Pastor Anjanette Bandel began her ministry at Bethel on May 1, 2008 as Pastor of Visitation, Outreach, and Mission. She was ordained in 1999 and served First Lutheran Church, Fremont, NE for eight years prior to Bethel. She is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Prior to attending seminary she served for four years as a Youth Director at Messiah Lutheran Church, Auburn, WA and committed a year of work in the Lutheran Volunteer Corps in Milwaukee, WI in 1990-91. Social justice work, youth ministry, community involvement, team ministry, and pastoral care have been great passions in her ministry.


Pastor Anjanette feels richly blessed by her family. She has two children, Sela Grace Rist who is 10 years old and in the 5th grade and Karl Frederick “Erick” Rist V who is 7 years old and in the 1st grade. Pastor Anjanette was married on February 4, 2012, to Warren Bandel who is a professional musician in the Rochester area. He teaches private trumpet lessons and plays in multiple ensembles including Classic Brass. Time with family is a great joy to her. She also enjoys walking and exercise, cooking and baking, movies, travel, golfing, Twins games, fine arts, service opportunities, and writing.