Bartels new camp directors

The Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church, Camping and Retreat Ministries Committee has announced that the Rev. Andy and Kate Bartel are the new site directors at Wesley Acres Camp and Retreat Center in North Dakota. The two served as manager’s assistants for three years at Camp Birchwood in the Alaska Missionary Conference. In addition, Kate also served as the food services manager and food manager’s assistant there for five years.

Andy most recently served as the associate pastor at Mitchell First United Methodist Church, Mitchell, S.D., where his primary responsibilities were for youth and young adult ministries, including worship leadership, recruitment and training of youth and volunteer adult leaders, and facilitating relationship between the church and Dakota Wesleyan University.

Prior to his appointment to local churches, he served as campus pastor at South Dakota State University.

Since their return to the Dakotas from Alaska, Kate has focused much of her energy as spouse and mother to their two preschool children, James and Gus, and as a volunteer in the churches they have served. In January, Kate worked part time for the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, helping with the extra workload of summer camper registrations.

The Bartels both graduated from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. Kate has a minor in art and Andy brings certification from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

Tags: life, religion, bartel, methodist, camp, church