Hersham Baptist Church
Aim and purposes
We are a congregational church committed to following Jesus Christ in love for God and neighbour. Our main service meets each Sunday at 10:00am in the Cardinal Newman School Hall for worship, prayer, and teaching from the Bible. We welcome all ages and offer an active children’s and youth programme. A recording is available on YouTube after the service.
Leadership
We believe God leads our church, and together we listen for His direction. We also believe everyone has a part to play, so we encourage every member to ask God how He is calling them to serve.
We currently have a Lead Pastor, a Community Pastor, and a team of Trustees who carry the main responsibility for running the church, supported by an Operations Manager who oversees administration and event planning.
The Pastors are supported by a Leadership Team covering:
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Children & Families
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Pastoral Care & Social Outreach
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Teaching & Life Groups
Children and Youth
We love having children and youth in our church and we work hard to make church fun, engaging, and age-appropriate for them. Children and young people begin in the main service for family worship at 10:00am, then head to their groups in the Church Building and Youth Centre on the same road, where they hear the week’s message in a way that suits their age.
Beyond Sundays, we run a Friday morning Baby & Toddler Group, and our youth meet fortnightly on Friday nights. In the summer, our young people go to the Newday youth festival with other churches from New Ground and Newfrontiers.
On Sunday mornings, our children’s and youth groups run during the 10:00am service. After the opening worship, they head to one of four groups for ages 0–16.
Values
'Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.' (1 John 4:8)
We believe that God is love and that He showed this in the best way He could, by laying down His life for us.
Jesus taught that God calls us to love in the same way: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves.
We recognise that we’ve fallen short of this calling. By God’s grace we have said sorry to God and to those we have hurt, trusted Jesus to make us new, and resolved to live new lives for Him. We still make mistakes and let people down, but we believe God’s Spirit is with us—changing us to be more like Jesus and enabling us to live the life He wants for us.
In practice this means we try to:
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worship God in the power of His Spirit and in truth We seek God’s presence and align our lives with His Word, letting the Holy Spirit lead our worship and shape our obedience.
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tell people the good news about Jesus We share, with gentleness and clarity, what Jesus has done and invite others to follow Him.
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welcome everyone whatever their gender, race, class or age We aim to be a safe, hospitable family where every person is seen, valued, and included.
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live generously and give ourselves to others We offer our time, talents, and resources to bless others because God has been generous to us.
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confront injustice and hypocrisy
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We speak and act for what is right—examining our own hearts and standing with those who suffer wrong.
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demonstrate God’s love by helping the poor and marginalised We put compassion into action through practical care, advocacy, and ongoing support for those in need.
Objectives and Activities
The Trustees are committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship with us and to become part of our church community. The Chair of Trustees is the Lead Pastor, who—working through the Leadership Team—keeps an overview of worship across our local community and brings suggestions for how our services can better involve and serve local people. Our services put faith into practice through prayer and Scripture, worship music, and communion (the Lord’s Supper).
In planning our activities each year, the Pastors and Leadership Team consider the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance . In particular, we seek to enable ordinary people to live out the Christian faith as part of our community through:
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Worship, prayer, and teaching – gathering regularly to worship, learn the Gospel, and grow in knowledge and trust in Jesus.
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Pastoral care – providing spiritual and practical support for people in our church and the wider local community.
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Mission and outreach – sharing the good news of Jesus and serving our neighbours through community engagement and partnership initiatives.
We aim to remove barriers to participation wherever possible (for example, making services available online and welcoming all ages) and to conduct all activities in line with safeguarding and good governance responsibilities.
Achievements and Performance
Worship and Prayer
All are welcome at our regular services. We currently have 88 adults and 29 children/young people who attend regularly, with an average weekly attendance of 82. To ensure enough space for both the Sunday service and our children’s/youth work, we continue to meet in the Cardinal Newman School Hall.
Prayer
We believe prayer is one of the most important things we can do. As we pray, we seek God’s heart, align ourselves with His will, and join in His work to change the world.
