect of my examination of the 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or 3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Signed: Date:** 4[th] August 2025 **Name:** Johanne Thomas, FICB PM.Dip **Relevant profession qualifications or body (if any):** Institute of Certified Bookkeepers 122-126 Tooley Street London, SE1 2TU Johanne Thomas trading as BOA Services Licenced and regulated by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) Practice Licence Number: 12343