Woodberry Down Baptist Church
Charity Number 1189018
Trustees Report 2023
Principal Trustees:
Lola Maselino, Jennifer Jones, Bryan Sycamore, Trevor Davis
Rev. Charles Mugenyi
190 Vartry Road London N15 6HA

The WOOdbe￿ Down Bap(is1 Church (Church) 's principal purpose is advancing the Christian
faith accordin8 to the principl¢s ofihe Baptists. The Church Also advances edu¢aiion and carries
out other charitablc purposes in the United Kiiigdom andlor other parts of the world.
In fulfilling the Purpose of th¢ Church, we engage in a range of activities and sometimes partner
with other organismiions to fulfill ihe church's vision and plan. These will vary from tirne to time
with activities being initiated, cxpanded: or closed, as appropriate.
The church's princip&l activities include-
• regular public worship. praver. Bible study, pr¢aching and teaching;
baptism by immersion. child dedication, wedding, funeral.
evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and intemationally.
Ihe teaching, encouragement, and welcoming of ¢hildren and young p¢ople;
edu¢ation and training for Christian and community seTh'ice'
supporting and encouraging charitable social a¢tion in the Unit¢d Kingdom and abroad-
offering pasioral eare, eneouraging relationships with and supporting boih other Christians and
those of no faith.
We give thanks to God who has gathered us lo serve Him, as we seek io s¢rvc one another and the
wider community. As a community of faith, we are still reelingT from the pand¢mic lockdowns that
have impacted church commiiment and attendance in general. Having said that however, the
church continucs to strive thanks to ils committed members and visitors. Over the past year. the
church welcomed som¢ ne￿, families and reiurning adherents inio membership which is ind¢ed a
sign ot renewal.

A Culture ofcare
Our main objective in 2023 was to build a Culture ol'care and support. ci)couraging people to return
to nom)ality following tl)c most difficult s¢astTrns of life where man),. up and doii"n the Lounlry,
were cc)crccd ihr()ugh public opinion into isolation. Several Inember5 are siill not contident eiiough
lo tak¢ a¢live rol¢s in th¢ lif¢ of the church. Sadly a few are still not willing to return to public
worship and or other church life a¢tivilies.
The Generational Gap
Anoth¢r asp¢¢t of our objectives is to address the widening generational gap in church attendance,
activity. and involvement.
Seniors were and still ar¢ gripped by the pandcmic fw of crowds and choose to sta). away from
¢ommunity-facing projects. The young generation seems to have found new ways of connecting to
others socially through th¢ internet instead of th¢ traditional physical presence and ¢ngagement.
This new reality engagement {rx)st-pand¢mic and lockdown) is challengingi ihe Ch￿￿h on how to
in¢lude young people meaningfully in the life of the church. A significanl number of our young
people show signs of diminished ¢ommunication skills and interaction abilities.
Ertg#ging the wbole Chureb
Part of our Culture of care and diminishing the generntional gap in church life is to develop 2nd
promote Community-facing activities and minisiry. These events or activities offer contacts the
opportunities for development and challenge aspecls of isol&tion and abandonment. These activities
are two-pronged in that they offer platfonns for engagement and serving others and in $0 doing
offering caring for both the service givers and beneficiaries.
F.vent* and Activitiey
Community Outreach provides opportunitics to meet with people from diverse
ba¢kgrounds and talk alx)ut life issues and battles that affect families and communities.

The oulr¢ach offers invitstions to consider the Christian faith and worldview in addressing
life battl¢s Ot right and wrong.
The Recovcry Program provided an opwrttbnity and activities to reach out to the
community who are suff¢ring From life-controlling addictions and habit5.
Hosting groups like Teen Challenge to address issues of addictions of all sorts, crime, and
punishm¢nl, and support for thos¢ who are choosing to walk away from destnjclive and
criminal lifestyles. Hearing testimonials of rndical transfornialion.
The Children's Club offers opportunities for parents and families to meei and provide a
needed service for the children to en8age in stimulating games, play schemes, and learn
new skills.
Sunday School- this popular weekly provision is more than a beautiful bible story tim¢. li
includes kids doing group activities. and singing imaginativ¢ songs. It is a plaiforn] for
children to develop social skills and other abilities.
Advocating for and inviting triends to the Menl Women and HealihlWelln¢ss events
inforni, educate, equip, and strengthen ¢omtnunities with positive living and respect for
healthy lifestyles.
(jiving to missions Ihat are reaching out with God's love to their respective audiences.
Food Pa￿elS - th¢ church donates small food parcels and hygiene pn)ducts to individuals
in need.
Pastoral visitations to those in distress and their families, usually followin8 a long illness,
etc or bereavement.
Vartry community residents - we supporl our I￿al communiry and ils social action events
whiLh aim to bring neighbours together through the "Know Your Neighbour" and care for
our ¢ommunity and residents.
These and other activities constitute some of th¢ work that we have undertaken to fulfill our
mission. goals. and purpose.

