Staff and Leadership
The staff and leadership here at Brenthaven is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. If you have questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them or call our church office to speak with them.
Rev. Kip J. Rush, Senior Pastor
Rev. Kip Rush, the first pastor of Brenthaven Church, has been a lifelong Cumberland Presbyterian. Raised in Austin, Texas, he grew up in the St. Paul Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He answered the call to the ministry in 1983 and after a year at the University of Texas, he moved to McKenzie, Tennessee to attend Bethel College (now Bethel University). While at Bethel, he met and married his wife, Jodi.
Kip graduated from Bethel in 1986 and later from Memphis Theological Seminary (1990), where he served as president of the Student Government Association, received the award for Cumberland Presbyterian History and graduated with honors.
He was ordained at the Colonial Cumberland Presbyterian Church by Trinity Presbytery and has served churches in Texas, Georgia and Mississippi before coming to Brenthaven. Kip serves on the Board of Missions in Nashville Presbytery and also serves as the Stated Clerk of Tennessee Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Kip and Jodi have two daughters, Madison, who is a fourth-grade teacher and Devin, who works as a counselor.
Rev. Ean Taylor, Associate Pastor
Ean serves as Associate Pastor at Brenthaven, where he has been part of the ministry team since 2017. A graduate of Antioch High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay State University in 2015 and his Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary in 2021. He was ordained by Nashville Presbytery that same year, right here at Brenthaven.
Ean has been active in vocational youth ministry since 2012 and continues to find joy in walking alongside students and families through seasons of learning, growth, and transition - from middle school milestones to graduations, college, and beyond. He regularly supports youth by showing up at their extracurricular activities, celebrating their gifts, and encouraging them outside of church walls. As Associate Pastor, he also contributes to Brenthaven’s discipleship ministries and is always excited to empower the church to learn and grow in new ways. He serves as a Director for both Nashville Presbyterial Camps and Tennessee Synodic Camps and Retreats.
Ean and his wife, Brooke enjoy hiking, backpacking, and running together, especially while traveling. In his downtime, he’s likely to be rolling dice for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign or sharing laughs across the table during a meal with friends and family.
Linda Pulley, Director of Music
A Nashville native, Linda Williams Pulley has been a lifelong Cumberland Presbyterian. Linda graduated from John Overton High School. She attended Austin Peay State University where she participated in the choir, marching and concert bands and jazz band as well as the women’s varsity tennis team. Linda was an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota Women’s Music Fraternity where she served as Vice President and President. She earned her bachelor’s degree with a double major in music and business.
Linda has been teaching private piano lessons since 1987 as well as serving in some musical capacity in church since 1983.
She has had the privilege of serving as Director of Music at Brenthaven since January 2004. Through her years at Brenthaven, she has been blessed to work with the adult choir, the handbell choir and many children, whether in a choir setting or in preparation for children’s services, Christmas plays or worship services.
Linda is married to Larry, and they are the proud parents of two young ladies, Laura Ellen and Lorri Jean.
Rena Sutton, Director of Children's Ministry
Rena is Kira’s, Lilah’s, and Lincoln's mom and Forrest's wife. At church, you will usually find her with the kids during Sunday school.
Rena is an artsy homeschool mom and a lifelong learner. She loves to teach almost as much as she loves to learn, and her passion is Jesus’ message. She has experience teaching group classes in many subjects, such as Art, English, STEM, and Science. She’ll chat anytime about plants and music and spends every minute she can outside in nature.
Her faith journey began in middle school, with hot summers at Crystal Springs Camp. Forever a camp kid, she has been a part of Cumberland Presbyterian churches ever since. Those early experiences taught her that faith is something to be lived with joy, laughter, questions, and community. Rena is devoted to cultivating an environment where young ones feel safe, seen, and excited about learning who God is and who he’s created them to be. She is also grateful for the opportunity to serve and walk alongside families as we grow together in faith.
Karen Benefield, Administrative Assistant
Karen has been on staff since 2021 and is a transplant from Central Florida, where she grew up. She moved to Nashville to be near her two grandchildren, Copely, 11 and Grady, 7.
Karen has a B.A. in Communications from the University of South Florida in Tampa and has spent most of her career in publishing as a content writer and editor, but she also spent several years early on as a classroom teacher in both private and public schools. As the church secretary, she loves welcoming and interacting with everyone who comes into the church office. She loves meeting people of various ages and backgrounds and engaging in conversation with them and thinks this is the best part of her job. She believes that a warm smile and friendly hello could make a big difference in someone’s day.
Karen considers herself a creative person and a lover of all things artsy, especially music, visual arts, and creative writing. She enjoys singing, drawing and mixed media, and writing poetry.
Brenthaven Session
Elders are the immediate representatives of the people, elected by them to share with ministers in the government and leadership of the church. The elders who comprise the session share with the ministers and staff in the pastoral oversight of the church. Brenthaven is blessed to have 12 people who serve for a three-year term.
Class of 2026
Jeri Behan
Jan Davidson
Russ Deaton
Joe Malloy
Class of 2027
Chris Fleming
Renee McCulley
Mike Murphy
Ame Satterwhite
Class of 2028
Rachel Campbell
Bill Dobbins
Frank Scott
ScottStrickland