After every Sunday service, our prayer team is available to pray with anyone who would like support. We also hold a church-wide, Zoom-based prayer meeting once a week this year. Everyone is welcome to join.
Life Groups
Life Groups meet weekly in person and via Zoom for Bible study, fellowship, and prayer. We believe these small groups are a vital way to deepen our relationship with God and with one another. Attendance is open to members and non-members. Leadership is provided either by a designated leader or on a rotating basis. The groups serve as a primary context for discipleship, pastoral care, and leadership development. During the year, both the number of groups and the average group size increased.
Prayer & Worship Night is a monthly gathering focused on intercession for the church, community, nation, and world, with intentional time waiting on the Holy Spirit.
Women’s Prayer & Fellowship is a monthly gathering for mutual support and intercession, praying for one another and for wider church and community needs.
Community Courses
This year, we ran the following courses for the local community:
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Making Christmas Wreaths
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Parenting Course
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Marriage Course
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Wellbeing for Ladies and Menopause
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Sleep Better and Live Better workshop
We believe that as followers of Jesus we should show God's love by caring for the world and for the people around us. That is why we support a number of local, national and international charities.
The Church Building
During the week, the Church building is used by a number of local organisations:
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Breastfeeding Support Group run by health visitors from Children's Health Surrey
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Hersham Village Society
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HBC Baby and Toddlers Group
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Surrey Circus School
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Junior Ballet
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Jitterbugs
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Pilates
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Puppy Training and
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for birthday and Anniversary Parties.
Pastoral Care
Families
The church prioritises support for families and intergenerational worship. Children’s Church operates during the Sunday service, complemented by regular family social events (including Mums Connect). We offer Child Blessing Services, a Parenting Course for parents of 0–10s, and a weekly Friday Baby & Toddler Group serving the wider community. Pastoral care includes home and hospital visits to members and neighbours who are ill or unable to attend, with communion offered as appropriate.
Church Lunch
On the last Sunday of most months, the church holds a bring-and-share lunch following the service, open to members, non-members and friends. The gathering provides fellowship and an opportunity to communicate updates and, where appropriate, consult informally with attendees in advance of formal Members’ Meeting decisions.
Mission and Evangelism
The church delivered Alpha, a free 10-week course providing a relaxed environment for people to explore the Christian faith. We also encourage prospective leaders to pursue further training (e.g., New Ground Academy) for deeper biblical formation and leadership development, with financial support for tuition available where required.
Ecumenical Relationships
Good relations are maintained with other churches in Hersham. At Easter a joint service and March of Witness are held with St Peter’s (Church of England) and All Saints (Catholic). On Remembrance Sunday, a joint service takes place at St Peter’s, followed by a procession to the cenotaph on the village green for the Remembrance Service with All Saints. Our Youth join King's Church, Walton-on-Thames, fortnightly for a joint youth club.
Mission Support
The Church has committed financial support during the year to the following charities and missionary projects: Baptist Union Home Mission; Compassion UK; New Ground; Father Heart Ministries; FMDM Foundation; Evangelical Alliance; and Putney Community Church.
Men's Social and Fellowship evening.
Recognising the challenge of forming friendships amid long working hours locally, our monthly Men’s Socials provide a flexible, low-commitment space for fellowship—sharing food, games, and easy conversation—for members and friends.
Financial Review
The church’s primary income continues to be offerings from the church family. This year, income was lower than expected due to ongoing cost-of-living pressures and higher mortgage interest rates, while expenditure rose because of unplanned repairs—particularly pumping and drainage—and the replacement of equipment essential for Sunday services. Consequently, the church recorded an operating deficit of £15,106. These were largely one-off costs, and we do not anticipate comparable repair and maintenance spending next year; overall, we assess the church’s financial position as stable.
Looking ahead, members’ mortgage outgoings are likely to remain elevated over the next 2–5 years, and the church will need to budget for routine maintenance and repairs to the manse within the next two years. If wider economic conditions remain challenging, we will review venue costs—including the option of using the church hall as the main worship site and relinquishing the school hall rental—to redirect funds towards core ministries, support for others, and essential needs.
