Trustees’ report and accounts for the financial year ending 31[st] December 2025
Crockenhill Baptist Church
Crockenhill Baptist Church – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered charity number 1199873
Crockenhill Baptist Church
Reference and Administratve Details
Trustees Mark Drury - Pastor Laurie Everest - Elder Peter Clarridge - Elder David Manderscheid - Deacon Gareth Clarridge - Deacon Philip Fuller - Deacon (deceased 25/9/25) Charity Registration Number 1199873 Registered address Crockenhill Baptist Church Eynsford Road Crockenhill Kent BR8 8JS Independent Examiner Bridget Irlam (address on application) Bank Santander Bank plc Kingdom Bank (savings account)
Crockenhill Baptist Church – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered charity number 1199873
Trustees’ Report
The trustees present their annual report, together with the financial statements of the charity for the financial year ended 31 December 2025.
Structure, governance and management
The ‘charitable incorporated organisation’ (CIO) known as Crockenhill Baptist Church was registered by the Charity Commission on 29[th] July 2022; registered charity number 1199873. Crockenhill Baptist Church was previously an unincorporated charitable association and continued to function as such until 31[st] December 2023. On 31[st] December 2023 all assets were transferred to the CIO, including properties previously held under trust by the Baptist Union Corporation (title numbers K582357 and K922998).
The governing documents of the church are the constitution, agreed by the Charity Commission, and the handbook. The handbook is written for members and sets out how the church is run and is based on members’ understanding of the Bible. It is designed to be consistent with the constitution, but the constitution always takes precedence for legal purposes.
The principal address is Crockenhill Baptist Church, Eynsford Road, Crockenhill, BR8 8JS.
Organisational structure
The members of Crockenhill Baptist Church believe that all members have been given gifts that can be used in the service of the church. All members have equal decision-making authority through a members’ meeting, whilst being guided by those called to leadership within the church. Members’ meetings are held at least four times a year.
There are currently five people in recognised leadership roles: a paid full time pastor, who is an office holder rather than an employee, plus two elders and two deacons. These individuals are the charity trustees, as set out in the constitution. The method of appointing trustees, and their functions and duties, are set out in the governing documents.
New trustees undergo DBS checks and are asked to confirm that they have read ‘The essential trustee’, published by the Charity Commission, and the government guidance on ‘Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees’.
Crockenhill Baptist Church is affiliated to the FIEC, and annually confirms that it is in agreement with the FIEC statement of faith.
Risk management
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Crockenhill Baptist Church – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered charity number 1199873
Objectves and actvites
Objects and aims
Crockenhill Baptist Church aims to advance the Christian faith through weekly services of worship and preaching, midweek groups for Bible study and prayer, and regular evangelistic events. The activities of the church are carried out in accordance with the basis of faith set out in the church handbook.
The church also provides financial support to other Christian charities and currently aims to give one tenth of its income to support the work of Christian Prison Resourcing, the Christian Institute, Zimbabwe Partnership Trust, Release International and Barnabas Fund (although payments to Barnabas Fund are currently suspended due to an ongoing investigation by the Charity Commission into that organisation).
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. They consider that the objectives for which the church was registered as a charity, and the manner in which they have exercised their duties and powers, are for the public benefit.
Achievements and performance
Review of activities
The number of church members as at 31[st] December 2025 was 45, 2 fewer than at the previous year end.
During 2025, Crockenhill Baptist Church held regular Sunday services morning and evening which were open to all; the morning services were also live-streamed. Average attendance in the morning was approximately 50, and in the evening approximately 10 to 20. Sermon series during the year included Luke’s gospel in the morning, and the life of Jacob in the evening. A short talk on ‘Jesus in the Old Testament’ featured in the first half of many Sunday morning services and facilities were provided for children from the age of 3 upwards to learn in their own group during the second half of the service.
Three house groups met each week, except for holiday periods, and provided an opportunity for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. Studies included ‘Gather’, ‘Miracles with a message’, ‘Proverbs’, ‘Throne and Temple’ and a series in the books of Chronicles.
There were three 5 Churches events in 2025, where we met with members of four other like-minded evangelical churches. There was a Good Friday service at Elmstead Baptist Church, and two other events at Elmstead which consisted of a time of prayer followed by refreshments, a talk by a visiting speaker and a question and answer session.
Prayer breakfasts took place in the Church hall on five Saturday mornings during the year.
Two picnic lunches were held during the summer, giving an opportunity for members to meet together for fellowship.
