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About Westminster
The purpose of the Charles and Alice McGowan scholarships is to aid dedicated and gifted Christian students to prepare for entering pastoral ministry, with a view to their own service to Christ and his church emulating the pastoral wisdom, grace, and gospel-rich influence of Dr. Charles McGowan.
With Mrs. Alice McGowan at his side, the Reverend Dr. Charles McGowan has planted and pastored churches in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. His ministry within the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), including his service as its twenty-fourth assembly moderator in 1996, has delivered far-ranging impact. His ongoing ministry crosses denominational lines through McGowan Search, Dr. McGowan’s ministry assists “Kingdom focused congregations who are seeking high impact spiritual leaders” to secure new pastors.
MEET The McGowan Scholars
Josiah VanderVeen
Family
Wife: Braelynn
Children: Lyle & Aletheia
Ministerial Aspirations
Josiah has accepted the call to be the Assistant Pastor of College and Young Adults at Tenth Presbyterian Church after graduation.
Prayer Requests
Pray for endurance as they conclude our time at Westminster and prepare for a lifetime of ministry. Pray that God would use his preparation at Westminster mightily for kingdom advancement in a very urban environment. Pray that they would be salt in and light as we minister in the broken city of Philadelphia.
Nathaniel Jeffries
Family
Wife: Amy
Children: Enoch, Sojourner, Kyria
Ministerial Aspirations
After graduation, I plan to be a church planter in the OPC.
Prayer Requests
Please pray (1) for safe delivery of our fourth child in April, (2) for a strong finish of my final semester at WTS, (3) for blessings on our effort to plant a church out of Calvary OPC, (4) for my growth in grace and deepening trust in the Lord.
Nathaniel Fowler
Family
Wife: Katie
Children: Justus & Salem
Ministerial Aspirations
Ministerial aspirations: I hope to apply for a year-long (or 2-year) full-time paid internship at a PCA church while preparing for licensure and ordination exams. After this, I hope to seek a call for an associate pastorate in the PCA. I have interests in youth ministry, men's ministry, music leadership, hymn-writing, and overseas mission work in Latin America and Africa. We shall see what the Lord ordains.
Prayer Requests
(1) Faithfulness- Please pray for diligence in my current labors, maintaining integrity and purpose. As well as diligence and stamina for Katie as she teaches our children. (2) Family- Please pray for my family as we grieve the passing of my grandmother, as we endure much sickness and have consequently missed several church services, as our children grow in faith, and as our hearts prepare for graduation and a future job. (3) Finances- Please praise the Lord with us as we have been allotted a larger financial donation by our home church, Mercy PCA in Forest, VA, for living expenses this year. Please pray that we would steward these well. (4) Future- Please pray that this summer’s projects would help clarify my calling. Please pray for clarification on potential jobs for next school year. Please pray for clarity on a job or internship post-graduation.
Matthew Bonner
Family
Wife: Khakki
Children: Nathaniel, Aowyn, Elias, & Josiah
Ministerial Aspirations
Pursuing ministry opportunities with Equipping Leaders International
in Nashville, TN
Prayer Requests
We would appreciate prayers for our upcoming transition back to Nashville in late summer and the opportunity we have with Equipping Leaders International that we are pursuing once we return. One prayer focus is for the children as they say goodbye to friends here and look to new friendships back home. We know this will be pretty difficult for them.
To donate to current and future McGowan Scholars, please fill out the donation form below.
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