Pastor Randy Fett was welcomed to Bethel Lutheran Church on Wednesday, November 16 as Intentional Interim Pastor. He will aid in transition at Bethel within the staff, take on Pastoral responsibilities, and support the Bethel congregation during this time of transition. His first message was given at the worship services on Sunday, November 20 where he shared about his intentional interim work, and explains where the Bethel ship is taking our congregation! Click here to view the message.

In addition to listening to his message, we asked Pastor Randy some fun questions to help you all get to know him a little better! 

1. What is your wife's name, how many kids, grandkids, and grand dogs?

Wife: Jan, 3 grown children 2 in the twin cities area, and 1 in the Black Hills, 6 grandchildren, and 4 grand dogs.

2. What are your hobbies?

Right now it’s working on interior work and finishing a cabin in the Black Hills that we are building ourselves, woodworking, backpacking, and I have been a marathon runner and now its cycling and swimming.

3. What do you like about being an intentional interim pastor?

My forte is the vision casting that a congregation goes through. It is a joy to experience God at work, ground up, from among the people who are discerning Gods direction and purpose.

4. What is the strangest coincidence that you've experienced?

One major coincidence that I still ponder with surprise and delight is when I had this calling to enter Intentional Interim ministry once again. I was coming back from my spiritual place in the Black Hills. I shared this idea of going into more of a visioning consulting work with my Bishop and staff. They encouraged me to take the “Life Coach” training so that I could work with newer pastors to mentor and train them in the Visioning process. I responded to God’s calling by opening myself to Interim ministry at the same time. I was certified as a Life Coach but in the process of opening up to God’s call, In the matter of a week – week and a half, God opened an affirming door to a situation in Sioux Falls, SD, where the Bishop called me to serve. I can still hear her words, ”Randy, we need you here.” This doesn’t just happen by coincidence. It is God’s voice, God’s providence, and direction.

5. Where have you lived throughout your life?

I grew up in Northwest Iowa, went to college in South Dakota, attended Seminary in eastern Iowa, raised our children in South Dakota. We lived in the southeast, central, and western parts of the state- the kids all graduated high school from Spearfish, SD. We have also lived in Grand Island, Nebraska, and now in Rochester and Twin cities, MN area. Our home is in Cannon Falls, MN right now.

6. What is your favorite bible verse?

Several, but one that keeps popping up: “I press on towards the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. -

7. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

My spouse and family.

8. What is the best place you have traveled to and why?

I loved traveling to Europe. Rome might be a favorite place that I have toured because of all its historical places. I ran a marathon on the Adriatic Sea coast on that trip also, and walked on the beach of Normandy, France.

9. What are you most excited about being at Bethel?

I love people. I love working with and among staff. I feed off the gifts of others. Bethel is a large congregation for which I can best use my God given skills.