The Rev. Dr. Phil Snider (he/him) has been the senior minister at Brentwood Christian Church since 2003. His main responsibilities include teaching, preaching, congregational care, and faith-based community organizing. Phil believes that the life of Jesus shows that spirituality and justice are intricately woven together, and he’s committed to the idea that the good news expressed in Christ (but not confined to Christ) calls us to work for justice, dignity, and equity for all.
While focusing on the intersection of faith and public life, his writing has appeared in collections alongside Barack Obama in the U.S. and N.T. Wright in the U.K. (You can read about Phil’s books here.) His religious commentary has been featured in The Huffington Post, MSNBC News, USA Today, The Daily Mail, The Kansas City Star, Religion Dispatches and numerous other local and national media outlets, including NPR affiliates and nationally-syndicated radio and television programming. He once had 15 minutes of fame when a speech he gave on equal rights went viral (but it won’t make sense if you don’t watch it to the end).
Phil went to grad school at Phillips Theological Seminary (in Tulsa, OK) and Chicago Theological Seminary (at the University of Chicago). He teaches religious studies courses at both Missouri State University and Drury University.
Click here if you’d like to contact Phil or if you’re in need of pastoral support.
The Rev. Emily Bowen-Marler (she/her) has served at Brentwood since October of 2001, and became the associate minister in 2004. After growing up in southern California, she moved to Indianapolis to attend seminary, then moved to Springfield to work for Brentwood. Her primary responsibilities include the cultivation of vibrant, rich expressions of worship, music, and the arts, as well as offering oversight to children’s ministries and assisting with congregational care. An accomplished singer and musician, Emily has led worship at the Disciples of Christ General Assembly and was the music director for the 2010 Disciple Women’s Ministries event Quadrennial. She holds degrees from Phillips Theological Seminary (MDiv), Christian Theological Seminary (MA), and Chapman University (BM). She is the co-author with Phil Snider of Toward a Hopeful Future (Pilgrim Press, 2010).
Click here if you’d like to contact Emily or if you are in need of pastoral support.
The Rev. Sarah Stephenson (she/her) directs our children’s ministries at Brentwood. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Elementary Education from MSU and her Master of Divinity degree is from Brite Divinity School, TCU. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She’s served in a variety of ministry positions for over 20 years. Sarah loves to make homemade cards and enjoys paper crafts, reading, writing, and a whole list of other activities too long to name. She lives in Springfield with her husband, Rick. In addition to her work at Brentwood, Sarah is a seventh grade English and Reading teacher at Pleasant View Middle School.
Click here if you’d like to contact Sarah or if you are in need of pastoral support.
Rue Lohn (they/them) leads our collaborative youth group for middle school and high school students. They have worked with families in a personal and professional context for approximately four years. Rue has an Associate of Science in Behavioral Health Support and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Community Behavioral Health at Drury University. They have worked as case manager at Burrell Behavioral Health where they offered support to parents with co-occurring disorders and open children division cases. Prior to their professional career, they worked in children’s and teens’ ministry, advocating for marginalized students by encouraging social and theological language modification. Rue’s experience working in ministry and mental health has cultivated their passion for meeting the needs of youth and families in our community. When Rue is not working, they enjoy going on runs and spending time with their dog child, Sunday.
Click here if you would like to contact Rue.
The Rev. Charlie Bahn (he/him) joined Brentwood’s staff in April of 2005 as part-time Minister of Congregational Care. He focuses on overall pastoral care within the congregation and makes lots of visits to hospitals and nursing homes. Charlie holds degrees from Brite Divinity School (MDiv), Washington & Lee University (JD), and Southeast Missouri State University (BS).
Click here if you’re in need of pastoral support and would like to contact Charlie.
