Staff & Council
The Rev. Jon Brudvig
Pastor
Pastor Jon began serving with and among the mission partners at Salem Lutheran Church on May 1, 2021. He and his wife, The Rev. Barb Jones, previously served together as co-pastors in Great Bend, Kansas. Prior to answering the call to ministry, Pastor Jon spent nearly 20 years in higher education, including time as a history professor, honors program director, and administrator. He holds degrees from Marquette University (BA/MA), the College of William & Mary (PHD), and Wartburg Theological Seminary (MDiv). Pastor Jon values cultural diversity, community engagement, and lifelong learning. In his spare time, Pastor Jon enjoys spending time with family, reading books, exploring local attractions, and working on his blog, Walking to Golgotha.
Heather Lewis
Director of Worship and Music
Director of Youth Ministry
Heather Lewis has been the Director of Music and Worship at Salem since 2010, and was the song leader and pianist at a Saturday evening worship service 2004-09. Heather has a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in choral music education and a master’s degree from University of Maryland in piano performance, and teaches piano lessons in her home. Heather directs the adult choir and children's choir, youth special music and drama, and coordinates and leads music in all services. She also directs children's musicals and Christmas programs every year. Salem’s music is enthusiastically offered in worship by all ages, and welcomes all levels of experience.
Heather began directing our youth ministries in 2021. All three of her children have grown up at Salem, where children and youth are very involved in leading worship, serving others through Pantry Pack and the Gathering Table, and growing in their faith together in Sunday school, Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, and summer mission trips. Our youth group plans and participates in large events and summer travel with Collective (youth groups collaborating from other local ELCA Lutheran churches). Heather coordinates Sunday school, service opportunities, and fellowship events for Salem's 6th-12th grade youth and their friends.
Shari Van Baale
Communications Coordinator
Shari started as Communications Coordinator at Salem in early 2017. Her job duties include the weekly bulletin and e-newsletter, creating slides for worship, maintaining the Salem website, and the annual directory, as well as other publications throughout the year. She has also worked at a Methodist church since 2010 doing a similar position. She has a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Iowa. Originally from the Chicago area, she has lived in the Kansas City area since 2007. Her hobbies include reading, hiking, walking, and enjoying nature with her family. She lives in Olathe with her husband and two children, and her two beagles, Cream Puff and Cookie.
Mackenzie Koll
Nursery Attendant
Mackenzie started at Salem in September 2024. She moved from Charlotte, NC, to Overland Park a year ago to be closer to friends and family. She started working with children at an equestrian camp in 2012, then began working with special needs children in 2019. She started working at preschools and child development centers in August 2023, working with infants through 5-year-olds. Mackenzie has a strong interest in working with children and seeing them succeed. She especially enjoys creating activities for the children to do. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with my family, and playing with her cat, Scout.
CLICK HERE for a list of Church Council members & partner assignments