MARYVALE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

4027 North 48th Drive

Phoenix 31, Arizona

Dear Christian Priehds:

One of the most thrilling things in planting a new congregation is the

matter of securing missionary funds and making support available.

It

is thriliingj but also a tremendous responsibility to direct the monies

wisely.

The Maryvale Christian Church was started in 1959> and from the beginning^
dedicated 10^ of all undesignated offerings to missions. Half of this
goes to home missions and half to foreign missions. The first year, our
foreign mission fund was placed in a savings account, and our Missionary
Committee made a careful study of foreign missionaries and the fields
that

funds.

i^^^^^^^^pleasure, we finally ag^e^d unanimously to send our support to

I f Geneva and Gerald Bowlin, at the' V/estern Mexico Christian Mission in

\^'-J|?Jf:osillo, Sonor.,.^
sites.

committee actually visited the field,

and visiting the Christian homes and chur'bh

There are many reasons why we finally decided to support this work.

We would like to share some of them with you:

1. In having the Bowlins visit our congregation, we found that

Gerald is very effective as a GOSPEL PREACHER, a quality not

often found in our foreign missionaries.

2. In having the Bowlins in camp in the United States, we were

able to become even better acquainted, and we know of their

love for our Lord, the plea of the restoration movement,

and their fine concept of the New Testament Church.

3.

In visiting the field, we find that their labors in Mexico

are appreciated by the native people, and they are deeply
loved by those whom they serve.

We found that they are building for an indigenous church in

Mexico...they are turning over as much of the responsibi
lities to the Mexican people as they are able to take.

The

people in the Western Mexico Christian Mission area are now

being led by Mexican second generation Christians.

5- We were particularly impressed with the fact that the program

in Hermosillo is CHRIST centered, and the Gospel is the core
of their program ... not sociology, etc. The Mexicsui people
are CHRISTIANS FIRST, and the Mission Funds are not used up

in sewing classes, etc.

6. While there, we visited the La Triguera congregation, the

first congregation to acquire property and build a building
WITHOUT ANY USE OF MISSION FUNDS. These people are beginning
to become missionary minded, working for the day when they
will SEND missionaries, and contribute to world wide missions
in a substantial way.

There are many other reasons for our deciding on supporting the Bowlins.
We are able to have a close relationship with them*Our minister con

ducted an evangelistic meeting with them last year, and now, Bro.
Alexandro Julian, President of Western Mexico Bible Seminary, is going
to lead us in a crusade this spring*

We have not yet mentioned the wonderful work Geneva does in her

benevolent program, administering medicine to the sick, and going put

to the far flung villages to give the only medical aid these people
have. We have not mentioned the fact that their home has become a
virtual meeting place of the community, and in addition to their

family, there are ^ways from five to twenty people around the table

at meal time, morning, noon and night.

Truly, God has blessed the ministry of Christ through these servants,

and we feel that our missionary money sent to Hermosillo is one of the
most effective ways of contributing to the worldwide missionary
enterprise of our brotherhood.

We commend these brethren to you, praying that you will rejoice with
us in this worthwhile ministry.
Bios le Bendiga,
MiRYV./VLH: CHRISTIAN CHURCH
MISSIONARY COTMITl
\

Don Long,-^Chairm^

^ jo/c ty
Esther Nilsen

Frances Wells

Don Dillari, Chairman of

Congregation

o Yack E. Boal, Mini

Minister

MEXICAN BIBLE SEMINAUY

TEAR OF SKRVICB FOR AN INOKIKNOltB MRXICAN CHORCB

Western Mexico Christian Mission

MAIL: APARTADO POBTAI. I0. SO

OFFICE: CAU.K Tt.AXCALA 10 PTK.

UEICMOS1LL.O. 80N0RA,

CHRISTMAS

OKnAJsTt t. ROWMN. F(rRnll AND Df ftRCTOR

RHA.flRNRTA . RUWMN. D I Hl*e N

!>/ 20

MEXICO

1962

ALBJANnnO
MHA

\ K V-<'t.l N f C

JVMAN,

RRTIfXn

M.

AflUTHTAKT

JCI.IAN.

