Our Story

Valley Church grew from small beginnings.

Valley Church began when a group of six evangelical believers gathered together to worship in the living room of a home in Penzance Estate. Early in 1985 a need was recognised, in a rapidly expanding Hout Bay, for a non-denominational church that would take care of the spiritual needs of people from varied Christian backgrounds. With the growth of the church, Valley Church moved to the Bishopsford Nursery which became its home for 11 years.

Ken Jackson was called as Valley Church’s first full-time pastor in 1995 and served in that capacity for 14 years. In 2000 Valley Church moved to the first floor above Checkers Supermarket in the Milkwood Shopping Centre and then in 2017 moved to our interim premises at Ambleside School in Milner Road whilst we await the completion of our own church building.

After Ken’s resignation in June 2009, Grant Baston became the new pastor in January 2010 and leads the church to this day. As we look to the future we will continue to seek the Lord’s guidance for direction and to thank Him for His leading in the past.

Our Mission

Love God. Love People. Love Yourself.

The mission of Valley Church is to love God and love others through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. This Mission Statement is based on the Great Command in Matthew 22:37-39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, love your neighbour as yourself.” We are all adopted sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:5) and whilst our identity is first found in Him, we can love, encourage and serve people from this place.

    Statement of Faith

    We believe in:

    • The unity of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
    • The sovereignty of God in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgment.
    • The deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • The bodily resurrection of our Saviour from the dead and His ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven.
    • The second coming of Christ in power and glory.
    • Man’s fallen condition rendering him subject to God’s judgment.
    • Redemption from sin solely through the sacrificial and propitiatory death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    • The justification of the sinner by the grace of God through faith alone.
    • The Holy Spirit as the Divine Person through whom lost and sinful man is regenerated, and by whom the believer is filled and empowered for life and service.
    • The one universal church which is the body of Christ and to which all true believers in Him belong.
    • The priesthood of all believers.

    Check out this post for more details regarding our Statement of Faith.

    Our Core Values

    • Stewarding God’s Presence
    • Creating Healthy Family and Community
    • Authentic Relationships
    • Honour
    • Spiritual Transformation
    • Active Faith
    • God-aligned Identity
    • Kingdom Mandate
    • A Supernatural Culture
    • Joyful Generosity
    • God is Good
    • Creativity

    By remaining in Him and living out these values we impact the world around us, disciple nations and extend His Kingdom.

    Check out this post to read about our Core Values in more detail.

    Our Team

    Grant Baston
    Grant BastonSenior Pastor
    Having completed a psychology degree after his schooling, Grant worked in the field of Human Resources for 10 years before going to Bible College. On completion of his theological studies he pastored a Baptist Church for 12 years before accepting the call to pastor Valley Church. Grant is married to Megan and they have two sons, Jonathan and Gareth. Grant has a MTh degree from Pretoria University. He is passionate about people and seeing God transforming their lives.
    Mel Bischoff
    Mel BischoffAssociate Pastor
    God has led Mel along interesting paths involving swimming pools, ink cartridges and clothing design but her heart has always been for ministering to God’s people. She has been in ministry since 1991. Her ministry began when she joined an outreach team, then became a youth pastor in Umtata and has since ministered in churches in Johannesburg, Walvis Bay and Pretoria. Mel moved to Cape Town at the end of 2004 and has been involved with Valley Church, Hout Bay since 2007. Her passions are Jesus, young people, her charismatic nephews, niece and drinking tea.
    Terri Jackson
    Terri JacksonMinistry Assistant
    Terri completed her Honours degree in Social Work at UCT in 2008. She then felt God calling her to ministry and completed her Diploma in Theology at the Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa in 2012. Terri has been attending and serving at Valley Church since 2004 and enjoys running, spending time with friends and seeing rainbows.
    Marcelle Byrnes
    Marcelle ByrnesChurch Administrator
    Marcelle has been at Valley Church since 1989 and has worn many hats during that time including Sunday Club teacher, Kids for Christ and Survivors’ leader, Café Together manager and finally church administrator. (According to Marcelle her next hat will be her crown in heaven). “Working at Valley church feels like working for family,” she says. She is married to Chris and has two daughters, Michaela and Callen, and a son-in-law.

    Her love for people means that an exchange student or two has been welcomed into her home on many an occasion. Marcelle’s favourite verse is “the joy of the Lord is my strength” and she is passionate about her Lord and Saviour.