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Where I Come From - native of Atlanta Georgia, lived in Germany, England, and the United States.
My Family - Wife Anita (since 1983), musician, piano teacher, aerobics instructor, celebrated 25 years together in July 07. Jonathan (18 years old) is a guitarist, actor, saxophone player, pianist, storyteller, a computer guru, and now a college student at LSU. My Work Experience - worked in a wide variety of settings, including construction, cooking, waiting tables, counseling, on the way to becoming a pastor. This diversity of experience gives a specific passion for people who are not involved in the church. My Education - attended College in Jackson, Mississippi at Millsaps College with a degree in Theater and Philosophy, trained for ministry at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, and earned a DMin degree from United Theological Seminary in Communication and Leadership. My Favorite Monk - Thomas Merton My Favorite Poet - Langston Hughes Just for Fun - I like to cook, play percussion, play videogames with my son, travel, teach, ride the mountain bike, edit video and write books.  Sione Tu’utaPastor Where from:Tonga (South Pacific Islands). It is where "dawn of a brand new day" first seen everyday.
My Family: Wife Beth Love, a Methodist Clergywoman, singer, and a mother. Four sons: Sione si’i , Poni leka, Toni, and Tofaa. Education: Wide range of experiential education: farming, construction, landscaping/tree service, mover, dairy mechanic, coaching, teaching, and Southern Methodist University – Perkins School of Theology Just to Laugh: Rugby, Volleyball, cricket, cooking, reading, journaling, fishing and everything including drumming.
Something no one knows about me (‘till now!): I have traveled the world for free – so far.
Married: To my wife Diane of 25 years.
Significant other - I am married to the love of my life, Cari. We have journeyed together for Our only son Nick is a guitarist who plays regularly with the worship team and keeps the grace website up to date part time.
Livin' that home life - Our only at-home children are Picasso (a feisty, female, long-hair chihuahua) and Tiger (a large, orange boy-cat). Our home reflects our creative passions - we remodeled our living room into a fully equipped art studio for Cari. I have a music and recording studio in one of the bedrooms. Drawn to Grace - I met Christ while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1975. We started visiting Grace Community about a year after worship services started at Captain Shreve High School. The joy, welcoming atmosphere, music and message drew us. After my experiences working in the military and in the business sector, Pastor Rob invited me to consider working in full time ministry. I joined the staff at Grace as "Program Director" in 1994. What gets me going - I'm into books on the spiritual life and prayer (Thomas Merton is a favorite), good science fiction, music (especially praise and worship, blues, jazz and classic rock), playing guitar, writing and recording my own stuff, small groups and deep Christian relationships. Still learning - At age 50, I'm still going to school...I never want to stop learning. I have a undergrad degree from the Air Force Academy, a Masters in Communication from Regent University, I am currently working on seminary classes toward ordination as a Deacon, and have just completed certification and training as a Spiritual Director. Favorite Scripture - Psalm 27 Married: Barbara is married to Ron, an electrical engineer for J & L Industries.
Where we met: Ron walked into Barbara's bank and the rest is history! Children: Mallory Grace is a beautiful and talented 16 year old who loves music, art, and gymnastics. Andrew Reid and Madison Claire are high energy 11 year old twins. Andrew's into baseball, with Madison trying out cheerleading, while both love gymnastics. Pets: Sammie, Bailey, Yahtzee, and Sylvester! Education: Barbara graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and Quantitative Analysis. Leisure activities: Barbara plays keyboard and sings in the band. She loves scrapbooking, but spending time with family and friends truly is her favorite activity! Favorite comfort food: Wilshire Ice! Favorite vacation destination: The Beach. Something no one knows about me: Barbara was the intermural horseshoe throwing champ of Louisiana Tech!
Hi! I graduated from Centenary College with a degree in Psychology and minors in Music and Theater and came straight to work for Grace! My passions in life are many, and I wouldn’t have it any other way: I am quite active in the theater community of Shreveport and Bossier and thrive on doing theater productions as often as I can. I love participating in all forms of art, from performing to designing, and working to fine-tune the gifts that God has given me. I greatly enjoy learning about all things that interest me and reading books of all kinds that not only entertain me, but expand and nurture my mind. I’m an avid workout and health “junkie”, but my favorite food is definitely pizza! But most of all I love people and relationships, and am always trying to find ways to spend time with friends, both new and old!
I’ve been a member of Grace since my freshman year of high school and involved in a variety of ways throughout the years, and being on staff here has been such a blessing! I love getting to work with all the creative arts here and the people that make it all happen and I’m looking forward to working with you one day too!
Sarah and Scott came to Grace in May of 2008. They both have been serving the local church in youth ministry for many years. Sarah is a graduate of Louisiana Tech and Scott from Judson College in Chicago Illinois. They both love Christ and love youth. They have a chocalate lab named Casey and a cat CJ. In their spare time Sarah and Scott love to run and workout. They have competed in several triathlons and soon they will begin training for their first marathon. Sarah grew up all over Louisiana, from Shreveport to Mandeville and everywhere in between. She even spent a few years in Korea teaching English. Scott is originally from Illinois. He moved to Louisiana in 2006 after hearing God's call for a change in ministry. They both have a deep desire to see youth raised up to be leaders in the church and community. Their heart for ministry is centered around service. Matthew 20:28 "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve"  Allison SampleDirector of Children's Ministries
Family: Married to high school sweetheart, Brian, who is a supervisor at Boggs & Poole Contracting. We have two daughters: Penny, who is a sophomore at Captain Shreve and Brianna, who is a fifth grader at AC Steere. Both girls love to play softball. We have one yellow lab, named Doc.