IIIBI.R

UlRKCTOH
SCUnuS.V

WANT TO SHARE GOD'S BLESSINGS THIS CHRISTMAS?????????????

WESTERN MEHCO CHRISTIAN HISSTON PRESENTS-

MAT 1963
Dear Friends:

One picture is worth 1000 vrord&^this nonth

we have tvro pictures for you, and a "thank

you for your pr^ersi"

"THE lOST SOUL" of

our Christnas letter is nov/ your "brother and

nine, in Christ. Words cannot descri'be the

snile on Bro. Begnino's face as he vra,s "baptized last month, thus the second picture. His

vrife "Chica" was baptized-^

sane tine.

Begnino and "Chica" are neighbors of ours. He

is sick v/ith arrested T.B, and is tailing

medicine to keep it tliat way. Chica is ny

"automatic wahing machine", she automatically

I AH A LOST SOIFL.

I NEED lESHS.

comes three or more times a v/eek and rubs the

dirt out on a built in cement "rub-BOAElD",

i^ith bar soap and cold wateri They are typical of our converts in Mexico, first we make
friends of them, then bring then to the Savior.

Gerry has gone East on a peaking trip, someone asked him v/here he was going, his^swer:
"To the ITorth American Convention in Long Beach,Calif., via Cincinnati, Ohio. Bobby, ^

Kathy and Oscar are in the last month of school, LuLu v/orks in the office in the^nornings
(if she doesn't have to stay hone and tal^e care of the babies.) and tal:es care of the
babies in the afternoons. Veva lias had her second birthday and Becl;y is 1 1/2, quite a

pairj With Gerry gone all I do is

v/ell, lets not go into thatl

We have a new one at our liouse, we call her "liana", she is the little 70 ( or more) year

old care taker of the church property in Benjanin Kill. We did abdominal surgery on her

on the first of Hay (tumors of aus removed) never have I helped \dth, nor seem such a mess.

The Surgons remarks were "clinically speaking, it -is iimossihle". ilona i_s lione (five days
later)aJid feeling fine. The tissue analysis vri.ll soon he hack, PRAY for rana health.

We do say "thanlc .von" and esoecially for your prayers in hehalf of our neighbors. Pray

for sufficient svmport for the vrorkers here, and renemherwe are United in the vrork for
our lord in Western Iloxlooonly hy lack of funds. ... Please pray-and give -for SOULS
PGR THR iUiSrai.

Yours in Him,

Geneva S, Bowlin

QC2bt96'A
Rev. 11/1/63.
BIOGRAPHY

DR. GERALD

mS,

D.

BOWL IN

GENEVA S. BOWLIN

'

WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSION

It was .in the eyes of this -couple that V/estern Mexico Christian Mission,-
Mexicari-Bible Seminary, and related- projects were , originally visioned.Other,;Aiterioan Missionaries have been trained by the Bowlins and haye^

bpensd three'new fields in Mexico^ but this pair still carry on, continually
lifting theih vision for the Mexican church. .

Gerald, usually called Gerry, isa native of California,'raised in the rich

agricultural valley of Coachella, in the"American Sahara, near the Salton
Sea. Living among, going .to school with, and working; with the Mexican- >

Americans of this area early gave Gerry an acute knowlege of the; Mexican*---

-people, and a great love for them. Gerry graduated from-the Los Angeles
Baptist College and Seminary in*1943. He spent 1944-45 in Mexico as -an
independent missionary. The years'-1945-47 were spent in Pacific Bible _

Seminary,., and'as ah assistant to Dr. Ben S. Hoff. -(On January first- of 1965

Mexican. Bible Seminary conferred on him a Doctor of ^sacred Theology degree,

honoring him for his 15 years of service on the Mexican missipn field.) -

In 1945 Gerry married Geneva Chloe Staples of Oklahoma.' :.Geneva,, .a'trained

nurse, was"ideally suited for the Mexican mission field, having supervised"
bbstetrics, nite hospital supervisor, worked in a Peruvian doctor^s office,
and f or good measure, worked in an emergency' industrial hospital,' severalsanitariums, as well as sepcial duty nursing, mostly auto, accident cases.

She calls California home becausr^of'-th-e-many-friends-and-"-"homes--a;way:-fr.oia

home" the Bowlins have there. Her mother and step-f ather,. I.lf. and,-.lies

Walter Stringfellow live in Northern California near Sebastopol.

