Who’s Who

Walton Evangelical Church has a Pastor (Andy Bruins), a Youth & Children’s Pastor (Thiago Holanda), an Assistant Pastor (Jared Storey), a Ministry Trainee (Jonathan Jeffreys), a Leadership Team of Elders and Deacons, a Church Administrator and a committed group of team leaders and volunteers.

At Walton Church, we understand the roles of pastor, assistant pastor, elders, deacons, and administrator as vital parts of our church family, each contributing to the health and growth of our community. Here’s how these roles function within our church:

Senior Pastor (& Elder) – Andy Bruins

Andy provides the primary spiritual leadership and direction for the church. His key responsibilities include:

Preaching and Teaching: Every week, our pastor faithfully preaches the Word of God, helping us grow in our understanding of the Bible and applying its truths to our lives.
Vision and Leadership: He sets the spiritual tone for Walton Church, leading us in pursuing God’s mission. His role is to ensure that everything we do—from worship services to outreach—aligns with the gospel.
Pastoral Care: He cares for the spiritual and emotional needs of the congregation, offering prayer, counsel, and support to individuals and families, especially in times of difficulty.
Oversight: Working with the elders, the pastor ensures that the various ministries of the church are aligned with our vision and purpose, providing guidance to ministry leaders and staff.

Youth & Children’s Pastor – Thiago Holanda

Thiago serves alongside Andy and is integral to the life of Walton Church. His role includes:

Preaching and Teaching: The youth and children’s pastor shares in the responsibility of teaching, sometimes preaching during services or leading Bible studies and discipleship programs.
Pastoral Care: He assists the pastor in visiting families and children, offering pastoral support, and counselling those who are struggling.
Specific Ministries: The youth and children’s pastor will take on a more focused area of ministry, such as leading our youth, coordinating outreach efforts, or running a particular church program.
Supporting Leadership: He supports the overall leadership of the church and represents the church in various capacities.

Assistant Pastor – Jared Storey

Jared, our Assistant Pastor, works alongside the Elders and wider church family in the ministry and pastoral care of the church. He will help us to grow as disciples of Jesus, care for individuals and families, and support the church’s mission to love, serve and share Jesus.

Ministry Trainee – Jonathan Jeffreys

Jonathan, our Ministry Trainee, is serving and learning alongside the church leadership as he develops his gifts and experience for Christian ministry. Jonathan is involved in a variety of areas of church life while growing in his understanding and practice of ministry.

Elders – George Clayson, Oliver Hills, Mick Mumford & Dickie Shipley

At Walton Church, our elders are a group of godly men who provide spiritual oversight and governance. Their role involves:

Spiritual Direction: The elders work closely with the pastor to ensure the church remains true to the teachings of Scripture. They offer wisdom and guidance on theological issues, and help to shape the spiritual direction of the church.
Pastoral Oversight: Along with the pastor, elders are available to the congregation for prayer, advice, and counsel. They often lead small groups, oversee discipleship, and support the spiritual growth of the church.
Decision-Making: Major decisions about the church’s vision, doctrine, and direction are made by the elders in conjunction with the pastor.

Deacons – Chris Dickens, Dan Nichols & Tim Soar

Deacons at Walton Church play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the church, particularly in the practical and logistical areas. They are responsible for:

Practical Service: Deacons manage the physical needs of the church, such as overseeing building maintenance, finances, and making sure that our services and events are well-organized.
Caring for the Congregation: Deacons assist with ministries, helping to provide for those in the church and wider community through practical assistance.
Support to Ministries: Deacons enable the smooth functioning of different church ministries by providing logistical and administrative help, ensuring that ministry leaders have what they need to serve effectively.

Administrator – Liz Craig

Our church administrator, Liz, supports the day-to-day running of Walton Church, taking on a variety of tasks, including:

Communication: The administrator helps facilitate communication within the church, handling emails, phone calls, and announcements, making sure the congregation stays informed.
Administrative Support: They manage the church calendar, coordinate events, and support the ministry leaders and staff in organizing programs and activities.