**Gilnahirk Baptist Church Trustees’ Report** 

The trustees present their report and Receipts and Payment account for the year ended 31 December 2023. 

## **Objectives and activities** 

Gilnahirk Baptist Church (“the Church”) acknowledges the headship of Jesus Christ over his Church and exists to glorify the triune God by maintaining and promoting his worship both individually and corporately. 

The principal charitable object of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the teaching of scripture, understood in its historical and evangelical sense, the Doctrinal Statement and Baptist principles. Its members devote themselves to the teaching of scripture, to fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer and evangelism. 

The activities carried out by the Church include: 

- holding regular services for public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching for all age groups; 

- providing pastoral care to the members of the church through visitation and prayer; 

- organising meetings and events that promote our charitable purpose; 

- participating in the life of the local community; 

- supporting other Christian organisations and charities through volunteering, financial gifts and prayer. 

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the church should undertake 

## **Achievements and performance** 

The Church meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its members and the general public by making known the Christian gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of the Christian faith. 

The Church continued to operate in the following ways throughout the 2023 year. 

- Sunday Services – every Sunday morning throughout the whole year. 

- Young peoples’ Bible Class took place every Sunday morning during ‘term time’. 

- Sunday School ran weekly during the Sunday services. 

- Holiday Bible Club delivered a one-week programme of teaching for primary school aged children in August 2023, with additional events across the week for teenagers to attend. 

- Organisations that were supported by the Church included the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, Release International, Scripture Union Northern Ireland and Christians Against Poverty. 

## Financial Review 

The church recorded a net deficit for the year 2023 of £4,920 (2022: surplus £5,339). 

Closing unrestricted reserves at 31 December 2023 were £69,905 (2022: £74,825). 

There were no restricted reserves at 31 December were 2023. 

There are no funds held by the Church that are materially in deficit. 

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**Gilnahirk Baptist Church Trustees’ Report** 

## **Structure, Governance and Management:** 

Gilnahirk Baptist Church is an unincorporated entity operating under a constitution last updated in 2019. Registered Charity Number: 107374 

Principal Address: Gilnahirk Baptist Church, 2 Middle Braniel Road, Belfast BT5 7TU 

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: 

Drew Steele 

Jonathan McFerran 

Paul Mckittrick 

David Johnston Jonathan Smyth Tim Jackson Matthew Maguire 

The Trustees’ Report was approved by the Board of Trustees 

_________________ 

Paul Mckittrick 

Trustee 

Dated: 21 February 2024 

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