About Our Team

Brother Curington’s teachings are still a key element to our students’ spiritual growth, and development. These are not warmed over truths culled from a book, but these are truths that God gave Steve, these truths are still taught through our curriculum, chapels, and at various times in Friday night class.

Donnie Barnes – Director of Housing

Donnie Barnes came to the ministries of RU in the beginning of 2007 with a crippling addiction to crack-cocaine. After graduating the Men’s Discipleship home, Donnie continued his spiritual growth in the Graduate Program, under the mentoring and leadership of Ben Burks.

Since that time, Donnie has worked in various positions throughout the ministries of RU, all of which have equipped him to successfully take on his current position as Director of Housing. Currently, Bro. Barnes oversees the start to finish of each student that walks through the doors of both the men and ladies homes. Donnie graduated from North Love Baptist Bible College with a degree in Pastoral Theology in 2014.

He is also our Local RU Recovery Full Throttle, and has been serving the teens for the past 6 years. Donnie married his wife Hannah in 2008, and they have been serving the Lord in the RU Recovery Schools of Discipleship ever since. It is Donnie’s prayer that through his testimony, many people would be reached through Christ.

Hannah Barnes – Dean of Women

Mrs. Hannah Barnes grew up in Rockford, Illinois in a non-Christian home. Throughout her childhood, Hannah watched as her father was crippled by an addiction to heroin and alcohol. Despite her troubled up-bringing, Hannah, along with her sisters and mother were reached for Christ through the ministries of North Love Baptist Church. Hannah went on to West Coast Baptist College to train for the ministry. Since graduating, she returned to her home church and served as a music teacher in the North Love Christian School.

Hannah married her husband Donnie Barnes in 2008. They both have served in the RU housing ministry in various capacities since that time. As of April 2012, Mrs. Barnes assumed the role of Dean of Women for the RU Schools of Discipleship as well as the Intervention Mentor. Hannah serves in the music ministry at North Love Baptist Church, as well as co-teaching the Senior High Girls Sunday School class.

Little did Hannah know that her father’s crippling addiction would become the catalyst God would use to help her in ministering to broken and hurting women. To God be the Glory, great things HE hath done!

Dale Akin – Men’s Intervention Mentor

Dale was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, IN in 1994 with a B.S. in church work, he and his wife moved to California in 1995 where he served as the assistant pastor at Arlington Baptist Church in Richmond for 4 years. At this time he and his family moved back to the Cleveland area.

While attending and serving in the church sinful behavior which turned into an addiction was crippling and damaging his walk with God. This resulted in a decision to come to Rockford to the Men’s School of Discipleship in 2003 which was in it’s infancy.

After completion of the program Dale returned back to the Cleveland area to the same church where he and his family served faithfully for the next 8 years. In the summer of 2011, after much prayer and counsel, Dale and his family moved to Rockford, IL to become members of North Love Baptist Church. In April of 2012 he took a position as an assistant steward at the men’s home and on June 1, 2012 he became the Student Mentor of the Men’s Home.

Dale currently resides in Rockford, IL with his wife Arischa and their five children.

Shirley Rawlins – Assistant Dean of Women

Shirley Rawlins entered the ladies home in August of 2011 with a crippling addiction to heroin, amongst many other sins. Immediately upon graduation of the Discipleship Home, Shirley began volunteering as a monitor. Serving in her role as volunteer for nearly 2 years, the Lord opened the doors for Shirley to step into the position as Head Steward. After fulfilling the role of Steward, the Lord blessed Shirley with her current position as Assistant Dean at the RU Ladies School of Discipleship.

Shirley married her husband, Travis, in November 2013. They serve the Lord together in the AWANA ministry at North Love Baptist Church, as well being leaders in the RU Full Throttle Ministry.

It is Shirley’s prayer that through her testimony, many ladies may put their hope and trust in the Lord, and gain the same victory through Jesus Christ that she has received.

Sheridan Powell – Head Steward

Sheridan Powell is originally from Waco, KY. Although she was saved and baptized at the age of eleven, she spent many years running from the Lord. In 2013, after many failed attempts at sobriety, Sheridan entered the RU Ladies School of Discipleship with an addiction to methamphetamine, heroin, and many other sins. Upon completion of the student program, she entered the Post-Graduate Program to continue developing her personal walk with the Lord, as well as to help out in the Housing Ministry for RU. After volunteering in housing for over a year, Sheridan was blessed with the opportunity to become the Head Steward at the RU Ladies School of Discipleship. Sheridan also serves in the bus ministry at North Love Baptist Church, as well as serving in her local RU Chapter. After spending 12 years in pain and bondage, Sheridan has found true fulfillment and joy in helping others overcome their struggles through Christ. It is her prayer that other hurting women will experience the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ and finally be free from the bondage of their sin!