BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of Bethany Baptist Church (“the Church”) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the to the financial statements and comply with the Charity Commission, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019)”.
Objectives and activities
Bethany Baptist Church (“the Church”) acknowledges the headship of Jesus Christ over His Church and exists to glorify the triune God by maintain 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:
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Holding regular services for public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching for all age groups
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Organising meetings and events that promote our charitable purpose
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Providing pastoral care to members and adherents through visitation and prayer
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Supporting other Christian organisations and charities through volunteering, financial gifts and prayer
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Participating in the life of the local community
Achievements and performance
The church is committed to the spiritual, emotional and social wellbeing of all those engaging with the Church’s ministry and is open to all members of the general public as well, as those who join the Church in membership. The Church meets the public benefit requirement by providing benefit to its members and the public by making known the Christian gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the advancement of the Christian faith. The trustees continued to provide weekly Sunday services and a midweek meeting offering opportunities for prayer, Bible teaching and worship through the singing and the hearing of God’s Word.
Bethany Baptist Church offers the opportunity to meet in various groups throughout the year. Sunday services are supplemented by a wide range of other activities that depend on volunteers who ensure their safe and effective organisation. These include:
Adults
House Groups – meet monthly in people’s homes for prayer and Bible study
Knit & Natter – a monthly ministry meeting needs in less developed countries in a practical way
Women’s Ministry & Men’s Ministry – meet monthly giving opportunities for fellowship, Bible study, world missions focus, discussions on topical/current issues, interviews, social activities.
Missions – the church financially supports the work of missions throughout the world with particular emphasis on Baptist Missions.
The church also supports through finance and prayer, members of Bethany Baptist Church who are working in a missions capacity at home and abroad.
Children & Youth activities meet on a weekly basis
The church also contributes to the education of children and young people through its own programmes and support for other like-minded agencies locally and overseas. These include:
Bethany Tots (newborn to preschool) Bethany Kids (Sunday School, Nursery to P5) & Bible Class (P6 to Year 9) Explore (P1 to P7) Latitude (Youth Fellowship, Year 8 to Year 14) Catalyst (Youth Club, Year 8 to Year 14)
The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Financial Review
The Church recorded a net income for the year of £181,637 (2022: £175,587)
The Church recorded a net surplus for the year of £0 (deficit of -£19,858) (2022: £11,553)
At 31[st] December 2023, the total funds of the Church amounted to £79,033 (2022: £98,891)
Closing unrestricted reserves at 31[st] December 2023 were £35,603 (2022: £35,546) Closing restricted reserves at 31[st] December 2023 were £0 (2022: £0)
Structure, Governance and Management
Registered Charity Number: 108952 Address: 23-27 Gransha Road Bangor BT20 4GB Website: https://bethanybaptist.co.uk Email: secretary@bethanybaptist.co.uk
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Christopher Arnold Gillespie Ashfield (resigned 30[th] March 2023) Harry Beard Richard Blayney Aaron Browne Julian Byers Mark Byers Christopher Clarke John Daly Davy Murray Jack Riordan Colin Wallace Bobby Clulow (appointed 30[th] March 2023) Colin Fullerton (appointed 30[th] March 2023) Peter Irvine (appointed 30[th] March 2023) Ethan McFerran (appointed 30[th] March 2023) Martin Mills (appointed 30[th ] March 2023) The Trustees’ Report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Mr R Blayney Date: 14[th] October 2024 Trustee