Meet our Pastors

Pastor Patrick Gerwitz was born into a large family in western N.Y.

At one point in his life God began to talk to him about a deeper relationship with Him than the religion he was raised with could supply. Pastor Gerwitz, having availed himself of all the options given to him, still felt unsure of his relationship with the Lord.

A coworker shared with Pastor Gerwitz the importance of knowing one's eternal destination beyond any reasonable doubt. He searched the scriptures and realized that an eternal place in heaven is not provided by any religious system, but by simple faith in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1982, Pastor Gerwitz trusted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, no longer trusting himself for eternal life.

Approximately a year and a half later, God spoke to Pastor Gerwitz about full time Christian service. He surrendered his heart to the will of God and entered North Star Bible Institute of Rochester, New York.

It was shortly thereafter that Pastor Gerwitz met a godly and dedicated young Christian lady. Pastor Gerwitz knew right away that this young lady was to be his wife. Lisa and Pastor were married in 1987. God has blessed this couple with three great young men; Nathanael, Zackary, and Joshua. All three sons are saved and baptized and love the fact their dad is serving the Lord.

Pastor Gerwitz graduated from North Star Bible Institute on May 21, 1995, with a Graduate of Theology degree. Since his salvation, Pastor Gerwitz has served as an Assistant Pastor, Deacon, Choir Director, 

Youth Worker, and VBS Director. He has served in many areas including visitation, discipleship, correspondence, counseling, Sunday Schools, street preaching, and other ministries. Pastor Gerwitz has filled many pulpits as guest speaker, in addition to interim Pastor on numerous occasions.

Pastor Gerwitz has served in bi-vocational and full-time positions in New York, Illinois, and Kentucky. He has served as an Assistant Pastor, Youth Pastor, Interim Pastor, and Senior Pastor.  He accepted the call to pastor Southside Baptist Church in the Spring of 2018.