Meet the Team

Chris graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2013 with a B.A. in Theater with a minor in Spanish. After college, he moved to Peru and served as a full time missionary for two years. During that time, he founded The Lily and The Sparrow where he currently serves as the President. He is the father of three amazing children and enjoys spending time with his family and playing the piano.

Ellyn graduated from Georgia Southern University with a B.A. in Modern Languages Spanish and M.A./M.A.T. Spanish. In 2013, she moved to Peru for two years where she served as a missionary with her husband, Chris, and founded The Lily and The Sparrow. Ellyn works at Wayne Christian Academy, and she currently serves as the Director of The Lily and The Sparrow.

Brandi is a wife and stay-at-home mom of two very lively girls, and a little boy. After college, she began working in medical administration and later with developmentally disabled adults…which was her favorite. She left there after her first daughter was born, but she still misses it. Brandi loves Jesus, music and chocolate.

Natalie has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education with a minor in Psychology. She is married to her husband Segundo, and they have a beautiful daughter. Natalie has three years of experience working at a Domestic Violence Shelter plus several other years working/volunteering with non-profits and social work. Natalie feels fortunate to be able to help and encourage so many amazing women who had been so badly abused and use her experience to advise the organization. Her heart is to help others and be a light. Natalie serves as the Director of The Lily and The Sparrow Gala as well as the Director of Development for our drop in center in Peru.

Tim graduated from GSU in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International studies and Spanish. Jessica recently returned to the workforce as a property manager at a senior community after being a stay at home mom for the last 3 years.
Jessica has been on mission trips to Peru several times since 2012 and Tim entered the mission field with her for the first time in July of 2022 to partner with the Lily and the Sparrow where they fell in love with the work the ministry is doing in South America.
Tim and Jessica live in Statesboro, Georgia with their three children: Judah, Anden, and Ezra. They are members at Southbridge Community Church where Tim serves on the worship team and as an elder and Jessica leads the Welcome Ministry. They are excited to see how God is going to use them as board members to further the work already underway!

Angeli is originally from Lima, Peru, and has passion for her country and for the Hispanic community. She is also a published English Spanish translator with 10+ years of experience. Because of her translating, Angeli has been blessed to travel all over Peru and several countries in Latin America, and work with awesome organizations that increase the quality of life. Angeli is a Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry alumni, and currently resides in Redding, California with her amazing husband.

Tamra Hunt has over 25 years of experience in finances and is the treasurer of The Lily and The Sparrow. Matt and Tamra spent a month in Peru when their first granddaughter was born there in 2014. Since then, they have served as financial advisers and mentors. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their three grandchildren.

Bishop Eric McClellan has been covering pastors and planting churches for 27 years. He and his wife, Angela, have a passion for developing people around the world to reach their purpose in God’s Kingdom. They enjoy spending time in the word and with their beautiful family of 4!

Thélamond Saurel is from Haiti. After his classical studies, he received a license in Theology and in Education Sciences. He also has a certificate in law. He is one of the pastors of his church and is also a school principal. Furthermore, he is an Education Inspector in Haiti. Thélamond really enjoys teaching, and he teaches three subjects: French, Spanish and English. He serves as the overseer of The Lily and The Sparrow’s scholarship program in Belles Rivieres, Haiti.

Sobner Francius is from Haiti. He is a farmer as well as a construction worker. Sobner speaks two languages: French and Haitian Creole. He is the representative of Restoration House Church in Haiti and oversees The Lily and The Sparrow’s scholarship program in Mirebalais, Haiti.

Maricel is from Lima, Peru. She started working with The Lily and The Sparrow in Peru as a volunteer and is now part of our staff! When God called Maricel into ministry in June of 2020, He reminded her of Jeremiah 15:19-21 where the scripture talks about being restored by God so that we may serve Him! She enjoys cooking, singing, and taking walks with her daughter, Emily. God has given Maricel a passion to work with children and teach them about God’s purpose for their lives. He has also called her to work with at-risk women through our drop-in center.

Ligia is from Lima, Peru. She is passionate about justice and helping women from her country and all over the world to walk in the calling that God has for their lives! Ligia is our Director of Operations in Peru and oversees our drop-in center for human trafficking survivors as well as our community development programs. She works with women in Peru, helping them impact their communities, find safe work, and start small businesses so that they have a better quality of life. She also leads a women’s small group at her church and serves on the worship team. Ligia loves singing, dancing, and studying English.

Dumassais is originally from Haiti, and currently serves as the Pastor of the church “Maison de Restauration” in Pomerode, Brazil, which he founded for Haitian refugees. He and his wife, Renette Sainvil, were married in 2008 and have three children. As well as serving as a pastor, Dumassais also oversees our education sponsorship program for Haitian students. Dumassais graduated with a degree in Theology in 2018. He and Renette have been part of The Lily and The Sparrow since 2015.