Meet Our Ministry Team

 

Rev. Dr. John W. Tape

Pastor

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I have been a pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for 39 years. I also received my doctorate in systematic theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. I have served as vacancy pastor of 4 congregations and taught theology courses on-line for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. I am a registered Reconciler and Hearing Facilitator for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and received training as a Stephen Ministry Leader. I enjoy cooking (indoors and outdoors: my specialty is BBQ pork spareribs) and spending time with my family. My wife Linda is an attorney with Koch and specializes in environmental law. After 40 years of marriage, Linda and I are blessed with three children and three grandchildren.

 

 

Tyler Tollefson, DCE

Director of Children and Student Ministries

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I joined the Lord of Life family August of 2010 as the Children and Middle School Director. Currently I am the Director of Children & Students (Birth-18 yr). Before serving at Lord of Life, I was the Student Ministries Director at Our Savior’s Way in Ashburn, Virginia.

 

My wife Gentri and I met at Concordia University in Nebraska and have been married 9 years. We have two girls, Kyrie (4yr) and Selah (1yr). 

I am originally from Olathe, Kansas so serving in the community in which I grew up is a lot of fun! Gentri and I enjoy spending time at the lake with the family, skiing, hiking, and fishing. 

 

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.

 

Meghan Willeford
Director of Early Education Center

 

I was blessed to join the Lord of Life family in 2016. It is an absolute gift to be a part of such an amazing school and team of teachers.

Prior to Lord of Life, I spent 9 years on staff at another church as the Director of the Early Education Center and Children’s Ministry. I’m passionate about teaching children Christ’s love, and helping parents bring Christ into all aspects of their child’s learning. I love the ever-changing mind and growth of preschoolers. Each day is an adventure!

I was born and raised in the Lutheran Church in Minnesota, and I believe Minnesota lakes are one of God’s finest creations.  I love to water-ski, fish, paddle-board, and boat with my family. I also enjoy running, reading, traveling, and I always have at least one home improvement project going.

I met my husband, Brent while at the University of Kansas and we were married in 1998. We have four children – Samuel, Charlie, and our twins Joe and Hanna Lee.
 
 
 

Warene Stinemetz

Director of Finance & Administration
 
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 and facility management. I also enjoy volunteering as a small group leader with the high school 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. We have two grown children, two granddaughters and one grandson that I spend as much time as possible with.  

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.
 

John-Scott Young

Worship Leader
 
I joined Lord of Life in August of 2015 as the Worship Director. I’m very honored to have the position of leading people in the simple act of beholding God and responding in worship. It’s my goal to be transparent like a glass window and to let Jesus shine through the music, leading people to a place of true worship and awe.
I grew up in LaGrange, Georgia where my father and mother still reside. I was raised in a Christian home and my church background is from many various denominations. I have been either leading worship or playing on worship teams for the past 17 years. Since October of 2012, I have specifically led in a Lutheran context.
My passion is music and more specifically in the area of songwriting. I have been writing songs for about 17 years. I love writing songs that can be either true or fictional stories of other people’s lives. When narrating stories about people you inevitably find the themes of brokenness, sincerity and honesty. These are themes that I value aesthetically in music and so I strive to convey these in my writing.
As for my education, I have studied music at LaGrange College, in Georgia, and Psychology at UMKC where I graduated. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Occupational Therapy.
In 2016 I married a beautiful, honest, and feisty woman who loves Jesus and is more good to me than I can effectively describe in writing. Her name is Christy.
I love most anything to do with the outdoors. I love any and every variation of fishing, especially fly-fishing. I grew up bow hunting in the tall pines and humid weather of Georgia, so that’s still one of my favorite recreational activities. Some of my most memorable prayer times were in a deer stand. I love the mountains, rivers, lakes… anything that inspires wonder as a result of seeing it. I am the quintessential, stereotypical coffee snob. I will absolutely enjoy your company and conversation, but not over a bad cup of coffee. That’s a joke. Just as long as you allow me to at least acknowledge how I genuinely feel about the cup of coffee, I will sacrifice the scruples of my personal taste for the greater good of your conversation.
 
Cindy Shah
Elementary Coordinator

 

I joined the Lord of Life family first as a church member in 2008.  In July of 2015, I joined the Lord of Life staff as the Elementary Coordinator, serving under Tyler Tollefson. 

 

I have been married to my sweet husband, Neerav, for 16 years and we are blessed with two wonderful boys, Jordan (12 yr) and Micah (9 yr).  I am originally from Athens, GA but have called Overland Park home since 2008. 

I enjoy reading, music, and spending time on the lake with my family in Tennessee.  It is a joy, honor, and privilege to serve Lord of Life kids and their parents.  

 
Courtney Burdick
Children and Student Assistant
 
I first started attending Lord of Life with my now husband, Anthony, when I was in middle school! I became a member after we got married in 2011, and I joined the Lord of Life staff in May 2019 as the Children and Student Assistant for Tyler Tollefson.
I have been an elementary school teacher since 2013 and am currently teaching first grade from home for Kansas Virtual Academy. My husband and I have a daughter, Natalie, who will be two in April, and a son, Owen, who is coming in June! We were all born and raised in Kansas and have always lived in the Overland Park area.
I love spending time outside, especially going on walks, rock climbing, and scuba diving when given the opportunity!!
Ryan Geer
Property Assistant
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I began attending Lord of Life in 2010. At the time, I was an active duty U.S. Marine stationed at the Bannister Complex in Kansas City. I retired from the Marine Corps in 2014 and started working here as the property assistant in 2018.

I completed my undergraduate studies in Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago and I hold a masters degree in Information Technology Management from Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. I enjoy designing and building things, from furniture to waterfalls and everything in between. I like being outdoors, hiking and playing in the woods. Cooking meals for the ones I love is especially satisfying.   


I have three beautiful daughters and they are, by far, my best contribution for a better, happier world. My fiancé, Amber, and I live in Olathe with our youngest, Maya, and a pack of rescue dogs. We enjoy binge watching TV and vacationing in the mountains together.