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Pastor and Ingrid Pautsch:

My former pastor and his wife.
Testimonial from their son, David Pautsch

I personally met Bob when I visited my parents in the late 70's, and really got to know Bob when I moved to DeWitt with my new bride in 1980. Bob always loved to talk about Jesus, and his life was usually filled with testimonies and stories of people he had been talking to about their relationship with Christ and their salvation. Bob persisted in his evangelistic fervor. He was a great source of motivation as I saw his unbridled enthusiasm and emotion for the Lord.

When unbelieving folks in the church persecuted my father in 1991-1992 Bob stood like the Rock of Gibraltar, standing up for righteousness and speaking of knowing Jesus to the persecutors. Bob is like the people mentioned in Hebrews 11…of whom the world in not worthy! With Bob's love of evangelism it's easy to understand how the following verse applies to Bob, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.' But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. (Jer. 1:6 - 8)

My Father pastored the DeWitt, Iowa church that Bob was attending around the time when his close encounter with death occurred.  When my parents moved to DeWitt Bob was one of the first people to introduce himself.  In fact one of his first comments to my parents knit their hearts together with Bob's when he said, “I don't know if you understand this but ever since my accident I've had such a strong love for Jesus.”  They quickly affirmed that they surely knew where he was coming from.  Bob's following comment was endearing when he said, “Since you moved to DeWitt the atmosphere has been clearer for miles because it's clear that you love Jesus too.”

Over the 16 years that my father pastored in DeWitt, Bob was always a great source of encouragement and a faithful witness for Jesus.  This thrilled my father more than anything since my dad had such a great passion to make certain that people knew the Gospel.  There was never a sermon that went by that my dad didn't include the expression, “God loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for your sins.”  Bob and my dad shared this passion for the Gospel and this certainly explains their close relationship as well as the abundant fruit that has come out of their lives.

Our Lord Jesus called my Father home to be with him on January 1, 2000—Y2K Day! He just made it into the 2000's. My mother and I were there at his bedside when he left his earth suit and was ushered by the angels into heaven. He would have been 75 on May 10, 2000. He left behind a multitude of redeemed souls thrilled by the Gospel and his faithfulness to preaching it. It's a real testimony to my dad how many people have shared of their love for him and told of their appreciation for his dedication to Christ and his life of integrity.

Thanks for your expressions of love, Bob.  You're a dear soul and, through the thick and the thin, you have never wavered in your commitment to Jesus.  I'm sure you have given, and are giving, the Lord great pleasure!

PastorTimothy McClellan

It is a wonderful experience to have friendship in the Lord and to know that as time passes by and miles upon miles separate…..spiritual friendships remain.  Bob and Sylvia are two special people that I have had the privilege of knowing and spending time with sharing about the marvelous experience of life when we walk with the Lord.  Bob's personal sharing of his encounters with God and the way God has been at work in his life are precious.  His spiritual love for his family and friends goes beyond natural friendship.  The reflections Bob shares with us are indicative of a man in love with His Master and intent upon sharing the goodness of God with others.  I know you will enjoy it as a devotional blessing.

Warmly,

Pastor
Tim and Cynthia McClellan

Pastor Eric P. Sloter:

As Bob's pastor and friend, it is a true privilege to add my approval and support to Bob's “love letter” to our world. In the short time that I have been the lead pastor at Cedar Valley Community Church, I have come to know Bob as a dear brother and as a man of deep integrity and faithfulness.

For I know Bob's heart is to see that Paul's words to the Philippians become a living reality in your life. Namely, these words of confidence the apostle Paul spoke in Philippians 1:6 when the Lord inspired him to say: “And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”

Yours faithfully in Christ,

Eric P. Sloter
Lead Pastor,
Cedar Valley Community Church
Waterloo, Iowa.


Pastor Jon Wiest:

As a pastor and friend, it is a great privilege to write this foreword for Bob Bowman, a dear brother in the Lord. I am reminded of the apostle Paul when he writes, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. . . . ” (Philippians 1:3 - 5). Indeed, the love I have for this man is great and the thankfulness that I have toward the Lord for allowing our paths to cross is even greater.
I have known Bob for quite a while, but it was only about a year ago that we began to really grow close and I began to see his heart for Jesus and those He loves. Indeed, we have become close friends. However, the story you will find in the pages that follow is ironically not so much a story of Bob Bowman but rather a story of the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that as you read this book, you begin to see portions of your own life ¾ your needs, your heartaches, your victories, and your destiny.

