OUR STAFF
Pastor Nathaniel "Nate" Bendorf
Pastor Nate was raised in Southeastern Minnesota and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Business Management degree. Out of college he worked at General Mills, Inc. and there met his beautiful wife, Sarah. Shortly after they were married, Pr. Nate took a call as a full-time Director of Youth and Family Ministry in Cokato, MN. During this time, Pr. Nate began post-graduate studies at Luther Seminary in a Distributed Learning program. Pr. Nate and Sarah also welcomed their child, Izy, during this time. After 5 years of ministry at Cokato, Pr. Nate went on internship to Zion Lutheran Church in Amor, MN. After internship, his family moved back to Luther Seminary for his final year of seminary and he was ordained in the summer of 2013.
Pr. Nate has since served at Lutheran congregations in Bemidji, MN and Ormond Beach, FL before being called to American Lutheran Church in De Smet in the summer of 2023.
Pr. Nate’s family enjoys many outdoor activities, including; boating, hunting, fishing, going for walks, and all sorts of athletics. They also enjoy traveling, meeting new people, and experiencing new activities.
Pr. Nate’s core theological convictions:
1. Grace alone in Christ alone through Faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9)
2. Relationships embedded within community (Acts 2:42-47)
3. Loving God, Loving others (Matthew 22:37-39)
Janet Brag
Administrative Assistant
Janet was born and raised in Finley North Dakota. Where she spent 21 years active with the Finley Lutheran Church. Interesting, since living in South Dakota (since fall of 2009) it was discovered her Great-Grandfather was a pastor in Howard SD in the 1930’s-1940’s before relocating to North Dakota. Her grandparents were extremely active in the Hofva Lutheran Church (Rural Finley ND), where her Father, David and herself were both baptized. As a young child, she and her family transferred to Finley Lutheran; her parents David and Kathy were active board members and volunteers for many years, and Janet was active in many activities in the church, including Lutheran League and was confirmed in 1994. She often jokes that her high school career; she was either busy with a school activity, church activity or into trouble, haven’t decided which was greater.
Starting fall 1996, she attended Mayville State University for Early Childhood-Elementary Education. Later she attended Duluth Business University and received a degree in Graphic Design Media. Janet has worked as an administrative assistant/teachers aid with Pre-school center as well as various management positions.
Fun Fact; After 911, when they created the Department of Homeland Security, the US Gov’t sub-contracted with an agency to create the design elements of the department. The company held a logo contest for any US citizen to enter their ideas. Janet submitted 3 samples and was 3rd place, in over 100 entries.
Janet has three daughters who fill a lot of her time; Caitlyn who graduated De Smet HS in 2021 and Ashley and Britney who attend the De Smet High School. When she is not busy running off to her children’s activities, she in her spare time enjoys; reading, crafts, sewing, cooking, baking and is also a cake decorator. Is also active in the DCW De Smet Community Women’s Group and occasionally volunteers at the Bryant Movie Theatre.
Janet has been at ALC since August 2021 and enjoys learning the traditions at ALC and being involved in the community of De Smet.