NEWTOWNARDS BAPTIST CHURCH - NIC 108455.
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
The Trustees present the Annual Report, together with the financial statements, of Newtownards Baptist Church for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
The charity was registered in Northern Ireland with the Charity Commission in Northern Ireland (CCNI) with charity number NIC 108455, with effect from 22[nd] March 2022.
The charity registered and principal address is 47 Frances Street, Newtownards, BT23 7DX.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Church is an unincorporated entity under the Constitution of Newtownards Baptist Church.
Our Governing Document is contained in the Constitution of the Charity.
Recruitment and Appointment
Given the nature of their responsibilities, the duly appointed Elders and Deacons (collectively referred to as the ‘Office-Bearers’) serve as the Charity Trustees, in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
The Church Members’ Meeting appoint, remove and accept the resignation of Charity Trustees.
Appointment to the role of Charity Trustee will terminate on cessation of holding the office of Elder or Deacon.
No person may serve as a Charity Trustee, who is disqualified by law from acting as a Charity Trustee.
Trustees
The Trustees who served Newtownards Baptist Church during 2023 are as detailed on the charity’s entry on the register.
Trustees’ records are updated on the charity commission website to represent any changes.
Trustees meet on at least two occasions during the year.
Page 1 of 3
Payments to Trustees
None of the Trustees have any beneficial interest from the Church or received payment for undertaking Trustee duties.
Objectives and Activities
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 Church members devote themselves to the teachings of Scripture, to fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer and evangelism. They commit, with the help of God, to witness to the saving and sustaining power of the Lord Jesus Christ and to work for the extension of His Kingdom.
The principal charitable objective of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the teachings of Scripture.
Public Benefit
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 Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in relation to all its activities.
The Church continues to reach out into the community in a number of ways through our different organisations as follows: - Sunday Worship Services; Weekly Prayer Meeting/Bible Study; Crèche; Tot Spot; Extra Club; NBC Explorers; NBC Youth; Annual Holiday Bible Club; Baptist Women’s Fellowship; Men’s Fellowship; Bright Hour; Women’s Prayer Time.
Achievements and Performance
On 1[st] January 2023, our total membership stood at 84 members - encouragingly increasing slightly to 88 at the end of December 2023.
At our Annual General Meeting on 22[nd] February 2023 the members approved the appointment of two young men as Deacons, thus also resulting in two new Church Trustees.
The year 2023 saw the church celebrate our 100[th] Church Anniversary with a special weekend of Services and an anniversary meal, when we had a Guest Speaker from Glasgow and a good number of former Pastors, members and friends.
Page 2 of 3
Our Church outreach work continued throughout the year with the ‘Amazing Journey Exhibition’ led by a representative from Baptist Youth being taken into several local Primary Schools, supported by a local team from the Church. Opportunity was also given for us to conduct a number of School Assemblies in several of our local Schools. A “Hope Explored” Course was also held in the Church at which a number from our local community were in attendance to learn about God’s saving and sustaining power.
We had a number of visits from representatives of a number of missionary organisations during the year, giving us the opportunity to receive information about their work and witness both in N. Ireland and further afield.
Our Church website and Facebook page continue to promote our church’s presence and activities to a wider audience.
Financial Review
The Church is funded by voluntary gifts and donations, and we make use of both the Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme.
The annual accounts show a surplus for the year 2023 of £24,578 and Closing Funds Carried Forward of £151,818. However, further building work is anticipated for 2024/2025 which may require allocation of these reserves.
The Trustees have reviewed the financial position of the Church and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Church can continue its activities and the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
Mr Gerald Thompson 10[th] October 2024 Trustee
Charity Commission Number: NIC 108455.
Page 3 of 3