
Jon Gruen
Senior Pastor
Pastor Jon and his wife Nicole have three sons and two Shih Tzu that keep them active! They love the Lee’s Summit / Kansas City area which quickly became ‘home’ to them. After graduating Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Pastor Jon was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church on July 10, 2005. Pastor Jon was later installed as Senior Pastor in December, 2014. He loves to teach and preach, write songs, eat pizza, go on trips with his family, and watch his kids’ activities (theater, choir, robotics, soccer, etc.). You can always catch him encouraging a proper balance of truth and love in the Body of Christ, the Church. Above all, he is thankful for the salvation won for him (and all of us!) by Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Devin Burmeister
Associate Pastor
Pastor Devin (or RevDev), was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor on July 5th, 2020. He and his wife, Naomi, graduated from Concordia University, Nebraska. Devin graduated with a B.A. in Biology and Naomi with a B.S. in Accounting. They met at college watching a Cardinal's game, and they continue to cheer for the St. Louis Cardinals, Blues, and Chiefs! Devin and Naomi enjoy hiking, swimming, boating and playing volleyball.
Graduating from college, Devin had the intentions of becoming an Athletic Trainer. Feeling called to ministry, he graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 2020. He says that his favorite part of ministry is meeting people where they are at. "I get to walk alongside people at all stages of life, even the highest or lowest, and share with them the love of Jesus Christ. Life often feels unpredictable, but we remember the unending consistency of Jesus' love and life everlasting given to us on the cross and in the empty grave."
Graduating from college, Devin had the intentions of becoming an Athletic Trainer. Feeling called to ministry, he graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 2020. He says that his favorite part of ministry is meeting people where they are at. "I get to walk alongside people at all stages of life, even the highest or lowest, and share with them the love of Jesus Christ. Life often feels unpredictable, but we remember the unending consistency of Jesus' love and life everlasting given to us on the cross and in the empty grave."

Erika Mitts
Director of Christian Education
Erika was installed on March 15, 2020. She was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska with her parents and two sisters, where she grew up in the Lutheran Church! She attended Concordia University in Seward Nebraska and officially graduated with her Director of Christian Education degree in the Fall of 2017 after completing her year-long DCE Internship. She and her husband Austin got married in August of 2022.
She loves working with youth, children and families, and is in charge of IGNITE Student Ministries, specifically FIRE (5th-8th Grade) and BLAZE (9th-12th Grade), the Sunday School Program and Midweek. She enjoys connecting with people and loves getting to learn more about others. She especially has a passion for working with youth and children and loves to lend a listening ear!
She loves working with youth, children and families, and is in charge of IGNITE Student Ministries, specifically FIRE (5th-8th Grade) and BLAZE (9th-12th Grade), the Sunday School Program and Midweek. She enjoys connecting with people and loves getting to learn more about others. She especially has a passion for working with youth and children and loves to lend a listening ear!
Stephanie Wood
Interim Preschool director
Stephanie Wood has been teaching at our Abounding Love Preschool since 2018, and served for a time as our Assistant Director. Stephanie has previous Director experience and is now serving as our Interim Director.

Pam Williams
Ministry Assistant
Pam Williams is the Ministry Assistant at Beatuiful Savior. She relates well with every age and is dedicated and passionate about sharing the Gospel. She is always willing to take time to listen and help out when needed. As the Ministry Assistant, Pam does an amazing job assisting the DCE with administrative duties of Children's, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries. Pam also is in charge of the Upward Basketball program, which is a basketball ministry outreach program BSLC hosts annually.
Pam and her husband Trent have two girls, Shelby and Danika, and three dogs. She enjoys mentoring and talking to youth about the challenges and difficulties which they face growing up today. Pam states, "If I can help just one youth then it makes all the hard work worth it. I am always giving God the glory for the guidance which He gives."
Pam and her husband Trent have two girls, Shelby and Danika, and three dogs. She enjoys mentoring and talking to youth about the challenges and difficulties which they face growing up today. Pam states, "If I can help just one youth then it makes all the hard work worth it. I am always giving God the glory for the guidance which He gives."

Lisa Chapman
Administrative Assistant
Lisa Chapman was born in Marshfield Missouri, where she was raised in the Lutheran Church. She graduated from Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, Nebraska. She taught 26 years in Lutheran Schools in Michigan and Missouri.
She has been married to Rick Chapman for 30 plus years. They have a daughter, Mickayla who currently lives in Michigan. They have been members of Beautiful Savior since 2005. She enjoys singing in the choir, quilting, and reading. She is thankful to be working for the Lord once again surrounded by loving Christians.
She has been married to Rick Chapman for 30 plus years. They have a daughter, Mickayla who currently lives in Michigan. They have been members of Beautiful Savior since 2005. She enjoys singing in the choir, quilting, and reading. She is thankful to be working for the Lord once again surrounded by loving Christians.

Rick Chapman
Business & Facilities Manager
Rick brings with him years of managerial experience that will be a blessing as he fills this need. In his former career in General Motors Corporation, he worked his way up to the position of Senior Administrator, overseeing many people and projects. Locally, he organized and managed the start-up of Kansas City’s Lutheran thrift Store, Blessings Abound. He currently serves as the president of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association. In addition to his involvement in many other jobs and community groups, Rick has also served here at BSLC in countless ways as a volunteer and as a vital part of the Ministry Team. Rick has a heart for serving God’s people, and it shows.