As founder of Gateway Church in 1989 in St. Martinville, Anthony DeRouen made it a full-time job of helping needy children and families. He overcame a lack of funding and adverse public opinion to feed, clothe and bring new hope to children in despair. In 1997, DeRouen oversaw numerous organizations that helped families who “fall through the cracks,” and even brought Christmas each year to children with imprisoned parents. As principal/pastor of Gateway Christian Academy, he took children labeled “hopeless” from other schools and raised their personal vision and hope to become honor students. DeRouen passed away in December 2010.