A Brief History

Happy Valley Baptist Church is a small church in the city of Adelaide, Australia. It has a congregation of approximately fifty, ranging from infants to more mature members. Originally known as Bethel Baptist Church, it was founded in June 1985 by John Napier, then senior lecturer at Adelaide College of Ministries (ACM), with a congregation of just twenty-five people. John Napier pastored the church from its founding to December 1989, succeeded in this ministry by Pastor Tony Ling. Remaining closely associated with ACM, the congregation of Happy Valley Baptist Church has fluctuated over the years, sending many families out into the mission field or to minister in other areas.

In 1995, the church moved to its current building in the suburb of Happy Valley, and consequently changed it's name to reflect that move. Although church services were first given in the older church building; a chapel with a high-beamed roof and arched doorways, the church soon outgrew it and renovations were completed on the newer building in 1996. This building is where church services are currently held. Internal politics, along with the departure of Pastor Tony Ling later in 1996, reduced the number of the congregation to such that the old building could have been used again. However, for reasons of comfort and convenience, the newer building continues to be used for all services.

Pastor Jim Reid came to the church in January 1997, and ministered there until July 1997. In August 1997, Roger Hart, an attendee of ACM, took over the care of the church as interim pastor, and was officially established as pastor in January 1998. He and his wife, Natalie, played pivotal roles in the growth and development of the church that has occurred up to the present time. Since Pastor Roger Hart and his family announced their decision to follow God's calling and minister in another field in May 2003, the church has been actively searching for a new senior pastor. Mark Medhurst, Assistant Pastor and Elder of Happy Valley Baptist Church, is currently taking the foremost role in leading the church. He is supported by the deacons of the church; Rob Taylor, Don Downes, Rob Turner and Rowland Dickinson.

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Purpose Statement

The Church exists to glorify God, to introduce people to Jesus Christ, and to help Christians grow into His likeness.

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Mission Statement

By God's grace and through His power we seek to establish and maintain a standard which will please and glorify Him is all areas of our ministry. This will be evident in the following;

(1) Worship:
Directing people to focus upon God
- His Person
- His Attributes
- His Works
and to revere and adore Him.

(2) Teaching:
Equipping people to understand who God is and how He wants them to live.

(3) Evangelism:
Communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unsaved in order that they might become Christians.

(4) Discipleship:
Applying Christ's teaching to those who have become Christians to produce lives of obedience and and submission to His Lordship.

(5) Fellowship:
Providing the means whereby relationships can be developed for the mutual edification and spiritual growth of the Church.

(6) Missions:
Obeying Christ's command to take the Gospel to all the world.

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