FLATBUSH — For 15 years, leading Brooklyn Pastor Gil Monrose has raised money and collected turkeys to feed vital healthcare workers who continue to serve Brooklynites, even on holidays. 

“We’re honored to serve those who selflessly serve our communities,” said Monrose, senior pastor at Mt. Zion Church of God Seventh Day. “It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to these dedicated healthcare professionals.”

On Thursday, Nov. 28, the Historic Mt. Zion Church of God Seventh Day brought hot meals to healthcare workers in a “Serving the Servers” initiative. The initiative was a partnership between the church, local leaders, clergy and community organizations. 

The 2024 “Serving the Servers” program took place at five of the borough’s hospitals: Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Interfaith Medical Center, Kings County Hospital Center and SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

“The staff is always so thankful for the thoughtfulness and Thanksgiving that we have been participants of over the past 15 years,” Emergency Services Lead Nurse Gerald said.

Monrose is a native of the U.S. Virgin Islands who moved to New York in 1999 to study theology at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary. Monrose is involved in several community organizations including the East Flatbush Ready When the Time Comes Disaster Team,  which provides disaster-relief training to volunteers in partnership with the American Red Cross of Greater New York. Monrose is also the chaplain for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a board member of the Flatbush YMCA and the founder of the Brooklyn Center for Quality Life. 

The program partners included State Sen. Kevin Parker, St. Lucia House Foundation, Brooklyn Center for Quality Life, NYC Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, Karen Blondel, Red Hook West Houses Tenant Association, Khari Edwards, RyDeeTee’s Catering, Calypso Association, 4Roots Entertainment, Team SyFy, Project Education, Mother’s Day Committee, St. Lucia American La Rose and Solo Group, Cormesse, The Saint Lucian United Association, Church of God 7th Day Pastor’s Network, Intacs Corporation, The Spirit Station, St. Lucia National Day Committee and Babonneau Brooklyn and Connecticut Association.

Parker, a long-time supporter of the event, said, “We often overlook the hospital staff who sacrifice time with their families to care for patients during the holidays. I’m proud to support Mt. Zion Church for the past 15 years.”

Mt. Zion Church was pioneered in 1967 at Snyder Avenue with a core group of 15 individuals. The Flatbush church has branches in Connecticut and New Jersey and was established as a historic landmark in 2009. The church sponsors and initiates several community-based programs and resources to support the borough. 

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