Kay Wallace - Children's Director
Background Kay graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1981 with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts/Graphic Design. She has worked in newspaper advertising as well as several years as a Free Lance graphic artist. She taught children’s art in the classroom as well as after school classes and is always available for various “projects” around the church that need a creative touch. Kay joined The Chapel staff in 1996 as a Co-Children’s Ministry Director.Family Kay and Stephen married in 1982 and moved to Baton Rouge. They have been blessed with three children Britney, Blake and Benjamin, and in 2006, added a great son-in-law, Jordan. They recently renovated their home following extensive damage from Katrina. With only one son currently left at home, they soon will experience an empty nest . . . but not quite yet.
Ministry Kay is the Children’s Ministry Director overseeing Sunday morning ministry for children at The Chapel at both the Oaks and Campus locations. She leads the 120+ Sunday School team members that minister with children each week. She also oversees the Playcare team that provides childcare for adult ministries in The Chapel during the week. While partnering with parents, her passion is to lay down “footprints” for children to follow - helping them understand the simplicity of the gospel, and leading them as they grow, straight into the arms of Jesus.
Anne Eunice - Children's Outreach Director
Background Anne was born and raised in uptown New Orleans and is one of eight children and graduated from Dominican High School. During that time she was on a pathway to entering the convent with Christ, but decided to pursue college first. She was on the LSU bowling team and was part of the Baton Rouge Bowling City Champion in the early '80's. Her sophomore year at LSU she was introduced to The Chapel by Campus Crusade for Christ where she began to get more involved. Anne received her undergraduate degree in Education and Masters degree in Cardiac Rehabilitation. In 1987 she worked part-time for both the University Lab School and The Chapel’s Children’s Ministry and in 1992, God led her to go full-time as Children’s Ministry Director where she has served ever since.
Family Anne met her husband at Don Carter's Bowling Center. She soon married Mel “Corky” Eunice in 1995. She has three children: Stepsons Michael amd Mark and son Will.
Ministry Anne has served as Children’s Ministry Director for over two decades. Her focus is on outreach events for the children and their families. She came to a personal relationship with Jesus at an early age and knew she wanted to dedicate my life’s work to Him. God made it clear to Anne while at LSU, that He had given her a great heart and passion to share the love of God through Jesus to children.
Helen Wilson - Children's Site Coordinator (Campus)
Family: Helen married Charlie Wilson in December 2009. She is also the Daughter of chapel members Dennis and Paddy Garrett and is the eldest of four children. Her siblings are Jean, Joseph, and Marie.
Background: Helen has attended the chapel since birth. Having grown up within The Chapel's church body, she has been able to grow within several of its ministries. Helen began working at the Chapel at age 15 as a Special Events Intern, and she has since joined the Treasure Kingdom Staff as Sunday School and PlayCare Coordinator at the Campus location. She is also currently at Louisiana State University studying Elementary Education.
Ministry: Helen works in Treasure Kingdom Childrens Ministry as the Campus Site Coordinator for Sunday School and PlayCare. She organizes Sunday School volunteers and paid workers to create a safe, secure, and loving environment for the children of Treasure Kingdom.
Levie Chustz - Middle School Director
Background Levie was born a Georgia peach, and raised a fighting tiger of LSU. At the age of twelve, she accepted Christ at Istrouma Baptist Church and was later baptized in the lake behind The Chapel by Donald Tabb. She attended Louisiana State University majoring in Elementary Education and was a faculty member of the Dunham School before coming on staff at The Chapel.
Family Levie and Mike were married in 1979 and have three grown children, Michael, Morgan and Jenna, two wonderful son-in laws Jeff Tomlinson and Garrett Prather, each of whom love the Lord, serve at The Chapel and reside in Baton Rouge. Recently Morgan and Jeff blessed them with a beautiful little granddaughter Emery Kate. Levie loves living in Baton Rouge so she can be close to family and pursue her other passions, including community service and YOUTH MINISTRY!