Reserves Policy
Reserve Fund (Future Ministry). The church maintains a designated reserve to support future ministry, with the aim of enabling the recruitment of full-time leaders and administrators. The balance at period end is £23,808.00.
Hardship Fund. A designated fund to assist individuals and families in need within our community. It comprises gifts specifically given for this purpose. The balance at period end is £150.00.
Volunteers
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who serves. Twenty-five regular volunteers keep our rotas running, supported by many others who help ad hoc. You make our church the lively, vibrant community it is—thank you.
Structure, governance and management
Structure . Hersham Baptist Church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The governing document is the CIO Constitution, based on the Baptist Union model.
Governance. The church operates a congregational form of government. Church Members, meeting in duly convened Members’ Meetings, hold ultimate authority under Christ. Members approve key matters including the appointment of Trustees, reception of accounts, major ministry priorities and significant financial or property decisions.
Trustees. The Trustees (charity trustees in law) are elected by the Members and are responsible for legal and regulatory compliance, financial oversight and risk management, safeguarding, employment and policies. Trustees report regularly to the Members.
Management. Day-to-day spiritual and operational leadership is delegated to the Pastors and Operations Manager, within budgets and policies approved by the Trustees and the authority of the Members’ Meeting.
Policies and Compliance. The church maintains current policies for safeguarding, finance and internal control, data protection, health and safety and related areas. Annual accounts and returns are prepared and filed with the Charity Commission in accordance with CIO requirements.
Administrative information
The Trustees were all elected in November 2023.
Elected Trustees:
Stephen Hinde, Church Secretary Billy Chin, Treasurer John Forster, Chairman until 9[th] September 2023 ex officio Trustee: Phil Fellows, Lead Pastor, Chairman from 9[th] September
Hersham Baptist Church Balance Sheet as at 31-Dec-24
| Fixed Assets Manse Current Assets Lloyds Current Account CAP CAP CIO Total Assets Current Liabilities Long Term Liabilities Manse Loan Total Assets Less Total Liabilities General Fund Balance as at 1st January Excess Income (Expenditure) in Year Balance as at period Future Ministry Reserve Fund Balance as at 1st January Transfer in from General Fund in Year Transfer out to General Fund in Year Balance as at year end Gift Fund Balance as at 1st January Transfer in from General Fund in Year Gifts paid out in Year Balance as at year end Hardship Fund Balance as at 1st January Transfer in from General Fund in Year Gifts paid out in Year Balance as at year end Funds Represented Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds Restricted Funds |
30-Dec-24 674,000.00 29,701.21 12,625.61 31,579.14 747,905.96 |
31-Dec-2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 674,000.00 25,898.54 28,110.82 35,033.49 763,042.85 |
||
| 0.00 573,993.20 |
0.00 588,993.20 |
