EvangelHouse.com - about us

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faculty profiles

- the evangel house difference
The most important element of our school is the quality of character found within our employees. EHCA consists of an exceptional team of caring christian professionals in the industry. Our faculty's vast experiences in student ministry, along with relevant educational backgrounds fuel the unique EHCA method to provide students with the high level of personal investment from dynamic christian role models.

dorm supervisors

The team of dorm supervisors rotates shifts in the evening and overnight to maintain a safe and comfortable home-like environment. They are responsible for supervising and advising students during daily living activities such as meal preparation, household chores, homework and social activities.

- erica "rikki" manahan

BS Family and Child Development - Pennsylvania State University

Currently pursuing Master of Divinity from Liberty University

Joined EHCA May, 2006

Rikki serves as a Dorm Supervisor. She joined the EHCA staff in May 2006 and she energetically promotes a healthy dorm environment to aid in the spiritual development and maturity of the students. Rikki acknowledged a godly calling to pursue a career in youth development in order to work with youth and families. She participated in volunteer youth and college ministry throughout her college years, including a paid summer internship with a youth pastor. Throughout college, she was involved in THON, the largest student-lead philanthropic organization in the world, dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research and treatment. Her direction of several youth drama teams has given her the experience needed to orchestrate drama involvement for Lafayette First Assembly of God and the youth participating in the Fine Arts Competition. She is currently attending seminary in pursuit of a Master of Divinity degree in order to be an ordained minister. She is also the youth coordinator for a local public school drug prevention outreach.

- michelle grisham

BS Biology - University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Currently pursuing Master of Science in Experimental Psychology

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Evangel House Research Coordinator

Joined EHCA April 2007

Michelle serves as a Dorm Supervisor. During her time at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Michelle held positions in a variety of campus activities such as Delta Women's Fraternity, Campus Crusade for Christ, UL Ragin' Cajun Varsity Cheer leading and Student Government Association. Michelle discovered a passion for volunteer work while serving three years on the Executive Board of Up 'til Dawn, a campus-wide fundraiser for St. Jude's Research Hospital. From 2004-2007, Michelle worked as a laboratory animal technician for the New Iberia Research Center in the Behavioral Sciences division. During this time, she also volunteered as an Emergency Room Advocate for the Sexual Abuse Response Center of Lafayette, LA. She has served in the student ministry of East Bayou Baptist Church in Lafayette. Michelle has led both middle school and college Bible studies, chaperoned retreats and summer camp, and served as a Way Point Seminar Leader for the seventh grade girls' Passion for Purity class. She continues her involvement in adult Bible studies and is pursuing graduate study in Research Psychology.

- tola olufade

BS Business Administration - University of Southwestern Louisiana

Joined EHCA January, 2001

Tola serves as a Dorm Supervisor. She joined the EHCA staff in January 2001. Originally from West Africa, Nigeria, she graduated high school in England, and then moved to the United States to pursue her college education. Tola earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. She became involved in the international outreach ministry at the USL Chi Alpha, and was an integral part of the campus ministry. After graduating in 1995, she served as a Resident Hall Coordinator for the University of Louisiana and supervised a staff of 35 resident assistants and 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 of God to EHCA in a way that greatly benefits our students. Tola is currently involved with ministries at First Assembly of God church as well as a volunteer with the Pregnancy Center and Clinic in Lafayette.

top dog

- valentino "val"

Born February 14, 2005

Graduate - Pet Smart Obedience Training School

Joined EHCA March, 2006

Val serves as Top Dog at EHCA. He is a tenured staff member with a great deal of responsibility. He spends most of his time defending the campus from the onslaught of rogue squirrels. He is an empathetic individual with a great deal of love and energy to share with students. He is particularly skilled at welcoming new students.

Many people ask how Val got his name, but it is quite a clich� - he was born on Valentine's Day and the name stuck.

activities director

- susan aurich

BS Health and Human Performance - Austin Peay State University

MS - Physical Education and Sports Administration - Eastern Kentucky University

Association of Christian Schools- International Standard Certificate

S.O.L.O. Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness Trip Leader Certificates

A.M.C. Mountain Leadership School

Joined EHCA June 2006

Susan serves as Physical Education & Activities Director. She joined the EHCA staff in June of 2006. She is responsible for the planning and execution of Physical Education and extra-curricular activities and team building trips. She assesses and advises students on proper health, hygiene and nutrition. She also teaches weekly Leadership Development and Character Development classes. Susan's education, experience and enthusiasm allow students to play and have fun in a safe atmosphere.

Susan has over 15 years of experience working with youth. She spent 8 summers as a camp counselor and tennis instructor at residential girls' summer camps in the Northeastern US. While pursuing her degree at Austin Peay, Susan was a 4 year varsity letter winner on the women's tennis team, a member of Chi Omega Women's Fraternity, President of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, and a member of Order of Omega Greek Honor Society. She also represented Women's Tennis Team on the NCAA Student Athletic Committee. Susan has a background in college coaching, both as an assistant and head coach on the Division I level. She has taught pre-school, elementary, middle school and high school physical education. Susan is an avid outdoors woman and is often in training for a bike tour, road race, or triathlon. She attends Lafayette First Assembly of God and is the hand percussionist on the Worship Team and serves in several other ministries.

operations director

- leslie beckman

BA Psychology - Appalachian State University

BA French - Appalachian State University

Joined EHCA June, 2004

Leslie serves as Operations Director. She joined the EHCA staff in June of 2004 as a Dorm Supervisor and took on the role of Operations Director in March of 2005. She is responsible for administration of the program schedule, residential environment, vendors, facility, equipment and supplies. Leslie supports dorm supervisors in their role and coordinates campus life.

