Our Team
Liberty Family Church is led by an Eldership chosen to lead and care for the members of our church community.
Elders at Liberty are selected by members of the Eldership group in line with biblical criteria (1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9).
Members of our church community serve alongside the Elders on the committee of our incorporated association (Liberty Family Church Inc), known as our Church Council.
Our staff team oversees various areas of church life and ministry in line with our vision, mission, and values.
Staff Team & Eldership
Ps Joel Hawting | LEAD Pastor & Elder
Having grown up in the Healesville community, Joel has a big heart to connect with the people of the Yarra Valley. Energised to see people’s lives transformed by God’s love, Joel is married to Laura and dad to two beautiful daughters and one handsome son. Joel appreciates the finer points of really great coffee, good food and conversation…not necessarily in that order.
Gerry BEIMERS | ELDER
Gerry is married to Melinda and they have four adult daughters. Having previously served as a Bible translation advisor for the Solomon Islands Pijin Old Testament (Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia) from 1992-2007, Gerry then served as Business Manager of Mount Evelyn Christian School (2009-2024). In addition to being Opa to five (nearly six) grandchildren, Gerry loves offroad adventures, creating his model railway and being a part of the Liberty Family Church community.
Laura HAWTING | COMMUNITY PASTOR
Laura is passionate to see our church find effective ways to share the good news about Jesus with our local community. Married to Joel, they share three wonderful children enjoying the beautiful chaos of family life! On a sunny Saturday, Laura enjoys making her dream garden come to life, reading a good book, and getting out and about with family and friends.
JEN HOILES | CHILDREN’S PASTOR
With a passion and zest for life, Jen loves living in the Yarra Valley and seeing children truly thrive. She has lots of experience working with children and families in disability, school, and ministry fields. You’ll find Jen off the beaten track bushwalking with hubby Trent, swinging high up on a ropes course on a kids’ camp, or cuddling up to some furry friends of the guinea pig or canine variety!
Peter rogers | Elder
Peter and his wife, Jenny, moved to Healesville in 1989, where they have enjoyed raising four children in the beauty of the Valley. A local GP dedicated to family health, Peter is also passionate for families to discover the love and life intended by God. Peter keeps active through golf and swimming and enjoys musical theatre.
