Alex Hernandez
Preschool Minister
Alexandra, known as Alex, joined The Bayou in 2013. Her contagious smile and creative mind are valuable in her role as Preschool Minister where she manages teaching themes, organizes volunteers and prepares for special events. This Seattle native is a fluent French speaker who loves Judice Inn, plant parenting and listening to podcasts.
Amanda Murray
Receptionist
Amanda joined The Bayou in 2019 as our receptionist. Her kind and caring personality is evident in how she warmly greets and welcomes each person who walks through our doors, calls us, or sends an email to info. Although originally from Wisconsin, this mother of three loves a Cajun meal at Fezzos. When not working, you can find Amanda spending time with family and friends.
Becky Boutte
NextGen Minister
Becky, also affectionately known as Queen B, joined The Bayou in 1988. She brings her festive spirit and creativity to her role as NextGen Minister where she oversees curriculum and events from preschool to students. Though she wanted to grow up to be in The Partridge Family, Becky has an enormous Bayou family of preschoolers and parents. When not working, you can find Becky spending time with her husband, Pat, and their grandchildren or shopping for the best deals.
Bernard Lemoine
Director of Adult Ministry
Bernard joined The Bayou staff in 2017 to coordinate our small groups ministry and then joined us full-time in 2019 as the Director of Adult Ministry. Bernard is using his gifts of empathy and curiosity to help people find community and life-giving relationships through small groups. Bernard is a Ragin’ Cajuns fan who enjoys running, camping, movies and spending time with his wife, Victoria, and his three children.
Beronica Jourden
Groups Coordinator
Beronica joined The Bayou in 2014 and oversees all small groups and care groups whether on campus or offsite. Beronica brings a tenacious, hard-working and optimistic attitude to her role. Originally from California, this transplant loves spending time with her family especially her French bulldog, BeBe.
Bria Burrell
Communications Coordinator
Bria joined The Bayou in January 2024 as the Communications Coordinator. Passionate about branding, social media, and digital marketing, she is grateful for the opportunity to combine her love for ministry and communications in this role. Outside of work, Bria enjoys leading Bible studies, cooking, reading, indulging in Netflix, and cherishing moments with loved ones.
Cady Cobb
Adult Ministry Coordinator
Cady joined The Bayou team in 2021 and loves that her role as Adult Ministry Coordinator allows her to hear how Christ is moving and reaching people in all circumstances. She supports everything related to First Steps, small groups, and any adult ministry event. In her free time, this Harry Potter fan can often be found reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, three kids, and two pets.
Carol Mills
Director of Ministries
Carol joined The Bayou in 1999, and she currently serves as Director of Ministries. Her joyful spirit, flexible attitude and organization skills are valued as she oversees Sunday morning curriculums, ministry events, communications and more. She loves seeing lives transformed each week, and she especially loves helping people discover a place to serve God. When not working, Carol enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, her three sons and their wives, and her grandchild.
Carolyn Lambeth
Campus Experience Coordinator
Carolyn joined The Bayou in 2023 as our Campus Experience Coordinator. Her desire and commitment to helping others find community and purpose through serving is evident in all of her interactions. Carolyn also enjoys spending time with family and her animals, practicing yoga, and traveling—especially near the ocean. She is grateful to her son, who will forever be 23, for teaching her how to have faith in God. Additionally, her mother (born in 1925) and her daughter are inspirations to live life fully as God intended.
Derek Griffon
Student Pastor
Derek, also known as Griff, joined The Bayou in 2019 as Student Pastor. He enjoys investing in the next generation of Christ followers, and he brings energy and authenticity to the role. This Monroe native enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie, reading, writing, or enjoying local restaurants like Shucks.
Ed Gore
Worship Pastor
Ed started at The Bayou in 2005. He brings creativity and humility to his role as Worship Pastor where he oversees the worship team, musicians, vocalists, and instruments. Ed also composes music for Sunday mornings, special events, and videos. When not working, this Saints and Cajuns fan loves sleeping late, spending time with his family, and visiting New Orleans.
Harley Sagrera
Student Ministry Coordinator
Harley, also known as Moana, joined The Bayou staff in 2018. She brings her jovial spirit, attention to detail, and organization to the Student Ministry. In her free time, you can find this UL graduate enjoying a Chris’s Poboy, petsitting, catching the latest releases on Netflix or randomly bursting into a musical number.
Heather Anderson
Special Events Childcare Coordinator
Heather joined The Bayou in 2023 as our Special Events Childcare Coordinator, having previously served for five years in the Preschool Ministry. She loves seeing all of the children in her care grow older and closer to God. Heather loves to cook, and she and her husband, Christopher, have five children.
Jeramy Lecompte
Technical Coordinator
Jeramy brings fun, joy and sarcasm to the role of Technical Coordinator as he handles all audio, lights and visual needs for Sunday services and events across campus. With each event, he finds fulfillment in creating environments that point people to Jesus. When not working, Jeramy enjoys hunting, fishing or spending time with his wife, Kori, and their two children.
- Connect:
Jodi Melder
Preschool Ministry Assistant
Jodi joined The Bayou officially in 2021 after volunteering many years on our preschool team. She brings a bubbly personality and servant mindset to her role in which she preps for Sunday services, coordinates childcare for special events, and manages administrative needs. The highlight of her role is helping preschoolers form a relationship with Jesus! When not working, this McNeese State University grad loves to find time to read. Jodi and her husband, Michael, have five children and one dog.
