Rev. Dr. Phil Snider, Senior Minister
Phil Snider is an award-winning writer, speaker, pastor, and teacher who has served as the senior minister of Brentwood Christian Church since 2003. His books include Toward a Hopeful Future (winner of the 2011 Mayflower Award for best book in church and society), The Hyphenateds, and Preaching After God: Derrida, Caputo, and the Language of Postmodern Homiletics (2012). Phil did his undergraduate work at Missouri State University (Springfield, MO), then earned his masters degree at Phillips Theological Seminary (Tulsa, OK) and doctorate at Chicago Theological Seminary (at the University of Chicago). He also holds a certificate in pastoral care and counseling from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. As a community organizer and advocate for justice, Phil has served in various leadership capacities in the Springfield community, including: President of the Drury University Board of the School of Religion; member of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks’ Civility task force, representative leader to the Springfield Interfaith Alliance, member of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council at Missouri State University, founding member of the Center for Diversity and Reconciliation at Brentwood Christian Church, and past president of the Springfield Ministerial Alliance. He is the recipient of several awards and his religious commentary has been featured in various local and national media outlets, including NPR affiliates and nationally-syndicated radio programming. In addition to being an adjunct instructor and/or guest lecturer in religious studies courses at Missouri State University and Drury University, he regularly speaks at a variety of conferences and events across the United States. He and his wife Amanda are the proud parents of three children, Eli, Sam, & Lily Grace.
Keep up with Phil on Twitter, Facebook or his blog.
Email: psnider at brentwoodchristianchurch dot com
Rev. Emily Bowen-Marler, Associate Minister
Emily has served at Brentwood since October of 2001. 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 (M.Div.), Christian Theological Seminary (M.A.), and Chapman University (B.A.). She is the co-author with Phil Snider of Toward a Hopeful Future: Why the Emergent Church is Good News for Mainline Congregations (Pilgrim Press, 2010).
Keep up with Emily on Twitter, Facebook or her blog.
Email: ebowen at brentwoodchristianchurch dot com
Rev. Dr. Micki Pulleyking, Minister for High School & College Students
Micki, the newest member of Brentwood’s pastoral team, provides creative, vital leadership to our high school and college ministries. She also serves as leader and mentor of our youth intern, who in turn is primarily responsible for coordinating our middle school activities. Micki combines an engaged sense of depth, humor, friendliness, and authenticity of spirit and brings a wealth of experience to our congregation. In addition to being an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she is currently a senior instructor in the Religious Studies department at Missouri State University. She is a graduate of Boston University (Ph.D.), Harvard Divinity School (M.Div.), and Missouri State University (B.A.). Micki lives in Springfield with her husband, Joey, and children, Spenser and Quinlan.
Rev. Charlie Bahn, Minister of Congregational Care
Charlie joined Brentwood’s staff in April of 2005 as part-time Minister of Congregational Care. He leads Brentwood’s Stephen Ministry program and focuses on overall pastoral care within the congregation. Charlie holds degrees from Brite Divinity School (M.Div.), Washington & Lee University (J.D.) and Southeast Missouri State University (B.S.).
Iyshia Smith, Kids’ Club Coordinator
Iyshia is a recent graduate of Missouri State University, where she earned a degree in elementary education. She has a variety of experiences working with children in both churches and schools, and is just beginning her studies as a graduate student at MSU.
Kourtney Brown, Children Worship & Wonder Director
Kourtney directs our Sunday morning children’s ministries. She is a third-grade teacher at Central Park Elementary in Monett.
Brieta Self, Office Manager
Brieta began working at Brentwood in June, 2012. She’s a native Missourian who recently returned to the Ozarks after more than 20 years in Oklahoma and Texas. Brieta is the proud mom of three grown children, Shanna, Stephanie, and Louis, who live in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Arizona. Besides her duties at Brentwood, Brieta is a Licensed Massage Therapist, and operates a studio out of her home.
Spenser Pulleyking, Pianist
Spenser began playing the piano for the Awakening band in 2011; he is also a vocalist in the 9:00 a.m. worship service and a leader in Brentwood’s student group. Spenser is a recent graduate of Central High School, where he was active in music, debate, and tennis in addition to serving as Student Body President. He will begin the Pre-Med program at the University of Tulsa this fall.
Heather Doran, Nursery Attendent
Heather began working at Brentwood in the fall of 2006. She has been involved in some way or another at Brentwood since she was a young child. In addition to coordinating our nursery on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, Heather also works for Garda, a business in Springfield.
Vickie VanZandt, Custodian
Vickie joined Brentwood’s staff in 2006 and does a wonderful job of keeping Brentwood’s building ready for all kinds of activities! Vickie is a proud mother and grandmother, with one son and two granddaughters. She loves to sew and is a very talented quilter. She was born in Springfield and has lived here most of her life.
