Gerald (Jerry) Bartholow is from Florida, being born in Miami and raised in Deland. He attended Stetson University in Deland and Stetson Law School in St. Petersburg before a successful business career as a stockbroker and financial planner. In the early 1970’s, he discovered Unity in Akron, Ohio and began to realize that he was being guided into a more spiritual work as he began study in holistic theology and meditation. He then moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he established the Institute for Positive Living, a holistic center which included a metaphysical bookstore, a health food store, health food restaurant along with a meditation and yoga center where he began teaching the Alpha-Theta Meditation course, which included biofeedback training, nutrition, and Eastern and Western theology.

In 1978, Jerry was called into ministry and was accepted into the seminary at Unity School of Christianity. He was ordained in 1980 and employed as the minister here in Birmingham, his first and only church. Since that time he has served not only this church, but the entire Unity movement, being on the Board of Trustees for six years and on various committees, including chairperson of the Radio/Media Committee and the field licensing team where he is currently serving.

In 2000 Reverend Bartholow published his book, Peace Soup: The Recipe for a Peaceful Life in the New Millennium, a practical guide to holistic living, which is based on the Alpha Theta Meditation Course which he continues to teach. He is also a member of the adjunct faculty to the American Institute of Holistic Theology.

Jerry is joined by his talented wife, Jane, who serves as the church administrator and platform assistant on Sunday mornings. Together they form a dynamic team centered in peace, love and joy, the spiritual attributes that permeate our ministry.