The apostle Paul goes on in that great letter to the Philippians to say, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). After reading this book, I pray that you can be confident of where Jesus Christ is leading you. May God bless you.

In Christ,

Pastor Jon Wiest
Lead Pastor
Colin Creek Community Church
Plano, Texas.

Jeff and Dodie Jacobi:



Whenever I think of Bob Bowman, two things in my life always come to mind. First, I think of the day he came to my church and gave his testimony. He played the song, “People Need the Lord,” and I remember the passion with which he spoke when he described the burden he has for the lost souls that “everyday they pass me by.”

The second time was while we were traveling to a meeting and I spoke to him about the testimony he had given. I was driving, so I kept my eyes on the road as I reminded him of the message he had shared with us. (His message was how the Lord had given him a tremendous desire to tell others about his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.) When I turned to look at Bob, tears were streaming down his face. He spoke of his love for Jesus and how desperately he wanted everyone he met to know and love Him too. We were traveling west, and we talked about the fact of how we should keep checking our mirrors for His magnificent return in the east!

I believe that is why Bob is so passionate about his witness. Bob knows that we could hear the trumpet blast at any time, and he is ready to see his Lord face to face. He also knows the song is still true: “People need the Lord.” Bob knows that Jesus is our only hope!

Jeff Jacobi

President
First Trust and Savings Bank
Wheatland, Iowa

Ray Baca:

Shalom my brother Bob,

I believe that the Almighty YHWH is the Master of Chess. He being the King, can supernaturally move us around in this world to do His will. That being the fact, I have seen His Hand again move a special brother into my life by the name of Bob Bowman. The Ruach Ha Kodesh (Hebrew for Holy Spirit) drew us to each other.

The scriptures that Bob used covers every topic dealing with us personally. Our sin, our walk, who we are in Christ, & the need to be righteous in this wicked world. Scriptures that tell us how we need to die to ourselves & live a life that is full of Christ. That in all we do, we do for Y'shua's (Hebrew for Jesus) glory! Thank you Bob for being obedient to God by writing this book. My prayer is for the lost & this book shows the way. As Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, & the Life, no one can come to the Father, but through Me!"

Love in Y'shua,
Ray Baca.

Mbota M. Sabai:

From the day I first met Bob, I knew there was something different about him. It was while at his former workplace that I first talked with him; I asked him for his supervisor here at Wartburg Maintenance. We talked for a little bit, and, instantly, we connected on a spiritual level.

The second time I talked to Bob was to ask him about where I could get my bike, which badly needed repair, fixed. He generously offered to fix it for me at no cost, which made me realize he was just like me, a christian with that helping hand. He invited me to dinner, and I learned that he was writing a book that would revolutionize and move people's hearts. I started reading this book and quickly got immersed in it.

Months of assisting him as a computer analyst in writing this amazing book depicting how one could get saved followed. This book has tremendously changed my life. I have stopped drinking, hanging out at parties, “doing nothing,” and have changed into a more spiritual man. I have also gone to church many more times than I have gone over the past two years. All these changes are just a glimpse of what this book Bob has written has done for me; there is no telling what this book can do for you! Allow his life to manifest in yours as you read the pages of this book.

I also believe God takes us places for a reason; He guides us on the right paths. In my case, my path was to Waverly, Iowa, where I would meet people, like my special friend, Bob Bowman, who would change my life.

It was four years ago that I applied for admission at Wartburg College, one of the States' best liberal arts colleges. As soon as I was accepted, I flew to Illinois, where I stayed for a week, and then my uncle and aunt drove me to Wartburg College.

I have been here for four years, majoring in business administration (international business) and in management information systems.

It was clear that God had a purpose in bringing me to Wartburg College, and it was it was to help me grow and develop into a person who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, as a man who would live to serve Him in different ways. I discovered this when I met Bob Bowman, and his book has been a big aid in helping me to grow spiritually.

Mbota M. Sabai
Senior, Wartburg College.