Gilford T. Monrose is a native of the U.S. Virgin Islands. He moved to New York to study theology and marry the “love of his life” Dianne Thomas.
It always had been a lifelong dream of his to serve the church, especially the youth. In part, he began by developing programs for young people as youth director, for the now historic Mt. Zion Church of God (Seventh Day) on E. 37th St. He is still there and calls it “a small church with a big heart.”
Pastor Monrose understands youth struggles and works tirelessly with youths to enhance their spiritual maturity. In 2005, he was ordained.
The four walls of a church do not contain Pastor Monrose’s extensive involvement. Serving locally and beyond, he creates and partners with many organizations.
In 2002, he established the Catch The Vision (CTV) Youth Conferences, which empowers young people, leaders, and marriages and attracts youth and adults alike from around the world. At Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, he initiated the Unity Gospel Fest to bring together spiritual and physical wellness. Pastor Monrose helped develop and serves as Team Leader for the East Flatbush Ready When the Time Comes Disaster Team, a disaster-relief American Red Cross training to volunteer teams from local community groups.
Beyond a physical church, he is a chaplain for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, serves as director of the Faith Based and Clergy Initiative at the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, serves as a board member for the Flatbush YMCA, and he is on the Advisory Board for Boys Town.
He chairs the Community Leadership Council of the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.
In the social justice and community world, he is an alumni chair for We Are All Brooklyn, which brings diverse leaders together to solve quality of life issue. He has served on many CB #17 Advisory Boards.
As inspiration, Pastor Monrose says, “Rabbi Bob Kaplan, he is a mentor the greatest sense. He has shown me how to partner and collaborate with diverse groups, using our compassion and love for community renewal to move our community forward.”
Pastor Monrose’s most current project is the GodSquad. He is the founding president of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council–liaisons between police and the community. He elaborates, “We are a group of pastors responding to gangs and working to reduce crime and gun violence in Central Brooklyn, the heart of the Caribbean community.”
His Facebook/Twitter handle is @pastormonrose. He also has an immigration helpline.
