Bryan & Amanda Rule, Directors
With over 20 years of experience mentoring youth and young adults, Bryan and Amanda Rule have devoted their lives to guiding and transforming young people. Their journey together began on a mission trip to Russia, where they met, and a few years later, in 2003, they married. Today, they are the proud parents of two teenage children, a daughter and a son. In 2016, they stepped into leadership as directors of Pine Mountain Boys Academy, where they continue their passion for helping young men find purpose and healing.
Bryan is an ordained minister with specialized training in counseling individuals struggling with addictions and life-controlling issues. As a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Caregiver, he brings a compassionate and structured approach to mentorship. Before his work at Pine Mountain, he served for several years as a program manager at a men’s residential recovery center, where he played a key role in developing and overseeing peer mentorship and internship programs, as well as designing and facilitating classes and curriculum.
Amanda earned her Bachelor’s degree from Southeastern University in 1998. Before joining her husband in recovery ministry, she worked as a public school teacher and later as the administrative assistant to the executive pastor of their church. She has a deep appreciation for the ministry of Teen Challenge, as her father dedicated over 25 years serving on the executive board of its Southeast region. Her background in education and administration equips her with valuable skills to support the mission at Pine Mountain.
Bryan and Amanda have always been passionate about seeing lives changed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Their greatest desire is to see families restored and young lives transformed through mentorship and the practical application of Biblical principles. At Pine Mountain Boys Academy, they continue to dedicate their lives to guiding young men toward a future filled with hope, faith, and purpose.
Layton Dutton, Program Manager
Layton Dutton is a licensed minister with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. As a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Caregiver, he specializes in building healthy connections with youth and families. He is also a certified instructor in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and CPR/First Aid, equipping others with essential skills for crisis management and safety.
Born and raised in Milton, Delaware, Layton grew up in a loving Christian family that instilled in him a heart for service. He attended Bible college and spent a year as a student missionary in Cuenca, Ecuador, an experience that deepened his passion for ministry. He later served as a youth pastor in Michigan, where he also worked as a substitute teacher in public schools, a boy’s home, and a juvenile detention center, gaining valuable experience in mentoring and guiding young people.
With over 23 years in full-time ministry, Layton is deeply committed to helping teenagers and their families, finding joy in witnessing God restore broken relationships. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, watching NASCAR, and exploring theology and God’s Word.
Joseph Bolin, Lead Counselor
For over 14 years, Joseph Bolin has been committed to working with the students and families of Pine Mountain Boys Academy. A graduate of Teen Challenge Ministry Institute (2009), he is an ordained minister and a certified Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Caregiver. He has also completed extensive training in Principles of Biblical Counseling and Living Free, equipping him to help individuals prevent and overcome life-controlling struggles. Passionate about continued growth, he is actively advancing his education in pastoral Biblical counseling.
Born in Hartford, Alabama, and raised in Columbus, Georgia, Joseph experienced his own struggles, spending years making poor choices and running from God. However, in 2007, he had a life-changing encounter with Christ, which ignited his passion to help others break free from life-controlling issues. Now, he is dedicated to guiding others toward healing and transformation through faith.
Outside of ministry, Joseph loves spending time with his family, visiting the beach, and continuing his education. Those who know him best describe him as encouraging, direct, and deeply compassionate—qualities that make him an invaluable mentor and leader.
Kim Pendleton, Admissions Coordinator
Born in the Appalachians and raised in the Pawtucket Range of New England, Kim grew up with a deep love for the mountains. As the daughter of a pastor, she was instilled with a strong faith and a heart for service from an early age. After graduating from Southeastern University, she married a fellow classmate, also from Appalachia, and together they embarked on a journey of ministry and education.
In the 1980s, Kim and her husband moved to Georgia, where they both taught at a Christian school. She dedicated nearly 20 years to teaching upper-elementary students, pausing at times to focus on raising their three sons, who are now adults and happily married.
Since 2017, Kim has served as the volunteer director of a nonprofit ministry that supports the local foster community. In 2020, her journey led her to yet another mountain—Teen Challenge Pine Mountain Boys Academy, where she continues to fulfill her calling of serving children and families.
With a heart devoted to making a lasting impact, Kim is passionate about changing lives and bringing hope to all of God’s children.
Mike Pendleton, Academic Administrator
Mike Pendleton encountered Christ as a young teen in the hills of West Virginia, setting him on a lifelong path of serving the Lord, families, and children. For nearly 40 years, he has dedicated himself to youth ministry, education, and leadership, serving as a youth pastor, classroom teacher, and education administrator.
Mike earned his Bachelor’s degree from Southeastern University and later pursued a Master’s in Education from West Georgia University. As a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God, he continues to blend his faith with his commitment to education and mentorship.
Married to his college sweetheart, Mike is the proud father of three sons, father-in-law to three daughters-in-law, and a loving grandfather. Guided by his personal mantra, “Enjoy the journey,” his deepest passion remains “to know God and make Him known.”