The idea for. a Mission School to train workers for Western Mexico was born

in, April 1947 when Gerry visited "Colegio Biblico", Eagle .Pass, Texas, to

acquaint himself with that mission and personnel.

Previous to this he-had

realized that little value was to be gained by making short visits to the
field. The results obtained by "Colegio Biblico" in -its .few short years-

was impressed upon' him, .and when he was invited to join the staff he accep
ted. This happy relationship continued till 1949 when the Bowlins left to

organize the work of. Western Mexico Christian Mission, which began -in the

form of and with,the riame, Mexican Bible Seminary.

Gerry says: "V/e have long advocated the propriety^ yes the wisdom of.,
training Mexican Christians, then gradually integrating them'ihto thC-

mission work so that someday .they will be able to manage the work of
evangelism in their own country." .

.-

During this time first Robert(Bob), now 16-, and Kathryn -AnnCKAthy) ,^14,
were born.

Both-attend Mexican..Federal Schools with public students, and

of course speak Spanish as well as do their classmates, although English
is spoken at home--when there are no Mexican visitors, at least.

Oscar Carrlllo, 17, Geneva, 2 yrs. 7 mo., and Elizabeth, 2yrs. were added
to the Bowlln family aft.er they moved to Hermosillo in 1955.

(OVER)

Oscar, son

-2-

Biography, Bowlins.

Rev, ll/l/65

of a Christian widow with a large family in Nogales, Sonora, came to the

Bowlins in 1959. All the children, including foster son, Oscar, have been

prominent in one field or another.

Oscar was a-member of the Mexican

National Pony League Championship team from Sonora in 1960; The other day
when. G.erry'invited him l^o attend where he preaches- Sundays, Oscar replied*;
"Thank-you', but I can' t go as there would be no one to. serve communion at '
San Benito." Bob .won the district-wide. scholarship.'honors in 1960; he is

now in' third year -ef Secondary School(Jr .High).

He has been, active in Boy

Scouts, Bible classes, is now jn. Deacon in his neighborhoO.d. congregation',

and taking a nite-class at the Seminary in"^Homiletics"3h his-free-time-

he-.attenda'the Jr. Police Academy (Traffic Div.), and dreams of sports cars',

Kathy at 9 was Spring 'Queen of .her .Grammar School n.f '600 students (Eirfet

time' an -American girl has been-...so-^honored in Mexico, ..according "to the

Associated Press'.). And, she .is being mentioned as a candidate for Queen;

of her Secondary School as this is written . .-She teaches "A Beginners-Priyj;

maryrJunior Bible class each. Lord's day, a .Seminary bite. ClA^.s in ele-~
'mehtary Spanish grammar, and is in her ^s econd year, of piAnp( jrphn'Vi/illiA^s ,
.book- IV)-i Little Geneva(Veva) , *adopted .at. 4 ,months, is quiet /Ipving^-her

feelings easily hurt--has to be loved, after each spanking pr scoldih^',-

Elizabeth(Becky), adopted at birth, is independent, lovable, an' imp, afraid

of nothings and an angel when she is asleep.

.Former Dean of Pacific Bible College, Richard C Mills had this tb'sAy of

G.brry:

peo.pl.e.

"Gerald Bowlin is not considered a foreigner by these M.fexican

They s.ay, 'He is not an American, he is a Mexicanl'

Ih; fact, he

has so .identified himself with them as-a-servarit. -ofllhiLlsij^hinhknoMd^eCf:

their-rWays and language, and in deep sympathy and concern, they think, of
him as their, 'patron'.

"A' ipatron' in Mexico, is usually that aged patriach or.-matriarch of the

village: who is looked to for advice and counsel, for leadership, anb ,
authority. Gerald: Bowlin has earned this litle among them', -in;, his.; devo
tion to them as individuals in their need for a personal SaviorHo has
made. Him, the Savior., personal toono foreigner',
'

"There, are, many discouraging factors in this mission field, as in others,

but the type of service* described above will be the most successful, other
things being aqual. If we want to know if our missionaries are doing a
good job, perhaps we should ask the people'they servet 'Do these, our
missionaries, identify themselves with you, or do you regard them as _
foreigners?'"

