Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation;
the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
– 2 Corinthians 5:12
Our Mission
Through Christ’s Great Commission, the early Church under the direction of the Holy Spirit, eagerly and quite miraculously responded. During this early Apostolic age, it was the Church’s mission to build in the heart of man the good news of Salvation – ad gentes. The fruits of their labor built the foundation for Christendom, the presence of Christ in civilization. Christendom guided history for hundreds of years while Christian ideals and integrity laid at the heart of society. Now, in the 21st century, we face a new world, a new Church. As a result of corporate, societal, social, and even cultural pressures, it is more costly than ever before to be Christian. The world, constantly at odds with Christ and his Church, reminds us of the need for conversion, for the essential effect of grace found in the Sacraments, and for the beauty and tradition of The Church.
The new Apostolic age encourages us to recommit ourselves to evangelization.
St. Pope Paul VI writes in Evangelii Nuntiandi (1975), the “Church exists to evangelize [...] At the center of His Good News, Christ proclaims salvation, this great gift of God which is liberation from everything that oppresses man but which is above all liberation from sin and the Evil One, in the joy of knowing God and being known by Him, of seeing Him, and of being given over to Him.”
We seek to share this same joy – to authentically know the Lord, to be in friendship with Him, and to share that knowledge with others.
It is our mission to live the gospel authentically, to meet people along the journey, and to walk hand-in-hand with them in the direction toward Christ.By living in Truth, rooting ourselves in the Sacraments, building a life on prayer, taking inspiration from the Church's army of Saints, and living enthusiastically for Christ, we desire to help build up the Church by encountering others andsharing with them our encounter(s) with Christ.
Our Team
Paul George is husband and father. His main objective is to love God, his wife, his children and his neighbor the best that he can. He has spent the past 27 years helping people know, understand and live in the true and authentic freedom they were created to live in. With this goal in mind, he has served in various capacities including president of a non-profit, author, full-time speaker, mentor, consultant and coach. Paul holds a undergraduate degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Theological studies. He has spoken to over 2 million people worldwide and is the author of the books Rethink Happiness and Holy Grit. Paul’s personal and corporate mission is to love God and serve others.
Outside of family and the outdoors Paul spends his time speaking, writing, and consulting; helping individuals and businesses identify, implement and grow their Vision, Mission, Core Values and Culture.
Paul is married to his college sweetheart Gretchen, going on twenty six years. They have five children Marie, Jacob, Sarah, Clare and Adeline.
PAUL GEORGE • President, Art of Living
Erin Hawkins Thomas is a wife, mom, artist, speaker, writer, and lover of all things creative.
After earning a Bachelors of Fine Arts at the University of Louisiana and working at a local advertising agency, Erin entered the classroom while earning a K-12 Art Education teaching certificate. She has spent the last 20 years in Catholic ministry and education – coaching, mentoring, and teaching hundreds of young adults while serving in many different roles both in the classroom and in school leadership. She has been writing and speaking for young people, parishes, retreats, parent groups, and more for over two decades. In 2022, she followed God’s call out of the classroom and into full-time ministry. Her greatest joy is discovering the beauty of a life well-lived and extending that invitation to others.
As a Lafayette, LA native now living in rural Vermilion Parish, she spends most of her time running a household while raising four boys alongside her real-life St. Joseph, her husband Josh. She is powered by coffee, music, and an occasional Crossfit workout.
ERIN THOMAS
Executive Director, Renew
Alysia Sonnier Gauthreaux is a wife, mom, podcast creator, blog writer, and Magnify Women’s Ministry Leadership Director. She married her high school sweetheart, Kyle Gauthreaux, and they have one son, Connor. They enjoy weekends at the Lake in Toledo Bend, watching Connor play sports, and trips to the coffee shop and bookstore.
After earning a Bachelor's in Accounting at ULL, Alysia began full-time accounting work in both the public and private industries for several years. In addition, she continued her passion for teaching dance at Jill Listi Dance Studio and Dance Warehouse, Inc. while coaching her high school dance team, the St. Thomas More Catholic High School Sparklers, and helping to maintain their UDA legacy of National championships year after year. In 2019, she gave her “Yes” to the Lord to serve as the Leadership Director of St. Pius X Mother’s Ministry in Lafayette, LA. She created monthly Revival Nights and developed “The Growth Series” & “The Beatitude Series,” two 8-week series hosting over 22 Catholic guest speakers. Two years later, she created Magnify Women’s Ministry. Magnify offers women small group bible studies, book clubs, video series, as well as annual retreats and Days of Reflection. In this role, she has enjoyed forming a large leadership team while empowering other women to share their spiritual gifts in ministry.
In 2023, she stepped away from a career in Accounting and into full-time ministry with RENEW. Alysia is passionate about bringing Christ to others in all experiences. With gratitude and joy, she is ready to connect many lives, marriages, and parishes through the mission growth & development of RENEW.
ALYSIA GAUTHREAUX
Director of Mission Growth & Development, Renew
Our team of Renew retreat facilitators consists of men, women, and married couples who have answered their baptismal call to love God and serve others. We have an amazing Renew team who joins us in our mission in leading retreats to bring Christ into the world, to renew people’s hearts for God, and to help rebuild the missionary call of The Church.
RETREAT FACILITATORS