|
| 173,912.76 | 174,049.65 | |
| 65,054.85 -15,106.89 |
40,458.36 24,596.49 |
|
| 49,947.96 23,808.00 0.00 0.00 |
65,054.85 23,808.00 0.00 0.00 |
|
| 23,808.00 0.00 6,588.00 -6,588.00 |
23,808.00 0.00 4,751.00 -4,751.00 |
|
| 0.00 180.00 360.00 -390.00 |
0.00 0.00 360.00 -180.00 |
|
| 150.00 | 180.00 | |
| 73,905.96 | 89,042.85 | |
| 49,947.96 23,808.00 150.00 |
65,054.85 23,808.00 180.00 |
|
| 73,905.96 | 89,042.85 |
01/02/2025
Final
Hersham Baptist Church General Fund Income and Expenditure for the year to 31-Dec-2024
| Jan Actual Feb Actual Mar Actual Apr Actual May Actual Jun Actual Jul Actual Aug Actual Sep Actual Oct Actual Nov Actual Dec Actual |
Actual YTD Total |
Annual Budget 64,000.00 8,000.00 6,700.00 17,150.00 95,850.00 19,200.00 268.38 19,468.38 115,318.38 -8,000.00 -2,900.00 -1,000.00 -2,200.00 -8,200.00 -22,300.00 -2,600.00 -200.00 -1,200.00 -1,800.00 -12,000.00 -1,000.00 -18,800.00 -2,000.00 -2,000.00 -2,500.00 -1,000.00 0.00 -7,000.00 -14,500.00 -37,000.00 -1,200.00 -21,500.00 -1,000.00 -60,700.00 -116,300.00 -981.62 |
|---|---|---|
| Income from Giving | ||
| Gift-Aided 3,473.40 3,098.00 4,652.00 3,911.00 7,685.00 7,068.00 7,113.00 4,288.00 3,634.75 4,073.00 4,848.00 3,523.00 Other 690.00 600.00 690.00 730.00 735.00 1,225.00 835.00 935.00 885.00 935.00 1,605.00 1,405.00 Small Cash Donation 165.97 343.05 180.70 358.07 232.74 620.25 301.73 146.35 413.61 463.42 281.31 324.24 Tax refund (Gift Aid) 16,069.88 One Off Transfer to 'Hardship fund' -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 -30.00 |
57,367.15 | |
| 11,270.00 | ||
| 3,831.44 | ||
| 16,069.88 | ||
| 0.00 | ||
| -360.00 | ||
| Sub Total 4,299.37 4,011.05 5,492.70 4,969.07 8,622.74 8,883.25 8,219.73 5,339.35 4,903.36 5,441.42 22,774.19 5,222.24 |
88,178.47 | |
| Income from Activities | ||
| Church/Hall Use 1,625.60 2,467.10 950.10 1,708.60 1,935.00 1,577.60 2,148.05 925.10 2,877.93 1,350.10 2,064.00 1,182.50 Bank Interests 29.82 27.67 7.82 24.29 |
20,811.68 | |
| 89.60 | ||
| Sub Total 1,625.60 2,467.10 979.92 1,708.60 1,935.00 1,605.27 2,148.05 925.10 2,885.75 1,350.10 2,064.00 1,206.79 |
20,901.28 | |
| Total (Inflows) 5,924.97 6,478.15 6,472.62 6,677.67 10,557.74 10,488.52 10,367.78 6,264.45 7,789.11 6,791.52 24,838.19 6,429.03 |
109,079.75 | |
| Expenditure on Buildings & Facilities | ||
| Repairs & Maintenance -1,484.50 -749.00 -3,684.20 -2,070.82 -180.00 -2,481.08 -1,980.01 -813.70 Cleaning, incl. Skip Hire -1,345.00 -258.37 -315.00 -230.00 -200.00 -120.00 -170.00 -732.00 -520.00 -310.00 -200.00 -133.55 General Equipment Purchases -124.47 -678.14 -7.19 -8.49 -246.26 -789.98 -498.95 -27.18 -161.25 -263.96 Insurance Premiums -1,389.40 -676.00 Lighting, Heating & Water -550.00 -845.07 -1,038.82 -611.20 -682.00 -550.00 -682.00 -550.00 -928.04 -688.94 -550.00 -619.76 |
-13,443.31 | |
| -4,533.92 | ||
| -2,805.87 | ||
| -2,065.40 | ||
| -8,295.83 | ||
| Sub Total -3,503.97 -1,781.58 -1,361.01 -2,988.09 -4,812.46 -3,530.80 -1,530.95 -1,958.00 -1,448.04 -3,507.20 -2,891.26 -1,830.97 |
-31,144.33 | |
| Expenditure on Administration/Operation | ||