Ministry As Middle School Minister Levie loves and shepherds Youth Ministry volunteers, middle school students and their families. Her office is at the campus location where all are welcomed. She is assisted by Matt Dearman at the Oaks. Levie and her husband, Mike, have a heart to see God glorified among youth. Together the two seek to offer practical applications to spiritual truths through the Youth Ministry at The Chapel which is devoted to exposing youth to Christ, establishing youth in Christ and equipping youth for Christ. Levie’s favorite pastimes are spending time with the Lord, family and serving others. Her prayer is that all will come to know who Christ is, His indescribable love for them, their identity in Him and His intricate plan for their life as they seek to honor Him and experience LIFE!
Matt Dearman - Middle School Director
Background Matt first began attending The Chapel shortly after birth, growing up in the church's children’s and youth ministries before leaving for college at Louisiana Tech University. While studying in the Louisiana Tech journalism department, Matt served as a sports writer for The Tech Talk student newspaper, The Ruston Daily Leader and Tiger Rag Magazine, and also spent two years working as an intern in the student ministry of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. After graduating from Tech in 2007, Matt spent a year in the Forge Leadership Training Program at Pine Cove Camps in Tyler, Texas, where he worked every summer during his college career. After completing the Forge program and serving as the Shores camp program director in the summer of 2008, Matt returned to Baton Rouge and came on staff at The Chapel as Middle School Minister.
Family On June 20, 2009, Matt married his wife Rachael, a first grade teacher at Parkview Baptist. They have no children yet, but do have a spoiled rat terrier named Maverick.
Ministry Matt serves as one of the Middle School Ministers at The Chapel, specifically ministering to middle school boys and providing leadership to the ministry’s weekly outreach event, CRASH. He is passionate about training young boys to become Godly men, and desires to see today’s middle school boys transformed by God into future leaders in both family and ministry.
Michael Rhodes - High School Director
Background Michael moved to New Orleans from Williamston, South Carolina in August 2004 to begin New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to moving, Michael graduated from Charleston Southern University with a B.A. in Youth Ministry. He spent each summer during college serving in youth ministries at various churches. He was introduced to The Chapel by Josh LaRavia (College Pastor of The Chapel), whom he met in one of his classes his first week of seminary. After commuting from New Orleans for a semester, Michael moved in January 2005 to Baton Rouge to begin a part-time position as Youth Outreach Director at The Chapel. He served in this capacity until the summer of 2008 when he became the High School Pastor. Michael continued his seminary work during this time and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in Christian Education in December 2009.
Family Michael married Erica on May 30, 2009. Erica also works at The Chapel in both the assimilation and high school ministries. They have no children and are enjoying life together as a newly married couple.
Ministry As High School Pastor at The Chapel, Michael shepherds several interns, adult and collegiate volunteers and high school students. He loves teaching God’s Word, discipling young people and leading an incredible leadership team who ministers to high school students from over twenty different schools across Baton Rouge and its surrounding communities. His passion is to see high school students transformed by the gospel and consequently, allow God to use them to lead in transforming their schools, communities, and world.
Annette Lamond - Kids Hope USA Director
Background Annette grew up in the Toronto, Canada area and attended Mohawk College. She has also lived in Denmark and Egypt. She and her family moved to Baton Rouge in 2002.
Family Annette married her husband Mark in 1983 and they have two wonderful children son Devon and daughter Camille.
Ministry Annette has been the Kids Hope USA Director at The Chapel since June of 2005. Kids Hope USA at The Chapel is in partnership with Wildwood Elementary School and currently mentors 40 children. The Chapel is one of more than 400 other churches in the U.S., with a KHUSA program, meeting with more than 8,000 at risk children, joining in the mission of ‘building caring relationships...one child, one hour, one church, one school.” Their belief is in Jesus’ way, as they share in the values of children because every child matters, relationships – because love is only possible person to person, and the belief in prayer – because it is the language of hope. It is her hope that each KHUSA child will succeed knowing they are valued, filled with hope, and wanting to contribute to society but especially that one day they will be able to look back and know it was because of the love of Jesus Christ that, that special mentor came to be with them, and that a faithful prayer partner prayed. Further, for them and for each mentor, prayer partner, and volunteer who serves through KHUSA to have a deeper understanding, relationship and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Annette believes it is by God’s grace she holds this position and is continuously in awe and grateful to see God’s hand at work. She recognizes how He orchestrates KHUSA at The Chapel to demonstrate His amazing love for the children being mentored.
