Ministry Team

Rev. Burt Garwood

Senior Pastor

I started ministry at Lord of Life in August 2008. I’m excited about our future as we Love God, Love Others and Serve the World by being “missional” in every situation of life.

I’m a missionary kid from the Philippines where my dad served from the late 70’s to the mid 90’s. This background drives my passion to build spiritual friendships where I can help people in their journey toward God and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I have a particular interest in helping men build a biblical definition of manhood and then watching them lead their families and influence their co-workers and friends from a solid foundation where Christ is their moral compass.

I met my wife, Michele, in January 1997 on a blind date. A few months into our friendship, she fell in love with Jesus and then with me! We were married in August 1998 after I returned from my internship in San Francisco. We don’t have any kids yet…

I enjoy riding my motorcycles (Michele rides her motorcycle too), playing xbox360 (mostly Halo3 and Halo ODST and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3) online with my friends around the country, exercising (never going to get huge like Arnold, but I want be fit for life), horsing around on the guitar, biking, billiards, and climbing 14,000 foot mountains in Colorado every summer. My fatherly role at home is to entertain our cat Buster Brown. Oh yea, and to my friends in Nebraska: I’m still watching the Huskers play football. Go Big Red.

I graduated from Concordia University, Seward in 1995 and received a Master’s degree from Concordia Seminary St. Louis in 1999. I served as Associate Pastor at Holy Savior in Lincoln Nebraska and then at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Omaha Nebraska, as Associate Pastor, Director of Adult Ministries.

If you’re visiting Lord of Life and want to know more about us, I have a standing offer for coffee any time you want. Just give me a call.

Lisa Hellyer, DCE

Director of Senior High, Community Service, and Adult Ministries

lisa.lordlife@gmail.com

I joined the Lord of Life staff in August 2000 and have 20 years of ministry experience. My first love in ministry is working with junior and senior high school students. Student ministry is my passion and what makes my heart beat.

I have a heart for God and a heart for ministry that extends throughout the entire Lord of Life family. I am the primary staff liaison for the senior high youth and spiritual maturity for adults (small groups and community service).

I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois, (now Concordia University, Chicago) in 1987, and completed my Master of Science in Family Life Ministry in 2005 from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Before joining the Lord of Life staff and family, I served St. John's Lutheran Church as a Youth Minister for 13 years. I enjoy playing golf, reading, speaking at various events, and watching reality TV, but I most enjoy being an aunt to seven nieces and nephews (five of whom live in the KC area).

Tyler Tollefson, DCE

Director of Children and Junior High Ministries

tyler.lordlife@gmail.com

I joined the Lord of Life family August of 2010 as the children and junior high ministries director. Before joining Lord of Life, I was the junior and senior high director at Our Savior’s Way in Ashburn, Virginia.

My beautiful wife Gentri and I met at Concordia University in Nebraska. Go Big Red! We both love watching football, especially the Cornhuskers, and during college basketball you can find me screaming at the TV for the Jayhawks!

I am originally from Olathe, Kansas so being back in the Kansas City area has been great. Gentri and I try to get out west to Salt Lake City as much as possible to visit her family and get some skiing, hiking, and fishing in.

I know Kansas isn’t the ideal place for mountain biking, but on my time away you can usually find me riding my mountain bike on trails around town or in Lawrence. I love to wakeboard but I’m not quite as good as I used to be.

I am excited about leaning into the lives of the children, families, and leaders at Lord of Life to draw them closer to a relationship with Christ.

Susan Jones

Director of Early Education Center

susan.eec.lordlife@gmail.com

I became the director of the Early Education Center in April 1994. In the fall of that year, we opened our doors to 15 children. That number reached to 30 within a month. Today we average 175-200 children during the school year with an amazing staff of 20-25.

I was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. My parents, my sister and I were charter members of Faith Lutheran Church. I attended Topeka Lutheran School from first to eighth grade.

I met my husband, Bill, in high school and we married in 1972. We have three grown children, Matt, Nick, and Kayla and three beautiful granddaughters. We also have grand dogs, Kane, Lucy, and Tucker and a grand cat, Cassie from when the kids lived at home.

Bill and I enjoy taking walks through our neighborhood. We live in a wooded area so we see a variety of wild life. We love to bowl and go to movies when time allows.

Understanding a preschooler has always been a passion of mine. Learning how they think and the best way to teach them are challenging and greatly rewarding! The parents confirm the rewards when they tell us what their children say at home.

I graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas in 1972. I have a bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Development and several hours towards a master’s in child psychology. I have been in the early childhood field for 28 years.

If you are looking for a school for your preschooler, we would love to have you as part of our family here. We have been an accredited school since June 2000 by the NAEYC (National Assoc. for the Education of Young Children) and now by the NLSA (National Lutheran School Accreditation). Come by for a visit anytime!

Adam Thornton

Director of Worship

adam.lordlife@gmail.com

I joined Lord of Life in May 2010 and have been doing worship ministry for 10 years. I love many aspects of music and enjoy dabbling in a variety of musical instruments.

I've been happily married to Libby Thornton for five years. We have a daughter, Ellanor, who is 2 years old and a dog, Ollie, who is our first-born. Together, Libby and I have served in the ministry for many years – working in the areas of worship, youth and young adults. We have a passion to serve God and show others the authentic relationship you can have with God.

I got started in worship ministry by traveling the world and playing at worship conferences at the age of 16. I have since worked as a full-time worship minister for three churches and also served as a youth minister. I have a heart to see the next generation raise up in worship as Jesus calls us to: “in spirit and truth.”

I enjoy spending time with my family, movies, motorcycles and working on my car in my spare time. I also dedicate time to finding a cure for follicly-challenged individuals.

Warene Stinemetz

Director of Finance & Administration

warene.lordlife@gmail.com

My employment at Lord of Life began in March of 1997. At that time I filled the role of the part-time bookkeeper. Today, I work full time in the areas of finance, administration, facility management and women’s ministry. I also enjoy working with the youth group.

My husband Philip and I met in college and married in 1982. We are both native to Kansas. In our early years of marriage we moved every five years and have called Iowa, New York, and Indiana home. In fact, we still own the first house we ever bought in Des Moines. We have two grown children and a new son-in-law.

I have a passion for animals, especially cats, construction, sports, and the outdoors. I love to play volleyball, hike, boat, camp, spend time with my family, and vacation with friends.

Come join us as we love God by loving others and serving the world!