| Subscriptions & Licences -92.08 -92.22 -251.03 -183.48 -37.49 -289.50 -176.50 -83.04 -462.25 -87.50 -87.50 -87.50 Printing Stationery Postage -4.99 -25.49 -14.88 -109.43 -1.55 -34.12 Miscellaneous Expenses Incl. Refreshme -81.45 -82.18 -39.90 -73.13 -131.53 -50.99 -88.19 -73.64 -195.30 -130.15 -364.00 Adverts, Publicity & Web Site -152.61 -119.00 -275.00 Hall Hire -2,617.00 -192.00 -2,840.00 -192.00 -240.00 -192.00 -4,200.00 -384.00 Contingency/Other |
-1,930.09 | |
| -190.46 | ||
| -1,310.46 | ||
| -546.61 | ||
| -10,857.00 | ||
| 0.00 | ||
| Sub Total -2,790.53 -366.40 -3,288.53 -474.10 -183.90 -580.49 -456.69 -192.47 -4,737.44 -316.92 -720.65 -726.50 |
-14,834.62 | |
| Expenditure on Mission | ||
| Courses & Studies 90.56 -471.34 -32.89 -185.55 -921.83 -258.75 -1,150.79 -293.79 -99.25 Events & Outings -546.80 -292.21 417.80 108.23 -542.75 -295.34 -933.88 -462.22 -856.01 -39.83 11.05 -444.84 Outreach Expenses -530.71 -24.45 -202.28 -148.71 -279.64 -336.76 -371.06 -18.78 -92.83 -100.89 -120.90 -76.43 Child & Youth Work -27.88 -153.96 -32.36 -34.63 -141.74 -9.99 -192.53 -51.85 Transfer in from Hardship Fund Transfer to 'Gift Fund' -207.00 -703.00 -187.00 -377.00 -1,013.00 -187.00 -897.00 -703.00 -187.00 -537.00 -1,053.00 -537.00 |
-3,323.63 | |
| -3,876.80 | ||
| -2,303.44 | ||
| -644.94 | ||
| 0.00 | ||
| -6,588.00 | ||
| Sub Total -1,193.95 -1,518.88 -158.33 -635.39 -2,757.22 -1,112.48 -3,494.47 -1,193.99 -1,429.63 -677.72 -1,454.63 -1,110.12 |
-16,736.81 | |
| Expenditure on Ministry | ||
| Minister Stipend & Employment Costs -756.69 -5,369.51 -3,064.31 -3,062.47 -3,445.03 -3,062.07 -3,142.71 -3,142.71 -3,142.71 -3,173.70 -3,832.45 -3,943.38 Minister Expense e.g. Travel Costs -139.06 -164.05 -16.10 -60.00 -90.00 -160.00 -57.79 -156.66 -65.10 -168.09 -1.50 -247.45 Manse Lease, Council Tax, Water Rates -1,757.33 -1,485.33 -1,532.34 -1,818.54 -1,011.84 -1,817.34 -924.84 -1,817.34 -1,817.34 -1,817.34 -1,746.88 -1,750.88 Pulpit Supplies (Speaker fees etc) -420.00 -120.00 -300.00 -100.00 -60.00 -100.00 -60.00 -190.00 -120.00 -240.00 |
-39,137.74 | |
| -1,325.80 | ||
| -19,297.34 | ||
| -1,710.00 | ||
| Sub Total -2,653.08 -7,438.89 -4,732.75 -5,241.01 -4,646.87 -5,099.41 -4,225.34 -5,176.71 -5,215.15 -5,279.13 -5,580.83 -6,181.71 |
-61,470.88 | |
| Unallocated Expenditure | ||
| Total (Outflows) -10,141.53 -11,105.75 -9,540.62 -9,338.59 -12,400.45 -10,323.18 -9,707.45 -8,521.17 -12,830.26 -9,780.97 -10,647.37 -9,849.30 |
-124,186.64 | |
| Net Absolute Contribution (Surplus/D -4,216.56 -4,627.60 -3,068.00 -2,660.92 -1,842.71 165.34 660.33 -2,256.72 -5,041.15 -2,989.45 14,190.82 -3,420.27 |
-15,106.89 |
01/02/2025
Final
Hersham Baptist Church Gift's to Outside Causes Fund Income and Expenditure for the Period to 31Dec2024
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Actual | Budget | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual | Actual | Actual | Actual | Actual | Actual | Actual | Actual | Actual | Actual | Actual | Actual | YTD Total | YTD Total | |
| Income | ||||||||||||||
| Transfers from General Fund | 207.00 | 703.00 | 187.00 | 377.00 | 1,013.00 | 187.00 | 897.00 | 703.00 | 187.00 | 537.00 | 1,053.00 | 537.00 | 6,588.00 | 7,000.00 |
| Transfers from Hardship Fund | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 390.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 390.00 | 0.00 |
