Academy Staff

Pastor

My family (Rick, Shayla & Lukas) and I moved to Arizona in 2018 from Maryland.  We found Light of Christ Church and fell in love with it immediately because it's all about Jesus and serving others. 

God has really grown this ministry and I am so blessed to be a small part of it!  I couldn't be more excited to see what He has in store for us as the school continues to grow.

Hello! My name is Anna and I am humbled and always excited to be a part of growing God’s kingdom here at Light of Christ Christian Academy! Since I was young I have been passionate about teaching children and knew that the Lord had called me to it.   

I graduated from ASU in 2014 with my degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education. After graduating I taught for 6 years in a Mesa public school, where I learned and grew so much. I took a short break from the classroom, but in 2022 I came to teach here at Light of Christ Academy and love every minute of it!

Outside of school I serve at my church, travel the world, play music, garden, and spend time with my family. I am an adventurer at heart and enjoy all the adventures of following Jesus and teaching little minds.  

Hello there, my name is Jess. My faith is what drives me in all that I do in my life! I am thankful that God has made it very clear to me that He wants me to help teach and raise up this next generation of believers!

I am from Colorado but have lived in Arizona for over 2 years now with my husband Todd, our two daughters- Taylor and Kodi, and our beloved dog, Sam. I love volunteering at my church, Rock Point, in the high school ministry, being outdoors, running and fitness, drinking coffee, and spending time with my family and friends.

I graduated with my Elementary Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 2010. I have taught in grades K-12 in Colorado, Kansas, and Arizona. I’ve spent most of my time in grades Pre-K through 2nd grade. I love being both a teacher and parent at Light of Christ Christian Academy! 

Hi, my name is Shelley Earl and I am so excited to be back in the classroom at Light of Christ. I love teaching children in a Christian environment where I can help students grow academically and spiritually. I have 18 years of teaching experience in 2nd grade, 4th grade, Pre-K and as a Reading Specialist. I also homeschooled my own children during their elementary school years. I hold a Masters in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement from Northern Arizona University. When I am not teaching, you can find me reading, hanging out with my two adult children and traveling with my family and friends. I attend church at Light of Christ, and I volunteer in their nursery during the Young Adults service. I reside in Gilbert with my husband and my sweet dog Gracie. 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Hello, my name is Christy Messner. My husband and I, along with our two youngest sons, moved to Mesa, AZ in October of 2009 from Minnesota. We have two older children and two grandchildren, along with our extended family in the frozen Midwest. Our family has since expanded with the addition of our daughter-in-love and 3rd grandbaby (thankfully here in the valley for me). I was raised in a racing family and to this day love almost any type of racing, motorcycles, extreme sports, and classic cars. I absolutely love investing my free time doing anything and nothing with my husband; reading; and serving others. 

My husband and I both accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior in 1993 and have served in ministry together since that day. We attended Bible college and became licensed pastors in 2018. I home-schooled our two youngest through high school and have served in every capacity of children's ministry for the past 30-plus years. 

I firmly believe every child is a precious gift from the Lord and that they are greatly loved and highly favored by Him. If I can capture one child's heart with that truth, then I have changed their world. I look forward to being a part of your child's learning adventure at Light of Christ.