About Trinity

Cy Lynch grew up in Tampa, Florida, and has lived in the Atlanta area since 1982. He has filled many roles in life: son, brother, husband, minister, writer, lawyer and friend, to name a few. Cy practiced law for 30 years before becoming a pastor. He’s also served as a financial advisor and written about stock investing for online and print publications.

Cy is passionate about teaching, preaching God’s word and caring for those in need of God’s touch. A sober alcoholic since 2005, he is a living example of God’s grace and power to redeem and restore. He wakes every day amazed at how God chooses to use him (and so many other flawed human beings).

His formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of South Florida, a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan and, most recently a Master of Divinity degree from the McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta. He lives with his wife, Barbara Koll, and their three feline kids, Duke, Gypsy, and Amy. An Atlanta Braves season ticket holder, Cy and Barbara try to attend as many games as their schedules allow.

Karen Beam, D.Ed., has been involved in Christ’s Church for over 40 years as a worship leader, youth pastor, pianist, and educator.  She is a retired teacher from Dekalb County Schools and served as professor in the graduate education program at Mercer University.  She served as choir director of First Baptist Church, Lithonia, for over 30 years.

Karen holds degrees from University of Cincinnati as a triple major and Mercer University.  She has traveled to all fifty states and sung a hymn in each, and loves to garden.

Canangela Boyd-Robertson is a classically trained vocalist and pianist with a B.A. in music from Spelman College and a Masters in Music from the University of Rhode Island.

She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Urban Ministry from the Urban Seminary of Atlanta, Georgia. Her career ranges from that of a public school teacher to professional vocal coach working in the recording industry.  She has been involved in music ministry for over twenty years.

Jackson Thomas is a student at Georgia Perimeter College and aspires to be a minister to youth and young people on the margins.  Jackson enjoys music, the arts, and living a radical life for Jesus Christ.  He has experience in ministry and missions, and has traveled to the Philippines and to the Ukraine.

Jackson’s mission is to reach out to questioning or oppressed young adults who are seeking a place to belong.  He is also Trinity’s resident artist.

Melissa Elliott spent her formative years as the child of CBF missionaries, ministering to the Albanian people group in the Balkan region of Europe. As such, she developed a love both for travel and for sharing life with the “least of these”. She is a certified Project Manager, with a degree from Western Governors’ University, and spends her days managing teams of software testers who are on the autism spectrum.

In her free time, Melissa is passionate about feminist causes, as well as supporting local animal rescues. As a former teenage girl herself, she has a particular heart for the struggles that teenage girls face and seeks to support, love, and encourage the youth of Trinity Baptist. She lives currently with her daughter, Joscelyn, and three rescued dogs.