Community Outreach Board of Directors
Courie gayle
In my journey with NEP House of Praise in Manchester, I've experienced a remarkable transformation that I feel compelled to share. When I was navigating a period of uncertainty without parental guidance, I found a guiding light in my spiritual parents, Pastor Mark and Pastor Andrea Choate. Over the span of eight impactful years, this ministry has played a pivotal role in reshaping my life.
Coming from a challenging past, I've evolved into a successful financial planner. My heart overflows with gratitude as I enjoy a blissful marriage with my wife, Katrina, and proudly raise five children—Kori, Leila, Corrina, Kobe, and Christian. The joy extends further with three wonderful grandchildren, making my family a living testament to the blessings that have unfolded.
My purpose is deeply rooted in appreciation, and I am dedicated to leveraging all my talents and gifts for the continued growth and success of House of Praise. This spiritual community has been the driving force behind a profound transformation in my life, and I am acutely aware of the positive impact it has had on me.
My testimony encapsulates not just my personal journey of growth and gratitude but also a strong commitment to giving back to the community. My story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the incredible potential for positive change when one finds support and empowerment within a spiritual family like House of Praise.
Pastor Andrea Y. Mills-Choate
I have been married to my husband, Pastor Mark A. Choate for over thirty-four years. We live in this fine State of NH by choice. And have opted to raise our family in NH as well.
The Faith based community was and still is an integral part of our lives for many reasons. Our Faith and Biblical beliefs are a major reason our four children are the strong-minded, resilient adults they are today. They were brought up with a sense of belonging and in a safe two parent household, with core values that consisted of Love and Respect. I am proud of each individual adult and delight in their phenomenal choice of partners.
My husband and I became pioneers in 2015 when lead by the Lord to opened Manchester, NH’s first African/American Church, NEP – House of Praise (HOP). Eight years strong, we have grown from under twenty to upwards of two hundred members. Many of whom have taken on the traits we imparted to our natural children (Love & Respect with a sense of belonging).
The experience I have earned in positions on boards such as President of Women of One Faith’s Mother/Daughter Committee, Board Member for King’s Kids Childcare Center, V.P. of NEPM Children’s Church Ministries, etc., have helped me navigate through establishing protocols for ministries and outreach initiatives that are not only a good fit but, that are pertinent for continued development for House of Praise. As the Lord continues to increase the Ministerial side of House of Praise, it is imperative to me that we also use our natural gifts to expand business wise.
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Selina choate
Selina Choate earned her B.A. in Psychology and later went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire (UNH). She has worked for the university’s Office of First Year Programs for six consecutive years and served as the Liberty Mutual Sponsored Diversity Network Program for five years. For the next six years of her career at UNH, she was the Associate Director, and later Director of the TRIO- Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. The program prepares first-generation college students, BIPOC students and students who demonstrate high financial need for graduate school. Prior to working at UNH, she served as a Staff Assistant and Outreach Representative in Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter’s constituent services office. Selina brings a wealth of knowledge from the non-profit industry. She served on two state boards and served as the Treasurer for the Manchester NAACP, unit 2069, and is currently a board of director for the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. She is a past co-chair of the President’s Commission on the status of People of Color, and served as an advisor for Delta Xi Phi, Multicultural Sorority, Inc.
Selina also co-founded NALA in 2013, the support group for women of color at UNH, and served as the organization’s advisor for several years. She has received various awards including the UNH Diversity Hall of Fame Award in 2019. She is also a two-time recipient of the UNH Social Justice Award. She received the award in 2007 as an undergraduate student and in 2016 as a staff member. Selina is the recipient of the 2013Vanessa Washington-Johnson Bloemen Youth Leadership Award and the 2012 Manchester NAACP, Unit 2069 Excellence in Community Award. She is currently serving on the city of Manchester’s Housing Stability Committee. As a longtime Manchester resident, Selina looks forward to continuing to serve her community and being an advocate for those who are underrepresented and marginalized.
Outside of work, you will find Selina spending quality time with her husband of five years, Timothy Choate, their two toddlers, Imani Grace and Amira Sade, and their dog, Milo.
Minister Carlisa choate
Carlisa Choate was a member of the New England Pentecostal Ministries Pelham for over 30 years and was led of the Lord to NEP House of Praise in June 2023. She is happily married to John, the eldest child of, Bishops Stanley & Ruth Choate, for 30 years. They have three beautiful daughters Summer and Son-in-love Tevon Lewis, Taylor, and Alana. They also assisted in the rearing of two nephews Javon and Ryan who completed their home.
Carlisa is originally from Hartford, CT. She received salvation under the discipleship of Apostle Terry and First Lady Renee Stringer of Bibleway Temple of Praise, who were instrumental in providing the solid foundational teaching that she received upon receiving Christ. Being led by the Lord to further her education she relocated to New Hampshire and earned an M.Ed.
Carlisa is an ordained minister of the gospel and has worked within the ministry as a Bible Study Teacher, Director of Vacation Bible School, Crusade Choir Member, Praise & Worship Leader, Youth Leader, Nursery Department Coordinator and Director of the Kings Kids Child Care Center for 19 years. Carlisa founded The Birthing Corner, LLC a consulting firm that helps individuals and organizations birth ideas. She had conducted workshops for the Pelham School District as well as LEAP, an organization in New Haven, CT that provides support for youth in STEM. She and her husband counsel marriages and Carlisa mentors young people and women in leadership and looking for hope, healing, and deliverance. She is called to the Office of a Prophet and most passionately is a Praise & Worshipper!
She has most recently joined the YMCA as the Executive Director of Education.
Mallory Vasquez
Kyrsten Smith
Kyrsten Smith is from the New Orleans, LA area raised in the COGIC church where she was blessed to have grown up with a relationship with Jesus Christ. At a young age, she began serving in the children’s ministry being a part of the Sunshine Band and Kingdom Kids. She was baptized as a youth at New Hope Community Church in Kenner, LA under the leadership of Reverend Mark B. Mitchell. She was active in youth ministry, where she acted in plays, mentored other youth, prayed, sang in the youth choir and praise team, and volunteered on various projects. It was there that she was exposed to community outreach working with the children in New Hope’s summer enrichment program as a volunteer. Kyrsten would assist teachers in helping the children learn key concepts for the upcoming school year and strengthen their like skills so they could excel. Her and her youth group would walk up and down the streets knocking on doors with their leaders within the proximity of the church to get more people to come to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the victorious life to have in him. She also co-lead the Mother/Daughter (MADEAR) ministry with her mother Letitia (Tish) Mack-Jones, where they hosted gatherings to increase the relationships between mothers and daughters in their church and community by helping to build stronger relationships, provide safe spaces to share similar life experiences, guidance, restore self esteem, and realize God’s plan in their journey.
In 2016, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree from University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she met the love of her life, Jared Smith. Together they have been blessed with 2 sons, Hakeem and Amir.
She is happy to have found a church home at NEP House of Praise and enjoys being a part of the Praise & Worship Ministry. As she continues her spiritual growth to who God has called her to be she has become a part of the mission and vision of NEP House of Praise to help the Manchester community.