Bruce Barlow, Lead Pastor
Bruce served as Associate Pastor at the Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, Grace Brethren Church before coming to Grace College to work in the Dean’s Office. He has been pouring his life into the people of this church for several decades, coming officially on staff in 1992. Bruce has also been an Assistant Coach for the Warsaw Community High School Football Team since 2000 and coached pee wee and Jr. High football before that.
Football allegiance?
I grew up in Milwaukee and have always been a Green Bay Packers fan (Cheesehead).
What is your favorite song?
The GB Packers Polka (just kidding!). " America" was my favorite group as a teen. My favorite Christian song right now is "Give Them Wings."
What's the best book you read last year?
The PAPA Prayer by Larry Crabb - a fresh, honest approach to prayer and dependence on God
What are you passionate about?
People - I love getting to know them and seeing them come to know and grow in Jesus.
How did you come to know Jesus?
Through the influence and example of my best friend in high school I learned that there was more involved and required than mental belief in God. I saw him having a relationship with God. I wanted that and trusted Jesus as savior just before my senior year.
Tell me about your family.
I met Christi in our youth group a few months after I became a Christian. I've been married to this amazing woman for over 32 years now. We have a 26-year-old daughter, Hillary, who is married to her high school sweetheart and running partner, Jake Sweatland. They live in Hawaii where he is stationed with the US Army. We have a 22-year-old son, Trent, who is a senior at Methodist U. studying Pro Golf Management. And, yes, he'd be happy to give you a lesson!
What is your vision for our church?
A church family. A church with an open chair mindset - always looking to reach another person for Jesus and welcome him/her into the family. Passionately connecting people to Jesus, to each other, and to our purpose in life.
Bruce served as Associate Pastor at the Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, Grace Brethren Church before coming to Grace College to work in the Dean’s Office. He has been pouring his life into the people of this church for several decades, coming officially on staff in 1992. Bruce has also been an Assistant Coach for the Warsaw Community High School Football Team since 2000 and coached pee wee and Jr. High football before that.
Football allegiance?
I grew up in Milwaukee and have always been a Green Bay Packers fan (Cheesehead).
What is your favorite song?
The GB Packers Polka (just kidding!). " America" was my favorite group as a teen. My favorite Christian song right now is "Give Them Wings."
What's the best book you read last year?
The PAPA Prayer by Larry Crabb - a fresh, honest approach to prayer and dependence on God
What are you passionate about?
People - I love getting to know them and seeing them come to know and grow in Jesus.
How did you come to know Jesus?
Through the influence and example of my best friend in high school I learned that there was more involved and required than mental belief in God. I saw him having a relationship with God. I wanted that and trusted Jesus as savior just before my senior year.
Tell me about your family.
I met Christi in our youth group a few months after I became a Christian. I've been married to this amazing woman for over 32 years now. We have a 26-year-old daughter, Hillary, who is married to her high school sweetheart and running partner, Jake Sweatland. They live in Hawaii where he is stationed with the US Army. We have a 22-year-old son, Trent, who is a senior at Methodist U. studying Pro Golf Management. And, yes, he'd be happy to give you a lesson!
What is your vision for our church?
A church family. A church with an open chair mindset - always looking to reach another person for Jesus and welcome him/her into the family. Passionately connecting people to Jesus, to each other, and to our purpose in life.
