Something that I have wanted to write over the past few weeks is my testimony. Now that I have found the time, here we go.
I was raised in a Christian home to amazing Christian parents, who instilled in my life a love for church and most importantly a love for God. Something I remember most about my parents growing up is a prayer they would pray for each one of my brothers. That we would find the will of God for our life and follow it.
I remember the night that I came to put my full trust in the Lord. It was a Sunday on November 19, 1997. We were members of Cropwell Baptist Church in Cropwell, Alabama. That night there was a play that was presented before the church. The name of it was The Eternity Train. This play showed the lives of 4 people. 3 of who tried to get into heaven by the works that had done throughout their life. But only 1 person had the true ticket that was needed to get to heaven.
That night after my family and I got home I went into my parents’ bedroom and talked to them about what I needed to do to become a follower of Christ. So with my parents by my side, I gave my life over to the Lord and made Him Lord of my life.
Over the years I would not know where the Lord would send me. I had a love of flying and wanted to join the Navy to become a fighter pilot, or become a commercial airline pilot.
In 2004, I was hired for my first summer job at World Song Camp and Retreat Center in Cook Springs, Alabama. It was there I would begin to pray about the Lord's will for my life and fill a burden for ministry. I felt the Lord was calling me to become a Youth Minister or a Pastor. Over the next 2 years I would continue to seek the Lord and His will for my life.
After reading 1 Timothy 1:12, where Paul talks about Christ enabling Paul and counting him faithful enough to put him into the ministry. As I read to verse 15, Paul tells that Christ came to save sinners and he was the chief sinner. It was these 2 verses that I would realize that the Lord was calling me to serve Him around the world as a missionary.
At the time I surrendered my life to the ministry, I believed that the Lord was calling me to continue the work of my grandparents who are missionaries serving out of Nice, France. My grandfather, goes twice a year to Benin, Africa where he over sees an orphanage and different bush pastors. He also oversees bush pastors in the Congo, Kinshasa area. But it was not until I would meet a friend while playing soccer for Pell City High School that I would grow to have a heart for Germany. After praying and seeking the Lord, I felt the Lord calling me to Germany.
I took my first mission trip to Germany in 2008. While there, I fell in love with the people, the culture, and the country. I knew then, that this was where the Lord was leading me.
As I looked at places where I could be a servant for Him, I armed myself with a question that my pastor from the Church at Brook Hills, Dr. David Platt, asked. What can you do to become an effective disciple maker? With that question, I took a map of Germany and found a city called Perl, Germany. Perl is located a mile from France and a mile from Luxemburg. Within a 50 mile radius, you can also be in the country of Belgium.
So far, that is how I feel things are going. I know that the Lord can change things. As far as the ministry that I will be doing when I am a missionary, is still unsure. I have some ideas of things that can be done, but I am still in prayer seeking the Lord for His guidance.
That is my testimony. It is not finished yet, as the Lord is still using me to serve others around the world. I ask that you would please join me in prayer for the Lord to continue to guide me. Also please continue to pray for this year’s mission trip to Stuttgart, Germany.
In Christ,
Tyler A. Bowman
