November
17, 2012
Dearest Friends and Brethren,
Greetings from the Bowling
Family! We would like to take this
opportunity to announce that I (Tom) have been offered and have accepted the
work as full time pulpit minister at the Charlotte Ave. church of Christ in
Rock Hill, SC. Charlotte Avenue is
located approximately 20 miles south of Charlotte, NC, and is currently served
by four elders and 7 deacons. We are very excited about this door that the Lord
has opened for us, and covet your prayers as we begin our efforts to further
encourage and grow the Lord’s Kingdom there.
It is with mixed emotion that I
compose this announcement. The Bowling
family has grown to love our friends and brethren at Dayton, TN, and will miss
all of your dearly. Our time at Dayton
has been a blessing to us, and the friendships that have been built will never
be forgotten. The young people
especially are like my own children. I
am very proud of your spiritual growth and development, and encourage each of you to continue in that growth.
Our friends and brethren at
Eastside in Cleveland, TN are also on our minds at this time. Although we have been gone for a while,
you’ve been “just over the river” and we have been fortunate enough to stay in
touch and visit often. That will change
somewhat, but we knew going in that this day would come. We will miss all of
you very much.
Since making the decision in 2009
to attend the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions, our family has
experienced nothing other than encouragement from our brethren, and blessings
from our Heavenly Father. It seems that
things have consistently gone right for us, and the Lord has provided exactly
what we have needed at exactly the right time.
Not that it hasn’t been difficult at times (commuting and being away
from family for 2 years was rough) but, our plans and goals have somehow fallen
into place. Initially, we sought out support and got it. Then, we wanted to
somehow survive school, which we did with the help of many, including 7
congregations and 6 individual families.
We desired to work initially at a congregation close by (within 50 miles
of home) and we were given that opportunity also. Now, our goal of serving in a
full time preaching role will be realized.
We are certainly grateful for every prayer, and every opportunity that
has been given to us in helping us reach our goals as it pertains to working
for the Lord in His Kingdom.
Ultimately, all of us should have
the goal of heaven. It is my prayer that
each of us will be reunited there one day, never again to be separated. As I have stated to the elders at Eastside
and at Dayton from the very beginning, I will do my very best to always preach and
teach Truth. I will never compromise on matters of the Faith. I will also endeavor to bring as many souls to
Christ as I can by teaching them the Word.
Thank you all, we love you very much!
In His Service,
Tom Bowling and Family
Wow what a wonderful blessing for your family and for the Charlotte Ave. c of C. Dayton will have a great emptiness for a while. Your whole family has done such a great work at Dayton.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting though for the Bowling family and especially you Tom. I wish you the best in this new phase of your lives. :-)
May God shine even more blessings down upon you,
Mary Scarlett
Thank you, Mary! We miss your family so much! I heard a voice today that reminded me of Jack...
ReplyDelete