Andrew Neilson

I have two disparate hometowns that culminate to depict my upbringing. The first is in the countryside of a city named Prince Albert in Saskatchewan, Canada. There, I was raised to live off the cold and vast plain, eat superior quality doughnuts, spell words with unnecessary u’s (like 'colour'), and develop an entirely different definition of
bacon.

When I turned 13, my family immigrated Yankton--a quiet, small, savory town in South Dakota where fashion trends lag behind the rest of the world by an average of about ten years. There, I learned that 'creek' is actually pronounced 'crick', that there are many strange uses for corn, and that small town people can be some of the most loyal and compassionate people on the planet.

I was raised in a strong evangelical Christian home where I was blessed with amazing and Godly parents. Unfortunately, by the end of high school my faith became little more than an academic exercise. When I went to college, my faith was challenged on a massive scale, and I wound up believing that God either didn't exist or was malevolent. It was during that time that I was being influenced by amazing Christian mentors and friends who desired to pour into me without receiving in return; they lived like Christ. My heart opened up in a new way to God, and as I began reading Scripture and seeing the world in a whole new way.

Shortly after, I received a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College with a double major in Biology and Chemistry and a minor in Religious Studies. I headed to medical school (my previous career goal) but, after a year of study, I decided to take a leave of absence to pursue ministry. An internship at a church in Colorado and years of seminary later, I stumbled on Substance Church.

I heard about the church through a friend at Bethel seminary, and when I first went in 2008 I was the dude in the back who would escape just before the last worship song was over (I couldn’t get over the faux-hawks and skinny jeans). Then I met Pastor Mark who offered me an internship at Substance, which I quickly accepted. Serving with Pastor Mark and the entire Substance body has been challenging, rewarding, and one of the biggest blessings I've ever experienced.

I am extremely passionate about developing and encouraging the next generation of leaders. It's my heart to equip Christians with a passion for God and with the tools necessary to fulfill their God given visions. With the Excelerate Intern Program, I am able to see men and women challenged and stretched in both their capacity and their perspective; when people start to realize the full extent of their potential rather than the limits they've constrained themselves to, I get a rush.

I have a huge heart for social justice. I also have a heart for worship and music, which I am heavily involved with at Deeper. It's amazing to see God heal lives and draw people closer to him, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for this city!

I am currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity at Bethel Seminary with a concentration in Hebrew and Old Testament studies. I also worked in chemistry for three and a half years. I am, by any estimation, both a nerd and jack of all trades. I love music, the outdoors (I am Canadian, after all), cooking (I'm a huge sushi fan), learning about theology and Judaism, awkward moments, and writing.