Retiring pastor Bruce Rowlison leaves lasting impression on
parishioners
Gilroy – Pastor Bruce Rowlison will retire Sunday, after more than three decades of ministering at the Gilroy Presbyterian church.
In 35 years, Rowlison brought a lot to the church. He created a pulpit exchange activity to the church along with a music program and a health department for parishioners. Young parishioners visit Mexicali where they minister to the children and the young adults. Members also participate in community activities, such as making garlic bread at the annual Garlic Festival, among other activities.
“He feels that Christians should be involved with what’s going on with the community, he has always encouraged us to participate with the Garlic Festival,” said Bill Henry, 72, a parishioner for 13 years.
Last Sunday Rowlison, 66, prepared the congregation for his retirement and the transfer of the new pastor through his sermon. The topic was the passing of the ministry to Timothy from the Apostle Paul who had served his time with the church. He compared it to the current situation where he would pass the ministry to a new pastor.
On most Sundays, he prepares with a lesson to teach and uses his many resources to understand the most prominent problems present among the parishioners.
“I ask numerous marriage therapists, family child therapists what issues they’re experiencing in the office whether it’s depression, loneliness. I am in constant contact with my colleagues to send me research,” Rowlison said.
Rowlison was inspired by the Jesus Movement of the 1960s, as well as colleagues and religious leaders.
“The preaching professor singled me out and said I should become a preacher,” he said. “Then my friends confirmed that, and then church leaders did.” They thought that he did not bore people when he preached, so he pursued becoming a pastor and focused his energies on the youth.
“I saw a number of friends become Christians my last year in high school, and I became very excited about ministry to youth.”
He received a double major in literature and speech at the University of Minnesota and then attended the seminary interdenominational for three years in Pasadena, then three years at the Jesuit Theological Seminary in Berkeley.
His work began in Salinas where he served as a youth minister for six years, then in 1972, he was transferred to the Gilroy Presbyterian church which was once at Fifth and Church streets.
Cliff Bruner, 52, was a high school student when he met Rowlison in Salinas and recalls the influence the Pastor had on him.
“I can remember in Salinas, he got me to play basketball with a high school-aged basketball team,” said the Gilroy resident, who never played with a group before. “The activities kept me on the right track.”
Bruner has attended the Presbyterian church since he moved three years ago, and it was a coincidence that he found Rowlison in Gilroy.
“He left such an impression on me when I was young,” he said. “My step daughter now, (16), is just totally involved with the church, she respects him like I did.”
Activities for the youth include an annual mission visit to Mexicali, and bible study groups at Gilroy high, and for Jr. high students as well as high school students in general.
George Minerva, who has known Rowlison for 29 years, will serve as interim pastor for two months. The new Pastor will be chosen by a nominating committee.
“Years and years and years ago I would say something, and he would write it down,” Minerva said. ” I would ask him ‘why are you writing it down,’ and he would say, ‘that’s profound, I need to think about these things.’ That really bolstered my self esteem.”
Minerva served as the youth minister for 13 years at the church.
“It’s going to be weird,” said Minerva, who is used to listening to Rowlison’s sermons on Sunday’s. “I’m just going to pretend he’s on vacation.”
