Alumni & Reunions

Luther College has welcomed a familiar face into the role of College Pastor, with Class of 1991 alumni Nathan Hedt joining our Ministry Team (in 2025).

Pastor Nathan completed Years 11 and 12 at Luther as a boarder, an experience that shaped both his faith and his future calling. For this country boy, boarding at the college opened doors to lifelong friendships and gave him his first real taste of Melbourne life.

“Boarding was a great experience,” he reflects, recalling standout memories that many alumni will recognise. Adventure beckoned through Outdoor Education trips to Mount Arapiles for rock climbing, while creativity flourished in House Drama. Even the sporting struggles became cherished memories when their “seriously awful” senior soccer team finally broke their losing streak and won their only game in two years.

But it was the spiritual dimension of Luther life that left the deepest impression. Christian Youth camps and the faith development opportunities at the college became highlights that shaped his vocational calling.

The pastoral care he received was exemplified by figures like Mrs Marion Kleinberg, who became a surrogate ‘mum’ to many boarders, welcoming them for meals and helping them feel at home.

Even as a young man, he knew he wanted to pursue pastoral ministry, though his fascination with science and mathematics led him first to complete a Bachelor of Science at Monash University. After meeting his wife Yvette, his path toward ministry took shape, and he began studies at what is now Australian Lutheran College in Adelaide. During his theological studies, the couple welcomed three daughters – Bethany, Rebecca, and Sylvia who according to Nathan have grown into strong, independent young women.

His pastoral journey has taken him across diverse contexts and continents. His first calling was to Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, where he led mission trips to Uganda, providing trauma training. He then served as Pastor for Tertiary and Youth Ministry for the Lutheran Church in Victoria, facilitating cross-cultural trips to Central Australia and working with Lutheran communities in Western Arranda and Pitjantjatjara regions.

A passion for growing worship opportunities led him to serve as College Pastor at Lakeside College in Pakenham, where he helped establish a new congregation. This experience proved both challenging and rewarding, deepening his conviction about church planting as a powerful way to share the gospel with new communities. His expertise in this area eventually saw him called to a national role as Pastor for New and Renewing Churches, overseeing and mentoring church planters across Australia.

Being called to Luther this year, brings Nathan’s family connection full circle, his mother one of Luther College’s earliest teachers, establishing roots that run deep in the school’s history. “I never would have thought God would lead me back to Luther College as College Pastor,” he admits.

“It’s a privilege to be here in this role, and I really believe God has opened the door for this ministry.”

Beyond his pastoral qualifications – which include a Master of Arts in Theology and current preparation as an International Coaching Federation accredited coach coveted century) and loves hiking, kayaking, board games, and reading. In a testament to his hands-on approach to life, he has even restored a 1975 classic Mini Cooper himself – a project he describes as “at least as intensive as finishing my Master’s degree!”

One of Nathan’s first Chapel presentations to students was the story of meeting his Mini Cooper and bringing her back to life and in the days that followed students were seen standing around the car admiring his work and perseverance.

Perhaps most unusually, Nathan holds a world record in Theoretical Scrabble, an intellectual pursuit involving the highest possible combined scores using legal but highly unlikely words.

His philosophy centres on two key principles. “Above all, I want to point people to Jesus,” he explains. “As I’ve gone through life I’ve become more convinced of the beauty, truth, power, purpose, and healing that knowing Jesus brings.” Equally important is his passion for “growing good humans” at Luther, helping staff, students and families fulfill their God-given purpose.

His advice to current students reflects the wisdom gained from his varied journey: “Remember that academic performance, especially at the end of Year 12, is important but it is not the be all and end all. If you do super well, it doesn’t define your life, and if you do less well than you would have liked, it doesn’t define your life. Let what is ultimate be your ultimate priority!”

As Luther College begins this new chapter with their returning alumni at the pastoral helm, the school community can look forward to leadership that combines deep institutional understanding with broad life experience, all grounded in an unwavering commitment to faith and service.