In 1929 an Ashburton Baptist fellowship began with 20 people. In 1934 a timber church was constructed in Marquis Street and the fellowship constituted as a church proper. The church grew with the rapid expansion of the Ashburton / Glen Iris area in the 30s, 40s and 50s. This early growth was expressed in the construction of a new brick sanctuary in Y Street in 1959.

The impetus of the new building and visionary leadership promoted an exciting period of achievement during the 60s which included fine preaching, a large vital youth group, all-age Christian education and a community care program.

The 70s commenced with the construction of the Christian Education and Social Activity Centre in Marquis Street. During this decade the church developed interests in counselling services, small groups, a youth coffee house and an active letterbox-drop program covering over 6000 homes throughout the district. The church also sent out a number of members for missionary service and supported others wishing to train for and enter the Christian ministry.

The church community continued to grow through the 80s, with the development of dual Sunday morning church services, the purchase of 6 Y Street and the establishment of the Baird Street house for country students. In 1985, the church community was proud to support the appointment of one of its members, Winsome Abbott as the first woman President of the Baptist Union of Victoria.

A number of developments and changes occurred throughout the 90s. In 1991 the Constitution was amended to include membership by profession of faith based upon significance of baptism and confirmation in other Christian traditions. In 1993 the Church established The WellSpring Spirituality Centre, an ecumenical ministry that has achieved international reputation. The residence at 11A Marquis Street was purchased and extended in 1994, becoming the Elsie Salter House Day Care Centre. In the same year Thurman House was established at 6 Y Street as a Job Training and Placement Service, later becoming an agency of Baptist Community Care.

Construction works were undertaken in 1996, connecting the existing place of worship and the Christian education centre with a new foyer and church café. This work also involved increasing seating in the sanctuary, establishing offices for the staff, and building purpose-designed facilities for the Wellspring Centre, including a library/resource room, chapel and prayer rooms.

During the 90s the church actively supported the ordination of women and their participation in leadership. Our first woman pastor was Rev. Jill Manton who was ordained from Ashburton Baptist in 1992. Jill was also the Director of WellSpring from its inception until 2003 when Rev. Peter Bentley was inducted. Other women pastors of the church have included Rev. Sue McDonald, ordained whilst on the Pastoral Team in 2001, Stacey Aslangul (now ordained), and Fiona Hill. A recent appointment to the pastoral team is Natasha Sharpe, our Children’s Pastor.

During the 90s the church supported indigenous leadership training at Bimbadeen College, Cootamundra. Support was also given to refugees seeking residency in Australia; the church has continued to support the asylum seeker cause. A second country student house was also established in 1998; however, due to a decrease in demand for this type of student accommodation, the decision was recently made to revert to operating just one student house.

Our Current Pastoral Team

Rev. Ron Ham was appointed to the position of Associate Pastor in 1995. This appointment was undoubtedly in the hands of God as Ron was able to fill the breach with others at the time of Rev. Peter Walker’s serious accident in 1994. Rev. Ken Luscombe was appointed as Senior Pastor in September 2005, and Mr Andy Staunton was appointed as Associate Pastor in November 2005. Ken, Ron and Andy were inducted as a team on 20 November 2005. Natasha Sharpe was inducted in June 2008.

Pastoral Leadership History