Dr. Bowen was ordained a Presbyterian Minister in October, 1956 where he began his ministry for a congregation in Blue Earth, Minnesota. From there he and his wife Marlene went to Neuwied, Germany to serve a congregation of the Protestant State Church for two years. Subsequently he served congregations in the Chicago area, the last being a community church in Kenilworth, Illinois as senior minister for 37 years during which the congregation grew from 400 to 3200 adult members with a church school in the last years of 1,000 children.
He and his wife grew up in Muskegon, Michigan from where he went to Wheaton College and McCormick Seminary and she to Michigan State College and Northwestern University. In subsequent studies Dr. Bowen earned a doctorate from McCormick and the training certificate from the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy both in Chicago. He is the author of six books. Married in 1954, they welcomed a daughter and two sons to their home, who, now mature and married, have 7 grandsons.
Beginning in 1963 and prompted by their experiences abroad, the Bowens have led over 40 youth and adult tours to Europe east and west, the Middle East, and South Africa. Since retirement in 2007, they continue an active life of preaching, lectures, and travel.
