New Director at Warrambui Retreat and Conference Centre
Welcome to New Centre Director
We are pleased to announce that Bernd Hahnert has been appointed as the new Centre Director for Warrambui.
The handover to Bernd has commenced with him to fully take up the role from mid-June.
We are blessed that Bernd has accepted God’s call to come and serve through Warrambui and its ministry.
You can read Bernd’s Introductory article below! We look forward to working with Bernd in the district and wish him all the best in his role!
The Seasons of Our Lives
Everything in our world is part of a delicate cycle of life and nurturing, facilitated by our four seasons and the flora and fauna that inhabit our planet. Just as the seasons that govern our climate evolve to accommodate the intricate ecology of nature, so too do the seasons that guide and inspire transformation in our lives.
The winter season can often be perceived as a harsh and formidable time, where we are subjected to trials and tribulations. Life may appear desolate and devoid of hope; however, it is also a period during which we can witness the deepening of roots and a profound connection among those who matter most to us. It is akin to the bare branches of trees in winter, seemingly lifeless, yet beneath the surface, the roots are growing stronger, preparing for the eventual bloom of spring.
As the spring season emerges, it illuminates our cold and challenging experiences with newfound hope. Here, we begin to perceive fresh possibilities and opportunities for growth and expansion in our lives. Just as the flowers bloom after a prolonged winter, we too can blossom and flourish, embracing the renewal and rejuvenation that spring brings.
Summer, the season of warmth, relational flourishing, blessings, and enjoyment, can simultaneously present its own challenges. The intensity of the summer sun may deplete our energy and dampen our enthusiasm for activity and development. However, it is also a time of abundance and joy, where we can bask in the beauty of nature and the company of loved ones, creating memories that sustain us through the colder seasons.
As autumn approaches, the heat of summer gradually recedes, prompting a shift in energy and enthusiasm as we adapt to life’s ever-evolving challenges. It is a time for reflection and preparation for the winter ahead, allowing us to contemplate all that has transpired. The changing colors of the leaves remind us of the transient nature of life, urging us to appreciate the present moment and embrace the changes that accompany each passing season.
Seasons come and seasons go, and through each one, we glean deeper insights into life, relationships, and the
grace and love of God our Father. Just as nature cycles through its seasons, so do we cycle through our own experiences, constantly evolving and growing in harmony with the world around us and the God who guides us.
This leads me to the seasons that God orchestrates in our lives to encourage us to grow and become all we are created to be and do. To facilitate this movement and growth, the Father often closes doors that lead to less fruitful endeavours and opens others that ultimately guide us to where we are meant to be and the blessings our participation is destined to bring.
That is certainly the experience of my life and that of my wife, Fiona. We have experienced firsthand the continual direction and prodding of our Father to trust Him, walk closely with Him, and allow His strength to transcend our weaknesses. Like all of us, I have faltered in this endeavor of trust and surrender, occasionally succumbing to the temptation of placing self upon the throne.
This is certainly true of the events that have led me to be here at Warrambui today. Our Lord possesses a remarkable sense of humour and knows how to act on my behalf when I beseech Him to, or even when I do not! After departing from my last position, I contemplated pursuing a casual occupation that would assist me in gliding into retirement in the next 5-8 years. Did that transpire? In a word, NO! No matter what I attempted and what opportunities I created to advance, nothing materialized. God had other plans.
Out of the blue, without any solicitation, I was headhunted on LinkedIn and inquired if I was interested in a position that could be well suited to me. To be candid, initially, when I discerned the nature of the role and its location, I thought, no way! How could God ask me to undertake something so different and so far removed at this stage of my life? It felt unjust, I confess! However, after some contemplation, discussions with Fiona, and fervent prayer, I recognized that it sounded precisely like something the Father would orchestrate to propel me out of my comfort zone and mold me further into His image, enabling me to be a greater blessing to His kingdom and His people.
After considerable prayer and a detailed process, I am pleased to announce my appointment as the new Centre Director for Warrambui. My wife, Fiona, and I eagerly anticipate all that the Father has in store for us in the coming months and years ahead, and we are excited to be part of this community that will profoundly impact the lives of many with the love of Jesus.
This new season in our lives is one of strengthening, growing, and becoming increasingly dependent on Him, so that we may witness His glory manifest through all that we do and say. It is a journey I have chosen to embrace, and one I encourage you all to embark upon with me.
Finally, let us be encouraged to recognize that all our times, experiences, and indeed the seasons of our lives are hidden and guided by the love of our God and Father. Because of this truth, we can embrace every change and be empowered by every challenge, knowing our lives will ultimately unfold for the glory of God and His people.
Be blessed to be a blessing, Bernd Hahnert
