**KINGSBRIDGE FAMILY CHURCH** ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS **YEAR END MARCH 31[st] 2025** ## **INTRODUCTION** Kingsbridge Family Church (KFC) a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered since 9th December 2021. This report covers the period from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. 1 ## **CONTENTS** |ABOUT|3-4| |---|---| |PURPOSES, VISION, VALUES AND ACTIVITIES|5-8| |MINISTRIES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH|9-21| |DISCIPLESHIP AND SAFEGUARDING|23| |LOCAL/OVERSEAS SUPPORT|24| |FINANCIAL REVIEW|25| |ACCOUNTS|26-29| |GOVERNANCE|30-31| |ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION|32| 2 ## **ABOUT** We are a lively, welcoming Baptist church in Kingsbridge, Devon. Being a member of Kingsbridge Family Church is about believing, belonging and being committed to one another - all of us playing an active part in the life of the church family, working as a team. Whether just starting to explore faith or looking for a Christian community to belong to - all are welcome to come and make themselves at home ## **GATHERED CHURCH** Our main weekly meeting for worship is on a Sunday at 10:30. An average attendance is around 70-100 people of all ages. The Church continues to grow in both membership and regular attenders. We hold a weekly prayer meeting every Thursday morning during term time. Over the past year, our Christmas and Easter services have received strong support from the local community, including many participants from our many weekly outreach activities. It was wonderful to see the building filled with people and to celebrate baptisms during our Easter service. Our nativity service was filled with lots of fun with the opportunity for both adults and children to dress up and take part. 3 We also joined with Kingsbridge Churches Gathering throughout the year for combined services and the Good Friday Walk of Witness and joint churches service on the quay. ## **WORSHIPPING CONGREGATION** Our weekly Sunday morning meetings for Christian worship are open to all in the community. Sunday discipleship groups run for both children and youth. Our Sunday talks are uploaded to YouTube and our website in order that those who are unable to attend or simply want to revisit the subject can do so. On occasions we live stream services and events as required. 4 ## **CHARITABLE PURPOSES, VISION, VALUES &** ## **ACTIVITIES** ## **PURPOSE** The principal purpose of the Church is 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 and/or other parts of the world. 5 ## **VISION** We are a church in the heart of Kingsbridge with a vision to: ## **. Follow Jesus, Be Family and Love Community** We seek to achieve through the following strategic aims and objectives: ## **1. Commitment** To help an increasing number of people become committed Christians and part of the life and worship of the Church. ## **2. Discipleship** To disciple each member in an atmosphere of love, prayer and Bible teaching to follow and become like Jesus. ## **3. Service** To release every member into ministry and mission in the power of the Holy Spirit, with opportunities to discover, develop and fruitfully use their gifts. ## **4. Unity** To build together in unity with other churches to reach the whole town and region with the Gospel, to be salt and light in the region and to bless the nations of the world, especially the poorest and persecuted, and to care for the planet. 6 ## **VALUES** The vision to _Follow Jesus, Be Family and Love Community_ is underpinned by the following core values of church life: **‘RIDE’** ## **ROOTED** We are confident in our Christ-given identity and stay true to who he is calling us to be. ## **IGNITED** We are filled with the Holy Spirit to be courageous and contagious ## **DEVOTED** We commit fully and love sacrificially without giving up ## **EXPECTANT** We seek Jesus’ hope and light in every situation 7 ## **ACTIVITIES** Our principal activities to achieve our charitable purposes for the public benefit are: - The provision of Gathered Church services and events for the general public including regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching; Baptism, as defined in the Baptist Union’s Declaration of Principle; The Communion of the Lord’s Supper. - Evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. - Local community outreach activities and events. - The provision of services, events and programmes for Children and Youth. - The provision of programs of discipleship; teaching and training for Christian and community service. - Giving and encouraging pastoral care - Supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and abroad. - Encouraging relationships with and supporting Baptists and other Christians. 