After nearly three decades on the academic staff team at Moorlands College, Colin Bennett will be stepping down from his role as Vice Principal (Development) on 31 December this year.
Colin has served Moorlands with immense distinction and dedication in various roles since he joined the College in 1991 – most recently as Vice Principal (Development) since 2011.
He has worked under three Principals and is greatly loved and respected by the numerous students, staff, trustees and associates of the College with whom he has interacted as he has embodied Moorlands’ vision of equipping people, passionate about Jesus Christ, to impact the Church and the world. Colin’s network extends far and wide and as he moves into a new phase of life and ministry, we are looking forward to his remaining a key part of our wider College community. Our prayers and very best wishes are with Colin, his wife Yvonne and their family as he transitions into this new chapter of discipleship and leadership.
Colin said: “After almost 30 years of the privilege of faithfully and joyfully serving Jesus through teaching and ministry at Moorlands, promptings from our Father God and present circumstances, it makes sense for me to now move on and further pursue and develop a number of ‘new’ ministry opportunities and challenges. So, it is with a mixture of sadness, but also great excitement and sense of anticipation, that I will be leaving Moorlands at the end of this year. I have had the humbling privilege of working with and alongside some amazing, gifted and Godly men and women from all over the country and indeed the world, and for this opportunity I am very grateful to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May God continue to richly bless the College, its staff and students and all those connected to it.“
Colin will be undertaking a period of Study Leave in the autumn term prior to his departure, in order to complete research and writing on youth ministry and other topics on which he has taught while at Moorlands.
The former Principal and current President of Moorlands, the Revd Dr Steve Brady, worked closely with Colin for over twenty years. He said, “On a human level, for all the years we worked together, it was Colin who consistently exemplified the often misquoted statement of a British Prime Minister about one of their colleagues: ‘Everyone brings me problems. He brings me solutions.’ His integrity, industry and networking skills have been outstanding. And his friendship, loyalty and sheer enthusiasm fantastic. Colin Bennett, take a well-deserved bow! And the Lord abundantly bless you and Yvonne in this next phase of Christian ministry.”
The current Principal, the Revd Dr David Hilborn, added: “It has been a great privilege to work with Colin since I started in post in January 2019. His faithfulness and prayerfulness are exemplary, and an inspiration to all who know him. He has been so generous in sharing his corporate memory of Moorlands, and in helping me to settle in as Principal. His positive attitude and pastoral heart will be much missed, but I know that Moorlands is deep within him and that he will continue to be a great friend and supporter of the College as we continue to form Christians for leadership and service in God’s mission.”
