Dr. Jeffrey McDonald, Ph.D.
Senior Pastor
Phone: 402-733-1104
Email: pastor@averychurch.com
Jeff is passionate in his love for Jesus Christ and his belief that people must never leave God inside the walls of the church. His approach to ministry can be summed up in four words — “personal outreach and evangelism.”
When he isn’t preaching, teaching or spending time with his family, Jeff usually has his nose in a book. He got his B.A. from Wheaton College in History, his Master of Divinity from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, his M.A. in History from UNO and his Ph.D. in History from the University of Stirling in Scotland.
Jeff and his wife Krista have two daughters Katie and Meredith and two sons Parker and Reid.
Jennifer (Jen) Byington
Office Administrator
Phone: 402-733-1104
Email: churchoffice@averychurch.com
One of the many ways the Lord has blessed Avery is by sending us Jennifer. She’s been our office administrator since 2018 and pretty much keeps the ship afloat. Jen is a long time resident of Bellevue. You’ll find she is always helpful and cheerful when you visit our church office.
Pastor Abuid Lope came to Avery Church during 2017 as a church plan missionary. His mission was to plan aa church to serve the Hispanic Community in Bellevue and South Omaha. The church plant was a joint effort by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Mexico, the Great Plains Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church,, and Avery Presbyterian Church. The Hispanic membership has grown steadily over the past two years.
Pastor Abuid’s family includes his wife Alma, son Mateo, and Daughters Carola and Layla. They are all very talented musicians, and support Avery’s Awaken Contemporary Service and the Hispanic Worship Service.
The family offers many services to the Hispanic community, including music lessons, classes in English as a second language, school backpack drives, and meals for special occasions which are very popular.,
Dexter and his wife Jessica joined our staff during November 2019. Dexter is off to a fast start leading the Avery Youth Group and helping with the AWANA group activities on Wed evenings, and planning youth activities for 2020. Dexter and Jess are expecting a new member of the Waltz family, arriving in March 2020.
The Avery family has been enjoying Bonnie’s amazing musical gifts since 1987. She began playing piano at age 9, the organ at 13 and then went on to major in both instruments at Wichita State University. Before coming to Bellevue, Bonnie played for churches in Kansas, Texas, Louisiana and California. She teaches piano lessons and is also an accompanist at Bryan High School.
Don is an Avery institution. We simply can’t imagine our worship services without him. Don has directed the wonderful Avery choir for 29 years. Although now retired, Don taught choral music for four years in Tecumseh, NE, six years in Omaha and 29 years in Bellevue. He is a member of the Nebraska Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.
Don and his wife Joyce have three sons and seven grandchildren.
Amanda Hooper
Church Custodian
Amanda has been with Avery Church since 2015 and does a great job of keeping our facility looking great.