Pastor Anjanette
Lead Pastor
Pastor Anjanette Bandel began serving as Bethel’s Lead Pastor on October 1, 2020. Prior to this, she served as Bethel’s Pastor of Visitation, Outreach, and Mission from 2008-2020. 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. SE MN is home to her as she grew up in Albert Lea, MN. Team ministry, social justice work, youth ministry, community involvement, administrative oversight, 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 currently a student at Luther College and Karl Frederick “Erick” Rist who attends John Marshall High School. Pastor Anjanette is married 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 and Uptown Jazz. Time with family is a great joy to her. She also enjoys performing with a vocal trio and acting in local theatre productions, walking and exercise, cooking and baking, movies, travel, golfing, fine arts, service opportunities, and writing.