MARLOW Glade Road, Marlow, SL7 IDX BAPTIST www.marlowbaptistchurch.orE.uk CHURCH email: marlowbc@yahoo.com TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD IJANUARYTO 31 DECEMBER 2025 Section A: Reference and admlnistration details Marlow Baptist Church, formerly an excepted charity under Section 3012llbl of the Charities Act 2011, became a registered charity on 26 June 2025. Its registered charity number is 1213827. Names oftheTrustees who mana e the Church Trustee Name Office lif any) Date5 acted if not for whole year Rev. john Billett Rev. Kenneth Claassen Mr Matthew Bar Mrs Heather Baxter Mr Alan Fox Mr Robert Payne Chair of Trustees Minister Deacon Treasurer/Secretar Deatron Deacon 1.1.25 - 2.7.25 Inde endent Examiner.. Mr Mark Richardson Sectton B: Structure. governance and management Descri tion of the charit 's trusts Type of governing document Constitution based on the Approved Governing Document for FIEC churches How 15 the charity constituted Unincorporated association affiliated to the FIEC Trustee selection methods Proposed by Managing Trustees and approved by members voting at church meeting Settion C: Objectives and actlvltles Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in the Constitution: The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Marlow and the surrounding neighbourhood, and Such other charitable purposes as shall, In the opinion of the members of the Church in Eeneral meeting further the work of the Church. To achleve the principal objective, the church provides varlous opportunltles for all those attending to grow in their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus ChrisL The church also seeks to reach out to unbelievers in Marlow and the surrounding areas.
Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These services take place each Sunday at 10.30am and also on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Full details of services and weekday meetings are available on the church website and Facebook. Details of the services and special events are displayed on notice boards at the front of the church throughout the year. Services are live streamed to our YouTube Channel. Details of the church are on the following web sites.. www.fiec.org.uk, www.affinity.org.uk, www.pwmi.org, www.mymarlow.co.uk and www.directory.buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Sunday School for our children is also a very important mlnlstry for the church. The children are wFth their parents in the church for the early part of the Sunday services and then go to the Main Hall for their time together with leaders and helpers. The leaders use 'Generations of Grace, teaching materials. A Light Party tor the children is usually held around 31 October and the children take part in a Family Service in Dernber. A monthly Friday evening club for the children plus a rnonthly youth discipleshlp get-together for our old young people started this year. These events provide opportunities for new families to join with us. The church operates systems to ensure all those volunteering to work with children are appropriately checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service. The church encourages the fellowship to join one of the Home Groups which meei regularly in homes, at the church and on Zoom. Bible Studies led by our pastor are held on Zoom on Thursday evenings and 8t the church on Friday afternoons. Fellowship breakfasts for ladies and men are held on a number of Saturdays during the year. A new bi-weekly coffee morning on Thursday5 at the church started in October which is open to the fellowship and the community. Sermons, talks and Bible Studies are recorded and posted regularly to the church's YouTube Channel and website. The Trustees have read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing a benefit to the public. Vision and Values of the Church- The church 15 here to fulfil the calling that God gives the church in His Word. We seek to bring God glory. proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and love each other. We honnijr God and express our gratitiide to Chriqt by serving Him. We do so through sharino the gospel and a faithful Christian witness. Our values are based on our trust in God's Word as our authority on all matters of the church and the Christian life. We acknowledge our complete dependence on God, therefore prayer is a vital part of our church life. Values To bring glory to God Trust in the sufficiency of the Word of God Share the gospel and exclL151Vlty of our Lord Jesus Christ To love God, one another and our neighbours Vision To reach others with the wonderful message of our Lord Jesus Christ To encourage Christians to grow in their faith and live lives honouring God To eqiiiy the church through fal"LP,ful teaching and diligent study of the Word of God To fur)ction as a body of believer5 that serves God and each other. To be relevant in our community and to show love and care towards all those we meet
