We desire to worship God the Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit, seeking to know Him better through worship, praise, prayer, and the word.
Luke 10:27: "Love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our strength and with all our mind" and "Love our neighbours as our self."
We recognise that there is only one true Church, consisting of all born again believers, regardless of denomination. We seek to work and pray with other local, national and international Christians and churches.
We are here as a body of believers to fulfil our part in the Great Commission: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you". Matthew 28:19-20.
As a church, we are praying and preparing for world revival.
We believe that the Bible is crucial: "All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
In order to fulfil our calling, we need the Holy Spirit. "Not my might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6.
Meet the Team
Pastor
Hugo van Driel & Hanneke van Driel
Hugo van Driel has been involved in Yapton Free Church since 1990. In 1993 he joined the leadership team of the church. In 1994 he had a powerful, life-changing encounter with God. He is now full-time pastor of Yapton Free Church and has a real heart for evangelism. Apart from his work in local schools, he is also involved in mission work in Nepal and other nations. Hugo is married to Hanneke who was previously a missionary in Mongolia for 12 years. Hanneke is part of the core group and has a passion for worship, training and releasing leaders in the body of Christ.
Associate Pastors
Ben & Anna van Driel
Ben and Anna are actively involved in many aspects of church life, the local community and mission abroad. Ben studied theology and worked as a university Chaplin, before returning to Yapton in 2018. He works as a drum teacher in local primary schools and part of the chaplaincy teams at St Philip Howard School. He is also one of our youth workers.
Anna is born in the Netherlands, where she worked as a psychologist before moving to England in 2015. She now combines her passion for people, (especially the youth) and her organisational skills in her work as administrator and youth- and pastoral coordinator.
Elder
Veyanke Hodson
Veyanke leads a homegroup and has a real heart for people to realise their true identity in Christ. She is also involved with the Sunday school and is member of the Ministry team. Veyanke and her husband Nigel, and children, Lily and Joshua, run a charity called Soup from Heaven which is based in Cape Town, South Africa. (Veyanke is originally from Cape Town). Soup From Heaven is involved in many different projects to help the poor and needy including a soup kitchen, orphanage, family sponsorships and street outreaches.
Elder
Reg Hawks
Reg heads up the Homegroups (with Hanneke van Driel) as well as leading their own homegroup with his wife, Paula.
They also have a teenage son, Will who is now working with YWAM.
Reg has a heart for prayer and seeing people changed by God.
Elder
Andrew Rackstraw
Andrew and his wife Mavis moved into the area at the beginning of 2019. Andrew has travelled extensively, teaching and encouraging in both mission and indigenous church situations. Andrew and Mavis are currently assisting in the leading of one of the home groups, and also have a prayer inner healing ministry. They have three daughters and three granddaughters.
Core Group
Will Cronin
Will is one of youth workers. He first came to Yapton Free Church through doing an Alpha course in January 2014. While doing Alpha, he experienced the love of Jesus which transformed his life. He has his own business as a landscape gardener and is married to Katie. Will and Katie have a heart and passion see the youth in our church grow in their relationship with God.