Stonepark Baptist Church (107603)
Trustees’ Report for Year Ending 31[st] December 2023
Objectives and activities
Stonepark 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;
-
organizing meetings and events that promote our charitable purpose;
-
participating in the life of the local community;
-
supporting other Christian organizations 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.
2023 was another eventful year for the church that meets at Stonepark. The regular Sunday services, morning and evening, Tuesday night Bible study and prayer meeting and the Saturday morning prayer meeting continued as usual throughout the year.
Along with the weekly Sunday School, Bible Class, Junior and Senior BYF meetings, there was another busy summer outreach program for the young people in this area. The 5-day clubs in local towns and villages, as well as in Newtownbutler and Donagh, ran from late May to July. In August, there was another very successful Epic Explorers event, in Fivemiletown College, for the children and teenagers.
The Amazing Journey program was booked early in 2023 and, during the first week in November, visited a number of local primary schools. With an enthusiastic number of helpers from Stonepark, Bible stories were brought to life in front of a large number of children. In the weeks that followed, many of these children requested Bibles.
There was another very successful Men’s Meal outreach in April. The attentiveness of everyone present, when Harry delivered a message from God’s word, was plain to see. The ladies also continued to build relationships at the well-supported Walk and Talk events, with clear gospel messages each night.
Monthly outreach events have continued to the four Nursing Homes (Northwick House, Colorado, Gillbrooke and St. Macartan’s). The staff and residents are always very appreciative for each visit.
There was also the monthly Open-Air outreach in Enniskillen, where Harry brought messages from God’s Word and church volunteers handed out gospel tracts.
Stonepark Baptist Church continues to support the work of Colin Gervais (Baptist Missions) as he works along the Border towns of Rosslea, Clones and Newtownbutler.
In December over 1,000 Christian calendars,were delivered to homes in Rosslea, Donagh, Newtownbutler, Derrylin, and Lisnaskea.
2023 has been another busy year for Stonepark Baptist Church and it continues to be a beacon of gospel light in the south east Fermanagh area.