Bettejean Cramer - Assimilation Director
Background Bettejean received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from Wheaton College (Illinois) and her Master of Arts degree in English from Louisiana State University. Before coming on staff at The Chapel in 1994, she taught English and writing to students ranging in age from middle school through college. Her years in the classroom gave her the opportunity to combine her love of young people with her love of learning and helping others develop. Bettejean has led women’s Bible study groups for many years, and as a Chapel volunteer she taught children’s Sunday school, taught English with International Ministry, shepherded Sunday morning Youth Ministry volunteers, sung in the choir and served with Youth Ministry. Before she became an official Chapel staff member, her husband, in a moment of humorous frustration, threatened to buy her a Little Bo Peep costume because she served in so many shepherding roles.
Family Bettejean credits her husband George for his long-suffering patience and his support of her as she has sought to follow God’s leading. Their four children (two sons, two daughters) have been an integral part of their hospitality and ministry—sharing their home, their hearts and frequently their parents. Bettejean and George are blessed with four beautiful granddaughters.
Ministry Bettejean serves as Director of Assimilation Ministry which includes Chapel Connections and Communications. Connections is the ministry of meeting, greeting and following up Chapel guests. She is assisted by hard working, warm hearted volunteer teams of Parking and Door Greeters and an efficient staff of people who collate information, send guest letters, assist with Chapel 101 and perform countless other services which help people get plugged into ministry. Her responsibiliteties also include publications, announcements and working with the Attraction Strategy team.
Bettejean loves meeting new people and helping them begin or continue their spiritual journey. She is always excited about introducing newcomers to Chapel ministry because she knows that through Chapel people and programs, they will inspired in their walk with Christ. She is particularly excited about working with the growing numbers of young people because she knows the ongoing Chapel mission will be in the hands of the rising generation.
Evan Godbold - Site Worship Leader (Campus)
Background Evan grew up in Tomball, Texas where he came to Christ at age 11. Evan went to LSU on a Music scholarship in 2002. He came to the Chapel with Josh LaRavia and Hans Googer as part of the team of college students to start The Refuge. His heart has always been for worship and discipleship. As a Freshman at LSU, he began leading music for the Refuge college ministry and leading community groups. Along the way, I fell in love with my amazing wife, Andrea. In spring of 2006, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music.
Ministry Evan began leading worship at age 15 and has not stopped since. He came on staff in 2006 initially splitting his time between Worship Arts and College Ministries. Now, Evan serves as the Campus location Worship Leader where he is privileged to lead the congregations of both Sunday morning services as well as the Refuge 7:37 Experience, our college service, on Sunday nights. Evan is passionate about leading God's people to worship through song. He believes that music is an important part of worship. Through corporate song, we are able to communicate with God in ways that go beyond just words or silent prayer alone. It is unifying, it is edifying, and it is what God calls us to do.
Ken Drake - Worship Arts Ministry Director (Oaks)
Background Ken received his Bachelor Degree in Music with emphasis in piano, church music and choral conducting from Furman University in Greenville, SC, a Masters Degree and Doctorial work from LSU’s School of Music. Ken has also done post graduate work at the Mozarteum Conservatory of Music in Salzburg, Austria. Ken & his wife Kathy have served as Worship Arts Ministers at The Chapel for 26 years. They have a heart and passion for worshipping their Savior, Christ Jesus and teaching, equipping His body to also offer their worship in their everyday lifestyle and through all aspects of the arts.
Family Ken and his wife Kathy were married in June of 1979. They have 2 beautiful and artistic daughters, Maggie and Mary Elizabeth.
