Meet the Team

Pastor: Alec Wallis

My name is Alec Wallis and I grew up in rural New Zealand. Having a faith in Jesus was taught to me by my mother and grandad who, not only read the Bible to me, but demonstrated their faith by their words and actions. I completed my theology degree in Auckland and then my masters degree from Sydney Missionary and Bible College. I also taught English in Xi’an, China before serving in churches in New Zealand, NSW, South Australia and now here as the Pastor at Hatton Vale Community Church. My wife Amy is from the Philippines and and our son Aidan was born at the end of 2020 after pregnancy complications, trying to change countries, and the challenges of having a baby in the middle of a pandemic. My hobbies include playing and watching sport, exploring new countries, and trying to make my nephews and nieces laugh

Children Ministry & Secretary - Caitlyn Cresswell

Hi, I’m Caitlyn and I’m married to Heath. We have a two year old boy named Eli who is full of energy and keeps us on our toes. I’m a disability support worker and currently studying part time at bible college. We moved up to the Lockyer valley from central coast NSW (where I grew up just) over a year ago. I have been a Christian for as long as I remember, being born and raised in a Christian family. It’s been a huge move for us leaving family and our church family to move up here, but we’re so lucky to have joined this new church who have become like a family to us already.

Children’s Ministry & Church Council Member - Heath Cresswell

I’m Heath

I’m married to Caitlyn and have a fantastic son Eli who is 2.5 years old

I grew up on a small farm in Casino nsw, after meeting my wife Caitlyn I lived on the central coast nsw for 5 years before adventuring up here to the Lockyer valley.

I grew up in a Christian family and have been a Christian since a young age, I now enjoy serving in my local church community.

Children’s Ministry & Treasurer- Sarah Ayre

Hi, I’m Sarah, wife to Steven and Mum to 4 children aged 5 to 11.

Some things that keep me busy: running 2 businesses, a treasurer’s role and kid’s ministry helper at church, kids sport, playing music, so much washing/cooking/cleaning

We moved to the Lockyer Valley 7 years ago, after feeling a strong pull to come out this way.

I first learned of Jesus through Sunday school as a young child but moved away from attending church regularly in the years to follow.

In our married life Steven and I attended a few different churches at Christmas and Easter time but didn’t fully commit ourselves to a church until we found Hatton Vale Uniting. Immediately this church felt like home to us.

I was able to reconnect with God during a very difficult time, having severe post natal depression following the birth of our 3rd child. I am continually thankful for the love and support of our church family and the many blessings the Lord has provided in our lives.

Children’s Ministry & Chairman - Steven Ayre

Hi, I’m Steve and I’m married to Sarah. We have four children - one daughter and three active boys. I’m a Managing Director of a Labour Hire Company. We moved to the Lockyer valley seven years ago from Brisbane. I was raised in a Christian family and attended Sunday School as a child. Having moved away from the church in my teens and early 20’s and only attending church at Christmas and Easter times, I have now re-connected into a loving church family.

Children’s Ministry & Church Council Member - Judy Harm

Hi, I'm Judy Harm. I have lived in the Forest Hill/ Laidley area all my life.

I was very blessed to be born into a Christian family. I had a wonderful childhood with my 2 sisters.

I attended Church and Sunday School in the Lutheran Church until my marriage when I changed to Uniting Church.

Once again I was very blessed to have a wonderful husband, 2 sons and 4 grandchildren. Unfortunately my husband of 49years passed away in 2021.

I was devastated but with the loving support of my family, my Church family and most importantly my Faith i am able to cope.

My other interests are card making, watching sport mostly on TV but I love watching children's sport live.

After 22 years working in childcare I still love to be involved in some way with children.

We Believe

As a Uniting Church, Hatton Vale Community Church holds to a reformed, evangelical and historically orthodox view of the Christian faith. The confessional substance of our beliefs can be found in the Basis of Union.

Most importantly, we believe that:

God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, known in three persons, and is defined by the dynamic and loving interaction between those three persons. God is Love. (1 John 4:8)
The Bible, including both the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God.
On the Cross Jesus made an all-sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the world, and that when we confess him as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead, we are saved from eternal judgement and receive the promise of eternal life (new life) in him. (Romans 10:9)
The church is the Priesthood of all believers, where every member of the church has gifts given by the Holy Spirit and for which there is a corresponding service.
The church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, has an Acts 1:8 mandate and a Matthew 28 commission to witness to Jesus and go and make disciples of all the world.

Vision & Values

Consistent with our Acts 1:8 mandate and Matthew 28 commission, we believe our world is changed one life transformed by Jesus at a time.

Our mission is to “Make Jesus Known”

The eight, embedded values that underpin this mission are:

Adventurous Faith
Passionate Outreach
Fervent Prayer
Inviting Hospitality
Empowering Leadership
Scriptural Discernment
Creative Worship
Authentic Transformation

Qld Synod and the Assembly

Bremer Presbytery