## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period from 01/01/2024 to 31/12/24**
## **Charity name: Light of Life Baptist Church**
## **Charity registration number:1201230**
## **Objectives and Activities**
The principal purposes of the Church are: -
The advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination.
The Church may also advance education and conduct other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.
## **Beliefs**
As a member of the Baptist Union the Church subscribes to the Baptist Union’s Declaration of Principle:
“That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.
That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who ‘died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried and rose again on the third day’.
That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.”
## **Activities**
In fulfilling the purposes, the Church will engage in a range of activities either on its own or with others that will vary from time to time with activities being initiated, expanded, or closed, as appropriate.
The activities may include but are not restricted to:
- 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 which shall normally be observed at least once a month.
- evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
- the teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of all people.
- nurture and growth of Christian disciples.
- education 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 Christian denominations.
## **The charity trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.**
## **Achievements and Performance**
Light of Life Baptist Church CIO in 2024 was continuing the work of the church in promoting the Christian Faith as detailed in ‘Activities’ above.
In 2024 Light of Life Baptist Church CIO had the following achievements:
- In early 2024 LoL applied for funding via VCSE(Voluntary Community or Society organisation) for an Independent Energy Efficiency Survey, funded through the Government’s Energy Efficiency Scheme. Funding for the survey was provided and the survey occurred in April 2024. This detailed 7 different energy saving actions for the LoL chapel. This then formed the basis for a detailed application for funding for the 7 actions from the same Energy Efficiency Scheme. Unfortunately funding was not received (primarily due to the high number of applications received nationally), but the survey results and recommendations will be used going forward, to seek funding from other sources(locally and nationally).
- Funding for a hearing loop in the chapel was successfully requested from The Clan Trust (who are a Norfolk based charity supporting young farmers, science in agriculture and outreach for the elderly)and a hearing loop and individual headsets were purchased and installed in the chapel in late 2024. This further helps with our aims of being an inclusive space, accessible to all.
- Meeting altogether, at least twice a month (usually on 1[st] and 3[rd] Sundays) for services which include communion and provision for children, young people, and adults. Attendance at the services increased throughout 2024 and visitors, as well as regular church members, were often present.
- We have welcomed, enjoyed and valued hearing from visiting speakers across the Baptist Union and other Christian Denominations, at a number of the services.
- ’
- • We have hosted a ‘Listening for Change Day led by Rev Richard Shorter, inviting leaders from the EBA (Eastern Baptist Association) to attend and learn together in our chapel.
- The Christian celebrations of Easter, Harvest and Christmas were also marked by the fellowship with additional events, such as an Ash Wednesday service, a community meal on Maundy Thursday, a Good Friday service, a
sunrise service on Scratby beach on Easter morning, a Harvest celebration, Christmas Carol service and a New Year ’s Eve games morning. Everyone has been welcomed to these events, by publicising both in the Chapel’s front Window (which is on the pavement edge) and through social media (The Chapel’s Facebook page). Events are promoted through the local Facebook community page. Christmas services were advertised in the free local NR29 booklet which is delivered to all households in the NR29 area.
- We jointly hosted a Remembering service in December 2024 with Murrant ’s Funeral Directors inviting those who had experienced loss. Members of the Light of Life (LoL) chapel also attended this to take part and to help host. This was a chance to share and support those who had been bereaved and engage with our local community.
- LoL held 4 Family Meetings (Partners ’ meetings) in 202 4. These meetings always include worship, sharing of administrative and legal information (such as financial updates and policy reviews) and opportunities to prayerfully consider development of new and old activities. All these meetings are minuted.
- Safeguarding, Health and Safety, GDPR and Social Media policies were reviewed at the AGM.
- The Church has continued to meet its legal requirements by being insured (buildings, contents, public liability, and employer’s liability) and has maintained fire safety and other safety and risk assessment checks.
- The leadership team of Charity Trustees met monthly during 2024 and in April 2024 one new charity trustee joined the team. The trustees ’ meetings are a mixture of spiritual discernment and legal and admin matters. All these meetings are minuted. Light of Life aims for all the fellowship to be involved in tasks, activities, and decisions, not just the charity trustees, and seeks to encourage involvement of all.
- In 2024 Light of Life Baptist Church CIO continued to meet face to face twice monthly on a Sunday. At the first Sunday of the month we meet for a ‘Nourish’ service. This is a chance to share breakfast together, followed by a time of contemplative worship and devotions. The Nourish services had increasing attendance over 2024.