Settion D.. Achievements and performance Motto Text for 2025.. So thenfuith comesfrom hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10.. 17 The church has continued to be blessed with the ministry and leadership of our pastor, Kenneth C1335sen. Sunday preaching series have included.. Rlghtly dividing the Word of Truth,. Joy in Christ- Philippians,. The cries from the cross,. The Glory & Gospel of Gra£e- Galatlan5,' Defending the Faith,. What the Bible says about.. . The Journey of the King- Advent. The 'Foundational Theology, studies concluded in February wlth 2 Saturday mornings looking at Ecclesiology & Esthatology. Prayer meetings have been held monthly on Zoom. The Home Groups have been important times for times for learning, sharing and praying with eath other. A new 'Growing in Christ, course was held monthly on Zoom during the year and this was well attended by the fellowship and some new people exploring faith. The well attended Bible Studie5 led by Kenneth on Thursday evenings and Friday afternoons have continued in the Gospel of John. On 10 May and 20 September, Newfield Community Church in Marlow used the bapt15try and on l August Penn Free Methodist Church held a baptismal service. On 21 September a member of another local church went through the waters of baptism. Gifts of food and other essential items brought to our Harvest Thanksgiving Service on 14 September were given to the One Can Trust. The mayor of Marlow visited the church in August. On three Sundays in November, parents brought their Children for dedication. Kenneth officiated at a wedding and also conducted three funeral services during the year. Our care for each other and comrnunication is important to us as a church. A monthly Newsletter is provided for the fellowship. A Programme Card is produced every 4 months giving details of the Preachlng Plan together with events and special services. On Sundays we have enjoyed fellowship over refreshments after services, together with monthly lunches. These have been good times to get to know new people and those visiting the church. We ensure all newcomers are warmly welcomed,. our pastor vi51t5 new people in their homes and everyone is encouraged to join a home group. Pastoral phone calls and visits are made which include those who are not able to come regularly due to age or illness. We have been greatly encouraged with new people and visitors coming to our services during the year. Average attendance Jan- Mar 50 adults, 14 children Apr-june 54 adLtIts, 12 children July- Sept 50 adults, 13 children Ort-Dec 53 adults, 15 children In addition, each Sunday a number of people joined our services live on our YouTube channel including members of Faith in Christ Fellowship in Droitwich. During the year the church had 8700 YouTube views and 301 subscribers. At the end of the year there were 37 members, a decrease of 2 on the previous year. The refurbishment ofthe main church was completed in March and we now have a contemporary, welcoming space for our regular attenders and those we are seeking to reach out and minister to.
The Trustees are so grateful to all those who have Eiven of their time, energy and giftings to the fellowship during the year. Thanks must be given to all those who serve in the Sunday School each week particularly during the church refurbishment when so many adjustments had to be made. Thanks must also be recorded for all the practical help given by the fellowship to enable the smooth running of the church on Sundays- the stewards, musicians, AV team, Communion preparers, refreshfflent servers, cake providers, those who provide flowers and decoratlons, those who open up the church and tidy up afterwards. A number in the fellowship gave much thought and time to the church refurbishment for whith we have been so grateful. We would also like to thank our Administrator for all the work he continues to do behind the SneS. Sectlon E: Flffiancial revlew With the main church, rear premises and manse to maintain, there is a constant list of outstanding premises work Larger projects are prioritised and undertaken subject to availability of funds and grants. The main church refurblshment C05t £51,994.84 in 2024 and £26,081.32 in 2025 (Total- £78,076.16) During the year, the church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making donations totalling £3,565 to national and international Christian organisations with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the church's own charitable purpose. The church is heavily dependent on the fellowship working as volunteers in all asperts of the Church's activities, many of which run with little or no impact on the church's expenditure, but nevertheless contribute substantially to the achievement of the church's objectives. The Trustees are so grateful to the Lord for HIS financial provision for the Church during this year. Refurbishment of the church manse 