Connection & Care Pastors
Leawood Connection & Care Pastors
Our dedicated team of Connection and Care Pastors at Resurrection Leawood is here to support you on your spiritual journey toward becoming a deeply committed Christian. We value your unique life experiences and are eager to connect with you, listen to your stories, share in your joys, and offer encouragement whenever needed.
Whether you’re seeking guidance in parenting, marriage, relationships, college life, life transitions (such as empty nesters, retirement, moving, career choices and changes, etc.), or taking the next steps in your faith, our Connection and Care Pastors are available to connect with you. We can meet over a cup of coffee or have a meaningful conversation over the phone.
To schedule an appointment, simply use the Calendly links below or call our church office at 913-897-0120. We understand that critical pastoral care needs may arise outside of regular office hours (M-F, 9am – 5pm), so please call 913-544-0799 during those times.
Let us journey together and provide the support you need. Connect with one of our Leawood Connection and Care Pastors today.
To request care of any kind, please click here.
For your next step in faith, reach out to one of us!
Robert Johnson
Location Pastor
Robert serves as the Location Pastor at Resurrection Leawood. A native of Columbia, MS, Robert received his undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in philosophy and religion at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. Robert earned his Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and graduated magna cum laude. Robert has more than 25 years of pastoral leadership experience and seeks to find new, relevant ways to communicate across racial, educational, cultural, and generational boundaries through a variety of ministry contexts that include rural, urban, suburban, new church plant, transitional, mega-church, small church, and cross-cultural. Robert is married to Linda, and they have two daughters, Giselle and Kayla. Robert is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church.
Hyemi Lee Jones
Director, Connection & Care
Hyemi grew up in South Korea and came to America to study theology at Drew Theological School and Yale Divinity School. Her calling to ordained ministry started as a hospital chaplain and then led her to serving in the Great Plains Conference as an elder. Hyemi is married to Jeremy, with whom she is raising two children, Connor and Yuna.
Darryl Burton
Pastor
Darryl serves as a Connection & Care Pastor for Resurrection Leawood. Darryl went to Lincoln University, Northwestern Community College, and Saint Paul School of Theology where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. Before joining the Resurrection staff in 2014, Darryl worked for Catholic Charities, was a Mentor Coordinator, worked in Social Justice, did National/International Public Speaking, and worked for Miracle of Innocence, Inc., a nonprofit organization that seeks to free the innocent and provide care for them upon their release. Darryl enjoys exercising, playing handball, and meeting and connecting with new people.
Dennis Apple
Pastor
Dennis has served as a Connection & Care Pastor since 2018. A native of Indiana (oldest of 10 children), he graduated from Olivet Nazarene University and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary. He has been a pastor, associate pastor and also served as the general director of senior and single adult ministries for the Nazarene denomination. Dennis and his wife, Buelah, are the parents of two sons. He is author of the book, Life After the Death of My Son. Dennis enjoys running and rummaging through thrift stores with his wife.
Ally Drummond
Pastor
Ally was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UMKC and earned her Master of Divinity degree at Perkins School of Theology of Southern Methodist University. Ally is a Deacon in The United Methodist Church, meaning she is a pastor called to serve particularly in ministries of compassion and justice. She has a passion for cultivating spaces of belonging where all people can come to know, love, and serve God. Ally enjoys experiencing the beauty and grace of all God’s creation through conversations shared over meals and cups of coffee, in throwing and creating pottery, and learning to navigate the winds and waters with her spouse, Josh, on their sailboat.
Lydia Kim
Pastor
Lydia is a Kansas City native who joined the Resurrection staff in 2016, serving Resurrection Kids before becoming a Pastor of Connection & Care at the Leawood location in 2021. Lydia graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Child Development. She earned a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. Through her work with families, Lydia felt the call to full-time ministry, which led to a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Paul School of Theology. Lydia has a heart for integrating mental wellness and faith to bring about healthier relationships with God and others. She enjoys visiting local coffee shops, spending time with her family, and trying out new restaurant recommendations.
Blake Thomas
Pastor
Blake is a Kansas City native who joined the Resurrection staff in July 2020. He served as the Director of Student Ministries at Resurrection West prior to becoming a Pastor of Connection & Care in 2023. Blake earned a double B.A. in Youth Ministry and Bible & Theology from North Park University, in addition to a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He was commissioned as a Provisional Elder of the Great Plains Annual Conference in June 2022 and has served in various ministry settings including urban non-profits, camping ministry, and hospital chaplaincy. Blake is married to Gwyn, who serves as the Donor Development Specialist at Resurrection, and they recently welcomed their first child, Della. Blake enjoys backpacking, reading, and connecting with people over a cup of coffee.
Valerie Nagel
Pastor
Valerie was born, raised, and attended college in California. Her Master of Divinity degree is from Duke Divinity School. She was ordained in the Rio Texas Conference where she served as an associate pastor in the Austin area and San Antonio. From congregational care and welcoming guests to leading in worship, Valerie loves the ministry of the local church. She juggles ministry with “all the things,” specifically being a mom to Caleb (born 2012) and Jacob (born 2015), a friend, an avid reader, a lover of the outdoors, a beginner to the world of CrossFit, and a foodie.
Make an Impact!
Interested in becoming a volunteer at Resurrection? Click HERE to learn more and get plugged in!
5 Essential Practices
WORSHIP
Worship Each Weekend
Worship with us each weekend – in person when possible. Attending worship weekly gives you an opportunity to re-center your life, give God honor and glory, and remember what is really important in life. In worship, you grow to know God more deeply, and you express your love to God. If you are sick or out of town, we encourage you to worship online.
STUDY
Grow in Faith
Grow in your faith outside of worship through Bible studies, classes, or a small group. These classes are designed to help you know God through studying the Bible or other books that offer great teaching and insights. Small groups often grow to seem like families as the groups strive to know, love and serve God together.
SERVE
Use Your Gifts
Serve by using your gifts and talents both inside and outside the walls of the church. Each of us is given spiritual gifts and natural abilities that we can use to serve others and glorify God. The church is the Body of Christ, and each of us is a member of the Body. We are all invited to carry on Christ’s mission in the world, to meet the needs of the people. Whether you are gifted in teaching, helping, encouraging or something else, God is counting on you to touch the lives of others as you serve God.
GIVE
Give Regularly
Give in proportion to your income, with the tithe (10%) as your goal. Giving regularly not only supports the work of the church, but also is your way of giving God priority in your life. One way to determine what people really care about is to review where they spend their money. Sometimes life circumstances mean we cannot give regularly, but when we are able to do so, it deepens our faith as we love and serve God through our giving.
SHARE
Share Your Faith
Share your faith with others through words and actions. We are called to share our good news with others. Often, we think this means awkward conversations, but it doesn’t (and shouldn’t) have to be like that. Sharing your faith with those around you through words and actions helps us grow deeper in our love for God and others.
