Who we are

Welcome to the Heart of Catalyst


Click the cover above read this ebook
explaining all you need to know about our church.



Click here to meet the team



Our vision


TO BE A UNIQUE CHURCH PROVOKING LASTING CHANGE BY SHARING COMPASSION + HOPE


The key values that capture the type of church that we are + the way things happen at Catalyst are expressed by the following values.

  • ALL PEOPLE MATTER | We believe that all people matter to God + therefore ought to matter to us.
  • AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY | We believe in being real, honest and down to earth in our relationships with God + each other.
  • GENERATIONAL | We believe God has a plan + purpose for all generations + will embrace all, but we will be intentional in equipping + empowering the emerging generation.
  • RELEVANCE | We believe in remaining innovative + creative in our expression of love for God + that the communication of the gospel message is critical to fulfilling our mission.
  • EXCELLENCE | We believe excellence honours God and inspires people.
  • MISSIONAL | We are generous in giving ourselves, our time, our resources + energy in serving God’s mission in our community.
  • TEAM BASED MISSION | We value every person + acknowledge that everyone has skills and talents to use + is most effective when serving in teams together. We are stronger together than apart.

who is catalyst?

Catalyst is a community of people who believe that God transforms lives + that He enables us to make a difference in our community. We aim to always be relevant + exciting in the way we connect with those around us. We aim to do things in an excellent way that honours God and+inspires people, while remaining true to the Bible. We are innovators, creative + flexible in the way we express the message of the gospel. We are a church for all generations but are intentional about
embracing + empowering the emerging generation.

We believe in being real, honest + down to earth in our relationships with God + each other. We genuinely care for one another, encouraging each other to grow + be more like Jesus Christ. We believe each individual is uniquely gifted to serve in their world. We are stronger together than apart, committed to authentic relationships with God + each other. 

We have a ‘Father’s heart’ for empowering the ‘local church’ in Australia + overseas. Our mission is not limited to just this city as we are intentional about sending people + releasing resources that help people connect, grow, serve + go at many other locations across the world.

Statement Of Faith


  • The divine inspiration and unique authority of Holy Scripture as given in the 66 books of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
  • The one and living God eternally co-existent in three Persons in unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14)
  • The inherent corruptness of man through the Fall; the necessity for repentance and regeneration by grace and through faith in Jesus Christ alone; and, the everlasting separation from God of the finally impenitent (Eph. 2:8-9)
  • The virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, triumphant resurrection, ascension and abiding intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 7:25)
  • Justification and sanctification of the believer through the finished work of Christ (Rom. 4:5)
  • The Christian practices of Baptism in water by immersion, the Lord’s Supper, and Holy Marriage (Matt. 28:19; 1Cor. 11; Heb. 13:4)
  • The security of the believer as they abide in Christ (John 15)
  • The Baptism with the Holy Spirit for believers and the subsequent gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12,14)
  • Church leadership and ministry by those spiritually gifted and called to do so (Eph. 4:11-12)
  • The personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the everlasting fellowship with Christ of all the redeemed (Matt. 25:31)

Our vision

LOADING PLAYER…

our story

Catalyst Church was founded on 7th January 1980 by Pastor Vince + Denise Esterman.
Pastor Phillip + Mandy Mutzelburg were the senior leaders who led the church for 21 years until February 2010. 
Pastor Carl Mutzelburg is the current lead Pastor of the church + has a desire to see the church continue to be
relevant + impacting people across our community.

  
The church has had a unique opportunity to help establish Ipswich as a well known spiritual centre around the world. The founding minister Vince Esterman moved from Ipswich to Paris, France where he has established a network of over 20 churches.

Our church has in recent years been the leader of an innovative movement amongst Australian churches of many denominations that want to network with their local communities. That network now comprises over 650 churches.


Catalyst Church is situated in the old Suttons Foundry at Brassall, Ipswich. When the church purchased the property, most onlookers wondered what the finished product would be like. Years later the church campus is undoubtedly one of the most innovative in the city, with significant development + improvement of our community facilities planned in the next few years. Visitors are continually surprised by the retention of the original character of the foundry while rebuilding to serve all the needs of a growing church community.