Crockenhill Baptist Church – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered charity number 1199873
There were two ‘Women of the Word’ meetings, which gave an opportunity for women of all ages to discuss a Christian book.
A group met every 3 weeks or so on a Saturday morning to discuss the book ‘Concise Theology’ by J.I. Packer.
CBC members again contributed to the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoebox Appeal, and the Barnabas ‘Food Gives’ programme.
Members enjoyed an Away Day at Otford Manor, with teaching provided by an external speaker and the opportunity to enjoy social activities and fellowship.
Outreach
Various outreach events were held throughout the year, including weekly activities such as Coffee Cup and Baby Talk, plus annual events such as Buzz Club.
Coffee Cup attracted an average of roughly 25 people most Thursday mornings throughout the year for coffee, tea and cake, and an opportunity to meet others. There were a number of special events and talks during the year, and money was raised for various charities.
Baby Talk ran on Wednesday mornings during term time, and attracted many parents and childminders with their babies and toddlers.
There were also frequent appearances at the local pub’s weekly quiz nights by a varied team of up to 6 church members at a time. A quiz night open to all was run in the church hall which included a short gospel presentation.
Early in the year there was a film night open to all on the life and Christian faith of Thomas Cook, the holiday pioneer, followed by tea.
A holiday club for primary school aged children – Buzz Club – ran for four mornings in the summer holidays. It attracted an average of 10 children per day, who enjoyed Bible stories, singing, craft and games. Training was provided in advance for helpers on working with children with special needs.
The church maintained its usual presence at the village Harvest Fayre, running a stall with tracts and information about the church, and providing crafts and games for children.
The pastor and one of the elders have been able to take some assemblies in the village primary school at the invitation of the headteacher.
Special Christmas meetings included a ladies’ event, featuring a talk, craft and food; carols at both Coffee Cup and Baby Talk; Carols at the Chequers (the local pub); Carols by Candlelight and an Alternative Carol Service.
Crockenhill Baptist Church – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered charity number 1199873
Financial review
The results for the period are set out in the accounts which follow this report. Income received in the period was £90, 870 and expenditure of £88,167 was incurred, resulting in a net surplus of £2,703.
All regular income is derived from church members’ donations and no outside fund raising is undertaken. Visitors are able to give via donation boxes in the church building.
Overall giving to the work of the church remained encouraging. Giving has been sufficient to cover the day to day operations of the church and add to reserves.
As noted earlier, the church also provided financial support to other Christian charities, giving one tenth of its income to support the work of Christian Prison Resourcing, the Christian Institute, Zimbabwe Partnership Trust, Release International and Barnabas Fund (although payments to Barnabas Fund are currently suspended due to an ongoing investigation by the Charity Commission into that organisation).
Reserves policy
The policy of the trustees is to maintain sufficient liquid reserves to finance ongoing commitments such as rent and salaries, and to build sufficient reserves to enable the future development and expansion of the ministries of the church.
The trustees’ report was approved by the trustees of the charity at their meeting on 23[rd] August 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Mark Drury Trustee and Pastor
Peter Clarridge Trustee and Elder
Independent Examiner’s Report
Attached.
Financial Statement
Attached.
Crockenhill Baptist Church – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered charity number 1199873
CROCKENHILL BAPTIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2025 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ Note Income Donations 72,995 - 72,995 75,486 Gift Aid reclaimed 12,142 - 12,142 13,443 Interest receivable 90 90 62 Miscellaneous 4 2,192 3,451 5,643 4,103 ______ Total Income 87,419 3,451 90,870 93,094 Expenditure Charitable Activities 3 & 4 74,796 13,371 88,167 75,005 ______ Total Expenditure 74,796 13,371 88,167 75,005 Net Income (Expenditure) 12,623 (9,920) 2,703 18,089 Transfers between funds 4 (9,052) 9,052 - - ______ Net movement in funds 3,571 (868) 2 ,703 18,089 Reconciliation of funds Opening Balance 1[st] January 24,355 9,124 33,479 15,390 _________ Closing Balance 31[st] December 27,926 8,256 36,182 33,479
CROCKENHILL BAPTIST CHURCH
BALANCE SHEET
AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2025
2025 2024 Note £ £ Cash and Bank Balances Bank Current Account 8,183 7,353 Bank Interest Account 27,652 25,062 Cash in hand 347 1,064 ____ Totals 36,182 33,479 Represented by Funds Unrestricted General Fund 27,926 24,355 Restricted Funds 4 8,256 9,124 ____ 36,182 33,479 These accounts were approved by the Trustees on ______2026
Peter Clarridge
CROCKENHILL BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2025
1. General Information
Crockenhill Baptist Church is a public benefit entity and a charity registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
Going Concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
2. Accounting policies
Basis of Accounting
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with The Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK (FRS 102).
