DUNAMANAGH BAPTIST CHURCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees present their Annual Report of the charity for the financial year ending 30[th] April 2024
Name of Charity as it appears on the Register
Dunamanagh Baptist Church Address 4 Lisnaragh Road, Dunamanagh, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, BT820QL E-Mail – dcanning@btinternet.com Website www.dunamanaghbaptistchurch.org
NI Charity Commission Number
107418
Purpose of Charity
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.
Names of Charity Trustees as of the date of this report
Mr Kyle Wallace, Mr David Canning, Mr Aaron Gamble and Mr Mark Gamble.
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on the provision of public benefit. They are confident that the Church fully satisfied this requirement throughout the financial year ending 30[th] April 2024 via its activities.
The Trustees acknowledge with deep appreciation the contributions of many members who freely give their time and talents to support the worship, witness, and operation of the activities of the Church.
No Trustees received payment for undertaking trustee duties.
’ Our Charity s main activities to further our purpose for the public benefit are as follows:-
The Church met for worship every Sunday at 11.00 am and 6.30 pm. The Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was observed after each morning service. The Sunday morning and evening services were also streamed live for the benefit of anyone who could not attend in person. A prayer meeting preceded every evening service. The public is welcome to attend all our services.
We also held the following:
- A Sunday School/Creche – ten children aged 3-12 were registered in the weekly meetings. They met in two classes from 11.20 am – 12.30 pm. The Go Teach materials were used for the
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lessons as was the Baptist Youths’ Sunday School Project, “The Coach’s Call”. The children also memorised the books of the Old Testament and the 10 Commandments.
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A weekly children’s meeting – The Good News Club (GNC) met on Wednesday nights, 6.30 – 7.30 pm. Thirty-eight children of primary school age were enrolled. The CEF materials were used for the lessons – Creator God, Paul’s Missionary Journeys and Missionary Stories. There were also seasonal lessons at Christmas and Easter, together with craft and fun nights. Following the GNC, we operated a Football and Craft club until the end of June. Sixty-seven children participated. The “Epic Explorers” and “Christianity Explored Children’s Guide” were used to teach the children.
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A weekly prayer meeting and Bible Study – held each Tuesday night, 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm. Attendance averaged 16, with an age range of 14 -75+. The Bible study focused on developing a healthy prayer life. One Tuesday each month was devoted exclusively to prayer.
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A monthly women’s meeting – held on the third Thursday, 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm Attendance averaged 10 with an age range of 23 – 76+. Nancy Guthrie’s book “Even Better than Eden” was studied, as was Elizabeth Elliot’s “Suffering is Not for Nothing”. The Baptist Women’s Conference was also attended. Special outreach events included Christmas wreath-making and a Valentine’s tea. The ladies supported the Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Box appeal and operated a school uniform recycling scheme.
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A fortnightly Youth Fellowship (YF) – held on Saturday nights, 8.00 pm – 9.45 pm Twelve young people aged 14-25 were enrolled. The book “Enjoying God” by Tim Chester was studied. Members of the YF also participated in Baptist Youth activities, including their Summer Outreach Programme and the BYE training day. The young ladies met with Grace Dunlop and Sarah Curry to focus on positive mental health and a healthy diet.
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Summer Holiday Bible Club - held during the afternoons of the first week of July. Forty-seven children of primary school age were enrolled. The CEF HBC teaching materials were used for the lessons. A parent night and prize distribution took place on the last night. Twenty-nine parents and friends attended. Ten young people also attended the evening youth events.
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Scripture Union Club – held in two six-week blocks during the autumn and summer terms at Dunamanagh Primary School. Twenty-eight children from P1-7 attended. The club runs for one hour and includes games, a snack, a Bible story, a quiz, Bible memory verses, crafts and singing. “It’s Your Move” was used to help prepare P7 children for changing schools.
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Youth Club – This ran from November to the end of January 2024. As attendance was low, the club was closed.
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Drop-in Centre – A drop-in club operated from 10.00 am to noon on Wednesdays. Folks were able to have conversations, play games, and enjoy refreshments. Eight people attended from time to time.
The public is always welcome at all our meetings.
The Church supported the Association of Baptist Churches by donating to the work of the Northern Region, Aided Churches Fund, Baptist College, Annuity Fund, Baptist Missions and Baptist Youth.
The Church nominated both elders to attend the Baptist Association meetings held in May and November.
At morning worship, the average weekly attendance was 40. Around 30 attend the evening services.
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We continued to use WhatsApp to host correspondence between members generally, including requests for prayer support and information from Baptist Missions, Baptist Youth, SGA, UFM, EMF, etc. Official church communications, such as our monthly Newsheet, were also conveyed via WhatsApp.
Some internal furnishings were obtained for use in the Compass Room, and a new extractor fan system was placed in the toilets. Shelving was installed in the pastor’s room and carbon monoxide alarms were provided for the boiler house.
As a church, we must rejoice in God’s goodness, provision and care over the past year, particularly concerning the faithful preaching of His Word and the proclamation of the gospel.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
David Canning Secretary
Mark Gamble Treasurer
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