Reverend Lois S. Le Duff, M Div.
Striving for Excellence unto the glory of God is her educational philosophy. She earned her undergraduate degree in Lower Elementary Education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
Reverend Le Duff is a retired educator of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. Reverend Le Duff was licensed on March 27, 1994, at the Shady Grove First Missionary Baptist Church of Baker, LA by the late Rev. Dr. Lionel Lee, Sr. On May 2, 1997, she was the first female to be ordained into the Fourth District Missionary Baptist Association.
She serves as the Minister for Christian Education. Reverend Le Duff is a 2015 magna cum laude graduate of Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia earning a Master of Divinity Degree. She serves as the Chaplain of Baton Rouge Delta Alumnae Chapter, and Louisiana State Chaplain of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is also a member of the Southern University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, an international Fraternity for outstanding educators.
Reverend Le Duff is married to her husband of thirty-two years, Randy Le Duff of Baton Rouge.
Minister Maxcine Giles
Minister Maxcine Giles was the second woman licensed to preach the gospel at Shady Grove First Missionary Baptist Church on February 15, 2009. She attended and graduated from St. John Bible Institute with a diploma in Bible Studies in May 2009. She is a wife and mother of two children. Minister Giles currently serves as the leader of the New Members Orientation class. Her interests include reading, music and community development activities. Her favorite scripture is Numbers 23:19. Minister Giles is a firm believer that God desires relationship with his people.
Dr. Bianca Chandler Kwentua
Dr. Bianca Chandler Kwentua lives with the goal of helping people improve themselves, their lives, and the world around them. Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: “Living for impact: motivating, learning, improving, evolving.”
Dr. Kwentua is a devoted wife, national speaker, event curator, and two-time author dedicated to the service of others. As a trusted voice, she provides keynotes, leadership training, and facilitates workshops with a unique energy sure to leave a lasting impact on every audience she meets.
Beyond her professional reach, Bianca is invested in the spiritual growth of the Body of Christ. With a love of Christ at the helm, she is a licensed minister equipped with a Doctorate in Theology. She serves on the ministerial staff at Shady Grove First Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of her pastor and father, Dr. Kenneth W. Chandler. Whether in the pulpit or the community, she unashamedly proclaims the Gospel and works tirelessly to help others discover and utilize their God-given gifts.
Bianca is also the founder of Focusing Ahead, a non-profit organization and women’s ministry established in 2019 as a community built for “the strong woman.” Through this ministry, she hosts annual retreats across the country, equipping women with the spiritual and mental tools necessary to thrive in everyday life and focus on all that is ahead.
A strategic visionary with a servant’s heart, Dr. Kwentua remains a humble student of the Word, committed to the belief that her greatest accomplishment is simply being an instrument for God’s will.
Minister Jonathan Blackwell
Dr. Jonathan Blackwell serves as an Associate Minister and has been licensed in ministry for the past seven years. He is passionate about teaching God’s Word, developing believers, and helping others grow in their relationship with Christ.
As part of his ministry service, he faithfully teaches Sunday School, participates in Vacation Bible School, and occasionally leads Wednesday Night Bible study. Through these opportunities, he enjoys making Scripture practical, understandable, and applicable to everyday life.
In addition to his ministry service, Jonathan has nearly a decade of experience as an English educator. His background in education has strengthened his passion for teaching, communication, leadership, and the development of others. He believes that both education and ministry provide opportunities to equip people with the knowledge and tools they need to fulfill their God-given purpose.
Minister Blackwell is a graduate of St. John Bible Institute, where he earned a Doctorate in Theology. He is also a graduate of Louisiana State University, where he earned a degree in Finance.
With a heart for ministry, education, and lifelong learning, Jonathan is committed to serving God, his church, and his community while continuing to grow as a servant-leader and teacher of the Word.
