Pastor Thad Anderson
pastor of student ministries
The Basics
Where did you grow up? I grew up in the small town of Prineville, Oregon — where everybody knows your name… and your dog’s name… and what you had for dinner last night.
Tell us about your family: I’ve been married to Anne-Marie for 26 years. We met in college, fell in love, and got hitched. We’ve been doing ministry side-by-side ever since, and we have four amazing kids: Grace, Will, Kirsten, and Josh. We genuinely love spending time together, whether that’s walking on a beach, playing games, traveling, or just laughing around the dinner table. We even enjoy serving in ministry as a family, which is one of the biggest blessings God has given us.
When did you start working at Trinity? We moved to Walla Walla in 2013 for the job I still love — leading Student Ministries. Somehow they haven’t gotten tired of me yet, so I must be doing something right.
Personal Life & Interests
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off? A perfect day off starts with quiet time with God, then some quality time with my family. I’ll probably fire up the BBQ, grill something delicious, sneak in a nap. Sometimes I will hit the volleyball court, do a little woodworking, go shooting or go snowboarding.
What are some of your favorite bands? Right now, I’m loving Forrest Frank and Josiah Queen. My long-time favorites? Andy Mineo, TobyMac, and basically any legendary song from the ’80s — the decade that brought us the best music and questionable fashion.
What are a few of your favorite books? I’ll always have a soft spot for Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. My family has spent many nights getting lost in Harry Potter, The Ranger’s Apprentice, and Percy Jackson. For my own reading, I enjoy the action and suspense of Jack Reacher and Harry Bosch novels.
Coffee or tea - and what’s your go-to order? Coffee. Every. Single. Day. Usually black, but if I’m feeling fancy, I’ll go for a 20 oz latte with a quad shot and just a splash of sweet cream — because life’s too short for bad coffee.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you? I can fall asleep anywhere — airplanes, church pews (don’t tell anyone), even standing in line at Costco. It’s a gift.
Faith & Ministry
What lead to you to pursue ministry? Back in high school, I went to a youth conference where the speaker asked us to pause and ask God if He might be calling us to ministry. I thought, Wait… you can spend your life hanging out with students, having fun, and helping people follow Jesus? That sounded like a dream — so I stood up and have never looked back.
What part of ministry excites you the most? Students. All of it. Retreats, small groups, late-night campfire talks — I love it all. But if I had to choose, I’d say running camps is my favorite. There’s just something amazing about creating an environment where students can have fun, connect deeply, and experience God in new ways — and seeing the staff grow right alongside them is a bonus.
What’s one item in your office you can’t live without? Oxygen. I’ve tried working without it… doesn’t go well.
What’s one prayer you have for Trinity? That God would raise up a new generation of parents and students who wholeheartedly follow Jesus— not just on Sundays, but in their everyday lives. My dream is to see families so full of His love that it overflows into every corner of their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.