Writers

Stephen W. Leonard is a retired military chaplain with over 34 years in the Army. He served in combat as an Infantry Officer before becoming a chaplain. He is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and has been the pastor of several churches. He is the founder of a national Youth Leadership Conference and has been the Director of National and International Chaplain ministries. He has degrees from Wheaton College in Illinois, Covenant Theological Seminary in Missouri, and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.  Stephen is the writer of the weekly devotional series, Strength for the Day.  He has also written the booklet “How to Pray for Your Child” as a resource for parents.

Stephen is married to Glenda Anderson Leonard, co-founder of the PAYH.

Dr. Drew Edwards is a behavioral health researcher, author, counselor, and the youth culture expert and consultant for the nationally syndicated reality television programs Ultimate Choice, and Real Girls-Real Life.  In 2006 he founded ENNOBLE, Inc., a non profit educational foundation created to rescue teens and empower parents through the creative expression of Christian principles. His website, www.drdrewedwards.org, is a product of that mission. He has been working with families for twenty years.

Dr. Drew was formerly Clinical Assistant Professor in the department of psychiatry and health behavior at the Medical College of Georgia. Previously he served as Associate Director of Psychiatry at the University of Florida. His appointment included program development, clinical practice and clinical instruction for psychiatric residents and postdoctoral fellows in the division of addiction medicine.

Dr. Drew has published numerous peer reviewed and popular articles on parenting, behavioral health, addictions, depression/chronic illness and youth culture, as well handbooks for parents on childhood depression and self-esteem in children. He speaks at conferences and presents seminars throughout the United States on parenting, youth culture, teen sex, pornography, addictive disease and eating disorders. He also provides weekly parenting advice on 88.1 FM, The Promise, in Jacksonville and northeast Florida. He joined the staff of the PAYH in 2008.

Drew Read graduated from the McCallie School before he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Denison University.  He was a stockbroker in Cincinnati before relocating to Vidalia in 1994 where he accepted a position at the Paul Anderson Youth Home (PAYH).  Since September of 1994 he has been a member of the PAYH staff where he has served as a teacher, headmaster, and Administrator.  After completing his Master of Business Administration from Emory University in 2004, Drew was named the Chief Operating Officer.  Drew has written numerous articles and a booklet entitled Dangerous Trends impacting your child.  He has spoken at national conferences regarding the role of the family and has worked with teenagers and their families for 15 years.  Drew is married to the former Michelyn McClure with whom he has two children.  He serves as a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Vidalia and is a former member of Leadership Toombs.  In his free time, he enjoys competing in triathlons.