Dan and Holly Williams – Executive Directors

Dan and Holly Williams are both Florida natives, Holly being from Ft. Myers and Dan from Lakeland. Dan and Holly are both graduates of Teen Challenge Ft. Myers, where God radically changed their lives. Upon graduating, they went to the Emerging Leaders College in Jesup, Ga, a training school for those called to work in Teen Challenge. 

After graduating the Emerging Leaders College, Dan served as personal assistant to Dr. Jerry Nance, president of Teen Challenge Southeast Region and Global Teen Challenge. Also, he has served as Dean of Students at our Dublin Men’s Center, Case Manager at our Pensacola Men’s Center, and Training Coordinator for TCSE.

After graduating from the Emerging Leaders College, Holly has served at our Kansas City Girls Home, Pensacola Women’s Home as program assistant, and in our Training Department as Events Coordinator for TCSE.

Dan and Holly were married in 2015, and they are most passionate about seeing lives changed through the power of Jesus Christ, and seeing God restore lives and families through the Teen Challenge program. They enjoy leading worship, preaching, teaching, and simply living in community with friends and family.

Debbie Provost – Counselor

Debbie Provost is from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. She is a graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, TX majoring in Counseling. She currently resides in Lakeland with her husband Jimmy and their daughter Kaylee. In her spare time, Debbie enjoys planning fun adventures for her daughter and spending time with her family. Her life verse is: “Forget the former things, do not dwell in the past, see I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

Kalyn Cambers – Teacher

Kalyn was born and raised in Miami, Fl. Graduate from Southeastern university, Kalyn received her bachelors degree in Social Work, and also has experience teaching in Polk County/Miami Dade schools. Her background consist of working with teen girls who have been sex trafficked in Florida. She also attended a three month internship with the “A21 Campaign” in Greece helping survivors of human trafficking. Her mission in life is to see young girls find their identity in Christ and be completely transformed, just as she was. Kalyn is recently married to the love of her life, has a passion for health and fitness, and loves to study God’s Word.

Judi Cole – Classroom Tutor

Judi Cole is a special gift to Lakeland Girls Academy. She has a lifetime of education experience, and is an expert in tutoring all types of Math subjects. Judi loves spending time with her family in Michigan every chance she gets, and loves horses and the great outdoors.

Allison Lanier – Admissions Coordinator

Allison is a lifetime resident of Lakeland, Florida. God has taken her on many adventures around the world (attending a 600 year old university in Scotland, getting lost on the streets of Rome, and zip lining through the Guatemalan rainforest, just to name a few), but she always finds her way back home. When she’s not leading families through the admissions process here at Lakeland Girls Academy, Allison works to empower women out of poverty as a Trades of Hope Compassionate Entrepreneur. She loves her Fuel Church family and actively serves on their communications and missions teams. Hot tea and breakfast food are her love languages, and laughing is her favorite pastime. Allison has a heart for people and desires to let everyone she meets feel worthy, no matter what their circumstances.

Christie Ganpat – Residential Direct Care

Christie Ganpat is 30 years old, and is a Teen Challenge graduate. She has a passion for people and strongly believes in the ministry of Teen Challenge and all that it offers. God has given her the desire to spread a message of hope everywhere she goes to everyone she meets. Even if one life is changed by her story, every struggle, every victory and every sacrifice was worth it!

Lauren Straubel – Residential Direct Care

Lauren Straubel is a Lakeland native. Following high school she studied for two years at Word of Life Bible Institute where she got an associates degree in biblical studies. During her time at Word of Life she gained a deeper understanding of who she is in Christ and was better equipped to live a life of ministry. After Word of Life she continued her education at Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, FL where she graduated with a bachelors degree in Christian Counseling. She has a passion for bringing the hope of the gospel to young people and is excited to be able to do what she loves every day. “There is nothing better than seeing lives transformed by the power of the Gospel.”

Tia Bratton – Residential Direct Care

My name is Tia Bratton, and I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. After many years of running from God’s will, I entered the Teen Challenge Women’s Program. Through the program I rededicated my life to Christ and then dedicated my life to helping others receive the hope that I have received. I am now not only in the center of God’s will, but God is fulfilling the desires of my heart. My heart is to help young girls receive life transformation through Jesus Christ.

Jordan Judd

My name is Jordan Judd and I am a Lakeland native. I recently graduated from Southeastern University with a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and I hope to one day further my education. Through a chance encounter at Southeastern, I was able to receive the opportunity to lead and serve the girls at Lakeland Girls Academy. I am incredibly thankful for the path that God has put me on and I strive to show His love to others in my everyday life.