Heather Blaylock

Area Director

Heather Blaylock serves as the Area Director for Young Life Baton Rouge, bringing deep local roots, proven leadership, and a long-standing passion for reaching all kinds of young people with the Gospel.

A Baton Rouge native, Heather was first shaped by Young Life as a college student while serving as a volunteer leader at Istrouma High School. Her husband, Brandon—now a teacher at Sequitur Classical Academy—also served as a Young Life leader at Tara High School, making Young Life a shared calling woven into their family story. Together, they are raising their three children in Baton Rouge.

Heather earned an B.A. from Louisiana State University and an M.B.A. in Human Resources Management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Heather has helped build and lead thriving Young Life ministries in diverse contexts, including launching and developing the Young Life area in Copperas Cove/Lampasas, Texas—reaching military families, inner-city youth, and teen mothers—and serving as Area Director alongside a strong leadership team in St. Francisville, Louisiana, where the ministry grew across middle school and high school students in a small-town setting.

One year ago, after prayerful discernment, Heather and her family felt called to take a faithful risk and go all in on rebuilding and expanding Young Life in Baton Rouge. She is deeply committed to seeing all kinds of kids in every space and place in Baton Rouge come to faith in Jesus Christ through authentic relationships, strong partnerships with the local church, and a growing community of leaders who believe every young person is worth pursuing.

Estelle Mensmen

Team Leader, Capernaum

Estelle leads a large team of volunteers, buddies, adults, and kids in Young Life Capernaum in Baton Rouge. Leading one of the largest Capernaum clubs in our region, Estelle and her team have weekly clubs and hangouts. They go to baseball games, have girls and guys nights, attend socials and dances. Estelle has has two years of Young Life Capernaum experience and will graduate from LSU in the Spring of 2026. ​

Merritt Walker

​ Leader Training and Area Administrator

Merritt serves as the Volunteer Training Coordinator and Area Administrator for Young Life Baton Rouge, where she passionately equips leaders to mentor and share the Gospel with teens across the community. With a heart for building relationships and a gift for teaching, Merritt ensures that every volunteer is prepared to create meaningful connections with students, bringing the mission of Young Life to life.

Sarah Subach

Team Leader, Young Life at The Dunham School

Sarah serves as our Young Life Team Leader at The Dunham School. Sarah leads a team of college students and adults to share the Gospel and life with young people at Dunham. They host morning bible studies and game nights, and meet kids where they are.

Savannah Root

Team Leader, Thrive Academy

Savannah is heavily involved in ​ ministry at Thrive Academy. Savannah leads a team of college students and adults to care for teenagers at Thrive. Every week they connect with teenagers through prayer, bible studies and games.