James Lukose

Executive Director

Phone: 630-723-3423  /  Email: jlukose@waysidecross.org

James came aboard as a Director of Master’s Touch Ministries and Elgin Wayside Center in 1998. Since 2002 he has served as the Associate Executive Director, overseeing its internal operations and coordinating the efforts of five of the six ministries. On January 1, 2011 James became Executive Director of Wayside Cross Ministries.

James has over 3 decades of experience in management, marketing and leadership. James earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics from India and his Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois. He is also the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Service Award from the Alumni Association of the Moody Bible Institute.

James, his wife Jerusha, and their youngest son, Jairus live in the western suburbs as well as their eldest son, Jasper and his wife Karen.

In college James thrived on activities such as track and field, volleyball, and riding motorcycles. Presently one of his hobbies is reading books on management, leadership and theology and he looks forward to riding horses some day.

Tom Beatty

Director, New Life Corrections Ministry

Phone: 630-723-3406  /  Email: tbeatty@waysidecross.org

Tom and his wife Laurie have six children and eight grandchildren and one great-grandson, Tom IV. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, a Penn State graduate, Tom spent 33 years in Nebraska. While incarcerated in the Douglas County (NE) Correctional Center in 1979-80, Tom trusted Jesus as His Savior and Lord and he's never been the same since! He earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Grace College of the Bible (Omaha NE) and returned to Douglas County Corrections as a Staff Chaplain in 1986.

In 1992, Tom left the jail to be a Counselor and Assistant Administrator, and later Programs Director, at the Open Door Mission in Omaha. During 1996-2006, God called Tom and Laurie to start three Rescue Missions in Nebraska. With each Rescue Mission, Jail Ministries were also started in the local jails - 11 County Jails in Nebraska, and two on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

In July of 2007, Tom and Laurie were called to Aurora to begin directing the New Life Corrections Ministry at Wayside Cross Ministries. God has graciously blessed them and their work over the years.

Lynda Dorsch

Director, Lifespring Ministry

Phone: 630-952-1104  /  Email: ldorsch@waysidecross.org

Lynda has served Lifespring Ministry as Director since February, 1989. She says her passion is the Lifespring staff, "they are my heroes, they are on the front lines of the ministry every day!" Her goal is to keep them encouraged and equipped so they may minister to the women and children living at our center.

Lynda received her Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in Music from Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Michigan. She and her husband Mike live in Wheaton, IL and attend Bloomingdale Church.

In life, Lynda enjoys people! She loves to see the similarities and differences that make us all unique and valued by God. Her family, network of friends, music, the arts, and outdoor activities...especially snow (yes snow) are all important to her. Of course, God is at the core of it all!

Randall J. Tomassi

Director, Master's Touch Ministry

Phone: 630-723-3422  / Email: rtomassi@waysidecross.org

In October, 2002, Randy joined Wayside as Director of The Master's Touch Ministry. Prior to joining Wayside, Randy attended Wheaton College Graduate School and in 2002 he earned his MA in Biblical Theology. In 2000, Randy was the recipient of the Merrill C. Tenney Award for Academic Excellence in New Testament Studies.

Previously, Randy was in the actuarial consulting profession for 23 years, including three years as Senior Vice President and Managing Executive of the Chicago office of Sedgwick Noble Lowndes. Randy was an Enrolled Actuary under The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, and a Member of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries.

Randy and his wife, Terry, have been married for 40 years. They live in Batavia, and are members of Covenant of Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church, where Randy serves as a Ruling Elder. They have two daughters: Gracie, who went home to the Lord in 1997 at age 5, and Zoe; she and her husband, Sam, also live in Batavia.

Steve Wise

Manager, Hope Outreach

Phone: 630-723-3434  /  Email: swise@waysidecross.org

In October 2014, Steve joined Wayside as Hope Outreach Manager. Steve attended Moody Bible Institute, earning a BA in Bible/Theology, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, earning an M-DIV degree.

Prior to joining Wayside and over span of ten years, Steve was on staff with church planting teams in Vernon Hills, Colorado Springs, and Indianapolis. For 15 years he was also a Fundraising Consultant for non-profit groups, working for Nestle, USA and Great American Opportunities.

Steve and his wife Ami have been married 32 years. They have three children: Emma, who went home to the Lord in 1999, Evan, age 21 and Ryan, age 16. They attend Christ Community Church, where Steve serves on the student ministry teaching team, and leads a community group of men in their spiritual journey.

Phil Wood

Director, Elgin Wayside Center

Phone: 847-695-4405  /  Email: pwood@waysidecross.org

Dr. Phil Wood joined the staff of Elgin Wayside Center in September of 2007. Since 1991 Phil has lead the congregation of Fellowship Church of Carol Stream. Previously, he was on the pastoral staff of Bethel Baptist Church in Schaumburg, Illinois and worked on church staffs in Florida and Wyoming.

Married over 25 years, he and his wife have four children and one son-in-law. Jeremy, their youngest son is in high school: Brooke is a pre-med student at Indiana Wesleyan University; Brittany and her husband, Destry, live in Kalamazoo, Michigan and work on the staff of Gracespring Bible Church; and Josh, their oldest son, is employed at Christianity Today.

Compassion ministries, outreach and evangelism have been the major thrust of Phil’s ministry and he states he has spent more time in the DuPage Country jail than most offenders!

Phil graduated with a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield and holds a M.A. in Counseling from Liberty University.