Ex Lorry Driver Accepts Bishop's Challenge

Church Army Evangelist to Serve Bridge of Don and Seaton

An international lorry driver travelling 60,000 miles a year, Gerry Bowyer eventually felt called to join the Church of England's Church Army and give up his 38 ton charge for the privilege of helping people navigate their way to faith in God. Gerry has just been Admitted to the Office of Evangelist in the Church by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Sheffield Cathedral, and Commissioned into Church Army by Chief Secretary Philip Johanson at the Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism in Sheffield, where he has been training for the past three years.

Originally from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Gerry is about to begin an exciting new chapter in his life as Bishop's Lay Evangelist for St Luke's, Bridge of Don, and St Ninian's, Seaton, in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. These two Scottish churches on the edge of Aberdeen have small congregations of about a dozen each and are part of two distinct communities divided by the River Don. He is to be licensed for his new challenge by the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Rev'd Bruce Cameron, on Wednesday 15th August during a service at St Ninian's.

Faith came to him during a time of inner searching and the baptism of his second daughter, Victoria, in 1988. He and his family were made welcome by church members at St Philip's, Tunbridge Wells, and a little later remaining fears were finally diminished when he attended a satellite broadcast of a Billy Graham meeting.

One of the most unnerving moments in Gerry Bowyer's life as an international lorry driver occurred very close to home. Driving around the southern section of the M25 and listening to the radio, he heard that John Lennon had been shot. At the same moment he was more than surprised and very alarmed to see a Volvo estate car heading towards him in the middle lane. Through tears, he managed to take evasive action and then realised the incident had occurred at least five miles from any junction. The elderly car driver carried on merrily and was probably apprehended by the police at some point.

Having survived that and many other close shaves in his 20 years as an HGV driver and working in transport management, Gerry later came to realise that God might have other plans for him in Christian ministry. With his wife of 22 years, Jo, and daughters Georgina (15) and Victoria (13), Gerry became fully involved in St Philip's Church, Tunbridge Wells, leading a youth group for three years. He began to help co-ordinating outreach in the parish and became a Rochester Diocesan Evangelist in 1997. Feeling called to fulltime ministry, Church Army seemed to be niche that was beckoning and he started training in 1998.

The family had a welcome addition in 1992 with the birth of Nicholas. Although he is a genuine family man, Gerry finds time for two unusual pursuits. With Jo, he shares an interest in birds of prey, especially hawks and owls. They have both received special training and been involved in displays. Gerry also has a fascination for Land Rovers. He owns and maintains a Model 110, which was converted to run on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) last year.

For further information please contact Gerry Bowyer (Tel: 01224 706916) or Les Tennant, Press & Media Officer (Home Tel: 01235 531623; HQ Tel: 020 8318 1226;