Rev. Jacob T. Mueller

Rev. Jacob T. Mueller

Pastor

Rev. Jacob T. Mueller was born in Le Mars, Iowa and grew up in New Minden, Illinois. He attended Trinity-St. John Lutheran School in Nashville, IL, Nashville Community High School, and holds a B. A. in Religious Studies from Concordia University Ann Arbor, Michigan. After completing his degree, he spent six months as a guest student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Pretoria (Tshwane), South Africa. From there he entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He served as a vicar at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lockwood, Missouri.

His wife, Julia, also served in South Africa and they have been married since 2012. Together they have three children, Hannah, Zachariah and Abigail. Pastor Mueller served Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri from 2012-2024 when he accepted the call to Hope. Pastor Mueller enjoys model railroading, cycling, and occasionally teaching classes on Romans at the Lutheran Theological College of Uganda.

Debra Steiner

Debra Steiner

Administrative Assistant

Debra became our Administrative Assistant in 2019.  Her duties include receiving callers and visitors, managing the production of liturgical worship folders, weekly announcements and monthly newsletters, maintaining the church membership files, prayer list, and providing support for the staff and lay leadership.
Debra earned her B. S. degree from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE.  After raising her children, Debra enjoyed a career in sales where she developed her own marketing company, specializing in custom labels and signage. Debra has most recently worked in various administrative positions in both family and private environments. Debra has lived in Lenexa for over 30 years where she spends time with her large family. She is active in our church and school.
Ben Sawchak

Ben Sawchak

Choir Director

Ben joined the Hope staff in 2023. He is from Gardner, KS and studied at the University of Kansas and currently holds a bachelor’s in Vocal Performance and is working on his Masters in Choir Directing at UMKC. In his free time he enjoys taking care of cars, watching sports, playing golf, and gaming with his friends. Ben also works for the City of Lawrence as a transit bus operator. He believes strongly in the importance of church music and it’s ability to help engage congregations in worship and bringing people closer to Christ. He’s excited to help grow the choir and community and is looking for new members to join us in singing from all skill levels and age groups.

David Cason

Organist

David Cason has served as Hope’s organist since August of 2023. As a lifelong student of music David is currently continuing his education in the Department of Organ and Church Music at KU. Before coming to Hope David served in various locations as an organist, pianist, and choral director.

Nancy Strange

Handbell Director

Nancy D. Strange has been involved with Hope’s handbell choir since 1998 and has served as the director since 2001. Nancy was first introduced to handbells in 1991 through Our Savior Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC. She was fortunate to gain ringing and directing experience by working with the world renowned community handbell group, The Raleigh Ringers. She has directed children’s handbell choirs at Our Savior and at Hope. She also enjoyed playing in a handbell choir and ensemble for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.

Nancy and her husband, Brian, are blessed with two children, Chris and Lauren, and several dogs and cats. She enjoys playing the piano, fostering and volunteering at the Great Plains SPCA, hiking, gardening, and loves to travel with her family, especially exploring the Caribbean islands.

Harry Moyer

Harry Moyer

Facilities Manager

Mr. Moyer comes to Hope after working at Shawnee United Methodist Church with their facility for 27 years, where he also volunteered teaching adult, youth and children’s Sunday School, and participated in many choirs, band, and youth activities.  He grew up in a small town in south-central Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State University Harrisburg with a bachelor’s degree in electrical design engineer in technology. He also went two years to seminary at Lancaster Pennsylvania and volunteered for eight years with A Christian ministry in the National Parks. He loves the outdoors and serves at the district and council level with Boy Scouts of America.