Meet Our Directors
We are thrilled to share that Jon-Max Herman and Jimmy Pounders are serving as directors for Encounter. Find out about their life journeys and how God has led them to these roles.
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YOUTH
Jon-Max Herman
YOUTH
Jon-Max Herman
Jon-Max has deep roots in Baton Rouge; his grandfather served for decades as an elder at South Baton Rouge Church of Christ. Though he grew up in Kansas, he spent summers at camp, where his mom served as cook. Jon-Max attended camp as a camper and counselor, later becoming assistant director and then director in 2021—a role he continues to enjoy. His family moved to Baton Rouge in 2005, and he graduated from LSU with a BS in Marketing. Jon-Max is passionate about camp’s mission of introducing children to the love of Jesus and is especially gifted at helping kids feel welcome and engaged.
Angelle grew up in Gonzales and attended Gonzales Church of Christ, first coming to camp as a hesitant camper. Sixteen years later, she is convinced camp is where seeds of faith are planted. A member of South Baton Rouge Church of Christ since 2005, Angelle graduated from LSU and has extensive experience working with children as a preschool teacher, summer day camp director, and preschool administrative assistant. She also served many years as a dependable head counselor.
Jon-Max and Angelle met at camp as children and began dating in 2008. Both served as campers and counselors before being called to direct Encounter Youth for South Baton Rouge Church of Christ. Married for 10 years, they have three children and are committed to teaching kids about Jesus through their lives and leadership. They are excited to continue their camp story in 2026, drawing on experience, teamwork, and the work of God’s Spirit at Encounter.
TEEN
Jimmy Pounders
TEEN
Jimmy Pounders
Jimmy was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and has been a life-long member of the South Baton Rouge Church of Christ. He has a long-standing history of attending camp as a camper, as a counselor and in other leadership roles. Jimmy attended Harding University for his undergraduate degree and developed a deep love for the outdoors while travelling across Arkansas. Jimmy loves being outside, hanging out with the youth group, hearing a good joke, and having deep conversations around a campfire. Some of Jimmy’s favorite memories of camp are of the great friendships built, the funny stories made, and seeing how God works and moves in powerful ways.
Jimmy and his wife, Rachel (Encounter's Spiritual Director and South's Youth Minister), met while at Harding and have been best friends for over 12 years and married for 7 years. Their years of friendship built a foundation that paved the way for a dynamic partnership in their spirit-led community and Kingdom work. Rachel and Jimmy love working with students and are looking forward to fostering an environment of fun and a space for the God to move at Encounter in 2026. We invite you to pray alongside them for the Spirit to move in big ways, for relationships to be born and refreshed, and for this unplugged time spent away at Encounter to reignite the sparks of life in our campers and staff.
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