Eddie, LaRhonda, Alyssa, Brianna & Chrustopher Bowerman
PRESENT MINISTRY
Eddie and LaRhonda Bowerman are currently on stateside assignment. Prior to their departure from Panama they worked in youth and children's ministries throughout the country. A large part of their focus was training youth and children's leaders and workers. The Bowermans have also investigated various tribal groups needs and church planting opportunities as they worked in their other ministries.
In 2003 Eddie became director of the FWB Bible Institute in Panama.
CONVERSION
Eddie was converted at the age of nine and has had an interest in missions since high school. He responded to God's call to follow Him during a missions program presented by the National Association's YET team.
LaRhonda was saved at 20 years of age. God began by laying a burden on her heart for missions. This grew until the fall of 1991 when she was sure the Lord wanted her to be a missionary. A friend and her Sunday school teacher prayed with her as she made that commitment.
EARLY MINISTRY
Eddie has been a student missionary to Côte d`Ivore, Spain, Mexico and twice in Panama. He was involved in youth ministry while in Nashville, Tenn., and then served as youth minister at Pea Ridge FWB Church in Pea Ridge, Ark. Eddie was associate pastor at La Iglesia Batiste Libre (a Spanish FWB Church) in Nashville, Tenn. LaRhonda has also been involved in youth ministry in Arkansas.
In July of 1994, Eddie and LaRhonda took a short missions trip to the Wounaan Indians in Panama with some Wycliffe missionaries. This fostered a commitment to work with the Kuna Indians.
Eddie and LaRhonda Bowerman were appointed to missionary service in Panama in April 1995. After completing their deputational ministry and language study, the couple began working among the Kuna Indians in Panama. They were the first Free Will Baptist missionaries to go to the Panamanian Indians since "Mom" and "Pop" Willey went there over 50 years ago.
After two years of working with the Kuna, access to the village was cut off. The Bowermans then transitioned into a facilitating role, working in youth and children's ministries throughout Panama.
CHILDREN
Eddie and LaRhonda have three children, Alyssa Chela, born September 17; Brianna Nicole, born April 2; and Christopher Loren, born January 5.