Dr. Thomas J. Bowman, Sr., a native of Sumter, South Carolina, is the Senior Pastor of Francis Burns United Methodist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.  

The son of the late Elizabeth and Jake Bowman, Dr. Bowman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, a Master of Divinity degree from Gammon Theological Seminary (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Certified in Clinical Pastoral Education, Dr. Bowman has completed additional studies at Palmetto Health Richland and Columbia Area Mental Health Association, both in Columbia.  He is a graduate of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce’s “Leadership Hartsville” program, as well as Leadership South Carolina. He is a former Adjunct Professor of Black Studies at Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, South Carolina.  

Dr. Bowman is an ordained United Methodist Minister who has been actively involved in community-based organizations across South Carolina and in other states.  He was appointed by HUB Director/Regional Administrator, Mr. Steven Golightly, to serve on Head Start 2002 Steering Committee.  This committee serves to increase Head Start grantees capacity to deliver high quality services to children and families of the southeast.  

Dr. Bowman is the past chairperson of the Board of Directors of Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, Inc., (SHARE) which is the largest nonprofit human service agency in the Upstate of South Carolina.  He also served as chairperson of the SHARE Resource Development Board.  He was a member of the SHARE Greenville-Pickens Head Start Policy Council, and was past first Vice-President of the SC Head Start Association where he was president of the Friends Affiliate.  He is past Vice-Chairperson and past Chairperson of Greenville County 1stSteps Board of Directors.  He was a member of the Save Our Sons (S.O.S.) Board of Directors, and the Board of Visitors at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC.  He is a former member of the Head Start Region IV Board of Directors where he serves as chaplain of the board.  

Dr. Bowman organizes an annual Head Start Awareness Day Program.  He is past Director of South Carolina United Methodist Church (UMC) Conference Residency One Program, and past member of the UMC Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.  He is also member of the Greenville UMC District Board of Ordained Ministry.  He was SHARE Greenville-Pickens Head Start 1996 Humanitarian of the year and the South Carolina Head Start Association 1996 Humanitarian of the Year.  He has also been named to Outstanding Young Men of America. For his outstanding contribution to the community, he received a “Proclamation” from both the Mayors and City Council of Greenville and Greer in South Carolina.    He received the Gammon Theological Seminary President-Dean’s Award for Outstanding Support and Commitment to “The School of the Prophets” in October of 2007. In addition to his many board appointments, Dr. Bowman previously served in leadership positions on numerous civic, educational, non-profit, and Christian organizations.   He is a two time Jefferson Award Nominee winner, the Save Our Sons 2002 Board Member of the year Award winner, and the National Community Action Partnership 2002 Jayne-Thomas Grassroots Volunteer Recognition Award winner.  In June of 1992, he was honored by the South Carolina House of Representatives for his community service and for being a role model to others and in September of 2005; he was honored by The South Carolina State Senate for his dedicated service to the church.  Also in September of 2005, he received the Community Leadership AppreciationAward from SHARE, September and he is a recipient of the JC Penney Golden Rule Awardfor promoting volunteerism by serving as a member of the Golden Rule Award Panel.  In early 2004, he was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Citizenship Awardby the Gamma Gamma Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., for his distinguished leadership, community service, and dedication to uplifting humanity.  He was awarded the 2004 Citizens of the Year Award by the Mu Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for Outstanding Individual Serviceand contributions to The Greenville Community.  Dr. Bowman is an Ex-Marine Corps Sergeant.  He served two (2) tours of duty in Vietnam, where he was wounded twice in combat.  While in the Marine Corps, he also served on the Presidential Security. He is a member of the Alpha Lambda Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.  Dr. Bowman and his wife Susan have five children: Tressa, Thomas J. Bowman Jr., Jewel, Krystle, and Emerald; one daughter-in-law; two sons-in-law; and eight beautiful grandchildren.

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