Elder Bowens

Although this mission is brimming with faith promoting experiences – with over 1,000 baptisms in 2007 and projections of over 1,500 baptisms in 2008 – we thought what might be of greatest interest to you all would be the conversion of Elder Rocky Mark Bowens.

Elder Bowens is a currently serving missionary on the island of Trinidad. He is Black, humble, and very effective. About half of the Trinidadians are also Black so he is an absolute natural. He was born and raised on the island of St. Vincent. Two years ago he was discovered by the missionaries and taught the gospel. He was converted and committed to the idea of serving a mission. There was only one problem… Elder Bowens could not read or write. The missionaries who baptized him set him up on an intensive training program to prepare him to meet his mission goal. He literally learned to read with the help of the Book of Mormon. Elder Bishop then became his first companion when he entered the mission field.

He is now serving an honorable mission, and has been for six months. He loves the gospel and knows the Book of Mormon at least as well as many “life-time” members. If it wasn’t for his distinctive Trinidadian accent, you would think you were talking to a home-grown Utah Mormon. His smile is bright and friendly. His demeanor is as warm as a Trinidad afternoon. But, his knowledge and testimony is a power that has and will help bring many to the Savior and His Church.

If you ever get to Trinidad, look up Elder Bowens. He will probably be the Bishop or Stake President. He is that kind of man.