- NIC 108455.
NEWTOWNARDS BAPTIST CHURCH
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 318' DECEMBER, 2025
The Trustees present the Annual Report, together with the financial statements, of Newtownards Baptist Church for the year ended 315t December, 2025.
The charity was registered in Northern Ireland with the Charity Commission in Northern Ireland (CCNI) with charity number NIC 108455, with effect from 22"4 March, 2022.
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 2025 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.
Payments to Trustees.
Payments to trustees are confined exclusively to a stipend being paid to the Pastor for the performance of his duties as Pastor or for a trustee being reimbursed for expenses incurred on behalf of the church.
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.
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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 deciding what activities the Church should undertake.
The Church continues to reach out into the community in a number of ways through our different organisations as follows:- Sunday Services; Creche; Tot Spot; NBC Kids; NBC Explorers; NBC Youth; Youth Day Camp; Baptist Women’s Fellowship; Young Adults; Men’s Fellowship; Bright Hour for Senior Friends; Weekly Prayer Meeting/Bible Study; Women’s Prayer Time.
Achievements and Performance:
On 1° January, 2025 our total membership stood at 88 members. During the year, six members were “called home” to be with their Lord, resulting in our total of 82 members being retained at 31‘' December, 2025.
The year 2025 saw the church celebrate our 102"4 Church Anniversary with a special Service on Sunday, 2"4 February, when we had a Guest Speaker, Doctor Peter Firth, Lecturer in the Irish Baptist College.
Our Church outreach/evangelism work in reaching out to our local community continued throughout 2025. During ten Saturday mornings between April and December, a team from the church manneda free bookstall at the Ards Market in the Square; and during the summer months ‘door to door’ outreach took place in a number of areas in Newtownards, with approximately 2,000 homes reached. A ‘Hope Explored’ Course was also held in the church at which a number from our local community were in attendance. Opportunity was also given for the church to take the ‘Amazing Journey Exhibition’ into one of our local Primary Schools where over 160 children enjoyed the exhibition, which was supported by a local team from the church. During a week in August, a ‘Kidz Club’ took place each evening when approximately 50 children from the community attended.
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During 2025 we had visits from representatives of various missionary organisations, giving us the opportunity to receive information about their work and witness both in Northern Ireland and further afield.
We continue to promote our church’s presence and activities to a wider audience — via our church website; Facebook page and Instagram.
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 showa surplus for the year 2025 of £22,858 and Closing Funds Carried Forward of £201,180.
However, further building and repair work is anticipated for 2026, which may account for the majority of the balance in the Building Fund.
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 315t December, 2025 can be signed off as a going concern.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
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Mr Gerald Thompson ; Mr Paul Clarke
Trustee — Church Secretary Trustee — Church Treasurer
12 March, 2026.
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Charity Commission Number: NIC 108455.
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