Luanne Cotten - Pastor's Assistant at the Oaks
Family: Luanne has been married to her husband Bobby since 1985. She has two step-daughters, who are both married and two grandsons.
Background: Luanne was born in Vermont and raised in upstate New York. She graduated from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. After moving to Louisiana in 1977, she enjoyed a 17 year career as an Officer in the Purchasing Department of a Baton Rouge bank before coming to The Chapel in 1995.
Ministry: Luanne has served as an Administrative Assistant to several Chapel ministries including Assimilation, International and Missions Committee, Women, Adults, Kids Hope USA and most recently Pastor’s Assistant to Dennis Eenigenburg. Serving as a Greeter at the Oaks on Sunday mornings, she enjoys making people feel welcome. Luanne is grateful for the opportunity to serve at The Chapel and her heart is to glorify Him in all her endeavors.
Melanie Furr - College Administrative Assistant
Family: Melanie met her husband, Michael at the age of fourteen. They married in 2009 and reside in Baton Rouge. They are enjoying being newlyweds. They are also the parents of a pit-bull named Beaux.
Background: Melanie was born in Texas, but Louisiana has always been her home. She grew up in Baton Rouge, and is proud to be a Tiger. She began attending the Chapel in 2008. It quickly became her second home. Melanie got involved with The Refuge college ministry, where she served on leadership. She, also, got involved with ESL and the International ministry. Her heart is for people of all nations to come to know the Lord. She uses these ministries as a venue for building relationships with the lost and discipling new believers. As she volunteered with these ministries she was trained and prepared to serve on staff.
Ministry: Melanie feels blessed to be able to serve The Refuge as an administrative assistant. She knows God is doing big things through The Chapel and is excited to be a part of it. She enjoys supporting the college staff, by doing the behind the scenes work. She gives all glory to God and knows without him she could do nothing.
Camille Guillory - Campus Receptionist
Family: Camille was recently engaged to Kirk and plans to be married in April, 2012. She is the second to oldest of five. There was never a dull moment in her house growing up! Her siblings are Kaily, Justin, Grace and Bethany. Camille is the daughter of the greatest parents in the whole wide world, Vincent and Missy Guillory.
Background: Camille was born and raised here in Baton Rouge. She has been attending The Chapel since she was born. After high school Camille attended Master’s Commission Bible College in Lafayette, LA, graduating in 2007, she moved back home to Baton Rouge and joined the staff at The Chapel in 2008.
Ministry: Camille is the Campus Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to the High School Director. As Receptionist, Camille has also had the opportunity to assist with Kids Hope USA, Worship Arts Ministry, Women’s Ministry and Upward Sports. She has learned that it isn’t always necessary to go out and look for people to minister to because the Lord leads them right up to her window!
Ashley Johnson - High School Administrative Assistant
Family: Ashley is 21; the daughter of Jim and Gail. She is the youngest of 3, Courtney - 24 and Jay - 41. She also is blessed with two beautiful and hilarious neices.
Background: Ashley grew up in Sugar Land, TX where she and her family were members of an Episcopal Church in downtown Houston. She came to LSU seeking a degree in Apparel Design. She rushed a sorority, ran for a senator position in Student Government and led a Bible study on campus. She began attending the Refuge College Ministry in 2009. As God revealed more or His plan for Ashley's life, she began to rethink her career path and has recently changed her major to Family and Child Development. She hopes to use her gifts for God's glory.
Ministry: Ashely is proud to call The Chapel her church home. She served on The Refuge College Leadership Team for a year. She then felt called to ministry to youth. She is now serving with The Youth Leadership Team. The summer of 2011 she was blessed to go on a mission trip to Lexington, Kentucky with The Chapel. They served on the University of Kentucky's campus. Ashley loves being the high school administrative assistant and she looks forward to all of the opportunities Christ has for her at The Chapel.
Donna Lewis - Worship Arts Administrative Assistant
Family: Donna has been married to her best friend, Roy Lewis, Jr. since 1994. When they got married she inherited two wonderful children, Roy and Griff. God later blessed them with another wonderful son, Reece. In addition to their three sons they have three dogs and a crazy cat!
Background: Donna grew up in Baton Rouge and lived here most of her life. She attended Spencer Business College. Afterwards, Donna spent 13 years working in an office for a State agency. She has received a Certificate of Ministry after completing the Elevate Program with Healing Place Church. Donna has spent her time volunteering with a non-profit agency, leading youth Bible studies, and serving with YMAD – youth music and drama. Her favorite Bible verse is Deuteronomy 6:5. “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul and all of your strength.”
Ministry: Donna and her family began attending The Chapel after their son got involved with YMAD. She and her husband began volunteering with YMAD. They quickly fell in love with the people and the mission at The Chapel. Donna enjoys being able to work in a Godly atmosphere, meet new people, and work in a creative atmosphere. She loves what the worship arts ministry is doing and loves being a part of this ministry.
Erin Mayer - Accountant
Family: Erin is the daughter of Scott and Karen Mayer, and the sister of Josh Mayer. She is the proud parent of a German Shepherd named Dakota, who loves to snuggle.
Background: Erin was dedicated to Christ as a baby in The Chapel, and has been a member ever since. She graduated from LSU in 2003 with a Bachelor’s in Accounting, and after a few jobs with local firms, she began her full-time employment at The Chapel in June of 2005.