John Gautreaux
Maintenance Supervisor
Bio coming soon
- Connect:
Kristie Boudreaux
Custodial Supervisor
Kristie joined The Bayou in 2012. Currently, she serves as Facility Team Coordinator where she leads the team to prepare our campus for Sunday services. Though she considers herself an introvert, this health enthusiast teaches fitness classes and inspires us with her healthy lunches. When not working, you can find her spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.
Lydia Hoffpauir
Connect Minister
Lydia, also known as Lyds, started at The Bayou in 2012. Her analytic mind, passion for helping others grow spiritually and sass are the perfect blend in her role as Connect Minister. Lydia oversees spiritual growth strategies for adults through weekend services and discipleship. When not working, Lydia enjoys being at home with her husband, Cody, and three children. She also enjoys keeping up with her siblings and tasting the spiciest foods at local restaurants.
Maddie Wells
Executive Coordinator
Madelyn, or Maddie, joined The Bayou staff in 2015. She loves being part of how The Bayou impacts Acadiana and the kingdom of heaven through her role as Executive Admin Assistant and Missions Coordinator. Maddie is reliable, forward thinking and empathetic as she juggles a variety of events, mission trips and other projects. She thought she’d grow up to be a veterinarian, but instead, she and her husband, Matt, have three rescue dogs.
Mary Perron
Finance Manager
Mary joined The Bayou in 2022 as our finance manager with many years of accounting experience. Her calm and quick-witted personality bring stability and joy to our team! While born in New Iberia, this California-raised girl loves enjoying local restaurants like Zea's with her husband. When not working, you can find Mary crafting or supporting brain tumor awareness.
Mia Montero
Worship Leader
Mia, known as MIMO, joined The Bayou in 2022 as worship leader. Her contagious laugh and joyful spirit are valuable in her role as she plans worship sets for Sunday mornings. Mia is not new to The Bayou as she grew up attending and even interned with the Worship team as a music business student at University of Louisiana. When not working, you can find this Lafayette native singing, sleeping, or enjoying her favorite local restaurants.
Mike Walker
Founding Pastor
Mike, or Padre, faithfully served The Bayou Church 35 years as Senior Pastor. Through his courageous leadership, East Bayou Baptist Church has grown into The Bayou Church. His passion and vision has always been to see lives transformed in Acadiana and beyond through Christ-centered relationships. When not working, Padre enjoys time with his wife, Paula, children and grandchildren.
Morgan Thibodeaux
Kids Minister
Morgan joined our team in 2018 as Kids Ministry Coordinator, and in 2023, she stepped into the role of Kids Minister. Her bubbly personality is contagious as she plans Sunday morning curriculum and activities for K-5th grades and works with both interns and volunteers. She loves that her role reminds her that age is not a barrier to knowing God. This Houma native and UL graduate also loves hanging out with friends, funny movies, and visiting Olde Tyme Grocery.
Morris Boudreaux
Facility Team Member
Morris joined The Bayou's facility team in 2019. His positive and helpful attitude make him a valuable member of the team as he helps to maintain our safe, clean campus. When not working, Morris loves model railroading (building model trains and railways) and spending time with his wife, Kristie, and children.
Nathan Liebert
Volunteer Development Coordinator
Nathan joined the Bayou Team as Volunteer Development Coordinator to help our Bayou members discover and pursue opportunities to make a difference. Helping and seeing others find fulfillment in serving is the best part of his role! When not working, you can find this Kentucky native wearing his favorite Louisiana sports team colors, hunting, fishing, or spending time with his wife, Kayla, and their three children.
Sagan Ezell
Database Administrator
Sagan joined The Bayou in 2022 as our database administrator. His passion for solving problems is evident in his love of games, including the ongoing chess game setup in his office. He is also well-known in student ministry as the Game Master. When not working, this LA Tech graduate enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with his wife and dog.
Sami Fredericks
Kids Ministry Assistant
Sami joined The Bayou as Kids Ministry Assistant in 2024, but also previously served in our Student Ministry. She is excited to help the next generation grow in their faith. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, painting, and watching TV shows.
Sean Cobb
Facilities Manager
Sean brings organization and a heart for ministry to the role of Facility Manger as he coordinates repairs and maintenance for our 18.3-acre campus. This Michigan native loves college football and spending his free time with his wife, Cady, and their three children and pets.
Sean Walker
Lead Pastor
Sean Walker serves as the Lead Pastor at The Bayou Church. Sean grew up at The Bayou and has volunteered and served in many different capacities and ministries. He graduated from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and then received his Masters of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He officially joined the staff in 2008 as the Student Pastor and led 6th-12th grade students until 2015. Sean loves having a front row seat to see God’s miracles in people’s lives every day. When not preaching, leading staff or spending time with people in the church, you can find this Saints fan watching football, training for marathons, or spending time with his wife, Tory, and their two kids.
Theresa Rudesill
Finance Coordinator
Theresa joined The Bayou in 2023 as our Finance Coordinator. She enjoys meeting new people and is grateful that she has fun each day she comes to work. Theresa is also a positive presence in the community as she runs and participates in a local non-profit theatre organization. Born and raised in the Lafayette area, she and her two sisters first attended when The Bayou was known as East Bayou Baptist. She also has a very cute Chiweenie named Billie.