Ministry Ken serves as Worship Arts Pastor and Worship Leader at The Chapel in the Oaks. Ken leads a worship team in Sunday morning services. He and Kathy co-direct The Chapel Choir, a community of Adults and Collegians, who love and shepherd one another and serve in Sunday services, seasonal, and outreach events. The choir’s Christmas musical has become a highlight of the Baton Rouge community’s Christmas season. Ken also directs the Youth Music & Drama Group and each year 70 to 80 6th -12th graders participate in a worship arts program focusing on dance, drama, visual art, music and worship leading as they prepare a major Christian or Broadway musical for a Spring presentation.
Kathy Drake - Worship Arts Ministry Director (Oaks)
Background Kathy is a native of Baton Rouge. She attended Lee High School and received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in vocal performance from Louisiana State University. After graduation in 1979, Kathy received a Rotary Fellowship to study opera in Salzburg, Austria at the Mozarteum Conservatory of Music. She married her husband Ken and they both traveled to Europe to study. Kathy has been blessed with the opportunity to perform in 24 musicals and operas and as a recitalist in the United States and Europe. She also taught private voice in Baton Rouge for 12 years. In 1983 Kathy joined The Chapel staff as Worship Arts Ministry Director where she served as director of WAM for Kids for 25 years and as co-director of the Chapel Choir with her husband Ken.
Family Kathy married her husband Ken in 1979. They have had the privilege of serving together in ministry for over 26 years. They have two beautiful daughters Maggie and Mary Elizabeth, who also are gifted in music and the arts.
Ministry Kathy loves directing the Chapel Choir with her husband Ken. It is often said that the Chapel Choir is the Chapel’s largest small group with a shepherding ministry that encourages its members in worship, prayer, and discipleship. The Chapel Choir leads worship on Sunday mornings at the Oaks location and in large community outreach events. Kathy also directs a series of Creative Arts Events which include workshops designed to encourage artists at the Chapel and in the community in their artistic gifts and faith journey. Workshops are taught by a master teacher and provide an opportunity for artists to gather together in community and develop their gifts. One of Kathy’s passions is the annual Chapel Arts Festival which she coordinates with the WAM staff and volunteers. This event features the Chapel Choirs with Christian artists and their original works. In this event, over 300 musicians, artists, and volunteers reach out to the Baton Rouge community with the love and beauty of Christ. Kathy’s passion is to shepherd and lead God’s people to” worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23, 24) Kathy is also passionate about God’s Word and loves to teach. She has written and enjoys teaching a 17 week Bible study entitled Living Water – a journey to intimacy with God which explores the spiritual disciplines and the attributes of God’s character. She is continually amazed at the love and grace of Jesus in her life and transforming power of God’s Spirit.
Carrie Nelson - Worship Arts Ministry for Kids Director (Oaks)
Backround Carrie grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and was active in ministry and in the arts from a very young age. She received her dance training from Briarwood Ballet, Ballet Magnificat, the Alabama Ballet and Indiana University. She received her vocal and dramatic training at Birmingham Southern College – Conservatory, Birmingham Children’s Theater and Indiana University. Carrie has been blessed with the opportunity to perform in over 50 productions in professional theater, community theater and churches. She also loves to work behind the scenes and has worked in directing, stage management, casting, set construction, house management and publicity. Carrie plays violin and played with the Alabama Youth Symphony. She has also has taught violin, dance, drama and music and directed musical theater camps. Carrie’s passions are deeply rooted in the arts and reclaiming them for the Lord. Carrie and her family moved to Baton Rouge in 2006 for her husband to pursue a PhD in Theatre at LSU. After visiting several churches Carrie fell in love with the Worship Arts family at The Chapel and considers it a huge blessing to now be a part of the staff.
Family Carrie met her husband Chris when they were both working at Birmingham Children’s theatre in 2000 and were married 2 years later. They have a son, James who was born in 2005 with brain damage and until recently, did not speak. Chris and Carrie are continually amazed to see the miracles God has worked in James’ life and are so thankful for the blessing of being his parents.