Ministry: Following an internship at a Christian summer camp in 2003, Erin felt God leading her to be in ministry with youth. In 2004 she began volunteering with the Chapel’s Youth Ministry, and by 2005 she had quit her full-time accounting job to allow for time to intern within that same ministry. In June she was offered the opportunity to continue that internship in conjunction with the Chapel’s Staff Accountant duties, which has been an amazing opportunity to continue her ministry and put her accounting skills to good use. Currently Erin is ministering to the High School students and leaders. Erin is passionate about sharing the love of Christ with the students, and helping them discover who they are in Him so they can begin to share that same love with others. Erin is also a member of the Campus Worship Team, where she gets to use her love for singing to help lead others in worship to their King.
Jennifer McSweet - Women's Administrative Assistant
Family: Jennifer met her husband Jonathan as a result of being involved with the Young Professionals Community Group at The Chapel. They were married in March 2010 and enjoy seeing how God sanctifies them through marriage. Jennifer is extremely close to her family and is blessed to have been raised in a Christian home with parents Tim and Debbie Williams, and a younger sister Heather who have constantly encouraged and supported her. She loves seeing how God works in her life and how His ways are so much bigger and better than what she could have imagined. A perfect example of God's goodness is the recent birth of their first child, Audra Elizabeth.
Background: Jennifer was born and raised in Zachary, LA. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from LSU in 2007. She began attending The Refuge during college and has been involved with ministries at The Chapel ever since. She appreciates the warmth she has always felt from people at The Chapel.
Ministry: Jennifer values the authentic relationships she has shared with women as they rejoice, weep, laugh, and learn more about God (sometimes all at the same time) together. Through her participation in Women’s Ministry activities, she has been able to be part of the special experiences of praying with, worshipping with, and encouraging other women in the body. God’s faithfulness to prepare us for what He has in our future is evident in the work she is now able to do as she assists with the Women’s Ministry.
Gwynn Naylor - Children and Youth Administrative Assistant
Family: Gwynn met her husband Johnny while working one summer in Rocky Mountain National Park. After knowing each other for only one month, they announced to their friends and family that they were going to get married! Her recipe for a good marriage is “marry a Godly man with skills!” They have two daughters, Erin Naylor North (husband Harold) and Megan Naylor Nealy (husband Chris), and two wonderful granddaughters; Izzy (age 5) and Genevieve (age 1).
Background: Gwynn grew up in Columbus, Ohio (Go Bucks!) and graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a BS in Elementary Education. She taught first grade for two years at Parkview Elementary soon after she was married, and spent nine years running the arts and crafts department at one of the Naylor’s Hardware and Garden Centers. Beginning In 1987 she served as co-director of Children’s Ministry at The Chapel for 6 years. She is currently assisting Treasure Kingdom and Middle School Youth.
Ministry: Her desire is to be a woman “after God’s own heart.” She has served as a Sunday school teacher for over 12 years in various classes; her favorite age is kindergarten. She enjoys decorating for special events at The Chapel, including VBS, women’s events and weddings. Assisting with children and youth ministries at The Chapel is rewarding and exciting - there’s always a fun event to plan for each month!
Lori Ray - Pastor's Assistant at the Campus
Family: Lori met her husband Tommy at work and they were married in 1987. They were blessed with one son Braxton, who is a student at Baton Rouge Magnet High School. The Ray family also includes two very spoiled, sweet miniature dachshunds.
Background: Lori was born and raised in Louisiana and has also lived in Texas and Oklahoma. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in commercial art. Since 1983, Lori has worked as a graphic designer for churches, Christian organizations, non-profits and many other clients.
Ministry: In 2003, Lori joined the Chapel staff working in the Worship Arts and Women’s Ministries. After The Chapel acquired the Oaks location, she began working in the Pastors’ office at the Campus. Now Lori is the Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor. As part of her job, Lori designs many of the brochures and other promotional pieces for The Chapel. She really enjoys using her administrative skills and creativity as a graphic designer in her ministry at the church.
Tommy Ray - Business Administrator
Family: Tommy and Lori have been married since 1987 and have one son, Braxton, who attends Baton Rouge Magnet High School. They also have two miniature Dachshunds.
Background: A Baton Rouge native, Tommy became a licensed Southern Baptist minister in 1981. He has been involved in the day to day management of non-profit religious organizations for over 30 years. In addition, he has served as a board member and in an advisory capacity to a number of local, national and international ministries. He has served on the Chapel staff since 1995 Prior to joining The Chapel staff, Tommy was involved in a number of interesting adventures. He was a touring professional musician, worked in recording studios, has been a banker and is a licensed contractor.
Ministry: The primary focus of Tommy’s position at The Chapel is finances and facilities. As the Business Manager, he is responsible for all non-ministry aspects of the operation of The Chapel and the Chapel’s relationship with the business community. He particularly enjoys talking with college students about what God is doing in their life and the plans God may have for them in the future.
Erica Rhodes - Assimilations Administrative Assistant and Youth Intern
Family: Erica met her husband, Michael Rhodes, the high school pastor, while serving on staff at The Chapel. They married two years later in May 2009. They have a little girl, River, a westie.
Background: Erica was born in Baton Rouge, but spent most of her childhood in Shreveport. She returned to Baton Rouge to attend Louisiana State University, where she recieved her Bachelors Degree. While attending LSU she found that The Chapel was the place she considered home away from home. Erica started working at The Chapel in 2006 with the assimilation ministry. Once she married Michael, she joined him in ministry also. She has been a youth intern since 2009.
Ministry: Erica has two very different focuses at The Chapel. One- assisting the Assimilation Ministry. One focus here is working with guests, new believers, new members, and helping the body get plugged into serving with each other. She helps with publicity, communication, and organizing the information that comes in weekly about the people in our body. Her other focus is assisting her husband in Youth Ministry. She spends her time discipling high school girls, mentoring college leaders who serve in the youth ministry, connecting with guests and new believers, and doing behind the scenes work in the office.