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Published July 25, 2012, 12:00 AM

Pastor Nelson's ministry


Associate pastors Van Bredeson and Joanne Sorenson pose with Senior Pastor Dennis Nelson in this 2002 photo taken on the steps of the downtown Bethel Lutheran Church, 920 Third St. Sorenson was the second woman pastor called to Bethel Lutheran under Nelson’s leadership. She now is the senior pastor at St. James Trinity Lutheran Church in Fall Creek.

  • Associate pastors Van Bredeson and Joanne Sorenson pose with Senior Pastor Dennis Nelson in this 2002 photo taken on the steps of the downtown Bethel Lutheran Church, 920 Third St. Sorenson was the second woman pastor called to Bethel Lutheran under Nelson’s leadership. She now is the senior pastor at St. James Trinity Lutheran Church in Fall Creek.
  • The 2008 Bethel Lutheran Church directory includes this photo of Pastor Dennis Nelson and his wife, Susan. They’ve been married for 51 years and have four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Susan worked for the U.S. Postal Service for more than 30 years and served as postmaster at Welch, Bayport and Hugo, all in Minnesota.
  • Pastor Dennis Nelson joins the Rev. Blaston Gavile, right, at the pulpit of Bethel Lutheran’s sister church in Iringa, Tanzania, in a March 2010 church service.
  • Pastor Dennis Nelson, third from the right in the front row, poses with the 42 members of Bethel Lutheran’s 2012 confirmation class. Seated next to Nelson are associate pastors Bob Bipes, left, and Van Bredeson, right.
  • Betty Hansen joins Pastor Dennis Nelson in a photograph at the first Scandinavian Food Fest held at the new Bethel Highlands Church, in October 2007. Hansen is one of the organizers of the Food Fest.