On first entering the office of the Rev. Bill Hawkins, one might
think he is a sports chaplain because of the sports memorabilia on
display. But he has quite enough to do without taking on that job,
too.
On first entering the office of the Rev. Bill Hawkins, one might think he is a sports chaplain because of the sports memorabilia on display. But he has quite enough to do without taking on that job, too.
Hawkins is an associate pastor at Gilroy’s New Hope Community Church, 7411 Hanna St. His particular responsibilities since he joined the staff in January are music and community outreach.
Born in San Francisco, Hawkins was active in music throughout high school, and then moved to Southern California in the 1980s to become a professional musician with a rock band. After a few years of following this lifestyle, he realized, “God had more in store for me than that.”
Hawkins moved to the East Bay city of Newark, began attending an Assembly of God church, began considering entering the Christian ministry and enrolled in a Bible college. In 1987 he transferred to North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minn., and graduated in 1990 with a degree in pastoral ministry. While still a student there, he helped “plant” an inner-city church that grew to 500 members in its first six months.
After receiving his ministry license from the Assemblies of God, he returned to Northern California, serving churches in Marin County, Napa and Newark. Then he had a call to Hutchinson, a suburb of the Minnesota Twin Cities, where he was a youth pastor for three years. Last October Hawkins felt it was time to return to California, and in December he was invited to come to Gilroy and join the staff of New Hope.
He says his congregation is “very expressive in worship,” enjoying a “contemporary style of worship which includes music from choir, guitar (electric and acoustic), drum, keyboard, harmonica, saxophone and mandolin. He hopes to add wind instruments when the brass section is more developed.
Work has already begun on an upcoming Christmas musical, titled “Come In From the Cold.” It will feature drama, music, costumes and special effects; free tickets will be available to the public for all three performances.
Pastor Hawkins also has been directing several outreach activities in Gilroy. In September the church sponsored the Endless Summer Car Show at Gavilan College. More than 60 classic cars were on display, and a professional race car driver spoke. Hot dogs and soda were served to some 300 visitors, and many gifts were raffled off.
Also, his church has started serving free pancake breakfasts on Saturdays at a nearby apartment complex. This has been so well received that plans are underway to hold them at other Gilroy locations.
These activities illustrate Hawkins’ view that the church needs to show the community that “We care and are here if you need us. We want to touch people and show them we are available to them.”
Hawkins lives in Gilroy with his wife Michelle and daughters Machaela, 4, and Morgan, 3 months. He is “glad to be here because the people are great.” He says the city “is fairly large, but still has a warm, small-town feel.”
New Hope Community Church holds Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 a.m. with morning worship at 10:45 a.m. across Sixth Street in the Senior Center because the congregation is outgrowing its facilities.
The church holds Family Ministries: Adult Bible Study and a children’s program called Royal Rangers (boys)/Missionettes (girls) at 7 p.m. Wednesday nights. For more information call 842-4857 or visit www.nhccgilroy.org.