"

Gerald D. and Mrs.-Geneva S. Bowlin' are in their fourth te

of aqrvi-ce--

(16th year) in Mexico under the eldership of the First Christian Church,

9501 Virginia Ave., South Gate, California, USA.

FOR. SPECIFIC LIVHTG LINK-'NEEDS, WRITE;

DR. GERAlb D.'BOWLIN

WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSION..

...

APDO.

.POSTAL

350

HERMOSILLO, SONORA, HfflXIC O"

'

Revo 11/1/63

niOGRAPIIY

ALEX s ESTHER

JULIAN

By Tars. Geneva S. Bowlin

V/ESTKRN I.1EXIC0 CTIRISTIAr T.IISSIOTT

Among the first teachers in MEXICAN BIBLE SEMINARY, were two^young

people showing unusual ability and insight, and it was with joy that we

saw ALEX JULIAN and ESTHER MARTINEZ, unite in marriage on JUly 13, 1952.

(Esther* s father, Maoario Martinez, our first native evangelist in Wes

tern Mexico, recently revived the work in Nogales and is now opening a
new work, under Mission auspices, in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, the next state
south.)

Since Bro. Julian jolnod the work he has advanced from teacher of Old
Testament in the Seminary until today he is Director or President of this
institution for the Mexican Church.

Because of the Importance of this

position and his ability in all phases of the Mexican work, Bro. Julian
has earned full Missionary status--he IS a Mlssionary--that is he has

opened a new field, even tho itbe in his own country.

(Long-time spon

sors aret Bellflower, La Habra, Northridge, Vi^estside Long Beach, Calif;

Butler, Bid.; and Ferry, Ohio.)

"Alex", a second generation Christian, is the son of middle class parents

in the State of Coahuila in North Central Mexico.

His father was for

many years foreman for the American Mining Company operating in his home
state, and leader in the Church during the early years of evangelism there.
Esther was raised as a minister's daughter.

The uniting of these two peo

ple of like background in the Church's program has proved extraordinarily

frutiful for the Kindgom.

We believe the future years will prove a place

for this young couple (They are 31 years old) alongside giants of the faith
in the Mission field.

God grant it may be so.

Alex is a B.S.L. graduate of Colegio Biblico in Eagle Pass, Texas, and

Esther holds a certificate from Mexican Bible Seminary.

One of the ambi

tions of this young couple is to spend a year in the U- S- A. studying me

thods of church government and systems in our Churches there. Esther
speaks Spanish and the Yaqui-Mayo Indian dialect fluently, and both she
and Alex continue to study English in "spare" moments. Esther was raised
as the "darling" of two Indian tribes on the Mexican west Coast and spoke

Yaqui-Mayo and Spanish interchangeably while still a young girl. Alex has
preached in the area where Esther was raised and speaks a smattering of the
dialects as well as some of his home area's tribal words.

In complete charge of the development and recruiting program for the Semi
nary, the dormitory arrangement, student affairs, as a minister, evangelist,
construction superintendent, representative to the Mexican government, and
advisor to the Mexican ministry and American missionaries, this man and his
wife-have proven themselves a vital and important part of Vi/ESTERN MEXICO

CHRISTIAN MISSION.

Let's not forget the two boys; Pedro 10, and Esau, a bright 7 year old.
Alex and Esther have lost two little girls, which Mexican tradition tells

us are "little angels" in haven with God and Jesus. The boys are a definite
part of the Seminary family. If you don't believe it--j*u3t ask one of them'

ADDITIONAL LIV3NG LINK SUPPORT IS URGENTLY NEEDED.

PLEASE CONTACT;

V/ESTERN TfflXICO CHRISTIAN MISSION

APDO.

POSTAL 350

HERMOSILLO, SONORA, TffiXIDO

Rev. 11/1/63.

WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSION

I.

FOblTDED

January, 1950/

II.

LOCATION

III.

PURPOSE

IV.

PERSONJJSL

V.

ACTIVITIES-

Missionaries Gerald & Geneva Bowlin.

Hermoslllo, oapital, Sonora/lOO,000 pop.

Indigenous or native

Mexican Church.

