The Author
Rev. Bill Bowdoin was born and raised in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. At an early age, he bought the “American Dream” of becoming rich, and it became his life’s goal. In November of 1963, he nearly died from a ruptured appendix that was not operated on for two weeks because of stubbornness on Bill’s part and misdiagnoses by the doctors. God spared his life in answer to many prayers of loved ones, but for three years Bill tried to ignore God and go his own way. He was convicted by Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” This verse caused him to change his viewpoint on life, and he accepted Christ as his Savior on February 19, 1967.
On February 18, 1968, at the age of seventeen, he started preaching and giving his testimony in his home area. Due to his father’s illness, he worked on construction and did farm work while finishing high school to help support his parents and sisters.
From 1969-1972, while a student at a Christian college, he preached extensively in rescue missions, jails, churches, open air meetings, and crusades. He also directed an inner-city missions project, which involved as many as 100-150 fellow students. Bill not only directed the project, but also worked personally trying to reach street gang members for Christ. During this time, God spared his life on several occasions, and these are the events upon which the plays are based. Following these events and his graduation, he traveled across the United States and Canada preaching and sharing is gang experiences. On August 24, 1972, Bill was ordained in his home church in New York State.
Bill married Joyce Stone in Horseheads, New York, in 1974. The daughter of a pastor, Joyce was raised by her parents in Vermont and Maine. She has taught in several Christian schools and is presently teaching at Corning Christian Academy in Corning, New York, where their four daughters attended and graduated.
If you have questions for the author, you can contact Bill.
What sparked the writing project?
Note: All Scripture verses are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible which is in public domain.