John Grant: Safeguarding Issue

A STATEMENT CONCERNING JOHN GRANT

16th July 2026

At Wood Green Crown Court on 13 July 2026, a former member of this church, John Grant, was convicted of 11 serious sexual offences relating to four victim-survivors. His offending took place between 1970 and 2012. Offending took place whilst he held senior positions within Muswell Hill Baptist Church and other London-wide and national church organisations.

Our first concern must be for those who were abused. The victim-survivors were vulnerable young men who trusted Mr Grant and it is devastating they could be taken advantage of in this way. The courage required by them to report offences committed decades ago and to go on to give evidence about them is immense.

It is devastating that Mr Grant was able to take advantage of his association with the church and the soup kitchen which operates from here for so many years without his behaviour being understood or challenged. We unreservedly apologise to anyone and everyone impacted by Mr Grant’s abuse. The church has been fully co-operating with the police through the investigation and is grateful for the dignity, compassion and sensitivity with which the investigation has been conducted. The Metropolitan Police have appealed for further victim-survivors to come forward. The contact details are at the foot of this Statement.

We recognise that during the decades of Mr Grant’s offending, safeguarding standards and awareness were far less developed than they are today. Since that time, we have learned, grown and changed significantly. Today, we have robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place, which are regularly reviewed in line with Baptist Union guidelines. Our staff and volunteers undergo safer recruitment vetting, enhanced DBS checks, and regular safeguarding training. We are fully committed to ensuring our church remains a safe environment for everyone.

The church exists to worship and serve God. We strive to invite people to Jesus and show them the difference the Gospel makes. We encourage one another on life's journey to be more like Jesus, whom we believe is the Son of God. What has happened is the opposite of that message. So our prayers are first and foremost with the victim-survivors, that they might find comfort and peace in justice.

Though these events cast a long and terrible shadow over our church, yet we believe Jesus Christ is the light of the world and the church will try to lift up that light.

Please contact the police on the details below if you can help them with their enquiries.

Please contact the church leadership if we can help with any other enquiries.

If you are contacted by anyone asking about the case, please direct them to the church website, where this statement is publicly available.

If you have any pastoral concerns arising, please contact our Independent Moderator, Josh Kane, who has been caring for our church whilst we are in a vacancy without a minister.

Yours in Christ,

The Church Leadership

Contacts and Support Information

Metropolitan Police: Anyone with information or wishing to report offences relating to John Grant can call the police on 101 quoting CAD3277/08JUL26. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.