Team

Cyndy and her husband, Chris, have been attending Light The Way Church since they first attended a Christmas production of Two From Galilee in 2010.

Cyndy and Chris were married in 1985, and they have two daughters, three granddaughters, and a mini female dachshund-Tilly.  (Poor Chris is outnumbered.)

Cyndy was the Director for National Health Testing, a preventative health screening company, and then worked independently.  After their second child was born, Cyndy became a full-time mom and community volunteer assisting in classrooms, developing the Adventure in Reading program and Kindness Club (which are both still active at the elementary school), serving for eight years to help create annual school yearbooks, and delivering meals throughout the community.

In that same spirit of giving and volunteering, her granddaughters join with her in purchasing toys year-round for the Children’s Hospital in Saint Paul.  It is that excitement that keeps them both grounded and motivated to serve our community.  As Galatians 6:9, and Cyndy, remind:  And let us know grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Jim and his wife, Linda, moved to the Cottage Grove/Saint Paul Park area in December 1995. They have five children: James Jr., Eric, Tonya, Kristina, and Michael (and Michael’s dog, Boomer). They have raised their granddaughter Ashley, and nephew Carlos, and they have five other grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

Jim has attended Light The Way Church for over 20 years, and is currently the Treasurer. Prior to serving at Light The Way Church, Jim served at Faith Temple Spanish Assemblies of God Church in Saint Paul, as their Treasurer and maintenance person for many years.

Jim has worked with variety of people during his employment with Goodwill Industries, and on a variety of issues with The Minnesota Chemical Company, where he was a manager and supervisor for over 30 years.

Jim has been richly blessed by having had the opportunity to serve our country as a U.S. Marine. Semper Fidelis, meaning Always Faithful, represents Jim’s deep commitment in life and service. Jim is excited to watch God move our congregation forward and is grateful for God’s many blessings.

Michelle and her husband, Paul, moved to Minnesota in 1985.  They have three children: Joseph, Paul Jr., and Mikayla.  They have also been blessed with seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and one grand puppy.  Michelle has been a member of Light The Way Church for over 30 years.  During that time, she served in several ministries including being Sunday School Superintendent, assisting with the Youth Group, volunteered in the nursery, and a Women’s Ministries leader.

Michelle worked for the Minnesota Department of Education, Special Education Finance for 34 years, retiring in September 2022.

Michelle is excited to see and be a part of what God is going to do in this next chapter of Light The Way’s ministry.

Pastor John Magee received his education at North Central University and is an ordained minister, holding his credentials with the Assemblies of God.

Pastor Magee’s experience/background is rooted in Public Relations, Theology, Youth and Children’s Ministries, Recruiting, Human Resources, Family Counseling, Music and Theater.

Pastor Magee served as Associate Pastor of then, Park Grove Christian Center Assemblies of God Church, from 1985 – 1994. In 1994, Pastor John was elected to serve as Senior Pastor where he has served faithfully these many years.

Pastor Magee, his wife, Lynn, and their five children are residents of South Washington County, and he’s proud to be called Grandpa (“Pops”) to five grandchildren.

Pastor Lynn Magee is a founding member of Light The Way Church, and has served its congregation for over 45 years.  Lynn, a licensed minister, has a strong background in children’s ministries, and many years of service in nonprofit administration.  Lynn and her husband, Pastor John, have lived, raised five kids (now adults), and served the South Washington County community in countless ways.  Lynn’s five grandchildren call her Lynnie-just like her dad, Rev. Ben Tims, did.

Lynn’s parents, Ben and Fran, began Light The Way Church (f/k/a Park Grove Christian Center Assemblies of God Church), in January 1978 in their home.  With every season at Light The Way, Lynn has been—and will continue to be—committed to being a force for positive change in the church and community.

Debra has lived and served in Washington County for nearly 40 years. Debra has five children (one son and four daughters), seven grandsons, one granddaughter, three great granddaughters, and two great grandsons.

