The Rev. Gary Brower, rector

The Rev. Gary Brower grew up in Portland, Oregon. He holds undergraduate degrees from both Northwest Christian College and the University of Oregon. His M.Div. is from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1993.  And, in 1996 he completed his Ph.D. in Religion (Early Christian History) at Duke University. Gary has served as the Episcopal campus minister at Duke University, the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and the University of California-Berkeley. Most recently, he spent eleven years as the University Chaplain at the University of Denver. He currently serves on the diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains and the diocesan Disciplinary Board. Gary and his wife Susan have been married for 40 years and have two children. He enjoys bicycling, fly-fishing, hiking, camping, cooking, and Rocky Mountain National Park!

THE REV. NADINE POPE, DEACON

Nadine was ordained to the Diaconate in 2011. She and her husband Rod moved to Colorado from Georgia in 2018.  In her diaconal ministry, Nadine is involved in advocacy, working for racial justice, and developing community relationships. She is most drawn to engagement with those living on the margins of society, especially individuals whose lives are complicated by mental health issues, trauma, and those who are unhoused. Nadine feels strongly that her role as a deacon includes helping people recognize their individual giftedness and encouraging them to boldly use their gifts to glorify God and further God's Kingdom on earth. Deacon Nadine also serves on the Diaconal Council and the Board of Examining Chaplains for the Diocese and the High Plains Executive Committee.

Deacon Nadine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and provides individual counseling for adults. She and Rod have one son, Zach, who is currently an Intern in Family Medicine at UC Davis in Sacramento.

sue lefant, children's ministry director

Sue joined the Good Shepherd staff in January 2008 as the Primary Nursery Guardian and then in August of 2010 became the Children's Director. Sue previously served as Children's Director at a local Presbyterian church for 6 years. She received her Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, with an emphasis in children, from CU Boulder and has a true passion for reaching kids for Christ.

connie branton, choir director / organist

Constance (Connie) Branton joined the staff of Good Shepherd in May of 2015.  She has served churches as organist or choir director since she was 12 years old in Idaho, New Jersey, California, and Colorado.  Connie is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J., with a Bachelor’s degree in church music.   She earned a Master’s degree in music education from Boise State University.   Connie believes that anyone can sing and encourages anyone who likes music to give the choir a try.  She brings this mantra to Good Shepherd after teaching school music for almost 40 years before her retirement in 2008.  Connie founded and directed Whitney Women’s Chorale in Boise, ID, for 27 years prior to her move to Colorado in 2008.  This choir toured in the Western US and Canada, Alaska, New England and Texas.  The Chorale also made three trips to Europe on singing tours. Connie is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and is a former president of the Northwestern Division of the organization.

kathy hunter, parish administrator

Kathy joined our staff as Parish Administrator in September 2013. She has worked in church administration since 1989, both in Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and at the Denver Presbytery office.  She was also the Assistant Manager of the local Cokesbury Christian Bookstore before coming to Good Shepherd. Kathy has two grown children and six grandchildren, and has been a member of Littleton United Methodist Church since 1965. She has sung soprano in her church’s Chancel Choir for 42 years.