- The third Sunday of the month is our ‘Gather’ service. This is an all age service, incorporating praising (through song), prayer, teaching and sharing of communion together. This service format also has an increasing attendance.
- Youth Work through a monthly ‘Youth Chill’ continued in 2024, with a steady number of attendees, and being regularly based at the chapel. This work is in collaboration with the local Anglican fellowship.
- Our ‘Life Groups,’ small group meetings throughout the week, continued throughout 2024. These happened in both our chapel building and in people’s homes. In 2024 we started a life group via Zoom for those people who wanted to take part in our life groups but were unable to physically attend the existing groups.
- Oasis, a Renew Wellbeing Group, has continued to thrive, growing in numbers (now with approximately twenty attendees each week). Some of the Oasis attendees now attend other LOL services and activities (such as Sunday morning services) and are becoming embedded in the church family. Oasis meets every Monday morning, even on all the bank holidays throughout the year.
- ‘ ’
- • Some members of LOL attended the Crucible Course in 2024, delivered partly online and partly travelling to attend in person. This was an opportunity to discuss faith, discipleship, and mission in church today.
- In 2024 we held an adult Alpha course, which was attended by a small number of people, two of whom went on to be Baptised and become partners.
- In 2024 we became aware of a very small, inclusive Baptist fellowship in Cambridge and wanted to offer them our support. A few LoL partners went over to join the fellowship for a Sunday morning worship service in the summer of 2024 and started to forge links with them. We also have since added Renew to our tithing and have invited them to share worship with us in 2025.
- The Chapel hosted a packed few days of activities for Christian Aid Week in May 2024. As well as raising funds for Christian Aid, the event brings different Christian denominations in the village together and welcomes the community into our building and our hospitality.
- We arranged and hosted an away day at Letton Hall (in Norfolk) for church attendees, families and friends (including those that attend the Oasis group). This was well attended. Rev Sam Abramian from Good Hope Ministries led the adults whilst youth workers from London Road Baptist Church, Lowestoft led our children and young people. There were opportunities for learning, group discussions and time to relax and play games as well as sharing food together. It was an enjoyable day and gave everyone a chance to reflect on scripture as well as develop relationships within the church family. The theme of the day was mission and was entitled “Guests with the Gospel”
- In September 2024 we baptised two new Christians. One Baptism was held in the sea at Scratby Beach. The other at a local Baptist in Martham as LoL does not have a baptistry.
- Throughout the year LoL serves the community by providing free events. In 2024 two ‘Leg o Cafes’ were held during school holidays. These provided a safe place for children to play, parents and carers to meet, free refreshments, opportunities for those attending to chat and get to know members of LOL, and opportunities to donate to Flegg area Food Bank (financially or by bringing food donations).
- In 2024 Light of Life joined with the local Anglican church in providing a hub of free activities for all ages at the Ormesby Village Fete. This was a wonderful opportunity to work together and to meet with our community, forging new links and refreshing older ones. We were led by Kadosh Soul Space providing a coffee tent and training a few of the church members who could then offer hand massage and prayers.
- In September, the trustees had an away day (using space at Gorleston Baptist Church). Rev David Mayne, Regional Minister, encouraged us to consider how we saw LoL in colours. It was a day of open discussion, prayer, and discernment. The trustees felt it was of great benefit for helping them both in their spiritual journey and as trustees.
- Light of Life provided free refreshments, warmth, and toilet facilities for those who are out in the village on the evening of 31[st] October, opening our doors to approximately 150 of our community.
- In November we hosted a Tearfund Quiz- helping to raise money and awareness within the community of this charity. It was attended by both partners and members of the local community.
- Pastoral work, especially for those who are no longer able to attend chapel events and for those experiencing difficult times (bereavement, illness, and hardships) continued in 2024. Pastoral visits are made by our minister, trustees, and all members of the fellowship. ‘ Pastoral matters ’ is a recurring agenda item at Trustees meetings, to ensure nobody is overlooked.
- In 2024 a few of the Trustees began volunteering in different areas within their local community, including Ormesby ’s ‘Stay and Play’ groups and helping with the local Great Yarmouth Christmas Stocking campaign for families in need in the wider community. People within the LOL fellowship also donated many gifts to the campaign and the chapel became a collection point for donations from the wider community.
## **Financial Review**
Light Of Life Baptist Church CIO, Charity Number 1201230 was legally registered with The Charity Commission for England on 5.12.22.
End of year accounts for Light of Life Baptist Church (up to 31.12.24) have been prepared.