ChildrL'n's Club- Lego
'I'hese are kids, day ¢lubs that we run with our partners during the school half-lcnn i*eeks and
arouiid Bank holidays. These clubs are for primary school kids and their families. where children
get to play with a rarkge of legos, and craft%, sing and take part in the bible story times. and rcceive
prizes.
The Recovery ProgranL
The R¢cov¢ry Prograin has been running since Scoember 2018. It is a ministry for those who are
struggling ￿1th d¢stru¢tiv¢ and unwanted life-controlling habits and are seeking to lurn away from
them so they can live a more abundant and useful lifc. This progrdm is based on th¢ 12-step
program for alcoholics. However, the key component is that it is for those who believe that or want
to try out God through J¢sus as th¢"higher power"
The programEne is run by compassionate workers and volunieers who all experienced at some point
in their lives, some of the issues that those who ihey are geekin8 to help are Struggling with. The
i¢am aims to lead participants in a way that honors God and brings them out of E%)ndage from
destructive habits into a better way of living. Leading them to be able to manage lif¢ well and be a
blessing to their families and communities.
The programme rnns Monday, Tuesday. Thursday, and Saturd&y with an average attendance of 20 -
25 people each week.
Fcedback from some of the Recovery Program Participants
"Helped me rrdin my mipzd ic) be Jvlf-uware
'The cotsrse aceessible and relaiable, li helped me to evaluate ry own life
"I likedworking in.smaller group.s il madc li ea9ier io talk in smallergrouBf, we had
more limefor conversations WÉ. were ICSJ 5L.If-LOnSLiV
The pastor on behalf of the trustees and members appr¢¢i&tes everyone who supportcd. participated,
and prdyed for one or a number of these activities and events.

You will note trom th¢ accompanying accounts and the llldependent Examiner's report that
the church's accounts are in good stead. However, note thai the general income has dipFd from the
previous year due to ityegular giving and attendance, and the general economic downturn following
the pandemic. However, overall the church is in a good financial position lo continue its mission
and actlVl¢ies. The trustees and church athninislraiors (who compiled our ac¢ounts) are managing
the chur¢h funds pnjdently.
Signed..
Trustee
Name.. Charles Mugenyi, Pastor
Date= 0610412024

Woodbery Down Baptist Church
Receipts and Payments Account
for the period endlng 31 December 2023
2023
Restricted
Funds
2022
Total
Funds
Unrestrfcted
Funds
Total
Funds
Incomln
resourcas
Tithes and Donations
Hall Hire
Recove
ecls
Gift Aid Ref¥Jnrt
Other income
T¢)tals
62,104
5.231
67.335
420
3.992
39.7_44
7,013
118,495
81.746
3,992
26.875
39,734
107.598
10.897
108.621
Out
oin
resOu￿e$
Pastorate costs
33,405
33.405
32,055
Activities in relatson lo the work of
WDBC
J5,094
18,334
53,427
71,125
Totsls
68,499
18J34
86033
103.18
Nel Incomings for the year
39.099
-7.437
31,662
5,441
Adjustment lo totsl bank balance
I9.2￿)
Balances as at l January
Balances as at 31 December
165,726
36,350
202,076
177J45
28,913
233,7311
202,076
Assets as at 3tyiy2023
2023
201,402
32,335
233,738
2022
169.825
32,250
202,076
Current bank account balance
Deposit bank account balance
Total bank balances
Flxed Assèts
Church building lestimatedl
Manse lestimatedl
Other assets Ib35ed on asset register)
3,0￿,C4)0
450,000
32.046
Approved by
Name
Designatlon..
I ru-3FL
Date..
21 / oi(104

## **Independent Examiner’s Report** 

## **Report to the trustees of Woodbury Down Baptist Church** 

## **On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.** 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above church for the year ended 31 December 2023 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the 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 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 to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 


Signed: 

Date:   08 March, 2024 

Name: Teshale Joba 

Address:  39 South Grove, London, N15 5QG