Toni Lucas is a 77-year-old widow with two children, two-stepchildren (now deceased), 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren (steps included). Her late husband was English, and she is a dual citizen of the USA and the UK.

In 2019 she was a summa cum laud graduate of Grand Canyon University, obtaining her degree in Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, with an Emphasis on Worship Leadership. She was appointed

Lay Pastor for the Albany United Methodist Church in Albany, Illinois in October 2016. She completed a 10-month course of Certified Lay Minister Training. She is a Certified Lay Servant and a Certified Lay Minister.

Previously, Toni was a legal secretary by profession and training and served as Spiritual Formation Director and Lay Delegate for Grace United Methodist Church in La Salle, IL for five and one-half years and as Finance Secretary for the church for two years. She also facilitated a Divorce Support Group for six years. She previously also served as Ministry Leader and Small Group leader for a Celebrate Recovery ministry and did a brief stint of prison ministry.

Toni is a member of the Keagy Town and Rural Committee, a Champion of the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force, as well as a member of the CPRES covenant group. Her Ponder with Pastor Toni private Facebook group was created to examine anti-racism issues.

She is a former Secretary of the Albany Lions Club and President Elect of River Cities Rotary, where she also serves as Foundation Chair. She is also chair of Rotary District 6420’s Task Force Against Human Trafficking, and has served as a Location Leader for Wreaths Across America in two states and four locations.