Our
Founder & Executive Director
Mark Barrentine, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and Christian Psychotherapist. He received his Master of Social Work degree from Tulane University in 1996, and has since counseled in various settings with children, adolescents, adults, and families. He worked with a United Way family-counseling agency in New Orleans from 1995-1997. From 1997-1999 Mr. Barrentine served as Program Therapist and Social Service Director at Cypress Behavioral Health Hospital for the adolescent, adult, chemical dependency, and children’s inpatient units.
In November 1999, Mr. Barrentine was appointed Executive Director of Teen Challenge of Acadiana. Through his tenure there he developed the unique Evangel House therapeutic treatment model which integrates professional Christian counseling with biblical values.
Mr. Barrentine and his wife Karen recently celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary, and they have two children, Emma and Weston. Karen Barrentine has been a Louisiana Certified Teacher for over 10 years. She currently directs the Learning Center for the Program.
Our Home Directors
Leslie Beckman earned two bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and French at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. In addition to her studies, she was a member of the women’s soccer team and Alpha Delta Pi, a philanthropic sorority. She moved to Lafayette in 2001 and began pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree at UL-Lafayette. She worked full-time as an administrative assistant through the duration of her graduate studies. Leslie has 4 years of experience working with youth through summer camp and coaching positions. She has Christian leadership and discipleship training through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship as well as Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. While at UL, she led a bible study and was actively involved in the international student ministry through Chi Alpha. She joined the Evangel House™ Christian boarding school staff in June of 2004 and serves as director of operations.
Tola Olufade earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana in 1995. Ms. Olufade moved to the United States from West Africa to pursue her education in 1990. She became involved in the international outreach ministry at the UL Chi Alpha, and was an integral part of the campus ministry there.
After graduating in 1995, Ms. Olufade served as the Resident Hall Coordinator for the University of Louisiana. There she supervised a staff of 35 resident assistants, and she oversaw the residential care of 550 to 2000 young adults. Her work involved emergency management, conflict resolution, academic advising, daily operations supervision, and activity development. She brings her academic experience, her ministry experience, and her love for God to Evangel House™ Christian home and school for girls in a way the greatly benefits our residents.
Our School Staff
Karen Barrentine (Mark's wife as described above) is a Louisiana Certified teacher with over eight years of classroom experience. Mrs. Barrentine coordinates the educational assessments, diagnostic testing, and Individualized Education Plans for each young lady involved with our program. She works to develop a 12 month plan that involves input from parents, residents, and clinicians. Karen also teaches our Evangel House™ Christian boarding school curriculum, which is a biblically based coping skills curriculum. Mrs. Barrentine combines the Teen Challenge curriculum with supplemental readings, activities, and application exercises to create a dynamic and life-changing model for behavioral change and substance abuse recovery. Her classroom experience, combined with ministry experience create a positive atmosphere for our learning center.
Verity DeJean took her Bachelor Degree in English and Literature at Trinity College Carmarthen in Wales. During this time she was a member of the Christian Union and often led Bible Study and Hospitality Catering. She was actively involved in the international exchange program and a volunteer home help for ailing members of the church congregation. She completed her additional studies at Birmingham University, England, and earned a Post Graduate Qualification in Education. She taught high school for three years and worked in the Learning Support Center. She specialized in Advanced Placement college preparation, SAT preparation and Special Educational Needs. She moved to Louisiana with her husband in July of 2004 and joined Evangel House™ Christian boarding school for girls to serve as class teacher in December 2004.
Office Staff
Dana Gates attended Louisiana State University at Eunice for three years majoring in Biology. She has three years of training with the Master’s Commission Program working towards Certification to become a Minister with the Assemblies of God. Ms. Gates currently works part-time as the Evangel House™ admissions coordinator while she is completing her degree in Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Laura Clark 
attended Lafayette Master’s Commission for two years where she earned her
Certified Ministers License with the Assemblies of God. She then moved to
Birmingham, Alabama where she worked as Discipleship Director and Administrative
Assistant for Steel City Master’s Commission. She joined Evangel House™ therapeutic boarding school staff in
December 2004 bringing her heart for ministry and administrative experience to
serve as office manager.
Our Family Retreat Staff
Dr. Lynn and Peggy Aurich
Dr. Lynn is a Christian Clinical Psychologist, licensed in the State of Louisiana. He has over 25 years of experience in neuropsychology, psychodiagnostic testing, and individual and group therapies. Dr. Aurich has a private practice at the Lafayette Psychiatric Group, and he also serves as a ministry advisor to Lafayette First Assembly of God Church, in Lafayette, LA. His wife Peggy is actively involved in ministries at Lafayette First Assembly as well.
Dr. Aurich and his wife Peggy invest their experience, wisdom, and ministry skills at our Family Challenge Retreat held in May at Pensacola Beach, Florida. Families benefit greatly from the workshops and interactive presentations Dr. and Mrs. Aurich present there.
Pastor Tommy and Lisa Faulk
Rev. and Mrs. Faulk are senior pastors Lafayette First Assembly of God Church. Pastor and Mrs. Faulk have been involved in family counseling ministries at Lafayette First for over nine years. Pastor Faulk is an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God, and has been involved in ministry for over 15 years. Pastor and Mrs. Faulk bring a dynamic perspective to our family retreat, and present workshops on biblical perspectives in family dynamics. They are presenters at our fall family challenge retreat in October. The Faulks have two children, Tommy Jr. and Lehia.
