OUR STAFF
Jason Locke has been the preaching minister for the College Church since 2009. He and Julie have two grown sons who were born while they were in Prague as missionaries. Jason has a degree in mechanical engineering, along with 3 graduate degrees in ministry, missions, and theology from Abilene Christian University. He tries to learn every day what it means to follow Jesus. Jason loves to cook, travel, read, and follows lots of sports. He enjoys talking with others about any of those things. Julie is an early-childhood, special-education teacher at Century Elementary in the Clovis Unified School District. She loves to garden and create mosaics, and also teaches classes in education at Fresno Pacific University. Their son Jericho lives in Washington, DC. He and his wife Taylor are part of Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Their son Jacob is married to Brenna. They live in Fresno and are part of the College Church. Contact Jason via email: jlockeca at gmail.com. You can read his occasional musings on his blog site: https://jlockeblog.blogspot.com/.
Sandra has served in various capacities at the College Church since the early 1990s. She worked as our worship minister and has served in that role for about 20 years. Sandra and her husband Lex are native Fresnans. They have two grown children. Ashley is married to Ian Oehlschlaeger, and they live in Madera Ranchos just outside Fresno. Avery and his wife Jody live in Fresno. Sandra and Lex and many deep roots here in the church and the community. Contact Sandra via email: sandrahenderson at comcast.net.
Chalé Wesson was hired as our youth minister in 2019. Her role has since expanded to family ministry, in which she oversees ministry & outreach to teens, K-6, pre-k, and emerging adults. She is a graduate of Fresno Pacific University and is currently working on a master’s degree from Fuller Seminary. Chalé has worked in the mental health field and continues to volunteer with 4141 Ministries for the Build-A-Child program in one of Fresno’s underserved communities. She was also named “Fresno’s Woman of the Year in 2018 for District 7.” She and her husband Serafino have three children. You can contact Chalé by email, chalewesson at gmail.com.
OUR TEAM OF ELDERS
Dale Drury has served as an elder since 2008. Dale has often served as a Sunday morning adult class teacher or as a bass on the praise team. He is a native of Washington and a graduate of Columbia Christian College. Dale retired from Grundfos Pumps at the end of 2022. He served as Senior OEM Sales Engineer for the western US. He and his wife Bev have been married for more than 40 years. Bev spent her career in Christian education. She was a long-time teacher and former principal at Mountain View Christian School until the school’s closure in 2013. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.
Ellery Ellis was born and raised in Fresno. He is a graduate of Edison High. He has a Bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering from Fresno State University and is a licensed professional engineer. Ellery has worked for Caltrans as a Transportation Engineer for over 20 years. Currently he works for the organization as a Project Manager. He presently manages over 25 roadway projects throughout Fresno and Tulare Counties. He is also currently the President of the Fresno Section of the Professional Engineers in State Service (PECG) union which locally has a membership of over 600 state engineers and scientists. He has been an accomplished Toastmaster over 20 years which has helped him develop his public speaking skills along with providing strong interpersonal communication skills. Ellery and his wife Tsenia were married in 1995, and they have two grown kids. At church you could find Ellery helping host adult classes. He also helps with presenting communion or readings during our services. Every summer, he loves working with our youth by participating in Yosemite Bible Camp as a staff counselor. Ellery and Tsenia also on occasion host the youth group for TNT at their home. Ellery loves to swim for exercise.
Roman Gonzalez was born and raised in Fresno. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and then attended Fresno State University for four years. In 1970, Roman married his junior-high sweetheart, Helen. They have been blessed with a long and rich marriage that has resulted in two children and five grandchildren. Roman worked various jobs throughout his career but ended up working for PG&E. He retired from PG&E back in 2013 after working thirty-one and a half years with as a supervisor in the Dispatch Operations. Roman enjoys camping in the Pismo and Morro bay areas. His quiet time is walking on the beach and just admiring God's creation. Roman and Helen are both gifted at working with people, and they enjoy talking to people and sharing Christ. Roman and Helen have been members of College Church of Christ since 1982.
Fausto Hinojosa has lived almost his entire life here in California's Central Valley. He graduated from Tranquility High School and studied accounting at Fresno State University. Fausto specializes in forensic accounting for government and non-profit accounts, and he in now the managing partner at Price, Paige and Company. Fausto has served on numerous non-profit boards, and he also leads our church’s finance ministry. Fausto and his wife Maria have three grown children. You’ll often find Fausto teaching an adult class, while Maria loves to work with our preschoolers.
Terry Hutchison is our longest-serving elder. He grew up in Central California before studying and working in various parts of the United States. He is a semi-retired pediatric neurologist at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno and the UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program. Terry also has a PhD in Molecular Biology. His wife Ruth has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and has been involved in non-profits for years. She spends her time in various charity and church works. She has been chairperson the board of Easter Seals, and has directed the Ronald McDonald house and other good works. Terry & Ruth have three children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Don Pierce is a preacher’s kid who was born in Abilene, Texas but spent most of his growing-up years in Kansas. He graduated from McPherson High School. As a student at Harding College (now University) in Arkansas, he met his wife Ann, who led him to her native Fresno. Don finished his education at Fresno State University. He had a long, decorated career with the County of Fresno. For many years, he was the Director for the Department of Employment and Temporary Assistance (now the Department of Social Services). He has also directed the county’s Human Services System and taught in the School of Social Work at California State University, Fresno. His wife Ann died in 2012. They have one grown daughter and one grandson. Don loves keeping tabs on people along with sending loads of encouraging messages, phone calls and cards.