Meet Our Directors

Katie was raised in Baton Rouge as the oldest of 7 kids. She has been attending summer camp since 4th grade as a camper, counselor, assistant director, and now director. She is a baker of treats for humans and dogs and is training to become a birth and post-partum doula. Katie believes that her purpose on this Earth is to love others as God has loved her, and she prays that all involved with Encounter will leave undoubtedly feeling the love of God.

Jonathan was born and raised in Baton Rouge and has a long history with South Baton Rouge Church of Christ. Like Katie, he grew up attending camp as a camper, counselor, assistant director, and now director. He graduated from LSU and now works in Dallas as corporate tax consultant. He loves to see, play, and discover music as well as travel. Jonathan is a believer in Jesus and the community He provides us; he strives to introduce the campers to Jesus and welcome them to the same lifelong community he found as a camper. 

Jonathan and Katie became friends at summer camp, got engaged at camp, and have now been married for over 10 years. They have a daughter, Penny, who has been a constant reminder that Jesus is ever-present in our lives. They love working with students and ask that you pray that the spirit will guide them through every step of their first year of directing.

Jon-Max has a rich heritage in Baton Rouge. His grandfather served as an elder at South Baton Rouge Church of Christ for decades. He grew up in small town Kansas but spent time each summer here where his mom served as the camp cook. He attended camp as a camper, a counselor and moved on to serve as an assistant director.  In 2021, he was the director of Third Session at Camp Smiling Acres. His family moved to Baton Rouge in 2005 and he began attending South Baton Rouge Church of Christ. He went to school at LSU, graduating with BS in Marketing.  Jon-Max has a passion for the mission of camp-introducing children to the love of Jesus while making memories together that will last a lifetime.  He is extremely gifted at making kids feel welcome and coaxing them to participate, breaking down walls with his approachable, open nature.

Angelle grew up in Gonzalez and attended Gonzales Church of Christ.  She began attending camp at Camp Smiling Acres as a camper who wasn't sure she wanted to be there.  Sixteen years later, she is still going out to camp, personally convicted that seeds of faith in Jesus are planted there.  Angelle has been a member at South Baton Rouge Church of Christ since 2005. After graduating from LSU, she continued working with children. She has multiple years working as a teacher at a licensed preschool, co-directs a summer day camp and is now a preschool administrative assistant.  Angelle also served as a counselor and her experience and dependability made her a reliable head counselor for many years.

Jon-Max and Angelle met at camp as kids and began dating in 2008.  They were campers together and have both served as counselors, working their way through many experiences, leading them to this summer to direct Encounter Youth for South Baton Rouge Church of Christ. They have been married for 7 years and have two precious boys together.  They enjoy life as a young family and are dedicated to teaching children about Jesus through their examples and interactions.  They are excited about continuing their camp story in 2025 using all the things they have learned, drawing on the experience of others on their staff, engaging with the energy and fresh outlook of the campers, and most of all, allowing God's Spirit to work through the collected efforts of everyone at Encounter.