On December 14th, 2025, the iconic sands of Bondi Beach, a global symbol of celebration and leisure became the site of a profound tragedy. A shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration left 15 dead, 40 wounded, and a nation searching for answers. It was an event described by today’s guest as having “layers of complexity that reach far beyond Australia’s borders”.

Mark Olsen is a Christadelphian who attends the church or ecclesia that meets at Punchbowl in Sydney and he joins us on Wilderness conversations.

Mark, writing on behalf of a Christadelphian periodical, The Lampstand Magazine’s committee, in his recent article, ‘Death in Bondi,’ explores the intersection of this modern atrocity with ancient biblical history, the psychology of vengeance, and the persistent hope for a light that can obliterate darkness.

The Christadelphians have a unique relationship with Isreal and the Jewish people, they are labelled as “Philo-Semitic”. The Christadelphians have been supporters based on their theological stance, viewing the people of Israel as Gods people, the modern nation of Israel and the return of the Jewish people to their homeland as the direct fulfilment of Biblical prophecy signaling the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

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Daniel and his son Samuel Robinson live in Canada. Dan lives in St George, Ontario Canada just south of Toronto and is a member of the Christadelphian Church or ecclesia that meets at Brant County and Sam lives 4000km’s away in Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada near Vancouver and is a member of the Christadelphian Church or ecclesia that meets at Okanagan. 

They publish Bible education material on a multimedia channel called Bible Unlocked which was established in 2020. It can be found on the web, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and other platforms.

The “About us” page on the website says:

“The Bible, God’s word, is unlike any other book. It reveals everything there is to know about the Creator of the universe and His amazing plan to restore it. Bible Unlocked is a volunteer-run project which aims to help you learn about your part in God’s plan.”

And their “Story”:

“Our volunteers have been teaching the bible for over 35 years. During the pandemic, we were forced to take these lessons online, which allowed us to meet with a much larger audience. We took advantage of this opportunity and teamed up with a group of experienced Bible students from California to provide coverage for all of North America. Now, we run in-person seminars and online webinars, while creating high-quality YouTube content.

Our future goal is to share the good news of the Kingdom of God with the entire world!”

Dan and Sam join Wilderness Conversations to discuss this exciting project.

You can follow BibleUnlocked online:

Web: https://www.bibleunlocked.com/

YouTube: @bibleunlocked and @bibleunlockedreplay

Facebook: thebibleunlocked01

Instagram: @_bibleunlocked – 

If anyone would like to be involved with the work of Bible Unlocked please get in touch at via the website or email to [email protected]. They have many roles to suit various capabilities, from Graphic design to simply responding to questions on the YouTube channel.

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Now also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wildernessconversations

Paul Rushforth from the United Kingdom attends the Tornton Christadelphian church or ecclesiastical, TJ Reding Hamilton New Zealand and Stephen Hughes North Brisbane Australia and they join Wilderness Conversations to discuss the inspiring and ambitious initiative known as Heritage International School.

Heritage International School is an educational endeavor designed to offer a Christadelphian faith-based online learning environment for students around the world. Guided by the theme “Inspiring Minds, Transforming Lives,” the school seeks to blend biblical principles with practical, real-world education ensuring students not only excel academically but also cultivate strong values and character.

The program is especially tailored to support homeschooling families, individuals living in remote or isolated areas, and anyone seeking a faith-centered education. It offers flexible curriculum options that align with international standards while accommodating local requirements. By harnessing the efficiency of online learning and promoting social engagement through group activities, Heritage International School aims to complement existing heritage schools and empower communities with innovative teaching resources—bridging educational gaps where traditional staffing or student numbers may be limited.

More information is available on the website:

https://www.hisonlineschool.org/

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Graeme Shugg lives in Adelaide, Australia and attends the Christadelphian Church or ecclesia that meets at Salisbury. Graeme is the author of a book published by the Christadelphian Scripture Study Service based on the life of King Asa. The book jacket says:

It was a time of political upheaval and savage warfare. Judah and Israel were in a state of constant enmity and people on both sides of the border were suffering. Into this tragic situation, Yahweh the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, intervened to ensure that His lamp would continue to shine in Jerusalem.