8 ## **MINISTRIES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH** As we look back on 2024/25. the following are examples of our key ministry activities throughout the year as we sought to put faith into practice in a variety of ways: Our building enables us to run a range of activities during the week. These are facilitated by both church members and/or community collaborations together with various one-off events. **1. Pop-In** **2. Kids Church** **3. Youth Church** ## **4. Kingsbridge Youth For Christ: The Lounge Youth Club** **5. Kingsbridge Youth For Christ: Christian Union** **6. Brunch Sundays** **7. Pastoral Team** **8. Soul Food** **9. Thrive Devon** ## **10. CAP** **11. Pilates** ## **12. Sewical** **13. Love Your Park** 9 ## **POP-IN** In May 2024 Pop-in celebrated its 8th birthday and the group continues to go from strength to strength. It has been supported by a committed team of 8 church volunteers without whom it would not be possible to run. Caroline was honoured to be awarded Kingsbridge Community Champion for her years of work at Pop-in in May. At the end of the Summer term we celebrated with three of our Pop-in children as they left to head off to primary school. We hope their gift of a book and a monkey will be a happy reminder of their time at Pop-in. Later in the year we were also able to give all our children a Christmas gift of The Usbourne Nativity Book and a knitted angel for their Christmas tree. Mums, dads, grandparents, aunties, childminders and nannies make up the Pop-in family and it has been lovely to be a part of their Tuesdays for many years as their families grow and they continue to visit year after year. We have some really good relationships with many families. It has also been good to have some mums and their families come along to Brunch Sundays as a stepping stone to church. Other church events Pop-in families engaged with were the Light Party, Soul Food Christmas Hampers, Festive Family morning, Warm Space over the winter, the Pop-in/MotherBorn fundraiser and The Easter Family Party 2025. 10 ## **Pop-in figures from April 2024 -April 2025** We ran 36 regular Tuesday sessions: 89 families. 107 children. 95 adults. Only 4 families were regular attendees of Kingsbridge Family Church. ## **During August 2024 we had 2 Summer Drop-ins.** 6th August - 24 families (only 3 church families).50 children. 24 adults 22nd August - 23 families (1 church family). 43 children. 24 adults ## **KIDS CHURCH** We have facilitated Kids Church sessions for our primary age children 3 out of 4 weeks each month. We have been following the Connected curriculum. This has provided a structure for catch-up, testimonies, memory verses, bible stories, craft, prophetic art and worship. Our prayers for Kids Church during this time were that the children would know their identity in Christ. That they would develop a real relationship with God and encounter him. Additionally, we hoped that the children would 11 develop friendships within the group that would spur one another on in their faith. We have certainly seen answers to our prayers. The children have noticeably grown in their relationships with God taking ownership of their faith. One of our youngest members shared with her parents, “I’m a Christian and I’m already God’s friend’. Another boy chose to be baptised. There were regular stories from the children and their teachers about them sharing their faith in school. “I can already see ‘A’ and the others who attend Kids Church being worldchangers! They talk so proudly about being a Christian to their friends at ## school!” We have also been encouraging the children to worship together this year. Two of the older girls have chosen to join the main worship team and are regularly leading the church in worship at the start of Sunday services. We have also enjoyed watching friendships develop across the age range. Kids Church has become a space where the children appear to feel quickly at ease and willing to share their questions and thoughts. There have been plenty of opportunities to have a good time and celebrate our faith with our friends and community. We have enjoyed a Light party, Easter party (where we had 60+ children and their families attend) and recorded a Nativity video which was shown as part of our Christmas celebrations. 12 ## **YOUTH CHURCH** Since April 2024 there has been Youth Church every Sunday morning (excluding brunch Sundays) for young people aged 11-17. Youth Church exists to encourage young people to come to church by giving them a dedicated space during a Sunday service to meet with Jesus and learn walk with him in their every day lives. Through games, bible study and conversations, the young people can grow in their knowledge of the Bible and faith in God in a way that is relevant to where they are at. Each week there averages between 3 and 7 young people and the numbers have been steadily growing over the year from 0-2 in the first few months of running it. ## **BRUNCH SUNDAYS** Brunch Sundays are different to our other Sunday gatherings in that we don’t have a typical time of sung worship, prayer or a preach. On the last Sunday of each month, KFC hosts a community brunch open to everyone. Serving around 100 free bacon and sausage baps, pancakes, croissants, fruit, tea, and coffee. At the same time “The lounge” is open 13 offering activities such as pool, table tennis, and a gaming hub, while the upstairs area provides soft play, craft and toys for children. This lively event creates a welcoming space for all ages to connect and socialise in a relaxed and informal setting. ## **KINGSBRIDGE YOUTH FOR CHRIST: THE** ## **LOUNGE** Kingsbridge Youth For Christ are a local youth