Teresa Reiger (Founding and Teaching Pastor)
Teresa is a native of southern Louisiana, and has called New Orleans home for more than 30 years. A strong proponent of training future ministers and leaders, she has dedicated much of her professional life to higher education and mentorship. Dr. Reiger founded Elan Ministries in 2003 as a training base for urban ministry interns until Hurricane Katrina invaded the city the next year. She spent the following months coordinating assistance for neighbors through the volunteer efforts that came through the city. Presently, Teresa and her husband Greg love exploring new breakfast spots in New Orleans and the occasional game of pickleball. Teresa can often be found riding her motorcycle through the streets of New Orleans in search of the perfect coffee spot. In addition to her role at St. Luke, Teresa continues to serve as CEO of Elan Ministries, and COO of SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary. She has intertwined her love of travel with her gifts of preaching and teaching, spending time with students in Ethiopia, Ghana, and England.
Amanda Franklin (Administrative Pastor)
Ben Franklin (Congregational Pastor)
Amanda and Ben met while attending Baylor University School of Law. Upon graduation, Amanda went on to practice law in Ft. Worth, TX, while Ben attended seminary in Springfield, MO. Both felt called to church planting in New Orleans and came to the city immediately following their wedding. For over a decade now, New Orleans has been their home. Ben, a native of South Louisiana, likes to say that he helped God bring Amanda to Louisiana by introducing her to our great food! Ben and Amanda have two young sons, an elderly pug and a rambunctious cat. Ben loves to cook and Amanda is a Baylor sports fanatic. Both Amanda and Ben are co-vocational, feeling called to serve the Lord through church ministry and in the marketplace. Amanda continues to work as an attorney, while Ben works in Human Resources for Compassion International.
Larry Swift (Associate Pastor)
Larry came down to New Orleans early in 2006 to help pastors and families rebuild. His plan was to serve for a week and then go back to upstate New York and continue with business activities. However, the Lord had other ideas for him, and he returned to New Orleans a couple more times. By mid 2006 he was serving with His Hands 2 Go (HH2G) and other related ministries full time. Larry looks forward to continued participation in what God is doing through His church and faith based ministries in NOLA as the neighborhoods are rebuilt one church, one family, and one business at a time. Larry is a connoisseur of authentic salsa and is always on a quest to find the perfect spicy bite in the city.