15 due to take place in 2026 and Restrirted fund5 of £62,337 and Unrestricted funds of £50,000 totalling £112,337 have been set aslde for this project. ststement of the church's on reserves The Trustees have established a Reserves Policy to enable the church to funrtion effectively and meet its obllgations in the event of a decline in income or an unexpected major cost. Having considered the relevant risks of changes in Income and expenditure, the Twstees have determined that the appropriate level of reserves is in the range of £20,000- É21,000. As at 31 December 2025, the church held total reserves of £20,488.44 which are held in a 95-day notice account. Sectlon G: Declaration The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustee's report above. Signed on behalf of the Church Signature.. Position: Chair of Trustees Full Name.. John William Billett Date:
MARLOW Gladè Road, Marlow, SL7 IDX BAPTIST wvww.marlowbaptistchurch.or8.uk CHURCH email: marlowbc@yahoo.com FINANaAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 SEcfioN A.. RECEIPTS AND PAYMENT ACCOUNT Notes 2025 Designated Funds 2024 Total Unrestrlcted Funds Restricted Funds Total Recei ts Offerin Donations and other income Stewardship Services Grants Stewardship Services Grants- Reclaimed tax Grants 8ank Interest Total iecel ts 13433.48 680.00 13433.48 2440.00 12164.20 6559.88 1760.00 38328.01 4000.00 42328.01 52404.97 7302.34 850.00 8152.34 9718.96 64500.00 64500.00 2343.27 133197.10 75500.00 1298.64 157646.55 2343.27 62087.10 71110.00 Payments Ministry Missions & other causes Outreach Sunda School Upkeep ofchurch premises and Manse Administration 32914.89 3565.00 32914.89 4190.00 1628.47 344.70 40653.81 28983.23 4729.00 2320.51 153.62 86492.53 625.00 1628.47 344.70 33094.32 7559.49 3297.30 3297.30 2216.00 Total ments 47336.68 1628.47 34064.02 83029.17 124894.89 Net rece[ tslpa ments Transfers betweet) Funds Cash balance at 31.12.24 Cash balante at 31.12.25 14750.42 -52617.00 78889.66 41023.08 -1628.47 52617.00 1167.56 52156.09 37045.98 50167.93 32751.76 26081.32 63127.30 106138.54 156306.47 Notes: l.Basis of aecounls These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis and in accordance with 5ectlon 133 Charities Act 2011.
Analysis of Fund Movements for the year lil UNRESTRICTED FUNDS may be used by the church for any of its ordinary purposes. The movements in the fund are shown in the Receipts and Payments Account. lill DESIGNATED FUNDS represent sums set aslde, out of unrestricted funds, for specific designated purposes, but they can be transferred back into unrestricted funds at any time. Fund Name Fund Purpose Balan 1.1.25 Receipts TIF in from U/R Funds 1521.00 Payments Balance 31.12.25 Mission to Marlow Outreach, advertising & on-line ministry Funds set aside for missions and other 1167.56 1628.47 1060.09 Missions 1096.00 1096.00 causes Mange Refurbishment of Refurbishment the manse Totals (per Recelpts & Payments Account) 50000.00 50000.00 1167.56 52617.00 1628.47 52156.09 Note= The church gives IOOA of Its offerings to missions. With so many people living in Marlow and the surrounding area not knowing the Lord, it has been policy during the year to place 2.5% of this tithe into a Designated Fund 'Mission to marlo and funds have been used for outreach, advertising and development of our on-line ministrv. liiil RESTRICTED FUNDS represent donations received or Invited for a specific purpose. The funds may only be spent on the specific purpose for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent must be carried forward as a balance on that fund and cannot be absorbed into unrestricted funds. Fund Name Fund Purpose Balance 1.1.25 26081.32 Receipts Payments Balance 31.12.25 NIL Church Refurblshment Refurbishment of the maln church Refurbishment ofthe manse Refurbishment of the church toilet5 For One Can Trust For Sunday School Equipment Church For church Premises premises Maintenance maintenance Totals (per Receipts & Payments Account) 26081.32 Manse Refurbishment Church Toilet5 refurbishment 64500.00 2163.00 62337.00 625.00 625.00 Other Causes 625.00 625.00 NIL Sunday School Equlpinent 510.00 344.70 165.30 4850.00 4850.00 NIL 26081.32 71110.00 34064.02 63127.30
