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Bios
Dr. Gary Bowser, Senior PastorDr. Bowser came to First Baptist Church of Longmont from a sister American Baptist church, First Baptist Church of Denver, where he served as senior pastor for close to ten years. Prior to that, Dr. Bowser served as Associate Executive Minister of the Rocky Mountains Region office. Dr. Bowser, or Gary as he likes to be called, served the Region for seven years before accepting the call to First Baptist Church of Denver. Before serving on the Region staff, Gary served as senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Longmont, Colorado for twelve years. Prior to that he and his wife, Carol, served in campus ministry at the United Ministries Center in Terre Haute, Indiana. Pastor Bowser brings many years of experience to First Baptist Church of Longmont and returns with a sense of anticipation and "coming home." He received his Master of Divinity degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Oakbrook, Illinois and his Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Ray Lincoln, Christian Life CoachDr. Lincoln has served as senior pastor to single and multi-staffed churches in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. His 40 years of experience in coaching, counseling and teaching have given him the opportunity to guide many people to self-discovery and spiritual renewal. He has studied extensively in the areas of Psychology, Theology, Philosophy and Personology and has earned a BA, BD, MDiv, PhD and LTh. Teaching people to succeed in life and overcome their challenges with God's strength are his passion. Ray says, "While remaining true to the teachings of the Bible, my strong interest has been to use the best of science and develop a true Biblical Psychology that can help people find true fulfillment God wants this for all of us. He knows best how we function and has left us the most helpful life-manual in the best-selling book ever!" Conducting well over one hundred seminars in Australia, New Zealand and the USA has led him to lecture in universities, seminaries, and Bible colleges as well as businesses and churches. He has mentored pastors and other professionals. Ray has a deep faith in God, strengthened by his studies, and offers his services, experience and knowledge to you. His wife, Mary Jo, is more than a willing partner in his ministry and, in her own right, contributes much to their joint mission. Ray and Mary Jo have settled in Littleton, CO.
Karen Prater, Treasurer/Administrative Assistant/SecretaryKaren Prater keeps herself busy at First Baptist Church of Longmont. Treasurer at the church for nearly 20 years, Karen also pitches in as administrative assistant on the team ministry and office secretary. What’s more, she offers assistance during Sunday’s service, working the overhead projection and occasionally supporting the sound system. “If you want something, I’ll help you out the best I can,” says Karen, an accountant who joined First Baptist Church in 1973 along with her family. Her mother, Jean Prater, is the church’s Sunday school superintendent. As for the future of First Baptist, Karen would like to see the church’s membership grow, particularly among younger Christians in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. She also says the church must provide more hands-on assistance to the community as it has in years past, volunteering with organizations such as the hospital, Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. Karen values the friendships she has developed over the years and wants to preserve the sense of family that is palpable at First Baptist. “That’s a feeling I don’t want to lose,” she says.
Richard & Jo Ann Honey, Praise & Worship Ministry LeadersRichard Honey and his wife Jo Ann celebrate the Lord Sunday mornings through music, leading the praise and worship team at First Baptist Church. The couple is passionate about God, as demonstrated by their soaring voices and a ministry, Practical Christian Living Centers, that Richard founded 3 ½ years ago and describes as “centers for discipleship and outreach.” These centers, including The Well in downtown Longmont, provide a sanctuary for the homeless, people suffering addictions and others who are hungry for God’s word but are not affiliated with a traditional church, explains Richard, a software engineer who grew up in Essex, England, 40 miles east of London. Richard leads a non-traditional service at The Well on Wednesday evenings. On one summer evening at The Well, Richard begins the service with a prayer. It is followed by praise as a man behind Richard strums the guitar and a woman shakes the tambourine. “I know you can sing louder than that,” shouts Richard, who retains a thick English accent despite living in the United States for more than 20 years. “I barely can hear you.” Voices are now booming, ardent and out of tune. Richard delivers a powerful message that evening: Christ was fully human, suffering the same anger, irritation, grief, hunger and thirst as the rest of us. Christ was tempted every day of his life, not just 40 days in the wilderness, yet he resisted sin. “He could not redeem us,” Richard explains, “unless he became humanity.” After the service, two men fall down on their knees with Richard and pray. One man places his hand on another man’s shoulder. It is an extraordinary moment, a reminder that Christ himself is present “where two or three are gathered together” in His name. Matthew 18:20.
Kathleen Kelly & Pat Salee, Prayer Ministry LeadersGod, his Son said, knows what we need before we ask. So why pray? Prayer stirs the mind and spirit, explains Pastor Ray Lincoln of Longmont’s First Baptist Church. And it is through prayer that we establish an extraordinary dialogue with God. “Prayer finds the throne of God,” thunders Pastor Ray, “and reaches God himself.” Moved by such power, Kathleen Kelly and Pat Sallee of First Baptist Church lead a prayer ministry that is intended to offer a refuge for all people who desire to connect with God. Kathleen and Pat lead several initiatives that support individual and group prayer, and First Baptist has opened a prayer chapel on the second floor of the church. The goal of the ministry is to provide a “House of God,” a name that originates from Jesus in the Book of Matthew 21:13. “We are here to serve all people who desire to grow in their walk with the Lord,” says Kathleen. For specific details about the prayer ministry, join us for Sunday worship or contact Kathleen or Pat at 303-776-1128.
Corky Nichols, Outreach Ministry LeaderAttention newcomers to First Baptist Church of Longmont. You won’t be a stranger for long. Corky Nichols is probably on her way to greet you. An amusing and warm-hearted member of the church, Corky is team leader of an outreach program that was founded in 2009. “The broad goal” of the program “is to build our church congregation in numbers … and deepen our faith,” explains Corky, who has been with First Baptist Church on and off since the 1980s. Outreach team members follow up with first-time visitors the old-fashioned way: by knocking on their door at home, presenting newcomers with a gift of Corky’s specially made pretzels and a card describing the church. Corky writes visitors a handwritten note the following week. And if newcomers return to the church, the outreach team makes a personal call. Corky says the outreach team would like to reach out to younger people, increasing the diversity of the congregation. The outreach program also works with The Well and the OUR (Outreach United Resource) Center, local organizations that support the homeless, needy and others in the community. For more information about the outreach program and First Baptist Church, contact Corky at 303-776-1128.
Karen Bradfield, Parish NurseMeet Karen Bradfield, First Baptist Church’s soft-spoken parish nurse who grew up in a town so small that her high school could not afford teachers. Growing up in Thurston, Nebraska, population 125 at the 2000 Census, Karen has been a registered nurse for 14 years. In 2008, she completed a five-day parish nursing program at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Karen does what her profession and church require: writing educational articles, taking blood pressures, making home and hospital visits to check vitals, and otherwise caring for patients’ medical needs. However, Karen’s manner of patient care is not confined to her years of professional nursing experience. Case-in-point: One night at the hospital, a woman who had undergone surgery and suffered wound infections asked to see Karen. The patient was sick and discouraged. Karen prayed with the woman, humming a Christian song. “I could feel her getting calm,” says Karen. “That was the power of God I believe.” This Nebraska native is open to providing spiritual guidance and encouragement to those in need, not only members of First Baptist. “I will see anybody that people will refer to me,” says Karen. “They don’t have to be a church member.” |
