Bek Searle (a.k.a Bek Pfanstiel)
From USA, Living in Sydney
Studied Song Writing 2009 – 2011
C3 College… what can I say. What was meant to be one year of exploring a deeper relationship with Jesus and stronger commitment to creativity, has turned into… 11 years, one husband, one permanent residency, two beautiful kids, becoming a music teacher, and living a life in Sydney I could never have dreamed of. Each time I drive over the Harbour Bridge, I am reminded of the small town I came from, and the big God who brought me here. He gave me an insane gift called “creativity”. He nudged me to C3 College to learn how to unravel the insanity and turn it into something beautiful that will draw people to Him.
I am a talker and a verbal processor, and I have learned over the years that my song writing is a beautiful way to bring any situation into the light, without overcomplicating. Creating lyric, melody, harmony and arrangement is like breathing for my soul. When I write a song, I feel weight lift off me like nothing else. I don’t always have to share those songs with others, as sometimes it’s God’s way of sharing His songs with me. However, after writing an EP, an album, and various songs on the last 5 years of C3 Music albums, I know there is power in sharing with others the melodies He has shared with me. In many ways, College taught me to take off the pressure of performance and realise that “my ministry/creativity” has nothing to do with the stage or the studio, but with my heart and my character.
In this wild time of “isolation” and “staying safe”, I have rekindled my love of journaling and writing for no other reason than to create. In the busyness of everyday life, we can so easily forfeit that creative space for the things that pay the bills or get us through the day. In this season, having two small children at home definitely presents its challenges, and I definitely don’t have “more time” on my hands. But I have done my best to find a moment to quickly voice memo that melody in my head, or jot down those lyrics that roll like a ticker tape through my mind. I am so grateful to College for teaching me how to quickly stretch that creative muscle, and get my creativity moving again.
As we continue to look after ourselves and each other, can I encourage you…
CREATE. ANYTHING. JUST. BECAUSE.
