Meet the Team

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.

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."

Isabel was commissioned and installed at Beautiful Savior as the Director of Christian Education on July 28th, 2024. She was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas with her parents and younger sister. From the beaches of South Carolina to the mountains of Colorado, Isabel takes every opportunity she can be outside in God’s beautiful Creation. Isabel has a unique story, as she was not raised up in the church. It was through Preschool and Vacation Bible School that God connected Isabel to the church, and He has been working and moving in her life in some amazing ways ever since!

Isabel attended Concordia University, Nebraska, where she graduated with a B.A. in Christian Education Leadership, B.A. in Theology, and certification as a Director of Christian Education. Isabel has a passion for working with children, youth, and their families, ultimately shining the light of Christ into the lives of all those that she meets.

Stephanie Wood has been teaching at Abounding Love Preschool since 2018 as a Pre K teacher and also served as the assistant director. Stephanie is a life long resident of Lee's Summit and the proud mother of five children. Being a mom and an early childhood educator is what brings her the most joy. Stephanie has a bachelors in Early Childhood Education and has worked in the field for 30 years as both a teach and director.

Stephanie has four sons and a daughter. Many years were spent cheering on her boys playing soccer from age 4 through college years. Currently she enjoys watching her daughter cheer for school as a cheerleader. With her boys grown she has more time on her hands and has begun fostering cats and dogs and working with local animal rescue groups. Stephanie loves animals and nature and loves sharing her love for all of God's creatures with the children in her school.

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."

Missy Whitaker was born in Celina, Ohio, where she was raised in a Roman Catholic Church. After graduating from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) in Music Education, Missy taught Middle School Choir and Music Appreciation for 24 years in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. While in Cincinnati, she obtained her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Cincinnati. For her last 5 years in Ohio at the United Methodist Church where she was a member for over 20 years, Missy was a Lead Teacher in the 3 year old classroom, as well as the Music and Chapel Teacher for the entire Preschool/Before and after Elementary school Care.

Due to the long distance apart, Missy moved to the Kansas City, MO area in 2020 (early in the Pandemic) to be closer to her adult daughter, Allie. Missy has taught for the past 3 years at Abounding Love Preschool before moving upstairs to the office as the Administrative Assistant (she still works with the preschoolers early every morning). In her spare time, she enjoys singing, crocheting, cooking, reading, and interacting with animals. Missy feels blessed to be attending and serving the Lord here at BSLC, surrounded by loving Christians.

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.