Ty LaValley is currently serving “out of the pews” as our Director of Christian Education and Programs.  He went through the United Methodist Church’s ministry inquiry process to discern a call into ordained ministry and discovered that he has a stronger connection with the laity.  As a fellow lay person, Ty works tirelessly to connect people to God and to fellow human beings.  He is a third generation retired military service member who left everything he knew to enter into full time vocational ministry in 1998.  With the exception of a six month recall for duty in Iraq, he has served full time in either education or youth ministries.  Ty believes in the priesthood of all believers and began serving as a volunteer shortly after his baptism in 1992.  His passion is helping you figure out your gifts for ministry and helping you to find a place to serve God and grow in grace.

Ty married the former Cheryl Boutwell in 1986 while the two served in the Army in Europe.  They have two amazing children: Joey and Dana.  Joey is a 2009 Graduate of Georgia Southern University who enjoys bicycle racing and studying paleoanthropology.  Dana is in the class of 2013 at Effingham County High School and enjoys singing in the show choir.  Cheryl is a full time educator at Georgetown Elementary School and is pursuing a Master of Art in Teaching degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University.  Ty is certified in Christian Education and completed certification studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.   He is pursuing a Master in Theological Studies degree at St. Leo University.