Education: Bachelor’s in Education from Louisiana State University in Shreveport.
Hobbies: Watching my girls play ball, Watching LSU football, family time, and reading
I have had the great honor and privilege to work at Grace in the Children’s Ministry almost four years. I love my work at Grace watching all of the children grow and develop in their spiritual walk with Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Favorite Bible Verse: I can do all things through Jesus Christ, who gives me the strength. Philippians 4:13 This is my father’s favorite verse too.
 Pam KintnerDirector of Connection and Growth
Married: To my wonderful husband Bruce for 13 years
Our family: Jason and his wife Esbelle in Austin; Keri in Baltimore; Kathy in Houston; Vicki in Greensboro NC; and Anne, her husband Coty, and our precious grandchildren, Jesse and Grace in Benton.
Pets: 2 ungrateful cats – half blind Miss Kitty and her nemesis, Amelia.
Some of my favorite things: Hearing Jesse and Grace giggle, sitting in front of the fire or on the back porch watching the birds and squirrels with Bruce, a good book and a good cup of coffee, fall colors, sunrises and sunsets, worship and friends at Grace.
My favorite Bible verses: “I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord. “They are plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 and “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 4:10
 Diane VarnerWelcome Ministry and Worship Support
 Mandy LerchieNursery Director
My wonderful blessings: My husband Sean and my three beautiful children; Collin, Benji, and Marjorie Kate.
My passion: Teaching and developing curriculum for our Early Christian Awareness program. There is nothing better than watching children discover God’s wonders through songs and real life images of creation!!
My hobbies: I love to scrapbook and do anything crafty. I also love to exercise and take “sanity” walks.
What inspires me: Great music and literature. I love to see the connections that sweet little ones make in the nursery. They are truly inspiring!!
Favorite prayer: Serenity Prayer. It helps me focus on
what really matters.
 Melissa LaFleur Preschool Coordinator
Hmm, where do I start?- children are my life!
-Married to Jeff for 15 years.
-3 boy's: Andrew will be 13 in July, Alex is 10, and Aaron will be 7 in August.
-pets include 2 dogs Bryce and Penny, 2 cats Oreo and Cali, a turtlle and a fish.
-I love to scrapbook in my spare time.
-I moved here from Michigan 8 years ago and love it.
 Jennifer TuxenChildren's Coordinator
My wonderful blessings: I have been married to my best friend and husband Eric for 11 years and have two beautiful and wonderful children Benjamin, 8 years old and Grace, 6 years old. After working fulltime for 13 years at Sci-Port, I decided to shift careers and work part time teaching Kindermusik. I am blessed to have a flexible work schedule so that I can participate in my children’s school activities and spend more quality time with my family. I teach Kindermusik at different day cares around town, at Power & Grace and Grace Community. In 2008, I joined the Grace Community team as the Elementary Coordinator. I have also directed 3 childrens musicals and hope to continue in the future. I am blessed to be a part of the children’s ministry team where I learn more and more about being a Christian from the wonderful examples surrounding me. My passion: I have a passion for children & rhythm. My dream is to start a program where underprivileged children will learn music, art and technology to involve them in a positive environment and avoid the pattern of violence. I love teaching Kindermusik to children, especially to toddlers and preschoolers. I would love to get a drum circle started for all ages! My hobbies: I love to play hand drums, be crafty, sew, knit, scrapbook, enjoy time with my friends and family, watch movies and read lots of great books! What inspires me: Creativity and innovation! I love to problem solve and find new ways to solve challenges. I enjoy all the work I do at Grace and at the New Room with the children and can’t wait to start finding new ways to get children involved in learning more about Christ. I recently was apart of a team who started a summer school at the New Room. We do fun hands-on activities for the kids and then apply reading and math skills for them to practice for the next school year. I hope to continue this program in the fall with an after school program.  Brandy LasseigneAdministrative Assistant
Where I am from: I am originally from down south. I was born in Houma, La and raised in Morgan City area.
Family: I am a mother of two amazing angel girls. My oldest is Tess and she is 10 yrs old and Emily is 8 yrs old. Oh, and I can’t forget my Bella Roo-Roo. She is a five year old Maltese who is like my third child.
Comfort Food: It is a toss up between chocolate candy and El Chico’s cheese dip. I think I’ll go with cheese dip.
Favorite Book: I love encouraging inspirational Christian books. One of my favorites is God is not Enough, He’s too much by Jesse Duplantis.
Favorite movie: Definitely comedies but if I had to pick just one I would pick Kung Fu Panda. SO funny!
Things about me: I love spending time with my family and friends, encouraging people, having cook outs, game nights, watching my favorite team win GO LSU and shopping of course.
 Tamara WhiteAdministrative Assistant
Where I’m from: Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana
My Family: I have three daughters, Rachel Nicole (14 ¾ if you ask her), and Ashley Christian & Sierra Christine (my 10 year old twins)
Favorite Things to Do: Love being with family, having a good time, love listening to praise and worship music. It helps me keep my mind focused and the lyrics always seem to be just what I need to hear at any given time. Love to read, but don’t get a chance to do it as much as I’d like to (especially Joel Osteen books). I love anything and everything that makes you laugh… especially Tyler Perry plays & movies. I am a diehard LSU Tiger fan (win or lose) Geaux Tigers!!
Favorite Verse: “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.”
Additional Note: I am so privileged to be a part of Grace Community and look forward continuing to work with the great people here and help take us to the next level. I know for a fact that I am exactly where God wants me to be!
 Wilton BroadwellFacilities & Maintenance Staff
 Gary TilleyMusic Rehearsal Director
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