2.Donatlons and other income 2025 2024 3000.00 565.00 3565.00 Legacy Other Donations Total donations and other income 680.00 680.00 3. Mlnlst 2025 25836.00 2570.00 60.90 269.00 4178.99 32914.89 2024 22700.00 2237.90 54.00 212.45 3778.88 28983.23 Ministerfs stipend Pensi(>n contributions Ministerfs ex Pulplt Fees Manse Costs (Council Tax, water, broadband) Total Minlst enses Kenneth Claassen acts as one of the church'5 Trustees and reiVeS remuneration and other benefits in respert of his services as Minister, including the provision of manse accommodation owned by the churth. He was enrolled into the church's Auto-Enrolment pension scheme from I September 2019. Under the church's defined contribution Auto-Enrolment pension scheme, the church pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contribution5 have been paid, the church has no further payment obligations. The contributions are recognised as an expense when they are due. Amounts not paid are shown under Current Liabilities. The assets of the plan are held separately from the church in an independently administered fund. The church claims the Employment Allowance of up to £10,500 in respect of employels national insurance contributions. 4. Mlsslons & Other Causes 2025 1521.00 785.00 787.00 372.00 loo.00 2024 1543.00 Wycliffe Bible Translators 'Ararat-Rainier East-We5t Fellowship Life in Christ Fellowshlp Isle of Man Faith in Christ Fellowship Droitwich Llghthouse Marlow European Mission Fellowship Pioneers via Arab World Mlnistries Total Missions & Other Causes 1200.00 loo.00 1149.00 737.00 4729.00 3565.00 *Further £734 to be given in 2026 from Missions Designated fund
- U keep of Church remises and M4nse 2025 1906.16 1258.33 2024 2466.29 1187.10 Elertric, Gas & Water (Church) Insurance Ichurch & Mansel Repairs & Maintenance.. Church Manse Total Maintenance 7817.10 962.55 8779.65 28921.88 Equipment (Church) 465.35 1922.42 Main church refurbishment Manse refurbishment Total Upkeep of Church premlses and Manse 26081.32 2163.00 40653.81 51994.84 86492.53
- Administratlon 2025 1224.00 584.25 280.00 2024 720.00 569.30 260.00 FIEC Donations Stewardship Pa roll Fees BaptlSt Union Corporation Holding Deeds Fees Independent Examlners Fee other Administration Total Adminlstration 250.00 959.05 3297.30 250.00 416.70 2216.00 SEcfioN B: STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIA81UTIES AS AT 31 OECEMBER 2025 Bank balance Lloyds Bank Maidenhead Charlty Account Commercial Instant Access Deposit Account 32 Day Notice Deposit Account 95 Day Notice Deposit Account Total 31.12.25'. £14,579.88 31.12.24: £13,756.49 31.12.25: £26,571.39 31.12.25: £94,666.76 31.12.25'. £20,488.44 31.12.25- £156,306.47 31.12.24.. £72,341.36 31.12.24'. £20,040.69 31.12.24.' £106,138,54
Current Uablllties 2025 2024 l.Mlnister's Pension.. Fmplr>yeps' ¢ontributlon for December (received from Stewardship Services) Employers, contribution for December Paid by Direct Debit- 7.1.26 2. Church refurbishment al Alpha Furni5hings- deposlt paid for chairs. balance paid on delivery 27.1.25 bl Estimates agreed for Installation of monitors, flooring and high-level cleaning- work completed in Jan/Feb and paid for Total Current Llabllltles E17?.24 EJ61.36 £215.30 £201.70 £7,305.38 £15,245.88 £387.54 £22,91432 Assets held for the Church's own use The church15 the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the following assets, the legal title to which is held by the Church's custodian trustee, the Baptist Union Corporatlon Ltd: Church premises valued in the accounts at £1,619,761 based on insured value (rebuilding costl. Adopted Into the Baptist Union Corporation Fairbairn Trusts since 1964. Church manse valued in the accounts at £470,702 based on insured value (rebuilding costl. Market valuation of E650,000 by Ballard5 in February 2018. Adopted into the Baptist Union Corporation Holborn Trusts since 1987. The church also owns tIMtur&s, furniture and equipmont with an insured value of £55,169. Trustees Expenses The Trjjstees dld not receive any expenses durlng the year in respect of their being Trustees of the Church. The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities set out on pages 5- 9 relating to the year ending 31 December 2025 are a5 approved by the Trustees. Signed.. John Blllett Date-.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF MARLOW BAPTIST CHURCH I report to the trustees on my examirlatton of the actounts of the Church for the year ended 31 Detember 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 9. Responslbility and basis of report As the charily's trustees, you 8re respon85ble for the prepAration of the accounts In ÈccordAnce with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111"the Act"l. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out und8r s8Ction 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followgd all the applicable Directions Eiven bythe Charity Commission under s6Ction 14515llbl of the Act. Independent Examlner's Ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connecfjon wlth the examlnatfon whlch glves me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in actordance with section 130 of the Charities Act,. or the accounts did not accord with the actounting records,. or the accounts dld not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out In the charle$ IAccounts and Reports) Regulafjons 2008 other thèn any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as p3rt of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In connectlon with the examlnafjon to whith attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsndin8 of the accounts to be reached. Mark Rlchardson, ACA IS April 2026