Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Websites
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Software
Interests
Languages
Training/ Programs
Conferences
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Richard Bowler

Minister
Edmonton,AB
Richard Bowler

Summary

Spiritual Leader with 17 years of experience in both pastoral and crisis ministry. Accomplished in helping community members strengthen relationships with God by guiding individuals throughout service activities.

Empathetic Addictions Case Manager and Chaplain at Hope Mission, adept in spiritual care and crisis management. Demonstrated success in enhancing client self-understanding and fostering strong relationships. Skilled in pastoral counseling and staff education, ensuring compassionate, effective care and support across diverse settings.

Familiar with common, secular working life through a variety of jobs in transportation, non-profits, retail and additional.

Overview

17
years of professional experience

Work History

Evangelical Free Church of Canada

Pulpit Supply
10.2023 - Current

Job overview

  • I have helped out at three churches in this capacity, with an extended relationship with this current church while their pastor was on paternity leave and now in an ongoing capacity after he has left for another position.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.

Hope Mission

Addictions Case Manager
05.2016 - 08.2019

Job overview

  • In this capacity I helped broken men regain hope, trust, self-discipline, understanding and, in some cases, faith. I also helped oversee the volunteers for our chapel ministry, speaking extensively myself, and helped develop better curriculum for our program. I was known as the 'most empathetic' of the case managers.
  • Conducted thorough assessments of clients' situations, identifying issues, goals, and necessary interventions.
  • Managed crisis situations with empathy and professionalism, ensuring client safety and continuity of care.
  • Monitored ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new information.
  • Educated clients on spiritual truth and the possibility of new life, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.

Hope Mission

Chaplain
06.2014 - 05.2016

Job overview

  • I was recruited personally by the director of the mission to be part of a team of chaplains to help deal with staff issues and maintain a Christian identity for this diverse, multi-denominational organization, while also being available for clients in distress and an active contributor to the evening chapels.
  • Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and direct care to the homeless and staff.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for holistic patient care, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
  • Developed relationships with staff, resulting in increased trust and rapport during difficult times.
  • Provided spiritual care through chapels, counseling, and prayer.
  • Led programs such as worship, study, and fellowship opportunities.
  • Conducted crisis intervention sessions with individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, providing comfort and support during critical times.

Jasper Park Baptist Church

Senior Pastor
09.2001 - 03.2012

Job overview

  • I began as a bi-vocational pastor for this struggling church, which had exhausted denominational funding, until it began to get traction. We had some exciting years of growth and new ventures. I was involved with the ministerial association, with volunteering at the senior's facility, of organizing Alpha courses, IDOPs, and inter-church prayer services. I was able to acquire A/V and office equipment, and to present the gospel in creative ways.
  • Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
  • Led effective pastoral care for congregation members, providing spiritual guidance and support during times of crisis or need.
  • Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
  • Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
  • Nurtured a culture of volunteerism within the church community by developing opportunities for individuals to contribute their unique skills and talents in service to others.

Vancouver Foodbank

Fresh and Prepared Food Program Operator
10.1993 - 06.1996

Job overview

I was hired to run and revive a languishing offshoot of the Vancouver Foodbank's operations, which was to supply agencies and missions working with the homeless and those facing addiction and mental health challenges with fresh and prepared foods from bakeries, school lunch programs, hospitals, restaurants and stores.

By the time that I left both the number of recipient agencies and the volume of foodstuffs had multiplied greatly, requiring the need for a second vehicle and driver.

Education

Regent College
Vancouver, BC

Master of Arts from Christian Studies
05.2000

Concordia University
Montreal, QC

Bachelor of Arts from English Literature And Creative Writing
05.1991

Tyndale University
Toronto, ON

Bachelor of Arts from Religious Studies
05.1989

Skills

  • Service planning
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Staff education and training
  • Relationship Building
  • Spiritual care
  • Teaching
  • Pastoral Care
  • Pastoral counseling

Certification

Formerly ordained with the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada, now with the Evangelical Free Church of Canada

Accomplishments

Editor-in-Chief, undergraduate paper, Toronto

Street Mission volunteer/ Pioneer Kids helper, Montreal

Co-leader Young Peoples Group, Vancouver

Operator and Improver of Foodrunners Program, Vancouver

Children's Mission participant, Albania

Alpha Course Coordinator, Jasper

Contributor for column in local paper, Jasper

Dental Mission helper, Rwanda

Deacon/ Building Committee, video producer, Edmonton

Memorial officiator and video producer, Edmonton

Pulpit Supply, Edmonton, Bon Accord

Humanitarian Mission, Honduras

Affiliations

  • Evangelical Free Church of Canada

Software

Microsoft Office

Interests

Writing

Art

Hiking/Exploring

Gardening

Music

History

Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Elementary (A2)

Training/ Programs

  • Trained in the Stephen Ministry Pastoral Care Course (Kenneth Haugk)
  • Trained in running the Alpha Course (Nicky Gumbel)
  • Trained in running The Truth Project course (Del Tackett)
  • Trained in Freedom in Christ (Neil Anderson)
  • Operated Celebrate Recovery program (Rick Warren), w/o formal training
  • Facilitated Christianity Explored course (Rico Tice), w/o formal training
  • Facilitated The Purpose Driven Life (Rick Warren), online training
  • Facilitated Boundaries book course (Townsend and Cloud)
  • Facilitated Experiencing God course (Henry Blackaby)
  • Facilitated the God, Discover His Character course (Bill Bright)
  • Facilitated and wrote numerous mini-modules concerning facets of addiction

Conferences

  • Pastoral Care Ministries Conference - (Leanne Payne), Wheaton, Ill. 2000
  • Billy Graham Evangelistic Association School of Evangelism, Lake Louise, AB 2002, 2007
  • Re:Focus Theological Conference, Vancouver, BC 2004
  • Gospel Coalition Conference - (Tim Keller, D. A. Carson) Chicago, Ill. 2011
  • Breakforth Christian Conference, Edmonton, AB 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011
  • CBWC Pastor and Spouse Retreat, Banff, AB 2007, 2009, 2011
  • Leading With Biblical Authority, Vancouver, BC 2009
  • Living the Resurrection Seminary Course- (Henry Blackaby) Cochrane, AB 2006
  • Promise Keepers Seattle, WA 2001/ Grande Prairie, AB 2003
  • John Eldredge Men's Conference, Calgary, AB 2009

Timeline

Pulpit Supply

Evangelical Free Church of Canada
10.2023 - Current

Addictions Case Manager

Hope Mission
05.2016 - 08.2019

Chaplain

Hope Mission
06.2014 - 05.2016

Senior Pastor

Jasper Park Baptist Church
09.2001 - 03.2012

Fresh and Prepared Food Program Operator

Vancouver Foodbank
10.1993 - 06.1996

Regent College

Master of Arts from Christian Studies

Concordia University

Bachelor of Arts from English Literature And Creative Writing

Tyndale University

Bachelor of Arts from Religious Studies
Richard BowlerMinister