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.

Pastor Dan joined the Our Savior team in August 2023. He and his wife, Dianne have been members of Our Savior since moving here from Minnesota in the fall of 2021. Pastor Dan, prior to going to Concordia Seminary - St Louis in 1981 was a District Manager with ARA Food Services where he supervised the food service operations in 12 schools and colleges in the three-state area of Alabama, Mississippi, and western Tennessee. Before retiring from full-time ministry in 2018 after 38 years, Pastor Dan served 3 congregations in Nebraska and one in Minnesota. Since retiring, however, Pastor Dan has served three other congregations as their Vacancy Pastor both in Minnesota, and Florida: most recently Immanuel, Brandon, for the past 20 months. In the course of his ministry, Pastor Dan has led two congregations through major building programs.

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.

Catrina Earls has been Our Savior’s Director of Administrative and Event Services since August 2023. Before coming to Our Savior, she worked at Charlotte Preparatory School. She also has over 12 years of experience in the corporate design and production industry. She has a wide variety of experience in events, design, and online marketing.

Catrina is a Wingate University, BFA graduate. Catrina and her husband, Craig, were married in 2011 and have three children who attend Our Savior Lutheran School. They are die-hard Tampa Bay Rowdies fans, love the water and spending time together as a 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.