Dr. Gerald D. and I^^s. Geneva S. Bov/lin (Americans)

Alex and Mrs. Esther Julian (Mexicans)

A. EVANGELISM

7 churches/SmissIons/300 members/Sl baptisms, 1963/

500 total baptisms/ some 10,000 contacted the Gospel.

B. CHURCH BLDGS.---4 churches/2' chapels/3 strategic lots.

C. SEMINARY

150 trained/l5 degrees/2 classrooms/dorm./house/chapel.

2 graduates, 1963/nite classes for working men, 1963.

D. SEMINARY RANCH
E. CLINIC
VI.

40A./15 mi. city/good well/v/heat, sesame, beans,

corn/goal, support Seminary/profit, 1964???

cement block mach./lst. proj., 3 rd. dispensary/ native

doctor/Health Dept. okay/s T.clothes, 1 T. medicine.

NEEDS YOUR

PRAYERS'.

A. EVANGELISM

Living Link Still Needed For 4th Term of Service

450,mo.,Bowllns/|200,mo,,Jullans/$100,mo.,evangelist.

B. CHWCH BLDG3.
C. SEMINARY

2,500., each, 3 Ghapels/10,000 city church.

30mo,,ea-. 3tudent/100 mo. ,Prof ./f50 ea. bicycle.

D. SEMINARY RANCH

500,pump/2,500,tractor, equip/l,500, plant,

raise, harvest crop wheat.

E. CLINIC
VII.

Sample medlcines/layettes/quilts/used instruments & equip/

(future)500,room, 1,000,surgery, maternity ward.

ADDRESS---

A. CHECKS TO

GERALD D. BOWLRT, DIRECTOR

WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN
APDO. POSTAL 350

MISSION

HERMOSILLO, SON ORA, i.'EXICO.

B.

PACKAGES TO

IvRS. FRAN TINKER, FORWARDING AGENT

WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN
P.O. BOX 1530

NOGALES, ARIZONA, U.S.A.

MISSION

MEXICAN BIBLE SEMINARY

ELEVENTH YEAR OF SERVICE FOR AN INDIGENOUS MEXICAN CHURCH
^ ''j

Western Mexico Christian Mission

MAIL: APARTADO

POSTAL

No.

350

OFFICE: CALLE TLAXCALA 109 PTE.

HERMOSIU.O. SONOKA, MEXICO.

GERALD D. BOWLIN, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR

MRS. GENEVA S. BOWLIN, DISPENSAKY-CLINIC

December

1963

ALEJANDRO JULIAN. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

MRS, ESTHER M. JULIAN. BIBLE SCHOOLS

Beloved Friends In cfhrist?

THA'"K you

Yes, this is a

"Thank You Letter" to thank you and say

God bless you for your financial help and your prayers, this month,
and all this year, 1963, for WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSION.
THANK YOU
V/ho gave living-link and personal gifts to the BOVVLIN
and JULIAN MISSIONARY FAMILIES so they could live on the field in
WESTERN

P'EXIGO.

THANK YOU
Who supported MEXICAN BIBLE SEMINARY, and her students
here in WESTERN PffiXICO,

THANK YOU
Who supported our EVANGELISM program, our student evan
gelist, and especially you, who paid bro, MARTINEZ salary for six

months while reviving the work in Nogsles, Sonera, and beginning a

new work in Los Mochis, Sinaloa in Vi/ESTERN T.IEXIGO.

THANK YOU

Who helped pay for the work on the RANCH (FARM) to help

needy Seminary students from WESTERN J.ffiXICO.

THANK YOU

Y/ho helped Mrs. Geneva S. Bov/lin carry on her fruitful

CHARITABLE and BENEVOLENT work here In V/ESTERN MEXICO.

THANK YOU
Mere words will not suffice, so WE THANK YOU BY PEACHIMG
CHRIST as the enclosed picture shbws me doing in Colonia Olivares,
my regular preaching point in V/ESTERN /ilEXICO.
^And may you have a Joyful Holiday Season, is our wish
THANK YOU
and prayer from V/ESTERN MEXICO.

Your Colaborers and Christ^a,

WESTERN TTEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSION,

Gerald D. Bowlln, S..T.D., Director-