work organization who exist to share the gospel with the young people in our town. We are pleased to be able to support them financially and also through giving them use of our building. KYFC share our office space to run from, and host a variety of activities in our building mid week. The Lounge is a weekly youth club run by Kingsbridge Youth For Christ from 7-8.30pm for school years 7-11 in the Kingsbridge Family Church basement. The Lounge team is made up of 11 volunteers from local churches as well as the 2 KYFC employees. There is table tennis, a pool table, an air hockey table, a gaming PC, Nintendo switch, a tuck shop and an area to play games and chill. They also run some football with a soft ball upstairs in the main church hall and the young people really enjoy that. Almost all of the young people that attend the club have no church background. 14 Each week one of the team will lead a Godslot – a team game, a fun challenge or something similar, and an evangelistic talk sharing something of their testimony; the difference Jesus has made in their lives and God’s heart for the young people that attend. Several young people have responded throughout the year and have joined the KYFC Christian Union and Bible Study groups. ## **KINGSBRIDGE YOUTH FOR CHRIST: CHRISTIAN UNION AND BIBLE STUDY** The KYFC Christian Union group is now 2 separate groups (1 hour Christian union and then a 1 hour Bible Study) and runs weekly in the Kingsbridge Family Church basement. It is open to young Christians from any local church (and their friends). We have found this to be working really well especially for the young people who need more in depth input. 15 The Bible Study group has been thriving and it has been really encouraging to see them grow in their knowledge of the Bible and their passion for Jesus. The CU numbers have varied throughout the year but we keep this space open with sessions available for new Christians and those in school years 7-9 for them to explore more about faith. ## **PASTORAL TEAM** A newly formed Pastoral Care and Support Team comprising of six women and four men with various skills, life experiences and formal training have been gathering together in preparation to serve the church members and regular worshippers. We have met for specific training in a number of areas including; listening skills, understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences, confidentiality, boundaries, safeguarding, accountability and selfcare. One team member will be offering a Bereavement Course and another has experience in Neurodiversity. Home Groups will still provide the day to day care of their members. The Pastoral Team will be invited to come alongside people who have expressed assistance in more challenging areas of their life and this will be triaged by a Core Team of four overseeing the whole Pastoral Team. People will be signposted to professional organisations where appropriate. 16 ## **SOUL FOOD KINGSBRIDGE** Soul Food is a town wide church initiative, supporting local families with freshly cooked meals in the holiday times. Priority is to support those who receive free school meals in term time or receive from Kingsbridge foodbank. Soul Food is run by Heather Richmond, one the Kingsbridge Family Church leaders, alongside a team from Churches Gathering and supported by local businesses, churches and charities. Heather and many of the volunteers are from Kingsbridge Family Church. Donations were received over the year from individuals, local churches, Tesco, Morrisons, Heron Valley and Salcombe Dairy. ## **Year overview:** Summer 2024: ‘Soul Food Kingsbridge’ provided a two course freshly cooked meal on 15th August 2024 for 60 people in the community offering in person lunches and delivery. Christmas 2024: ‘Soul Food Kingsbridge’ provided 16 Christmas hampers serving 61 people including 33 children. All were delivered or collected from Kingsbridge Family Church. 17 Easter 2025: ‘ Soul Food Kingsbridge’ provided 26 freshly made picnic lunches. All lunches were cooked in SHCF kitchen and either collected from the bandstand in Kingsbridge or delivered on Good Friday. Kingsbridge Youth for Christ collaborated with them and served hot chocolate from their bus at the same time. ## **THRIVE DEVON SUPPORTED HOUSING** Thrive Devon in partnership with Christian charity Green Pastures (www.greenpastures.co.uk) offers a safe place to live with support, to females who are homeless or living in vulnerable situations. The charity is led by 2 members of KFC who provide regular weekly 1-1 support for the residents, along with volunteers from Kingsbridge Family Church. Supporting people with complex needs can often be challenging and we experience both highs and lows. We are however thrilled to have seen 18 residents successfully move on to independent living, employment and remain abstinent from longstanding addiction. ## **CAP** CAP (Christians Against Poverty) is another ministry supported by Kingsbridge Family Church. KFC is one of five churches in the area who co-fund the South Hams CAP Debt Centre. The Centre has three Debt Coaches, including Gordon Roberts who is a Member at KFC. Across the UK, millions of people are experiencing a poverty crisis leaving