Meet the Staff
William B. Whitney, PhD
Executive Director, Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service
- Email: [email protected]
William B. Whitney, PhD, is the executive director for the Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service and an associate professor in the School of Behavioral Sciences at Azusa Pacific University. He earned a PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary, an MA in Theology from Oxford University, a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Seminary, and is currently completing his PhD in Developmental Psychology at Claremont Graduate University.
His teaching and research focus on the integration of theology, positive psychology, human development, and culture. He is co-author of The Integration Journey (IVP, 2024) and Theology for Psychology and Counseling (Baker Academic, 2022), both of which explore how Christian theology can inform and enrich psychological research and clinical practice. His scholarship has been supported by the John Templeton Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, and the Louisville Institute. A licensed marriage and family therapist with more than 15 years of experience, he draws on his clinical work with individuals, couples, families, and groups to inform his teaching, research, and service.
Rev. Freddy Rivas, MDiv
Director, Faith and Service Initiative
- Email: [email protected]
Freddy leads in the Vocāre program and serves as a mentor to APU undergraduate students who are discerning a call to vocational ministry. Freddy oversees the internship program of Vocāre which focuses on developing emerging leaders for flourishing in ministry. He holds a BA in Biblical Studies from Azusa Pacific University and a MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary. Freddy has been in pastoral ministry for 18 years. He is an ordained pastor with Evangelical Friends Church Southwest and the lead pastor of a church he planted, Living Hope Church, in Temple City, CA.
Andrew Harootian, MDiv ’18
Assistant Director, Christian Workers Initiative
- Email: [email protected]
Andrew Harootian, MDiv ’18, is the assistant director for the Christian Workers Initiative. Andrew had the honor of pastoring in three local churches in various capacities over the span of a dozen years before joining the institute team. He is a two-time APU alum, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry in 2013 before completing his MDiv. Andrew has a heart for care and empowerment that is inspired by God’s love. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Elyssa, and his two sons, Henri and Asher, as well as reading, hiking, TV shows, and all things superheroes.
Candice McVey, MA
Assistant Director, Nurturing Children through Worship and Prayer Initiative
- Email: [email protected]
Candice McVey serves as the assistant director of the Nurturing Children through Worship and Prayer Initiative in the institute. She’s passionate about sharing the redemptive love of Christ, the spiritual formation of children, and supporting brave ministry leaders in this journey. Candice’s ministry background is in children, families, and pastoral care. She holds a BA in Liberal Studies from California State University, Long Beach and an MA in Ministry from Point Loma University of the Nazarene. She is also a 2026 candidate for ordination in the church of the Nazarene. Before joining the Lord in ministry, she worked as a teacher and marketer in commercial real estate. Candice is also devoted to being a wife and mom to three amazing kids.
Cheryl Fletcher, DMin
Preacher-in-Residence, Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service
- Email: [email protected]
Cheryl Fletcher serves as pastor-in-residence for the Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service at Azusa Pacific University, where she equips students and ministry leaders to encounter and share the beauty of Jesus through preaching, teaching, and coaching. She holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell and a Master of Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, bringing theological depth and practical wisdom to the classroom, pulpit, and mentoring space.
For nearly four decades, Cheryl has preached the gospel, shepherded communities, and mobilized leaders through Young Life, local churches in Austin, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area, as well as conferences and retreats across the U.S. and internationally. She is known for making Scripture come alive, creating spaces of spiritual transformation, and equipping leaders to join God’s redemptive mission in the world. Students and ministry partners describe her as a gifted communicator and compassionate guide who inspires, challenges, and empowers others to grow as disciples and leaders.
Lisa Keesler, MDiv ’22
Operations Manager
- Email: [email protected]
Lisa Keesler, MDiv, is the operations manager for Azusa Pacific University’s Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Master of Divinity as a first-generation college student, Lisa joined the institute and now oversees the operations for all Institute for Faith, Leadership, and Service programs. She hopes to embody loving thy neighbor in every area of life and is passionate about the church as the hands and feet of Jesus. Lisa serves as a worship leader, pastor, writer, and discipleship mentor at her local church—alongside being an avid Lord of the Rings watcher and puzzle-solver at home.
Annelyse Thomas, MDiv
Preaching Lab Coordinator and Pastor-Mentor
- Email: [email protected]
Annelyse Thomas, MDiv, was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. After completing her Bachelor’s in Philosophy and Government & International Relations, she moved to the U.S. to pursue a Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary. Annelyse has over 12 years of experience in church ministry and mentorship. She is passionate about helping individuals discover who they are, whose they are, and where they belong. She loves to spend time with her husband, Ryan, and her son, Levi, baking sweet treats, and sitting down with a good book and a cozy coffee.