Photo of Gwen Rutz with the focus of her YouTube channel to share memories while minimizing stuff.

Gwen Rutz’s journey from pastoral ministry to purposeful mentorship

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At first glance, Gwen Rutz’s story may seem like a typical tale of transition moving from a steady career into something new. But for Gwen, it was much more profound. Her journey is a testament to the power of faith, reinvention and embracing a purpose-driven life after 50.

After 13 years of pastoral ministry in Oklahoma, Gwen found herself called to something radically different: the marketplace. Today, she and her husband, Troy, run an archery business and ministry. They mentor young women who want to enter ministry, and help others declutter their lives — both physically and spiritually.

“This season of life isn’t about endings,” Gwen emphasized. “It’s about new beginnings. God still has so much for us to do, even after we turn 50.”

A reluctant calling

Gwen never planned on becoming a pastor. “Honestly, I said I’d never do it,” she admitted with a laugh. “I didn’t feel capable. But God had other plans.”

It all started with her home church, which was between pastors at the time. Because she was ordained, Gwen was filling in as an interim minister.

“Then God spoke to me and said, ‘You’re going to pastor this church.’ I was shocked,” she explained.

But Gwen kept her revelation to herself. “I told God, ‘If this is really what you want, you’ll have to tell Troy,’” she said. “I wasn’t going to bring it up.”

A few nights later, as they sat on their patio, Troy surprised her.

“He turned to me out of nowhere and said, ‘You could pastor this church,’ Gwen explained. “I couldn’t believe it. I told Troy, ‘You have no idea what you just said.’”

With her husband’s support and confirmation from her church’s board, Gwen stepped into pastoral ministry. It is a role in which she faithfully served for more than a decade.

A new direction

As retirement approached, Gwen and Troy began exploring what was next. She felt called to ministry, but in the marketplace rather than a church.

“We knew we wanted to start an archery business and ministry,” she explained.

Archery had always been a family passion. In fact, Troy loved archery since he was a boy,.

“I got into it because I wanted to spend more time with him,” Gwen said. “Then our two boys picked it up, and it became a family thing.”

Their business started small with a 3D archery range on their property in Oklahoma, complete with life-size animal targets for hunting simulation. They also performed bow repairs and taught archery lessons.

But it wasn’t just about the sport. “We saw this as a ministry,” Gwen said. “We work with kids, teaching them archery while mentoring them and sharing the gospel.”

The transition from pastoral ministry to the marketplace wasn’t without its challenges.

“It was scary,” Gwen admitted. “But as we prayed, we knew this was where God was leading us. One Monday morning, both Troy and I felt it was time. That was the confirmation we needed.”

Faith on the archery range

Through their archery ministry, Gwen and Troy have found creative ways to share their faith. One of their favorite tools is the “Life Bow,” a special bow color-coded to illustrate God’s plan for salvation.

“I use it during camps and sermons,” Gwen explained. “As I teach the parts of the bow, I correlate them with the gospel. For example, the black split limb represents how sin separates us from God. It’s a powerful way to make the message stick.”

They also partner with programs like Center Shot Ministries, which combines archery instruction with Bible studies, and the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), a secular initiative teaching archery in all types of schools.

“Archery is a tremendous skill to learn,” Gwen says. “It builds focus, discipline and confidence. And when we tie it to biblical principles, it becomes even more impactful.”

Resetting her life

While archery is a major part of Gwen’s ministry, her work doesn’t stop there. She’s also passionate about helping people navigate life’s transitions, especially those which come after turning 50.

“I started a YouTube channel called ‘Simplify Your Life with Gwen,’” she said. “It’s about managing transitions, whether it’s retirement, a career change or empty nesting. Life doesn’t end at 50. It’s just a reset.”

For Gwen, that reset involved decluttering both her home and her heart.

“Decluttering helps me feel like things are in order,” she explained. “But it’s also about being intentional with what we leave behind.”

Gwen encourages others to curate their belongings and attach stories to meaningful items.

“I realized my kids don’t want to inherit a house full of stuff they don’t understand,” she said. “If something has a story, I make sure to tell it. If it doesn’t, I let it go.”

Mentoring the next generation

One of Gwen’s greatest joys is mentoring younger women, especially those who feel called to ministry.

“There’s a whole generation of people out there looking for guidance,” she explained. “I’ve had so many young women come to me and say, ‘Will you mentor me?’ They’re hungry for wisdom and connection.”

Gwen’s mentoring style is relational and tailored to each individual.

“Some women need structured sessions. Others just need someone to talk to over lunch,” she explained. “It’s about being present and letting the Holy Spirit lead.”

Gwen also mentors her church’s youth worship band. “I teach them what true worship is. It’s not a performance, rather it’s about helping others to know Jesus better,” she said.

For her, mentoring isn’t just a calling; it’s a biblical mandate.

“Paul told Titus to teach the older generation to mentor the younger,” she explained. “It’s so important, and it’s something the church needs to prioritize even more today.”

Preparing for the future

Gwen is also passionate about helping people prepare for the practical aspects of aging.

“After my parents started decluttering, I realized how much of a gift that was,” she says. “It inspired me to do the same for my kids.”

One tool she recommends is the Nokbox, a filing system that organizes important documents and instructions in a way that next of kin know what to look for and where to find it.

“It’s incredibly thorough,” Gwen said. “It includes everything from wills to passwords. It’s a gift of peace for your loved ones.”

She also encourages people to write down their stories.

“Stories give meaning to the things we leave behind,” she explained. “Without stories, those things are just meaningless objects.”

Living with purpose after 50

For Gwen, life after 50 is all about purpose. She frequently cites Psalm 37:4, which says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

“When we draw close to God, he plants desires in our hearts,” she said. “That means it’s never too late to pursue them.”

Whether she’s teaching archery, mentoring young women, or helping others to declutter, Gwen’s mission is clear: To live a life that glorifies God and inspires others to do the same.

“Every season has a purpose,” she explained. “As long as we’re breathing, God has work for us to do.”

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