Meet the Team

Ellyn Hunt is the Co-Founder and Director of The Lily and The Sparrow, where she leads international programs focused on anti-trafficking, community development, and creating pathways to freedom for vulnerable women and families. After moving to Peru in 2013 with her husband, Chris, she helped launch the organization and has spent more than a decade building relationships and guiding teams across Peru, Haiti, and Brazil.

Ellyn also serves as a Spanish and Bible teacher at Wayne Christian Academy and is passionate about equipping students to serve others and engage with global missions. She brings deep experience in language, cross-cultural work, and nonprofit leadership to her role.

Outside of work, Ellyn is a mom of three and an avid coffee lover who finds joy in meaningful connection—whether at home, in the classroom, or across the mission field.

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.

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.

Tim graduated from GSU in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International studies and Spanish. Jessica works as a property manager at a senior community and as the Director of Development for Foundations Resource Center in Statesboro, GA.
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!

María Tavita Otero Flores, a native of Peru, was born and raised in a Christian home where she developed a deep love for God and people. She studied Technical Accounting and worked in the field for nearly 11 years before answering a full-time call to ministry in March 2024. Tavita now serves on staff with The Lily and The Sparrow in Peru to carry out the Great Commission, particularly among human trafficking survivors, vulnerable families, and communities in need.

Tavita is passionate about serving, helping, and empowering others, with a special heart for walking with teens and young adults as they discover their identity and purpose. She believes in a God who loves humanity and desires to see His people grow and thrive in every area of life. Her own life is a testimony of God’s perfect timing, as she has seen Him faithfully bring to pass both her smallest dreams and her greatest desires according to His will.

Outside of ministry, Tavita enjoys reading, traveling, music, spending time with family and friends, and even indulging in a bit of karaoke. She is also an avid chocolate lover and cat enthusiast.

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 two amazing children. 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.

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.

Chris Hunt is the Co-Founder and President of the Board for The Lily and The Sparrow, where he provides strategic leadership and supports the long-term vision of the organization. A mission-minded business leader, Chris brings a strong background in management, team development, and cross-cultural ministry to his role.

After graduating from Georgia Southern University, Chris moved to Peru and spent two years serving as a full-time missionary. During that time, he helped establish The Lily and The Sparrow and has continued to guide the organization as it expands its anti-trafficking and community development work across Peru, Haiti, and Brazil.

Chris is a devoted husband and father of three and enjoys spending time with his family, mentoring emerging leaders, and playing the piano.

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 served as our Director of Operations in Peru before moving to the USA and starting a family. Ligia loves singing, dancing, and studying English. She lives in Michigan with her husband, Josiah and their daughter.

Tanner serves as the Co-Director of Development for TLS. She holds an associate’s degree in Child Psychology and has served in kids ministry since the age of 12, later moving into leadership before dedicating her time to caring for her family.

Tanner is a wife to her husband Wesley of nearly five years and a mom to two precious children, Mikki and Hank. Her daughter Mikki had an extremely rare condition that caused progressive brain atrophy. Through Mikki’s life, Tanner was able to witness extraordinary faith, learned daily dependence on the Lord, and experienced the kind of joy and hope that can only come from Christ. Mikki ran into the arms of Jesus last December but her life continues to shape Tanner’s heart, calling, and compassion for others. Mikki’s legacy remains a powerful testimony of God’s nearness and goodness.

Creativity is one of Tanner’s greatest strengths. She loves planning meaningful events, painting, traveling, and tackling any project that gives her an excuse to walk into Michael’s. Last year, Tanner went on her first mission trip to Peru—an experience that deeply transformed her understanding of ministry, purpose, and global outreach.

Tanner is grateful for the opportunity to bring her creativity, faith, and love for people into this role, and she is honored to help advance the Kingdom in ways that reflect both God’s heart and the legacy of her daughter.

We are so excited to introduce our newest staff member, Stephanie Harper!
Stephanie Harper now serves as Co-Director of Development for The Lily and the Sparrow, bringing her faith, resilience, and deep sense of purpose into this role. Raised in a Christian home, she grew up in North Carolina but has been rooted in south Georgia since 1984. Stephanie has walked through seasons of deep loss, maintaining a steadfast belief that God is indeed good, and she enters this new season with excitement. After losing her husband of 30 years in 2018, moving to a quiet lake community in 2020, and taking her first mission trip with The Lily and the Sparrow in 2023, she has discovered renewed purpose- an inspiring journey that led her to serve with The Lily and the Sparrow.
Now affectionately known as “Stephy” to her sweet granddaughter, Stephanie balances life as a part-time bookkeeper with her passion for community and connection. She is intentional about friendships, loves working out, being outdoors, and embracing her country-girl heart — whether that’s dirt roads, buggy rides, or front-porch coffee. In every part of her life, Stephanie tries to bring warmth, strength, and a genuine desire to help others flourish.

Alisson serves as the Assistant Director of our Community Center in Peru. For several years, Alisson faithfully volunteered with The Lily and The Sparrow, demonstrating a deep love for her community and a strong commitment to service. We are honored to now have her on staff as she helps coordinate programs, support families, and strengthen our work in the community.

Alisson is passionate about creating, teaching, and learning new things, and she brings a joyful spirit to everything she does. She enjoys singing, dancing, and music, and she is a proud mother to her daughter, Briana Khalessy.

Her greatest desire is to continue growing both professionally and spiritually while sharing her story to remind others of God’s love and faithfulness. Alisson often says, “Without God, I am nothing. Even through the hardest seasons, He has never let go of my hand.” She teaches her daughter to trust in God’s purpose and hopes her own journey will help others find healing, hope, and freedom.

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.

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 grandchildren.