STAFF

Pastor Chris Futch is a St. Pete native who joined the Our Savior team in 2016. He received his undergraduate and master's degrees from Florida State University in Tallahassee and is a participant of the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program through Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Prior to pastoral ministry, Pastor Chris worked in higher education administration at Florida State and the University of Tampa.

Pastor Chris and his wife, Elaine, have been married since 2010, and have two children. In their free time, the Futches enjoy exploring parks, beaches, and local restaurants.

Pastor Paul Burtzlaff and his wife Suzanne, and their daughters, Sydnee and Reagan, relocated to St. Petersburg from Cleveland, Ohio, in August 2006. Pastor Burtzlaff graduated from Concordia Seminary with his Master of Divinity in May 1993. He furthered his studies at Stetson University, where he was awarded a Master of Science, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1997. He also has a PhD from The University of Florida, in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Pastor Burtzlaff previously served at St. John Lutheran Church and School in Ocala, Florida, as Associate Pastor and School Administrator (1993-2001). Moreover, he also served as Associate Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, Westlake, Ohio (2001-2006).

Principal Wendy Morris joined the Our Savior Leadership Team in 2022. Her entire career has been in Lutheran schools. She started in Atlanta, GA at Christ Lutheran School as a teacher for 8 years and finished as assistant principal for 4 years. She then served as principal for 14 years at Our Savior Lutheran School in Nashville, TN and 7 years at Immanuel Lutheran School in St. Louis.

She has a BA in Elementary Education with concentrations in art and psychology from Concordia University in Chicago. She completed a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from University of West Georgia and has an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in Chicago.

Mrs. Morris loves that God chose her to learn and lead in her role as principal. Investing time learning everything she can about the school to leverage the many strengths and take advantage of the opportunities to be the best school in St. Pete.

Wendy and her husband, Mike, enjoy cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and the LA Rams out on their lanai or in person whenever possible and exploring the area through day trips. They have three adult children who grew up in Lutheran schools.

Jennifer Johnson’s been Our Savior’s Executive Director since September 2010. Jennifer oversees the financial and business affairs of the church and the school. Before coming to Our Savior, she performed audits for Price-Waterhouse Coopers. She also has over 20 years of experience in commercial property management.

Jennifer is a University of South Florida (USF), MBA graduate. Jennifer and her husband, Chris, were married in 2004 and have two children who both attended Our Savior Lutheran School. They enjoy spending family time together outdoors and traveling.

Kim has worked in administrative capacities for over 30 years. Most recently, she was the Executive Assistant and Director of Special Events for the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg for 11 years. Kim received her Bachelor's degree in Management with High Honors from Eckerd College Program for Experienced Learners in 2000.

Kim has been an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church since relocating to St. Pete from Poughquag, NY in 1988.

Both of her children, Cameron and Kristen, are alumni of Our Savior Lutheran School, attending OSLS from the age of 3 through 8th grade. While her children attended the school, Kim served as Development Coordinator for Our Savior Lutheran School (OSLS), a role in which she helped lead the Development Council in their fundraising efforts for the school. During this time, they founded the OSLS Benefit Auction, as well as championed the Annual Fund Phone-a-thon event.

Kim also won a Ford vehicle from Oprah's Big Give initiative and donated it to the church for a fundraising effort, in which we raised over $20,000!

Marilyn joined Our Savior as Director of Communications in June 2019. Marilyn earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Rowan University in New Jersey. Marilyn and her husband Lester moved to Florida in 2001, with their two children, Sarah and Eric. Marilyn and her husband Lester currently reside in Clearwater. Her daughter Sarah works as a Supervisor for the City of Clearwater and Eric works for Trane Technologies

Most of Marilyn’s communications career has been with religious organizations and she is thrilled to be back in a school setting. They enjoy boating and going to the beach with their rescue dog Blaze.
Top thing on her bucket list? A trip to Ireland with her family.

Kristen is a Florida native having grown up in Orlando. She joined the Our Savior team in March 2022. After attending summer camp at Lutherock in North Carolina as a Middle schooler, Kristen decided from that point in she would in some way work with kids in ministry.

Kristen worked in staff at Luther Springs in 1999-2003 as a camp counselor before finding her true heart and passion in congregational ministry where she has served in several congregations throughout the Bay Area. One of her greatest joys in ministry is watching the spark of wonderment of Jesus come alive in the eyes of a child. Kristen resides on the south side of the Skyway in Parrish with her family.

Dave is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He and his wife Sue moved down to the St. Petersburg area 10 years ago. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After finishing a 40-year career teaching Math, Physical Education, and Health, God has called Dave to serve as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Our Savior.

Dave and Sue have two children. In his spare time, Dave loves tennis, kayaking, reading, and doing woodworking. Dave and Sue especially love spending time at the beach.

Vanessa McClearnon was born and raised in Kansas and moved to Florida in 2011 where she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Economics, from the University of South Florida. Vanessa has vast experience working in client relations with the most recent role being the Client and Event Coordinator at Elite Watersports, which she and her husband opened in 2015.

Aaron and Vanessa have been married since 2013 and have a son, Ronan, and a daughter, Nora, who attend OSLS. As a family, they can be found enjoying any water or wind sports, boating, or rooting on the Kansas City Chiefs.