Rev. Rodney L. Anderson Named Interim Senior Chaplain

Gustavus Adolphus College President Jack R. Ohle announced Sunday, May 15 that the Rev. Rodney L. Anderson has been named Interim Senior College Chaplain, effective July 15.

Rev. Anderson will join a strong, campus ministry team at the College. The other members of the team will include two other College Chaplains—Rev. Rachel Larson, who has served as a Gustavus Chaplain for ten years and Rev. Grady St. Dennis ’92, who will join the team as a Gustavus Chaplain along with his other duties as Associate Director of the Center for Servant Leadership and Director for Church Relations and Community Engagement.

Rev. Anderson, Rev. Larson, and Rev. St. Dennis will collaborate with the College Organist and Cantor of Christ Chapel Chad Fothergill ’06, the Distinguished Professor of Lutheran Studies Dr. Darrell Jodock, and Dr. JoNes VanHecke ‘88, the new Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, to provide the Gustavus community with an outstanding ministry team to meet the needs of a diverse and multi-dimensional faith community.

“I rejoice in anticipation of joining together in ministry with great colleagues, brilliant students, and the entire Gustavus community during exciting days ahead,” Rev. Anderson said. “I am thankful for the excellent ministry of Chaplain Brian Johnson as well as those who have given of themselves so generously working with him and his predecessors at Gustavus.”

Rev. Anderson is concluding a 34-year tenure as Senior Pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie. Under Rev. Anderson’s leadership, St. Andrew saw its congregation grow from 112 members in 1977 to a church family of more than 10,000 today. He has been an active member on numerous boards, councils and committees including the Gustavus Board of Trustees (2001-2011) and the Luther Seminary Board (1997-2006). He has also served on the ELCA Evangelism Strategy Task Force and the Eden Prairie Foundation Board. Rev. Anderson received his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota and his M.Div. from Northwestern Lutheran Seminary (now Luther Seminary). 

“I look forward to this transition from 34 years of ministry at St. Andrew to now helping Gustavus strengthen its ministries for the future,” Rev. Anderson said.

Rev. Anderson and his wife, Julane, have three adult children and three grandchildren.

“I am grateful for Gustavus ministries that influenced my two sons and daughter-in-law – all of them Gusties,” Rev. Anderson said.