Born in the capitol of Washington state to middle-class parents Lee and Bonnie Pielstick, raised in eastern Washington, went to college in the capital of the state of Oregon, married my high school sweetheart and eventually raised my family and coached college football in the capitol of California.

Bruce and Lisa raised 3 girls who are now married and have provided 3 grandchildren. In 2014 Bruce lost his wife Lisa to cancer, then met and married Wendy in 2015. Bruce and Wendy now live in their forever home in Hamilton, MO.

At a very young age, my parents made the decision to start attending the local Evangelical Methodist Church in Kennewick, WA. At the age of 8, I heard an elderly lady share about the love of Jesus at a Sunday evening service and there was an altar call afterward. I felt the gentle tug on my heart from the Holy Spirit and I went forward and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. There was so much for me to learn but I was now on the path to eternity.

In Junior High I had a youth Pastor who started a disciple group called “the Brotherhood” that changed my life forever. In high school, I struggled to keep this path, but following graduation, I made the decision to right myself and follow Jesus forever. In college I volunteered to help at a local youth group, then when I moved back home, I began by helping with the middle school youth group. Two years later I became the Youth Pastor at a friend's newly formed church outside of Seattle, WA. I did this for one year until I was offered a coaching position at a college that I had played at previously.

 

Coaching took me to many places, Walla Walla, WA., Salem, OR., Fresno, CA., Sacramento, CA., Vacaville, CA., Clovis, CA., Modesto, CA., Woodland, CA., Olathe, KS., Placerville, CA., Woodland, CA. (again), Hamilton, MO. At each place, I tried to find a place where I could worship God and serve Him. Now I’m privileged to get to serve God at Hamilton.

My music background is interesting. There was always music in my house growing up. My mom had an old upright piano that all of us learned to play on. In Middle School, I played the drums because I thought they were cooler than the piano. But, in high school, I stopped playing and singing music. My buddy and I were even kicked out of the church choir for always screwing around. So, I quit music … for 26 years. Then when I was 42 my oldest daughter wanted to sing in the church choir, and my wife said I needed to join her to support her. That Easter we both ended up with solos and then were immediately plugged into the worship team afterward. Fast forward a year later I took a praise band into the local prison and that changed my worship experience forever. Five years later I learned to play the bass, and then started writing my own music which I was able to record and perform for a local gospel weekend. When we moved back to Fresno (the 2nd time) I was in the top worship team (there were 8 in all) at a church of over 3000. When we moved to Woodland I was asked to work with and train high school students to form a worship team for the high school chapels being held at the school. Then I did the same with middle schoolers. When I moved to Olathe, KS, I was able to do the same with a band of football players and then lead the entire college in their services. Playing and singing music to the Lord is an experience I will always enjoy. It brightens each day and to know that God hears every song that praises and glorifies Him gives music purpose.

 

Thank you for welcoming me and Wendy into this community of believers. It is our joy to serve beside you and share the love of Christ with those whom we come into contact with.