About Us

LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARDS

HWC is a Church plant started by Westminster Presbyterian Church Maida Vale (WPCMV) on May 1st 2022. What’s a Church plant? It’s kind of like a Church start-up designed to reach a new area with the love and message of Jesus. A group of people from WPCMV, joined with some other Christians in the community, to form HWC. We are in what is called a Mother-Daughter Church relationship, where we join with WPCMV for certain ministries, but mostly run our own including our services and Bible studies. We are grateful for the support of WPCMV and are excited to work together towards more Church plants in the future to reach more people for Christ.

Team

JARED VENTER (Pastor)

Jared is married to Katja and together they have two beautiful children. As our Pastor, Jared has the privilege of spending his time praying, studying, reading, preaching and teaching God’s Word, as well as caring for the people of HWC. Jared has been blessed to serve in ministry leadership since 2015 and was ordained a Teaching Elder in the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Maida Vale (our Mother Church) in January 2022.

Aside from catching up on sleep, Jared enjoys quality time with family and friends, being out in God’s beautiful creation, country music, crime shows, and any footy code where you’re allowed to pick up the ball and run with it. Jared’s greatest joy of all is the risen Lord Jesus, his Saviour and King, who took Jared from being a dead rebel against God to being an alive son of his Heavenly Father.

IVAN HUNTER (Ruling Elder)

I’m a bloke who likes sports and having fun.

But my greatest treasure is knowing Jesus as my Saviour and King.

I play with rocks as a job but my real joy in life is seeing others come alive by the work of the Spirit.

Come “everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near.”

WADE EVANS (Ruling Elder)

Wade is married to Fiona and they have two young adult children and two teenage children. He has been an Elder in WPC since 2019 and has had many years of youth ministry experience. He loves mentoring young adults and sharing his love for Jesus with others. One thing is for sure – you will hear Wade long before you ever see him!

ROB COX (Ruling Elder)

Rob is married to Cath; they enjoy having their whole family of four grown-up children all belonging to the same fellowship. He gave up striving to be good enough for God a few decades ago, when he was granted new life in Christ. He enjoys encouraging others to develop a hunger for the risen Lord, his word, and his kingdom. He also loves supporting Cath in her ministry to others. Rob began serving as an elder in 2023. Any takers for a run or bike ride or bush walk, Rob is up for it.

OWEN VENTER (Ruling Elder)

Owen became a Ruling Elder in 2024, is married to Nikki and has two adult sons. One is studying at Trinity Theological College and the other is already a Pastor of a small church in High Wycombe :)

When not crunching numbers in his day job (or moonlighting as HWC's treasurer) Owen has been known to lurk around golf courses hoping to land the perfect shot. Owen and Nikki are doting grandparents and are often seen hanging out in the creche corner at church.

It is evident though, that Owen's greatest love and joy is in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His saving grace.

KOBUS SWANEPOEL (Deacon)

Kobus is enjoying his retirement years serving the Lord Jesus here at HWC. If you have any spiritual or practical needs please contact Kobus.

kobusswanepoel@smartchat.net.au

JEN BIERBAUM (Administrator)

I’m Jen Bierbaum and I love Jesus and my friends at Church.

I enjoy music (cool stuff of course), having a laugh and ……. organising stuff!

In my past life I was a primary school teacher (hence the love of organising!) but now I find my joy in serving the Lord at HWC as part of the Administration team. I am passionate about all things tech related and love learning new things. I also have a not-so-secret love of board games, but often have no one to play with!

Like everyone at HWC, I am keen for the life-giving power of God’s gospel to reach families in High Wycombe. Join us and learn of Jesus, the only one who can set you free!

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”