Church Staff

Bethany Nelson became Westminster’s Associate Pastor in 2014, following 11 years as the Director of Youth Ministry. Growing up as a pastor's child in Sebastopol, CA, she had a deep involvement in church life, cherishing memories of youth group activities, church choir, handbells, and liturgical arts.

After earning a BA in Political Science and Mathematical Methods from Northwestern University, she joined Teach For America in Baton Rouge, LA. It was there that she discovered her calling to ministry and became a part-time youth director at a Methodist church. Subsequently, in 2003, she joined Westminster as their full-time Director of Youth Ministry.

While working at Westminster, she pursued theological education at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, earning a Certificate of Theological Studies and a Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained in 2011. She then added a Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 2021.

In her leisure time, Bethany prioritizes spending time with her spouse, Camie. Together, they enjoy hiking with their dog, playing board games, listening to live music, and Facetiming their son, Ben, who is a student at the University of Utah.