Pastor Gilford T. Monrose is a visionary leader and community advocate who dedicates his time, experience, skills and talents to serving humanity and building bridges between people of all diversities. A proud native of the United States Virgin Islands, he relocated to New York in 1999 to pursue his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Bible Studies at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary.
Pastor Gil always had a passion to serve the church, especially young people. He functioned as Youth Director for five years, developing programs for young people at the now historic Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day in East Flatbush, Brooklyn New York. In May 2005, Pastor Gil was ordained as the Pastor of the congregation. He continues to serve in that capacity and show great, unyielding love for his church and its members.
Pastor Gil’s deep love for people extends beyond the walls of his local church. He presently serves as Alumni Chair for We Are All Brooklyn, an organization that brings diverse leaders together to solve quality of life issues affecting their communities. He also serves on the Advisory Leadership Council for Habitat for Humanity, strengthening the organization’s mission of providing affordable homeownership opportunities by advising on strategies to economically empower members of NYC.
As the Director of Faith-based and Clergy Initiatives in the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President since 2013, Pastor Gil successfully brings together faith leaders and clergy of diverse traditions to improve Brooklyn’s communities, regardless of their religious or political beliefs.
Previously, Pastor Gil served several boards including Community Board #17, Brooklyn Healthcare Improvement Project, Explore Charter School, and Kings County Behavior Health Community Council. He has also served as Vice President of the St. Lucia House Foundation, the Church of God 7th Day Pastor’s Network, Inc., and Churches United to Save and Hea (CUSH)l; Team Leader for the Neighborhood Housing Services Invest in Brooklyn Initiative, and Chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Interfaith Celebration.
Pastor Gil’s dedication to help end senseless gun violence prompted him to become the Founding President of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council Inc. “The GodSquad” which serves as a liaison between the police and the community. He is also the Founder and President of Brooklyn Center for Quality Life. This non-profit empowers the community of Brooklyn to make informed life decisions in areas of healthcare, education, immigration, personal finances and disaster preparedness. In this capacity, Pastor Gil also serves as Volunteer Chaplain with New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) for over 8 years responding to crisis as they unfold throughout Brooklyn.
Pastor Gil is an advisor to Gov. Bryan of the USVI and the Department of Health. Most recently, he worked directly with the USVI Department of Health to draft a bill to create the Virgin Islands Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The bill was successfully signed into law on January 22nd, 2021.
Locally, Pastor Gil works with various elected officials and community leaders as a moral voice and spiritual counsel on issues affecting the community at large. As the loving husband of wife Dianne, and father to Gianne and Joshua, he is a passionate advocate for families and children. Pastor Gil and his family live in Weeksville, Brooklyn, NY USA.