Jim Bowman, a beloved ministry leader and former president of Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC), passed away on August 8, 2024. Born into a missionary family in the Philippines, Bowman’s life was deeply intertwined with the work of spreading the Gospel.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the Bowman family during this time,” the FEBC said in a statement on their website.
The Robert Bowman family around 1951 on the Manila, Philippines compound. Robert, Eleanor, Jim (L), Steve (R). Image courtesy of FEBC.
Son of Bob Bowman, a founder of FEBC, Bowman dedicated much of his life to serving the ministry. For 17 years, he taught English over the radio to Spanish speakers. In 1977, he became director of operations, supervising more than 35 radio stations across Latin America and Asia. Bowman’s passion for connecting with people shone through as he worked closely with local FEBC broadcasters, forging lasting bonds and sharing his love for the Gospel. Bowman was appointed president of FEBC in 1995 and served until 2003.
“The Bowman Trio.” Father Robert Bowman, Steve, and Jim Bowman formed a trio of singers in the early days of FEBC, on a broadcast designed to be heard on short wave in the U.S. Ordinary kite string was used for the ukulele, since proper strings were not available in Manila at that time. Image courtesy of FEBC
Bowman had a particular passion for the enduring relevance of radio in the high technology age. FEBC focuses its outreach to tribal groups without access to cell phones or the internet.
“There will always be a role for radio,” he said.
During his tenure, Bowman guided the organization through significant growth and expansion, ensuring that the message of Christ reached countless individuals around the world. In 1949, FEBC began broadcasting a short-wave station in the Philippines to reach China, just before the Communist takeover. They continued broadcasting for nearly 30 years.
“I often questioned the use of resources for that station,” Bowman said. “But when China started opening up, we learned a surprising number of people were listening. The mail began arriving, and the miracles and responses reminded me of the book of Acts.”
Staff in 1972. Jim Bowman sitting in the front. Image courtesy of FEBC.
During his retirement, he spent time archiving the thousands of letters written to the ministry over the years, filled with touching stories from appreciative listeners. These stories profoundly affected his personal life.
“I used to be so gung-ho for my strategies and plans, but things like this helped me realize that God is at work in ways impossibly out of range of my ability to organize or control,” Bowman said.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bowman’s legacy includes his special care for God’s creation. His love for nature, particularly butterflies, was a source of joy and inspiration for him. He began collecting butterflies as a missionary kid in the Philippines and often shared his belief that “The transformation of a butterfly is a clever way to express the Gospel.”
“We mourn the loss of a devoted servant of God, a compassionate leader, and a dear friend,” said Troy A. Miller, President and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB). “Our hearts go out to Jim’s family during this difficult time. His contributions to FEBC will continue to inspire generations to come.”
View FEBC’s tribute video to Jim Bowman at this link.
Far East Broadcasting Company has been an NRB member since 1950.