Meet the Team
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, Brazil, and the United States.
Chris is a devoted husband and father of three and enjoys spending time with his family, mentoring emerging leaders, and coaching soccer.
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.
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.
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.
He and his wife, Renette Sainvil, were married in 2008 and have three children. As well as serving as a pastor, Dumassais also assists with the execution of 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. Their heart for the Haitian people, for unity, and for Jesus is a blessing to the global church and to The Lily and The Sparrow.
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.
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.
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!
