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Andrs family from left: Kati, Nathanael, Elaina, Pastor Ken, and Naomi.  
Pioneer photo by Ann Staloch

Pastor Andrs says farewell for Fertile

With just enough sun to shine through the rich stained-glass windows, Pastor Ken Andrs delivers his final message with his sonorous voice. After nearly four years of ministry at First Congregational Church in Waseca, Andrs is moving on to serve as pastor of Hope Evangelical Free Church in Fertile, MN. He says his time in Waseca was marked by deep connections with parishioners, a commitment to building community, and a philosophy of ministry that places family at its heart. As he prepares for his new role, Andrs reflects on the experiences and lessons that have shaped his time in Waseca.
Andrs recalls he and his wife, Naomi, were drawn to Waseca by its multigenerational community, where grandparents, parents, and children live and grow together; he says the emphasis on family mirrors their personal philosophy of ministry, which emphasizes involving children in worship and service. “One of the huge philosophies of our ministry life is that kids are the church,” Andrs said. “They have a place to serve and a need to be taught. They need to worship in a way that makes sense to them.”
The Andrs family—including Naomi and their children Kati, Elaina, and Nathanael—has been integral to his work. Naomi, a dedicated educator, has been pursuing a master’s degree in early childhood education, which she plans to complete this spring. Andrs said he hopes the couple’s shared commitment to faith and service has created a powerful example for their children and the congregation. Naomi expressed, “This church and this community have been special for our whole family.”
Andrs’ children speak fondly about their father’s dedication to his calling and the parish. They all say they have enjoyed their time with Waseca’s First Congregational Church. Nathanael, the youngest Andrs, lights up as he talks about his time spent leading Sunday School for the youngest pupils of the pulpit. He expressed, “Being able to help with the music or teaching Sunday School, it brings us closer as a family.” Elaina said she felt a connection to the church community. “I just love the people here, and it truly is a family at FCC,” she shares. Eldest child Kati is on the search for a new church while she is at college: “It is really hard to find a church of your own when you have the luxury of hearing your dad preach every week,” she said.
Andrs relates his path to ministry began in his youth, growing up in a Christian household where church was central to family life. Originally envisioning a career in engineering, he found his true calling during his studies at Northwestern in St. Paul. “The only thing that I really enjoyed was the biblical studies,” he recalled. This led him to seminary and eventually to a life of ministry.
After serving as a pastor at a Baptist church in the Twin Cities for seven years, Andrs said he  and Naomi felt called to start a church in Superior, Wisc. There, their focus was on reaching those who were not attending church and helping them grow in faith. “Our entire goal was to tell people about Jesus and to help them grow in faith and knowledge of Him,” he said. “We built relationships, loved people, discipled them, and trained them up.”
During this time, Andrs also worked as a mental health practitioner, providing in-home support and serving on South St. Louis County’s treatment court team. He mentioned these experiences deepened his understanding of the challenges people face and strengthened his commitment to bringing light and hope into difficult situations.
Andrs and his family came to Waseca after a season of demanding ministry. “The work of church planting is really tough on a person, and being bi-vocational was really draining,” he admitted, going on to say the Waseca congregation offered a place of recuperation and renewal for the Andrs family. “The healing that this Congregation offered to our family and the ability to be in the community…those things matter to us.”
In Waseca, Andrs said he appreciated the town’s stability and sense of community, which contrasted with the transient nature of Superior; he noted. “You see families actively involved in life here.”
Andrs’ said his ministry in Waseca also allowed him to connect with the community. Although balancing church events with the busy schedules of sports and school activities could be challenging, he says he saw it as an opportunity to engage with families on their terms. Andrs found a comfortable spot within the coaching ranks for the Bluejay football and track teams. With a grin obscured by his beard, he mentioned, “Lots of school districts are doing away with not having activities on Wednesday evenings to allow those who want to worship an opportunity to do so. I appreciate the Waseca community for continuing this unwritten tradition.”
Andrs’ next role will take him up to Fertile, where he will serve as pastor of Hope Evangelical Free Church, a younger congregation founded in the mid-1990s. He says the church’s mission aligns closely with his own values: helping people come to know Jesus, “That’s really what fits us,” he said. “Seeing new people come to know Christ and having a faith that makes a difference.”
The transition comes with logistical challenges. For the first six months, Andrs expects to  commute to Fertile three days a week while his son Nathaniel finishes his senior year in Waseca. 
As Andrs prepares to leave Waseca, he reflects on the impact the community and congregation have had on his family and ministry. From the healing they experienced to the relationships they built, he says Waseca will always hold a special place in their hearts. “We really appreciate the opportunity to try different things and to serve a type of culture different from what we were used to,” he said.
Parishioners have praised Ken for his dedication and compassion, saying the way he connects with his church community is exceptionally personal. They offer the example of times when he speaks directly to parishioners, by name, from the pulpit. Joanne Bauman, lifelong Church member, said she is sad Andrs is departing: “He has been so good. Done so much. He has such a good Bible study for the older ladies. He understands us.” Tracy Pomeroy echoes the importance of Andrs’ tenure at First Congregational, “He loves on everyone immediately, where they are at.”

 

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