Good king Asa was raised up as the healer of his nation, the first great reformer who would turn the kingdom of Judah back to their God. As the prophet Azariah the son of Oded said to Asa and his victorious army after the defeat of the greatest invading army in Jewish history, “Yahweh is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you…”

But would Asa and his people continue to trust in Yahweh the God of their fathers? This book will hopefully shed some light on his life and his choices, leaving us with some powerful lessons to consider.

This full colour book includes tables, maps and illustrations throughout and a comprehensive Scriptural Quotations index.

The book is available from the Christadelphian Scripture Study Service

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Jaqui Wills, Johanna Brennan, and Naomi Richards are three sisters who lost their parents, younger sister, and brother in the Seaview Air Disaster on October 2, 1994.

Shortly after midday on Sunday, October 2, 1994, an Aero Commander 690 aircraft operated by Seaview Air departed from Williamtown Airport, just north of Newcastle, NSW, en route to Lord Howe Island. On board were the pilot and eight passengers, including Stephen and Carolyn Lake and their children, Judith (18) and Benjamin (12).

Ninety minutes into the journey, the pilot radioed that the aircraft was experiencing severe vibrations and that he was descending to 16,000 feet. Moments later, radio contact was lost. It is believed the aircraft plunged directly into the sea. Despite an extensive search, only scattered pieces of wreckage were recovered, confirming the aircraft was destroyed and all lives were lost.

At the time, Jaqui was 23, Hanna 22, and Naomi 19 years old.

Jaqui, Hanna, and Naomi join Wilderness Conversations to share their memories, experiences, and reflections on this profound tragedy.

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Bert van Bergen was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 1944 at the tail end of the second world war. After migrating to Australia, was raised in a catholic family with a catholic education but was agnostic until he met some Christians that changed his life.

Bert joins Wilderness Conversations to share his story of business ventures, his spiritual journey from Catholicism to becoming a Christadelphian, and the impact of family tragedies on his faith and outlook on life. Bert reflects on the gift of the gospel that he holds so dear. Bert is a member of the Golden Grove Christadelphian church or ecclesia in Adelaide, Australia.

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Mark Gartside was born in 1973, was raised in a family that was not Christian, he met a Christadelphian when he was 17 and he was baptised two years later. Mark is now married and attends the Launceston Christadelphian church or ecclesia.

Mark joins Wilderness Conversations to share his story, his challenging childhood experiences and journey toward finding faith, including his time with a foster Baptist family and eventual connection with the Christadelphian community. He shares his spiritual journey, including a period of reflection and eventual return to his faith, which was influenced by his experiences and interactions with others. Mark has a strong message concerning the importance of prayer, meditation, and open communication with fellow believers, while also reflecting on the role of divine providence in his life and the value of ecclesial relationships.

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Now also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wildernessconversations

David Mansfield was born in Sydney, grew up attending the Christadelphian Church or Ecclesia at Campsie, was baptised at the Campsie and is still a member of Campsie over 50 years on.

David joins Wilderness Conversations to share his wilderness journey.

https://wildernessconversations.com/

Now also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wildernessconversations

David Bailey was born in Napier New Zealand in1953 and was baptised in Wellington 20 years later. He lives in Christchurch and is a member of the Christchurch North Christadelphian Church or ecclesia.

Christadelphian Video has recently published series of talks given by David entitled

Building Our Relationship with God.

The talks are based on a book written by David entitled: Talking with God

The cover says: This book takes an honest look at the problems we have with prayer. It provides biblical answers to those problems and how we can develop a genuine relationship with a God we cannot see.

The book is designed to help you build your relationship with God.

You can find more details on the website: https://wilderness-voice.org

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Now also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wildernessconversations

Main site…  https://cdvideo.org/

If anyone would like to be involved with the work of Christadelphainvideo.org please get in touch at [email protected] we have many roles to suit various capabilities, from Graphic design to simply responding to questions on our YouTube channel.

A Christadelphian Bible School is held three times a year at Rathmines, a town in New South Wales located north of Sydney and south of Newcastle. Over the course of a week, Christadelphians from across Australia and around the world come together in friendship and fellowship, united by the word of God.

Throughout the week, a selection of speakers presents studies designed to inspire and strengthen believers as they journey toward the Kingdom of God. Evening activities typically include a mission night, a song and praise evening, and a children’s play night.

At the recent April Bibleschool, we hosted two panel discussions under the theme “Conversations in the Wilderness.” The first of these focused on the topic of discipleship.

https://www.rathminesbibleschool.com

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Now also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wildernessconversations