## **Reserves Policy:**
We should only hold money in reserve for specific reasons. Whilst the Bible clearly indicates that we should not hoard, it is also clear that sensible planning for known events and responsibility for, and to, others is important. We are taught to believe that God will provide, and we all know that this is true and that there are many instances, both large and small, in which it can be demonstrated. God does not however expect his people to be foolhardy, but to count the cost of a project before they proceed with it. The Trustees need to balance their faith in the ongoing provision of God through his people, with the contractual obligations they have.
We believe it is correct and proper to hold in reserve a minimum of 3 months operational costs. This is to ensure we can meet our responsibilities and contractual obligations through any minor disruption in income.
The trustees will review the reserves policy every year, with the treasurer [continually] monitoring the status of the church finances and providing interim information / reports to leadership and membership meetings.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
Type of governing Document: Constitution
How is the Charity Constituted? Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection detailed in Constitution of Light of Life Baptist Church CIO. Trustees are members of Light of Life Baptist Church and are elected by the membership at Members’ meetings .
## **Reference and Administrative details**
Charity name
Light of Life Baptist Church
|Other name the charity
uses|LOL|
|---|---|
|Registered charity number|1201230|
|Charity’s principal address|Light of Life Baptist Church, The Chapel, North Road,
Ormesby,Great Yarmouth. NR29 3RS|
**Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
|1
2
3
4
5
6
7|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if**
**not for full**
**year**|**Name of person (or body)**
**entitled to appoint trustee (if**
**any)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Rev Elizabeth
Stoner|Minister||Membership of Light of Life Baptist
Church|
||Marie Hearney|Treasurer||Membership of Light of Life Baptist
Church|
||Catherine
Linstead|Secretary||Membership of Light of Life Baptist
Church|
||Gemma Pearce|||Membership of Light of Life Baptist
Church|
||Heather Nichols|||Membership of Light of Life Baptist
Church|
||Stephen Howard|||Membership of Light of Life Baptist
Church|
||Hannah Farman||April 2024|Membership of Light of Life Baptist
Church|
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved.
**Director name** None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
|**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for**
**fullyear **||
|---|---|---|
||||
## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others.**
Description of the assets None held held in this capacity. Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this sits within the
custodian charity’s objects. Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
## **Other optional information**
Light Of Life Baptist Church CIO, Charity Number 1201230 was legally registered with The Charity Commission for England on 5.12.22.
The financial year for Light Of Life Baptist Church runs from 1[st] January to 31[st] December.
Light of Life Baptist Church CIO Charity Trustees’ plan for 2024 was:
- Succession planning for new Treasurer for 2025
- Continuing to fulfil our purposes of “advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination.”
All these targets were achieved.
Light of Life Baptist Church CIO Trustees plans for 2025 are:
- Complete handover to new treasurer in 2025
- Action plan for the 7 energy efficiency recommendations made in 2025 survey.
- Further engagement with the local community and community projects.
- Youth Alpha course to encourage and help the faith of the young people to grow while growing as disciples of Christ.
- Continue to develop Oasis as a consistent and regular well-being safe space for the wider community.
- Continuing the church rhythm and encouraging involvement from partners, children and visitors as we grow together in faith, showing Christs love for all.
- Sabbatical planning as Elizabeth Stoner takes a 3 month Sabbatical during 2025.
- Plan further visits to Renew Church, Cambridge.
- Continue with serving the local community to in a range of outreach events, eg. further Lego cafés, social events and inviting people to our monthly Nourish breakfasts.
- To continue supporting other local faith and non-faith groups in activities and projects to benefit the community.
- To develop a study group for members new to faith.
- Continue to encourage and support the Men’s group as they explore and grow in faith.
