The Rev. Clarence G. Bowens has been called by the search committee and parishioners to become the new senior pastor of Second Baptist Church of Moorestown, NJ., 319 Mill Street. After a four-year search, he replaces the magnanimous interim pastor Reverend Thomas N. Holmes. Bowens and his wife, Patricia, parents of four adult children and four grandchildren, reside in Willingboro. They are looking forward to being part of the Second Baptist Church community and the church members are likewise looking forward to a new chapter in their history.
Second Baptist Church was founded in 1893 under the leadership of Rev. James Wooden. Sixteen members first met in various homes until Moorestown Quakers donated a building, which was later moved to its current location on Mill Street. Bowens becomes the twentieth pastor, including interim pastors of the church.
Bowens has worked in the Bethany Baptist Association of Southern New Jersey in the areas of evangelism, youth and the Bethany Permanent Council. He also worked closely with his late pastor, Rev. James C. Jones in the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey. He has conducted marriage encounter workshops and has planned, organized and facilitated outdoor worship events.
In May 2016, Bowens earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia. In 2019, he earned a Master of Arts in Christian Studies at Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia. He is presently enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Luther Rice.
The community is invited to join Second Baptist Church for the Installation of Rev. Clarence Guy Bowens as the new pastor. Worship services will include Prayer, Praise and Celebration at 7 p.m. on Sept. 14, Gospel Concert at 7 p.m. on Sept. 16 and Free Will Offering featuring Minister Michael Crews and The Fellowship Experience, Morning Worship at 10 a.m. on Sept. 18 and a Pastoral Installation Service at First Presbyterian Church, 101 Bridgeboro Road, at 4 p.m. on Sept. 18.
