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!
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.
Max Franks
Pastor
Pastor Max Franks is passionate about cultivating deep, meaningful relationships within the Resurrection community. His ministry, rooted in compassion, focuses on offering spiritual support through life’s varied experiences. Before joining Resurrection, Max served at St. Paul Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in the Quad Cities, where his engaging sermons and personal connections with congregants were highly valued. The ELCA’s full communion relationship with the United Methodist Church has greatly influenced Max’s ecumenical approach to ministry.
Max earned his Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary and gained valuable experience during an internship at Holy Cross Lutheran in Overland Park. Originally from Iowa, Max and his wife, Liz, are thrilled to make Overland Park their home. They enjoy hiking, exploring local restaurants, and spending time with their dog, Charlie, as they look forward to becoming active members of the community.
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.
Debbie Dellinger
Intern
Debbie has been a member of Resurrection for many years and has served in many roles, including as a Care and Connection minister, as a member of the Resurrection Foundation Board, and as an advisor to the Crossroads Ministry. She has loved mentoring young leaders in the Emerging Leaders program and serving in various missions with Resurrection. Debbie spent five years as Board Chair of The Hope Center, a not-for-profit dedicated to developing healthy Kansas City communities.
Debbie was a consultant with MyNextSeason, supporting clients in connecting their spirituality with relationships, opportunities, and practices as they design their next season. She supported hundreds of executives as they explored how best to use their gifts and talents in new ways or new places. Debbie is the author of “A Lens into Executive Retirement from the Spouse/ Partner Perspective.”
She received a BA in creative writing, journalism, and psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University. She will graduate with a master’s degree in divinity from the Perkins School of Theology at SMU in May 2025.
Debbie is the mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law and loves dogs, growing vegetables and flowers, and cooking.
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.
