LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
MEET THE TEAM
Shehan Perera
Founder, Ideation & Vision
Shehan was born in Sri Lanka, is a Canadian citizen and lives in the US. Having traveled over 30 countries, he truly feels like a pilgrim on his journey home. He currently works as an engineer for a medical device company, and his wife, Rose, tells him that he has too many hobbies, some of which are poker, acting, board games and scotch (it's a hobby to him...). He's also enjoying diving deeper into the treasures of the Catechism through the Catechetical Institute with his better half, and they recently attended the "I AM" Healing Prayer Ministry training through the JPII Center in Tallahassee. Rose and Shehan are also involved with Teams of our Lady. Shehan, convicted that God wants to heal His people, is on fire to facilitate that reality!
Charlie Keyes
Music
Charlie grew up in the St. Paul area and currently lives in Maple Grove with his wife and son. He has played guitar since he was 3 years old and grew to love leading worship while serving with NET Ministries after high school. He currently leads praise and worship music at St. Huber Catholic Community in Chanhassen. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, biking, and sipping scotch.
Lauren Keyes
Music
Lauren was raised in Watertown, MN and now lives in Maple Grove with her husband, Charlie and their son, Leo. She has a passion for music and psychology and works during the school year as a middle school counselor. You can find her most Sundays leading music at St. Hubert's in Chanhassen with her husband, Charlie. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, biking and discovering new playgrounds with Leo.
Amanda Pilon
Creativity & Design, Music, Logistics & Admin
Originally from Kentucky, Amanda moved to Minnesota for law school where she fell in love with her handsome husband, Adam (you can check out his rugged good looks on this website too)! When Amanda isn’t in her downtown Minneapolis office or wandering the skyways in search of a caffeine fix, she is usually out spending time with her friends and family. At home, you’ll find her playing piano, cooking, playing fetch with her mini goldendoodle, planning her next trip, or honoring her Kentucky roots by enjoying a glass of bourbon on the rocks. Amanda genuinely loves connecting with people and is excited to help you all connect with the Holy Spirit through Light in the Darkness.
Anna Maher
Logistics & Admin
Anna is a wife and mother to two daughters and one son. When she's not spending time with her family, she works at a tech startup company. Anna is grateful for the experiences of healing she has received from Jesus and is excited to dive deeper into knowing and loving the Great Physician.
Aravind Bantu
Finances
Aravind was born and raised in India and moved to the United States to pursue further education, and now lives with his wife, Maddie, in Maple Grove, MN. Aravind converted to Catholicism in 2019 and has a great love for St. Thomas Aquinas and the Blessed Mother who were influential in his faith journey. When he is not working his day job as a Software Developer, Aravind enjoys learning new things, working on projects around the house, traveling, cooking, a good glass of whiskey, playing chess and spending time with his wife, baby daughter and extended family and friends.
Maddie Bantu
Marketing & Social Media
Maddie was born and raised in Wisconsin as the oldest of 8 kids and attended a high school which allowed her to keep honeybees as her senior capstone project. She served with NET ministries after graduation and went on to earn a degree in Communications and Theology. Maddie works for a Kentucky based Catholic non-profit and married her cute husband Aravind in 2021. The Bantu's just welcomed their first baby, Stella, and live in Maple Grove, MN. Maddie enjoys traveling, accumulating house plants, arts & crafts and going for walks.
Rose Perera
Logistics & Admin
Rose lives in the Western suburbs of the twin cities with her husband. She is grateful for all the adventures Jesus has called her on including: marriage, participating in Teams of Our Lady, serving with NET Ministries, working in home health care with some incredible kids and aging adults, and attending the I AM Prayer Ministry Training with the JPII Healing Center. She loves traveling, foods from around the world, and a good glass of scotch.
Donavon Catton
Hospitality & Setup
Donavon grew up just outside the Twin Cities, left to attend UMD in Duluth after one enthusiastic suggestion by his sister, and returned home after graduating. While in Duluth he met his (now) wife, began and continued his conversion back to the faith, did a number of cool things outdoors, and studied a bit too. He is now married, living in Saint Paul and works as an engineer at med device company (following in Shehan’s footsteps). He had the opportunity to attend the Healing the Whole Person retreat and was struck by one particular phrase: “The greatest gift I can give is to allow God to heal me more every day.” Now, he continues his healing journey and prays you will take the next step in your own.
Clare Catton
Hospitality & Setup
Clare lives in St. Paul with her husband and is loving city life. She works at a pregnancy medical clinic and resource center as an advocate for mothers. She was blessed to attend a Healing the Whole Person Retreat after listening to the Restore the Glory podcast faithfully (both highly recommended). She is excited to continue on her journey of healing with the Lord and to bring others along!
Adam Pilon
Ideation & Vision
Adam is Minnesota born and raised. He has a passion for topics at the intersection of faith, culture, and the law, and this passion inspired him to obtain a Juris Doctor and a Masters in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas. He now is now a licensed Minnesota attorney. In his free time, Adam goes to every concert he can attend, plays board games, hosts friends and family, and spends time with his beautiful wife Amanda (who you might recognize from this webpage). Adam is excited to be a part of this team and to help bring the healing power of the Holy Spirit to as many people as possible.
Ross & Jodi Olson
Prayer Teams & Awaken The Heart Event Coordinators
Jodi and Ross received a calling to the healing ministry in 2020 after celebrating their 10 year anniversary by traveling to Austin, TX to attend a Healing the Whole Person conference. That calling intensified after receiving I AM ministry training by the JPII Healing Center related to inner healing prayer. In 2022, they founded Kut to the Heart Apostolate, with the mission to establish healing prayer communities grounded in the teachings of the JPII Healing Center. The purpose of the apostolate is to provide opportunities for individuals to encounter Jesus in and through their woundedness. They have been married for 13 years, have 4 children (with one on the way) and live in Oakdale, MN.
