Our Team
Brad Edwards :: Lead Pastor
Growing up, Christianity was so foreign to me that I remember walking past a nativity scene in middle school, thinking, "Why are those statues all dressed for a desert in the middle of December?" When I was in college, I actively opposed the faith based on the hypocrisy and anti-intellectualism I saw played out on TV and among the few Christians I knew. It wasn't until I went through an identity crisis during my sophomore and junior year that I realized belonging to myself was crushing my soul. After a year of depression and having my hypocrisy systematically dismantled, I saw just how intellectually credible and existentially satisfying the Gospel truly is.
Since then, my wife (Hannah) and I have had the incredible opportunity to live out several dreams: we have two sons (Ransom and Deacon), plant a new church with our best friends (in both St. Louis and Lafayette!), start an award-winning arts non-profit, serve as both a pastor and Army Chaplain, host hundreds of people in our home, and experience God’s everyday means of grace through the Body and Bride of Christ.
Interests: When not trying to figure out everyone’s enneagram (I’m a 3w4, if that means anything to you), I'm probably skiing, not exercising our insane dog ("Scout"), complaining about bad series finales (especially Lost and Game of Thrones), and mastering new cocktails to share. I also love speaking and writing on faith and culture (e.g. here or here), but I try to keep most of my ranting and raving limited to PostEverything (the podcast I Co-Host).
Michael Phillips :: Pastor of Spiritual Formation
I grew up in and around the church but was self-consciously and silently not a Christian. I believed that Jesus is who he says that he is, but amidst my struggles with shame and insecurity, I did not believe his grace and kindness were for me. In early high school, I had a conversation that required me to name that I was, in fact, not a Christian. God graciously used that conversation and many that followed over the years to teach me his mercy is not generic; it is for people like me who struggle, fail, and turn inward often. I’m grateful that my hope is not in the strength of my faith in Jesus but in the strength of his gracious hold on me.
I grew up in Texas, but living in 7 places across the country and abroad since then have been just enough to work the obnoxious Texan out of me. Prior to joining The Table, I had the joy of serving as a campus minister with RUF at Georgia Tech for 10 years.
Interests: running, cooking, bartending, reading slow, beautifully-written, character-driven fiction, and dabbling in gardening. My wife Chelsea are I got married in 2022 and proved that pandemic relationships can succeed. We are excited to explore the beauty of Colorado and share in the eclectic community of The Table and Boulder County.
Jenny McGowan :: Table Kids Director
I grew up in Ohio going to church with my grandma. Church was always a place that felt warm, safe and inviting however I struggled to comprehend why Jesus’ forgiveness was necessary and good. In college, I found myself in a Bible Study that helped me make sense of the world around me and understand the beauty of Jesus’ love.
After college, I spent some time doing ministry in Fiji and then followed the sunshine to Colorado where I met and married my husband, John. We have two spunky, adorable small humans, Jack + June, who have already taught me so much about life and God. I’ve been a missionary, nanny, teacher, therapist, and through the local church have discovered a love and calling for coming alongside of children and families in their faith journey. We are excited to be a part of what God is doing in and through The Table!
Interests: slow mornings, the beach, CrossFit, tacos + good friends
Ben Sooy :: Director of Music & Arts
I grew up in a pretty difficult family of origin, but the two best things my parents did for me was introduce me to Jesus and send me to guitar lessons at 15. My relationship with the Lord and with music have always been intertwined. God Himself is Creator and He has called human beings to be creative. And creativity isn’t just limited to the arts or music! Anytime a person is trying to add beauty to the world or trying to solve a problem without an obvious solution, they’re practicing creativity.
I think my primary calling in life is to support and encourage others in their creative works, so if you feel drawn to making beautiful things (songs, visual art, film, or any other medium), I’d love to get to know you and be a friend to you!
My wife Kate and I married in 2011. We love good food, good music, good drinks, good company, and talking about our favorite books or films. In addition to leading music at The Table, I front a local rock band (A Place For Owls), and my day job is printing t-shirts and other kinds of merch for local businesses and musicians (A Small Print Shop).
Allie Johnson :: Ministry Development Director
Growing up, my family occasionally attended church, but Christ was not a focus of our daily lives. I suffered severe anxiety throughout middle school and my parents (and myself) felt that my large public school may not be the best fit for me. After considering different options, I landed in a small Christian high school in St. Louis, where I grew up. Throughout high school, I slowly learned more about the Lord and tagged along with friends to their youth groups. Fast forward to college - I made a point to get plugged into a campus ministry right away and boy, was I glad I did! Through Campus Christian Fellowship, I made lifelong friends and met my husband, Josh.
Josh and I got married in 2018, and moved from Kansas City to Colorado to be closer to family and the mountains in 2020 (yes, a very difficult year to move to a new state…). Once we were settled in, I started a speech therapy private practice helping children with speech sound disorders for 3+ years. After much prayer and debate, I decided it was time for me to take a break from speech therapy and jumped at the opportunity to serve my church family!
Interests: spoiling our dog (Lucy) with long walks and hikes, baking bread and other glutenous treats, reading at coffee shops, cross country skiing, attempting to keep plants and flowers alive (I was NOT blessed with a natural green thumb), and eating ice cream.