Debra has been a member of Light The Way Church for 25 plus years. During the years she has had the opportunity to serve in a variety of ways and ministries as an Usher and Greeter, a choir member, as a cast member for the Christmas and Easter musical productions, a mentor in the Single Mom’s Group, a leader and facilitator for Women’s Ministries, a leader and mentor in Youth and Young Adult Ministries, a service coordinator for the See the Need Meet the Need Committee, and a Communion speaker.

Debra was employed with Seagate Technology for 15 years, training people from various parts of the world to build disc drives. Debra then moved on to employment with the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys as a Membership Development Director. Over the years, Debra served in other positions and finally retired after 18 years.

Debra is honored to serve as a member of Light the Way Board of Directors and to be a part of the new and exciting plan and adventure the Father has for us!

Pastor Monty and his wife, Linda, moved to the Cottage Grove in January 1994.  They have three sons:  Dustin, Corey, and Joshua.

Since joining Light The Way Church in the early 90’s, Pastor Monty has served in many capacities including:  Music ministries (as a member of the band), Men’s Ministries, Youth Ministries, leading Bible Studies, Foreign and Domestic Missions teams, and he currently oversees the Television and Video Ministry.  In 2005, Monty became a Licensed Minister and Associate Pastor at Light The Way Church.

Monty has spent his 40-year professional career as a seasoned Minnesota-based photojournalist and media producer for the local ABC affiliate.  His career spans decades of visual storytelling and community service.  With a keen eye for capturing human narratives—whether through investigative reporting, or nonprofit documentaries, Monty has left an indelible mark on local journalism.

In his later years at KSTP, Monty became a pillar of collaborative journalism, contributing to award-winning investigations and has garnered 18 Regional Emmy awards, including his role in the 2021 Emmy Award winning series Race. Reform. Reality.  Also in 2021, Monty co-coached high school students at ThreeSixty Journalism’s summer camp at the University of St. Thomas, guiding aspiring reporters in producing pieces on topics such as racism.  His hands-on approach—teaching shooting techniques, ethical framing, and narrative structure—has inspired the next generation of diverse journalists.

Light The Way owes its on-line presence to Pastor Monty, and we are excited to not only look forward together, but to look back at where we’ve come from—all through the lens of his camera.

Charlene and her husband, Charles, moved from Louisville, KY to Minneapolis, MN in 1980.  They are the parents of four adult children.  Charlene and her family moved to Cottage Grove, MN in July, 1989.  Soon after, her husband was killed in an automobile accident.  Charlene and her children began attending Light The Way Church (formerly Park Grove Christian Center) in 1990.  She joined the adult choir and became involved in musical productions as an actor and seamstress, and is still actively involved in the Praise and Worship team.  In January 2000, Charlene enrolled at Northwestern College (Saint Paul) and, in December 2003, she graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics Education.   Charlene went on to teach Mathematics at Cottage Grove Middle School from 2005 until retiring in 2023.

Nate is a Senior at Bethel University majoring in Music.  Nate loves playing the piano, connecting with people, and sharing his talents for the Lord.  Nate also loves soccer, going for a run, or even just going for a walk and enjoying nature.

George studied at Concordia University in Saint Paul.  Through life George has learned to use his voice for good, and he feels honored to use it to sing praise to the Lord.  Praise the Lord!

Christopher has been with Light The Way Church for 16 years.  He enjoys tech and video production, and has developed technical and media skills that support his church and family activities.  Christopher and his wife, Deanna, enjoy connecting with people, spending time with immediate and extended family and friends, and supporting their kids in their activities.

Emma is a sophomore at St. Catherine University majoring in Exercise Science on the pre-PT track, and she plays hockey.

Emma comes from a big family in a small town in Southern Minnesota, and loves bringing that sense of community and care into her work.  As a Children’s Church leader, she is passionate about helping kids feel loved, sharing faith, and building a welcoming community where they can grow.

Sara grew up in South Minneapolis, and is a Student/Athlete at St. Catherine University.  Sara assists in Children’s Ministries where she helps guide and support children in their faith and in weekly lessons.