Meet the Staff
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 CVM 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 Center for Vocational Ministry. 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.
Lisa Keesler, MDiv ’22
Operations Manager
- Email: [email protected]
Lisa Keesler, MDiv, is the operations manager for Azusa Pacific University’s Center for Vocational Ministry. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Master of Divinity as a first-generation college student, Lisa joined CVM and now oversees the operations for all Center for Vocational Ministry 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.
Hannah “Gibs” Gibson, BA
Graduate Intern, Youth Leadership Initiative
- Email: [email protected]
Gibs works under the supervision of Freddy Rivas for the Youth Leadership Initiative. As an undergraduate, she has experience working with various church ministries and student leadership roles. Gibs is also in her second year of pursuing her Master’s in Divinity at Azusa Pacific Seminary where she will graduate in the spring of 2024. Her goals include supporting students in discovering their vocational call through building a deeper relationship with Christ.