| Total In | 207.00 | 703.00 | 187.00 | 377.00 | 1,013.00 | 187.00 | 1,287.00 | 703.00 | 187.00 | 537.00 | 1,053.00 | 537.00 | 6,978.00 | 7,000.00 |
| Committed Gifts | ||||||||||||||
| Baptist Union Home Mission Fund | -516.00 | -516.00 | -516.00 | -516.00 | -2,064.00 | |||||||||
| Compassion UK | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -37.00 | -444.00 | |
| New Gound | -350.00 | -350.00 | -350.00 | -1,050.00 | ||||||||||
| Richard & Nia Jones | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -1,800.00 | |
| Sisters of the Christian | -20.00 | -20.00 | ||||||||||||
| FMDM Foundation | -190.00 | -190.00 | -380.00 | |||||||||||
| Putney Community Church | -100.00 | -100.00 | ||||||||||||
| Evangelical Alliance | -120.00 | -120.00 | ||||||||||||
| Discretionary Expenditure | -1,000.00 | -1,000.00 | ||||||||||||
| Total | -207.00 | -703.00 | -187.00 | -377.00 | -1,013.00 | -187.00 | -1,287.00 | -703.00 | -187.00 | -537.00 | -1,053.00 | -537.00 | -6,978.00 | 0.00 |
01/02/2025
Final
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WAiES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the tru$ts85 HERSHAKI BAPTISTCHURCH On ac¢ovnts for the year ended 2024 Charlty no Ilf any) 1200341 Set out C*n pages I report to the trustee5 on my examination of the accounts of the above charity 1.the Trust") for the year ended 3111212024. R•sponsibllltles and basi5 of report As the charity's trustees. you ar8 responsible for th8 preparation of the a¢¢ounts in aCrdan wrth the requirewtnts of the Charities 1 2011 (Xhe A¢VI. I report in sPeCt of my examination of th8 Trust's accourits Ggrried oul under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examin8tion. I have followed all the applicable Directior6 gnien by the Charity Commissitsn under section 14515llbl of the Act. Ind8pendent [T charity's grts$5 incom8 exceeded £250,000 and l am qualffied to examin•rfs statemènt uThJertake the examinabon by bel a oualifEd rnernber of linsert na of applicable li8led blyayll. Delet81 l ilnot applibI&. I have Cornpted my exarninats'on. l Confirm that no material matter5 have corne to my atlentDn in conn8ction with the examination (other than that dis¢105ed b81ow'l which give5 m8 rause to believ8 that in, any material resped." the accounting rerdS We wt kept in aCrdan with section 130 ol Charities Act.. or the ac(x)unts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the &CLInts did not comply with the applicab18 requirements nMINg the fom arKI content of accounts Set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulat)n$ 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which is not a Matter considered as part ol an independent examination. I have no nm$ and have 1m9 across no other matters in connection th th8 examination tts which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a propEr understanding of the accounts to be aChed. Please lete th8 wo8 An Ihe brack8ts rfthey do nol èpply. Slgnod.. Name: Relevant professional quallflcatlonl51 or body IER Oct 2018
Ilf any).. Addres$.' Section B Dise105ure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concÈ (see CC32, Indewndent examination of charity 8ftounts'. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brlef details of any items that the examiner wish88 to dl$¢lose. IER Oct 2018