Our People

Our members are ambassadors for Christ in all the world.

Our Staff

Rev. Audrey Hindes (she/her)

senior Pastor

audrey@willowmennonite.org

Audrey is the senior pastor at Willow Avenue Mennonite Church. Audrey brings to Willow Avenue Mennonite 10 years of experience in theological education, both in teaching and administration.

After earning a Master of Arts in Biblical Languages at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, she taught courses in biblical and religious studies, including Greek and Hebrew, at Fresno Pacific University and Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary. She has also taught Latin and logic at The Wilberforce School in Princeton, New Jersey. Her work in theological education includes project development, leadership development, program management, and vocational discernment.

She is an avid cook and practitioner of contemplative spirituality and loves teaching classes and workshops in both of these areas.

Brian DiPalma (he/him/his)

Associate Pastor

brian@willowmennonite.org

Brian is currently the Associate Pastor at Willow Avenue, though he served as youth pastor here (then College Community Church) from 2005-2007. At the time, Brian was also a student at Fresno Pacific University. He graduated with a BA in Biblical Studies and Classics in 2006. After graduating, he continued as CCCMB’s youth pastor and was an intern at the Pink House, an intentional community pursuing social justice in downtown Fresno. As part of that internship, Brian taught at the Fresno Rescue Mission men’s transitional program.
 
Next, Brian earned an M.Div. at Princeton Seminary (2010) and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Emory University in Atlanta (2016). He has researched and written on constructions of gender in the Hebrew Bible, engaging feminist and queer approaches to biblical interpretation. Prior to returning to Fresno, Brian taught at Emory University, Candler School of Theology, and Morehouse College. Since returning to Fresno, Brian has been teaching as an adjunct at Fresno Pacific, mostly in the Biblical Studies department with some work in the Communication department as well.
 
Brian and Audrey were married in 2008. They have one daughter, Charley. Brian loves music, especially old folk music and Bob Dylan. He also enjoys making music, playing guitar, mandolin, and banjo. Time outdoors is also important to Brian where he can camp, backpack, rock climb, and fish. He also enjoys brewing beer.

Rev. Jerri Wenger (she/her)

Pastor of Youth and Children

jerri@willowmennonite.org

Jerri is the part-time Youth & Children’s Pastor. Originally from Ohio, she spent 30 years at Camp Blue Diamond, a Church of the Brethren camp in Pennsylvania, where she and her spouse, Dean, served as Executive Co-Directors. Following retirement in 2021, they moved to Clovis and were happy to find a welcoming, vibrant, and life-giving congregation at the Willow Ave Mennonite Church.

Jerri found great joy serving in outdoor ministry where she was privileged to help staff and campers experience God while living in creation. Out of a sense of call and a passion for ministry, she sought ordination through Bethany Seminary in 2002.

Jerri is excited to work alongside the children, youth, and volunteers at Willow Ave as they explore scripture, create community, and laugh together.

Jerri and Dean have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.  She enjoys being with family, taking long walks, playing in the woods, and getting lost a good book. 

Courtney Becker Foster (she/her)

Office Administrator and facilities manager

office@willowmennonite.org

Courtney is the office administrator and facilities manager at Willow Avenue.  She grew up in the church and is happy to be serving the community in this position.  After attending Fresno Pacific University to study vocal performance, she obtained an Aesthetics license because we all have to eat.  Her skincare practice followed her through the years, affording her the opportunity to both run her own business and work wherever her family lived.  

After moving around quite a bit, the family finally settled back in Fresno.  With that move came having a studio in her home for her business until Covid hit.  During the pandemic Courtney did childcare for teachers in the church when they needed to get back into the classroom.  She enjoyed taking care of the kids, but was ready for a change when this position became available.  

In her spare time you’ll find her reading, knitting, crocheting or hanging out and talking with her chickens.

Joe Vigil (he/him)

Music Director

joe@willowmennonite.org

Joe is the Music Director at Willow Avenue. He moved from Oklahoma to Madera at an early age when his father accepted a pastorate at a church. This was the beginning of a lifelong love for music and worship. Everywhere Joe has lived, he has always found an ensemble to sing in, and a church to attend.

After serving honorably in the US Marine Corps, Joe returned to the Central Valley where he has been an enthusiastic member of many community and academic choirs. His interdenominational worship experience was a good fit for Willow Avenue where a typical service might include chant, beloved hymns, and modern praise songs.

Joe lives in the newly renamed Yokuts Valley with his husband and two sons where they raise goats, chickens, and many other happy farm animals.  

Our Lay Leadership

At Willow Ave, commissions are given the task of providing ministry to our congregation, the community, and the world as we try to live out our mission statement. Our commission chairs, listed below, serve as lay leaders.

Donna Jost, Chair of Congregational Care Commission

Jerri Wenger, Chair of Worship Commission

Arlene Steffen, Chair of Fellowship Commission

Gary Barber, Chair of Outreach Commission

Roger Fast, Chair of Adult Education Commission

Braedon Worman, Chair of Youth Council

Ken Neufeld, Chair of Resource Ministries Commission

Lynn Jost, Moderator