Ministry Carrie began working as the Director of WAM for Kids in 2008 and loves it! WAM for Kids (Worship Arts Ministries for Kids) is a unique program that offers not only children’s choir but also workshops in drama, dance and visual art. Each Sunday Carrie and a wonderful team of volunteers and over 100 kids have a blast praising the Lord with their gifts in the arts. Carrie also leads the 5th grade Worship Team which meets every week to study God’s word and learn what it means to be true worshippers.
Chris 'Critter' Cook - Assistant College Pastor
Background Chris grew up in Mandeville, Louisiana and graduated from LSU in December 2009 with a bachelors in Business Management. Along with being a devoted tiger fan, he became very involved in The Refuge college ministry at The Chapel his freshman year and continued to be apart of what God was doing at The Refuge during his time as an LSU student.
Family Chris comes from a large and loving family with four brothers, two sisters, and two wonderful parents, Brad and Melanie Cook. His older brother and sister-in-law just had their first baby boy and Chris is the proud uncle to Sean Patrick Cook!
Ministry Chris is the Assistant College Pastor with The Refuge. He serves the body in different ways through this postilion, more specifically in the discipling and equipping of young believers at LSU for Christ; and sharing the Amazing Hope of LIFE that can only be found in Jesus Christ to those who have yet to taste of it.
Sherry Fox - Women's Director
Background Sherry grew up in Baton Rouge and graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her training for ministry began in Bible Study Fellowship where she developed an immense love for God’s Word. Having learned there that transformation comes from understanding the truth of God's Word, she served as a leader for nine years. She has now been involved in women’s ministry for over 25 years, serving women in the many places she has lived, including Switzerland, Germany, and Texas. She and her husband share a passion for seeing Godly marriages and families and have loved teaching young married couples for over 15 years.Family Sherry has been married to Steve, who is truly her best friend, for 31 years. They have 3 adult daughters, Melanie, Lauren, and Allyson, and a teenage son, Tyler. All of their children love the Lord and are serving Him in various ways.
Ministry Sherry is the Director of Women’s Ministry at the Oaks and Campus locations. Her greatest passions are introducing women to Jesus, helping them grow closer to Him, and using God’s truth to counteract the lies that they believe. She desires to create a safe and challenging environment where women can learn to be “real” and available to each other so that true, Christ-centered community will form. Sherry considers it a great privilege to help women find a place in which they can use their own unique giftedness within the Body of Christ. Because one of the most important aspects of women’s ministry is the mentoring and equipping of leaders, Sherry finds it a joy to serve in a church that is blessed with an abundance of extremely talented, Godly, and selfless women who are willing to serve in this way. Sherry loves watching the development of authentic community and the healing that occurs when women discover the Lord’s unique calling on their lives.
DeLisa Quinn – PlayCare Coordinator
Family: DeLisa and Louie married in 1992. God has blessed them with 3 special children—Katie, Conner and Trey. They are all students at The Dunham School.
Background: DeLisa grew up in Pearl, MS where she accepted Christ at age 10. Her family lived a great distance from extended family so her church family filled this role. She gained an immense appreciation of the value of loving and involved Christian adults in children’s lives. She graduated from Millsaps College with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She worked for several years as a corporate computer software instructor before settling into the role of stay-at-home mom. She joined The Chapel staff in 2009 as the PlayCare Coordinator for the Oaks location.
Ministry: As PlayCare Coordinator, DeLisa is privileged supervising caring, fun employees and with parents who are serving, worshipping or learning at The Chapel. What a great opportunity to show the love of Jesus to children by helping them feel comfortable and have fun at church!
Paddy Garrett - Oaks Site Coordinator
Ministry: Paddy is the Children’s Ministry Oaks Site Coordinator for Sunday school, teaming with volunteers to create a safe, secure and loving environment for the children of Treasure Kingdom. She loves working at The Chapel with all those who have ministered to her family since 1981, raising us up in the fear of the Lord, and in the love our Jesus