them feeling trapped, desolate and abandoned. Poverty is so much more than going without. Poverty destroys lives. It robs people of joy, hope, and opportunities. It tears families apart, isolates those most in need of support, and leads many to believe there is no way out. So we take action. And we also experience the privilege of seeing people discover hope as they begin to work with CAP and their local church. Over the nearly thirty years since CAP was founded, thousands of lives have been positively impacted through the powerful combination of practical help, restorative church communities and Jesus’ love. CAP’s vision is for: _Transformed lives. Thriving churches. An end to UK poverty._ Through CAP, the church provides free, professional debt counselling to those in need in our community. The unique face-to-face visit model means that we bring the hope of Jesus directly into people’s homes. 19 Over the year, Gordon has seen eight clients in the South Hams. Each case entails a minimum of three visits with each client, working together with the clients to enable them to become debt free. ## **PILATES** A Pilates class takes place on Thursday afternoons in the church throughout the year apart from August. In September 2024, we increased the cost from £6 to £7.50, largely to ensure the subs covered the cost of the teacher, Gill Whitmore, and we mainly achieved this over the course of the year. A member of the church is always there to welcome people, take the register, supervise payments, some of which are made via the church’s card machine or collect cash. We have spare mats for anyone who doesn’t bring one and also provide water. There is a regular group of folk who attend and others who come from time to time depending on their health or availability. We also offer free places via social prescribing and are pleased that there is currently one person who has come along through this scheme. The benefit of stretch and balance are appreciated by everyone and it is also a good way of getting to know local folk, some of whom would not normally come into a church. 20 ## **KINGSBRIDGE CRAFTERS SEWCIAL** This welcoming community group meet at KFC on a Friday for a couple of hours. Providing a community space for all to bring along a sewing or crafty project to work on. Hot drinks are provided together with support and encouragement and skill sharing is an extra bonus. This group is also signposted by Social Prescribers. ## **LOVE YOUR PARK** KFC had a great time joining with Kingsbridge Town Council’s “Love your park” event on 11[th] August 2024. We spent the day providing a selection of lovely crafts enjoyed by children and many adults too. Some beautiful creations were made, including nature crowns and hanging decorations. Lots of lovely fun and conversation. 21 ## **OTHER EVENTS** ## **8-14[th] July, 22[nd] -29[th] September 24 :** Weeks of prayer **17[th] July 24:** 24 hours prayer room **Augst 2024** : Young people head to Limitless Youth Festival for the week **22 Sept 24:** Harvest Collection for Foodbank **31 Oct 24 :** Light Party with South Hams Christian Fellowship **Christmas 2024:** Services ,Festive Family Fun. Packed 36 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and financially supported Angel Tree charity. **Jan – Feb 2025:** Warm Space – “Cuppa and a chat” **March 7[th] 2025 :** Hosted World Day Prayer **April – March 25:** Five Baptisms ( four under-18s, one over-18) **----- Start of picture text -----**
22
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **DISCIPLESHIP** Home groups/small groups are the primary setting where discipleship has taken place over the last year. Providing a safe place for people to belong and grow in relationship with one another and in their faith journey. KFC leadership continues to be intentional in the promotion and development of opportunities for discipleship. Actively encouraging both members and seekers to join groups. ## **SAFEGUARDING** Safeguarding is a priority here at Kingsbridge Family Church. We are committed to ensuring best practice and adherence to reporting procedures. Volunteers and staff are DBS-checked. Detailed information about our safeguarding policies can be found on our website, in our members' handbook, and on noticeboards throughout the building. This information gives details on how to contact our Safeguarding Officer and team. ## **CONTRIBUTION OF VOLUNTEERS** Our heart is to encourage and release every member for ministry and mission, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, offering opportunities to discover, develop, and use their gifts effectively. Nearly every aspect of Kingsbridge Family Church is driven by the dedication of our congregation – from leading worship, supporting youth and children’s programs to outreach activities, governance, and leadership roles. Their 23 commitment is essential to the success of both our internal and external ministries. ## **LOCAL / OVERSEAS FINANCIAL SUPPORT** Kingsbridge Family Church have links with a number of local, national and overseas organisations who we support through prayer and/or financial assistance. These include but are not limited to: ## **LOCAL / NATIONAL** - Kingsbridge Food Bank - Soul Food - Kingsbridge Youth for Christ - Wordwise - Prison Fellowship - Christians Against Poverty - South West Baptist Association - Baptist Missionary Society ## **INTERNATIONAL** - Anthea Musegula (Uganda) - Celestin & Margaret Tanner (Chad) - Steve & Ali Fishpool (Uganda) - OpenDoors 24 ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** The financial position and performance of Kingsbridge Family Church is in line with the expectations of the Trustees, based on their monitoring of income and expenditure throughout the year. It is noted that income (by way of monthly giving) is lower than anticipated. This is thought to be due to the current economic environment. During the year the Kingsbridge Family Church has received ## **£60,636.66 in income** (which included receipt of a significant one-off donation of £10,000) and has incurred ## **£77,404.54 in expenditure.** We have however been able to draw on our reserves that were accumulated in previous years due to not having a paid minister and funds from property sales. In May 2023 Church Members voted to employ Jonny Richmond as a part-time Pastor in Training which involves paying a part-time stipend and 3-year college fees and a new and significant factor contributing to our expenditure. ## **RESERVES POLICY AND RISK MANAGEMENT** The Trustees have reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have taken steps to mitigate the potential impact of these. The Trustees seek to maintain adequate reserves to meet three months operational costs. Our reserves currently being: **General Funds (cash in bank) Total** : £81,928.52 25 **Funds held in trust (by the Baptist Union) Total:** £135,212.54 **Buildings/Property (The Manse)** £431,621.20 ## **ACCOUNTS AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** ## **REPORT:** STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 26 BALANCE SHEET J1 Mxch 2021 31.￿120 U31.1212• Éts.0ts t4,￿￿$ 10 £217.141th £239.177A4 C4th•tB1nk￿j 12 ¢4IM4A? ¢IM,JIJJ7 Z431.12120 t431.12124 t1J53IiY £131WJ7 TnA Fur 27 INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT I (HARNY (¢waIS￿ON IrKlop8ndonl •x•mlnw'* r•port on Ihe FOR t￿1￿}40 AMJ WES accounts S•Eii¢fi A Il•port to th• Iru•¢••• KINSBAIDGE F￿AlLy CHUIKH On •eew*Blorlh•y*r ' 31 2025 1197521 111 ￿¥> bwl• ol r•port ••ctsn 148(Sllbl ol lh• *A. NM*'. WIRT*4 (X)PD*4G 111 my).. Ad*•x' JAAES ￿9DING tho CO LTD 11 CHURCH ST KJNGSBAifA3E T07 18T. Oct 2M• 28 ## **PUBLIC BENEFIT** The Trustees have considered the guidance provided by the Charity Commission regarding public benefit and the work of the charity. ## **FUTURE PLANS** Kingsbridge Family Church is passionate to continue to share God's love, actively demonstrating His care within our local community and sharing the gospel through every aspect of our work. We anticipate the continuation and growth of our current outreach activities. Additionally, we are currently exploring ways in which to renovate and/or redevelop our building to better serve our mission. Initial refurbishment and redevelopment proposals have been presented to church members over the year, recognising the significant wear and tear on our building due to its age and historical nature. Discussions have taken place with architects, advisors, and relevant planning and historical building 29 departments at the Baptist Union to guide these early stages of the project. Any final decisions on repair/renovation and/or redevelopment will be made by a Church members by way of a vote in accordance with our constitution during the coming year. 30 ## **STRUCTURAL GOVERNANCE AND** ## **MANAGEMENT** The spiritual oversight of the church and the week-to-week management is provided by the Leadership team, voted and affirmed by the congregation in accordance with our constitution. This team of 6 currently includes 2 paid members of staff being a part time Pastor in Training (PIT) Jonny Richmond (employed since 2023) and a part time Church Coordinator (CC) Pennie Sutton (employed since 2017). The leadership team meet twice monthly for Trustee meetings together with various weekly communications between the team, PIT, CC and Church Secretary (Heather Richmond) as and when needs arise. ## **MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR** ## **THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW** Mr. S Evans (From May 2024) **(Treasurer)** Mrs. H Richmond **(Secretary)** Mr. J. Richmond ( From May 2023) **(Chair)** Dr. P Inch (From Oct 2022) Mrs. P Sutton (From Nov 2023) Mrs. N Teasdale (From Nov 2023) 31 ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE** ## **INFORMATION** ## **CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER** 1197521 ## **REGISTERED OFFICE ADDRESS** Kingsbridge Family Church Office Kingsbridge Family Church, Baptist Lane. Kingsbridge, TQ7 1QD **TELEPHONE** : 01548 852770 **WEBSITE:** kfclife.co.uk ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** Martin Cording James Cording & Co Ltd 11 Church Street, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1BT ## **BANK** HSBC Fore Street, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1PB ## **This report was approved by the Trustees on 22.01.2026 and signed on their behalf by :** ## **JONNY RICHMOND** CHAIR OF TRUSTEES 32