## **Declarations**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees**
|**Signature(s)**
**Full name(s)**
**Position (e.g. Secretary,**
**Chair)**
**Date**|||
|---|---|---|
||||
||Marie Hearney|Gemma Pearce|
||
Treasurer|Trustee|
||2.6.25||
||2.6.25||
**Light of Life Baptist Church**
**1201230**
## **Recei ts and a ments accounts p p y**
**For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 1.1.24 31.12.24
## **Section A Receipts and payments**
|**A1 Receipts**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest**
**£**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest**
**£**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Offertory,chapel hire,letton hallpayments|**35,310**||**-**||**-**||**35,310**|
|Gift Aid|**7,203**||**350**||**-**||**7,553**|
|Deposit accounts interest|**-**||**-**||**942**||**942**|
|Transfer of LOL non CIO monies to LOL
CIO|**-**||**-**||**-**|||
|Restricted donations to be passed to
others(food bank,BfC,tear fund)|**-**||**498**||**-**||**498**|
|Restricted grants for heating and hearing
loop|**-**||**2,800**||**-**||**2,800**|
|EBAgrant forpublicityand mission|**1,850**||||**-**||**1,850**|
|Restricted donations forpension loan|**-**||**1,400**||**-**||**1,400**|
|Restricted donations for CB memorial fund||||||||
|Restricted donations for publicity and
electricity|**-**||**430**||**-**||**430**|
|**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for_
_AR)_|**44,363**||**5,478**||**942**||**50,783**|
|||||||||
|**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**||||||||
|**Sale of kitchen items**|**-**||||||**-**|
|Misc refunds to account (youth chill
monies and manse water and sewerage
payments|**534**||||||**534**|
|**_Sub total_**|**534**||||||**534**|
|**_Total receipts_**
**A3 Payments**||||||||
||||||||**51,317**|
|||||||||
|Ministrycosts|**32,868**||**-**||**-**||**32,868**|
|Tithes|**4,208**||**-**||**-**||**4,208**|
|Hospitality, outreach, LOL young people|**1,072**||**-**||**-**||**1,072**|
|Pension loan repayments|**-**||**3,308**||**-**||**3,308**|
|Gifts to other organisations (food bank, B
f C,tear fund)|**-**||**498**||**-**||**498**|
|Resources for LOL operations (BU
membership, A Rocha, resources,
speaker expenses, leadership costs,
Letton Hallpayment)|**1,267**||**-**||**-**||**1,267**|
|Chapel maintenance and hearing loop|**481**||**1,609**||**-**||**2,090**|
|Chapel utilities and insurance|**1,824**||**600**||**-**||**2,424**|
|Office, wifi, website, tech, CCLI, bank
charges|**1,385**||**-**||**-**||**1,385**|
|**_Sub total_ **
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)|**43,105**||**6,015**
1||**-**||**49,120**|
**----- Start of picture text -----**
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - -
Total payments 43,105 6,015 - 49,120
Net of receipts/(payments) 1,792 - 537 942 2,197
A5 Transfers between funds - - - -
- - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end 1,792 - 537 942 2,197
**----- End of picture text -----**
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2
## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**
|**Categories**
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)|Current account
BU 1 month notice deposit account
BU 7 day notice deposit account
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**|Current account
BU 1 month notice deposit account
BU 7 day notice deposit account
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**3,478**||**-**|
||||**20,430**||**5,492**|
||||**2,549**||**-**|
||||**26,457**||**5,492**|
||||||Agreement Error|
||||||**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|
||||**-**||**-**|
||||**-**||**-**|
||||**-**||**-**|
||||**-**||**-**|
||||**-**||**-**|
||||**-**||**-**|
||**Details**||**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**||**Cost (optional)**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||**Details**||**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**||**Cost (optional)**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||||||**-**|
||**Details**||**Fund to which**
**liability relates**||**Amount due**
**(optional)**|
||Pension Loan with Baptist Union
~~Corporation Limited outstanding balance~~||||**39,468**|
||~~,~~||||**-**|
||3||||**-**|
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
|||||**-**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**-**|
|Signature||Print Name|||
|||Marie Hearney|||
|||Gemma Pearce|||
CCXX R4 accounts (SS)
4
**----- Start of picture text -----**
CC16a
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Last year**
## **to the nearest £**
**17,695 2,877 562 34,733 368 1,000 - 3,500 180 187 61,102**
**30**
**-**
**30**
**61,132**
**17,454 1,980 904 5,907 384 1,049 764 1,505 1,434 31,381** 5
CCXX R5 accounts (SS)
**31,381 29,751 - - 29,751**
CCXX R6 accounts (SS)
6
**Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - -**
Agreement Error
## **Endowment funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**Current value (optional)**
**-**
**Current value (optional)**
**-**
**When due (optional)**
CCXX R7 accounts (SS)
7
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Date of
approval
25.2.25
25.2.25
**----- End of picture text -----**
CCXX R8 accounts (SS)
8
CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's
report on the accounts
Section A.
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trusteesl
members of
On accounts for the year
ended
31.12.24
Charity no
(if any)
1201230
Set out on pages
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity ("the Trust") for the year ended
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation
basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 ("the Act").
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust'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.
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
Independent
examiner's statement
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Date:
Signed:
Name:
TGHN (L[
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
Address:
q COFtyIWJ ryL(VG
ffv Ll<
IER
October 2018
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of conrn (see CC32,
Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidan for
examiners).
Give here brief details of
any items that the
examiner wishes to
disclose.
IER
October 2018