Leslie has 4 years of experience working with youth through summer camp and coaching positions. In addition to her studies at ASU, she was a 3-year varsity letter winner on the Women's Soccer Team and a member of Alpha Delta Pi Women's Fraternity. She moved to Lafayette in 2001 and began pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree at UL-Lafayette. As a graduate student, she was President of the MBA Association and received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award for 2002-03. She has Christian leadership and discipleship training through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship as well as Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. While at UL, she led a graduate Bible Study and was actively involved in the international student ministry through Chi Alpha. Currently, she is an active member in the young adult, women's and children's ministries at First Assembly of God church in Lafayette.

education faculty

- verity french

BA English - Trinity College Carmarthen, Wales

Post-Graduate Certificate of Education - English Birmingham University, UK

Certified Teacher - State of Louisiana

Joined EHCA December, 2004

Verity serves as a teacher in the school. She joined the EHCA staff in December 2004. She is responsible for supervising students in the classroom, grading, and tutoring. Verity utilizes her experience with teaching troubled youth to create a supportive environment that challenges each student to reach her highest potential.

While at Trinity College, Verity 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 volunteered home help for ailing members of the church congregation. In 2002, she completed her additional studies at Birmingham University, England, and earned a Post Graduate Qualification in Education. She taught high school for three years in Wolverhampton, England as the majority of her students required special support with learning disabilities, behavior problems and poor study skills. She specialized in Advanced Placement college preparation, SAT preparation and Special Educational Needs. Verity immigrated to Louisiana from England in 2004. She and her husband Chris are both involved in the worship ministry at East Bayou Baptist Church in Lafayette.

- karen barrentine

BA Education - Southeastern Louisiana University

Certified Teacher - State of Louisiana

Joined EHCA January, 2000

Karen serves as Academic Director. She has over 18 years of experience as an educator. She co-founded EHCA with Mark in 1999. She is responsible for administration of the school, supervision of teachers, curriculum development, individualized education planning, grading and reporting. In addition to administration, Karen utilizes her teaching experience by tutoring students and teaching a weekly life-skills class.

Mark and Karen recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary and have two children, Emma and Weston. Karen is a professional flutist and plays on the worship team at First Assembly of God Church in Lafayette, LA.

prayer ministry director

- laura clark

Berean School of Ministry - Assemblies of God Minister Certification

Joined EHCA December, 2004

Laura volunteers as our part-time prayer ministry coordinator and is responsible for prayer ministry with students at church events. She joined the EHCA staff in December 2004 and was our full time Health Care Coordinator until April of 2009 when she and her husband David had their first child. Laura attended Lafayette Master's Commission for two years and earned her Ministers Certification with the Assemblies of God. She then moved to Birmingham, Alabama to work as Discipleship Director and Administrative Assistant for Steel City Master's Commission. Laura and her husband David recently celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary and have one child. Her husband David is a board member intern at First Assembly of God church and is the worship leader.

finance director

- mary beth cox, cpa

BS Business Administration - University of Southwestern Louisiana

CPA - State of Louisiana, Member of the AICPA & LA CPAs.

Joined EHCA May, 2000

Beth serves as our Finance Director. She is responsible for parent communications regarding payment, administrative budgeting, fiscal management and day-to-day accounting procedures. Beth and her husband Al recently celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary and have five-year-old twins, Benjamin and Olivia.

executive director

- mark barrentine, lcsw

BA - Southeastern Louisiana University

Master of Social Work - Tulane University

LCSW - State of Louisiana

Executive Director Since October, 1999

Mark is the founder of EHCA and serves as Executive Director since 1999. He is responsible for the development and oversight of EHCA. Mark has an extensive background in Family Therapy. His 18 year career working with troubled teens and families has included outpatient individual family and group therapy, inpatient psyciatric acute care, and inpatient chemical dependency therapy. Earlier in his career, Mark interned as a juvenile probation officer and juvenile court advocate. Having worked the full spectrum of services for troubled teens, he has a unique understanding of their needs.

ministry faculty

- pastors tommy and lisa faulk

Senior Pastors, First Assembly of God Church, Lafayette LA

Students receive leadership and teaching at weekly corporate worship services, youth services, and participate in many other church functions at First Assembly. Pastors Tommy and Lisa Faulk serve EHCA students with personal ministry and pastoral care through special outreach services with EHCA students. Learn more about Pastor Tommy at http://www.lafayettefirst.com/.

- dr. lynn aurich, phd

Psychologist

Dr. Aurich is a clinical neuropsychologist with over 30 years of experience. Students receive psychological testing services from Dr. Lynn Aurich, PhD at his Lafayette, LA outpatient private practice. He and his wife Peggy also serve as special guest speakers at our semi-annual family retreat. Dr. Lynn has multiple ministry talents and he is an elder at First Assembly of God Church. He is active in prayer ministries to students on a regular basis.

adjunct faculty

- dr. philip lafleur, m.d. consulting psychiatrist

- brian theriot martial arts instructor

- g. michael beduze, cfp personal finance instructor

- bebe brown English riding instructor

- esther tyree mertz piano, voice, and violin instructor

- andrea noegel etiquette instructor