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the general objectives of the church and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
Income
Offerings, donations and gifts are accounted for when received by the church.
Expenditure
Expenditure is accounted for when it is incurred. It comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. No amounts are included in the accounts for the value of services donated by volunteers.
Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank with whom the funds are deposited.
Pension Contributions
The church makes regular contributions towards the personal plan of the pastor.
Taxation
As a registered charity, the church is generally exempt from income and capital gains tax, but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
Tangible Fixed Assets
The land and church building in Eynsford Road, Crockenhill are insured in the sum of £1,745,731, the audio visual equipment in the sum of £13,569 and general contents in the sum of £52,813.
The church owns the house at 7 ,Greencourt Road in which the pastor and his family live. The building is insured for £1,000,000 and contents of common parts for £10,000.
Payment to Trustees
The Pastor is a trustee and was paid his salary, but there was no other trustees’ December 2024. remuneration or other trustee benefits for the12 months to 31[st]
CROCKENHILL BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] December 2025 (continued)
3. Expenditure on Charitable Activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Note Funds Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ Staff Costs 40,692 - 40,692 39,610 Visiting Speakers 478 - 478 430 Manse Utilities 2,399 - 2,399 2,298 Manse Running Costs 5,274 - 5,274 5,132 Church Utilities 2,801 - 2,801 1,911 Church Running Costs 3,560 - 3,560 4,419 Church Operational Costs 3,663 - 3,663 1,202 Buildings Maintenance Work 9,200 - 9,200 - Children’s Ministries 987 - 987 1,781 Ministries 1,023 - 1,023 581 Printing, Publicity, Website 2,195 - 2,195 1,271 Training and Development 1,506 - 1,506 305 Legal Costs 324 - 324 1,161 Governance 100 - 100 - Gifts 50 - 50 1,119 Books 492 - 492 877 Study Guides 52 - 52 64
Expenditure from other funds 4 - 13 ,371 13,371 9,745 ____________ TOTAL 74,796 13, 371 88,167 83,135
The Church has two paid employees
CROCKENHILL BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2025 (continued)
4. FUNDS OF THE CHURCH
Balance at Balance at 1[st] January Incoming Resources 31[st] December 2025 Resources Expended Transfers 2025 £ £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds General Fund 24,355 87,419 74,796 (9,052) 27,926 Restricted funds Missionary Nil 502 9,554 9,052 Nil Burial Ground Maintenance 8,060 450 600 - 7,910 Coffee Cup 32 1,539 1,535 - 36 BabyTalk 1,032 960 1,682 - 310 _______________ Total funds 33,479 90,870 88,167 0 36,182
CROCKENHILL BAPTIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (continued)
The Missionary Fund is a fund to which money is transferred from the General Fund each month to enable the support of missionary causes supported by the church.
The Burial Ground Fund relates to funds given specifically for the maintenance of the Burial Ground owned by the church.
Coffee Cup Fund is made up of donations from those who attend our weekly coffee morning. The funds are used to pay for the refreshments provided and support charities throughout the year.
BabyTalk Fund is made up of donations from those who attend our weekly group. The funds provide refreshments for adults and children, play equipment, craft activities, and gifts for the children at Christmas and Easter.
CROCKENHILL BAPTIST CHURCH INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'8 REPORT TO THE TRU8TEE8 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounls of Crockenhill Baptist (the church) for the year ended 31° December 2025, which comprises the Statement of Financial ttivitiès. thé B2lantÈ Sheet, and the related Notes to thè accountg_ Respoctive responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The church's trustees are responsible for the preparals'on of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act follow the procedures lai(J down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515){b) of the Act to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. B¥si$ ol Indepgnd•nt Examiner's Rgport My examination was carried out in accordance wilh the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examinalion includes a review of the accounting records kept by the church and a comparison of the accounts presenled with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. My report is limited to Ihose matters set out in the statement below. Independeni Examlner's Ststemenl I confirm Ihat no matter has come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act or the accounts do nol accord with those records or the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act. I have not come across any other matter in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 6iibQéT i ACMA CAftYKFJ), T6b¢tS