.....It is with a very heavy heart, tears and unworthy fingers on the keyboard that I write this tribute to our friend Connie "Jimmy" Bowles. Connie passed from a very productive earthly life to a life that will never end. He gave us just one more reason to strive on to the end.

.....Connie's life was about family, fellow Christians, and Friends. But, above all, his life was about God. As I write this, I know that I might be the least person qualified to do so.

.....Last night I attended the service for for Connie. But, it wasn't a funeral service. It was a worship and preaching service. The snow and the ice may have been piled up outside, but the Holy Ghost had the temperature warm inside. It was a service that every born again, sactified, filled with the Holy Ghost Christian should have. And, the house was filled. When I had to leave at nine-thirty in order be able to be in time to pick up my wife from work, the serrvice was still going on. But, of course Connie wasn't there. His old worn out vehicle was, but, Connie was dancing in Heaven. That service deserves a big Holy Ghost "Wow!" It was worth venturing out in the snow and ice for.

.....As I think about writing this, I have come to the conclusion that, if it is to be about Connie, this article had better be systematic and organized. I will try to divide the article up into areas of Connie's life.

General background:

.....The son of Mack and Annie Bowles, Connie was born on the 8th of August at Mile Branch, West Virginia. But, if I am not mistaken, he was raised at Coalwood. Connie became a teacher and a admistrator in the McDowell County school system. I have listened to him tell stories of going into homes in Mcdowell County to check on students. I am not sure when Connie became a minister in the Virginia Conference of the International Pentecostal Church.

.....Connie transferred to the Monroe County School System and served as an administrator. At this time, he also took the pastorate of the Second Creek Church. I had met Connie before he made this move while he was holding a revival for our mutual friend Lacey Griffith at the Williamsburg Church.
.....Connie battled poor health for many years, but he always fought on. Connie retired from the school system and then, later from active pastoring. Connie and Carolyn began worshiping at the Victory Pentecostal Holiness Church which was almost next door to their home. Through all of the battles, Connie never threw in the towel. He kept coming back until there was nothing left to do but go home to his Lord. What can you say but, "Amen!"

The Pastor:

.....I can only base my thoughts on Connie as a pastor from his service at Second Creek. I know that he put his whole heart into his calling there. He loved the people. He led them and helped them to be better. He taught them to open up their hearts. He led them to believe that they could do things that, before, they didn't believe that they could do. He bragged about them to everyone. The improvement of the church property was just a small result of these things. He left them a godly legacy. Connie fit right in with their style of old time worship with old time country singing. But, he was not shy when it came to correction. He was God's gift to the folks at Second Creek. I know these people and that they are good people because they were my first flock.

The Mentor:

.....Connie took young men and women under his wings. Keven Richardson is one of those young friends.

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.....Keven systematically related the areas of Connie's mentoring at Connie's service. I will probably leave some out, but, Connie led, taught, encouraged, challenged, and corrected when it was neccesary. Connie believed in birthing spiritual children and launching them into the spreading of the Gospel. But, he didn't believe in just launching them to just fly anywhere. He was their pit crew with Christ as the crew chief. Now that Connie is gone, they will be able to fly on their own because of the job that he did. May they continue in Connie's Holy Spirit given vision.

The Educator:

.....Now, I have little idea of Connie's service in the public school system. But, I know a little of his role as a Kingdom Educator. Our mutual friend Jack Day had a vision that every person called into the ministry should have a chance to have a Bible Education no matter what their situation might be. But, God called Jack away before that vision could become a complete reality. But, Connie knew Jack's vision and carried it on. Connie, along with many others, helped to make Jack's vision a reality. Now the Maranatha Bible Institute is the Maranatha Bible College. And, I am one of its graduates...thanks to Connie.

The Friend:

.....Connie was all of these things mentioned above, but I probably knew his casual side better. Connie knew how to relax and have fun. He had what I call a Spiritual Gift Sense of Humor. Sometimes I believe that this is the most important Spiritual Gift.

.....The greatest of these happy times together with Connie and his family were the many times we camped together at the camp ground during Camp Meeting. Many of us would gather around in the evening and fellowship like the old folks used to do on the neighborhood porches. We would talk, laugh, sing, and sometimes open our hearts to one another. These times are priceless.

.....In 2006, Connie's grandson Austin and my grandson Jonathan found a lot of raspberries. Our friend Anna Defibaugh said that she would make a cobbler and we would have icecream if the boys would pick some more berries. We had a good time eating icecream and cobbler. It turned into a special time

....Below are some of the photos from that get-together>

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.....Photo by Okey L. King

.....This is Frank and Anna Defibaugh. Anna has suffered a stroke and may never get to join us at Camp Meeting again. That is a great loss. But, for Anna to still live and function as she does, God performed a miracle.

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.............................Photo by Okey L. King

.....This scene shows all of the folks, but me behind the camara, who were at our impromptu raspberry and icecream social. You can see Connie in the black shirt.

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...................Photo by Okey L. King

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............Photo by Okey L. King

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....................Photo by Okey L. King

.....This photo shows a very happy Connie Bowles. I believe it is a classic that speaks volumes. And, I think that it is in very good taste...pardon the pun.

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.....This photo is from another year. It shows Carolyn Bowles and our great friend Lacey Griffith.

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.....What Connie did behind closed doors in out of my jurisdiction. But, Carolyn said, "He walked the walk." Enough said.

.....This is just a humble offering that falls very short. May God bless it for a tribute to Connie.