John Gowans
John Gowans (born November 13, 1934 in Blantyre ; † December 8, 2012 in London ) was the 16th General of the Salvation Army from 1999 to 2002 . He is also known for many songs and musicals that he wrote and composed with his direct successor General John Larsson .
childhood
John Gowans was in Blantyre in the county of South Lanarkshire ( Scotland born) on 13 November 1934 as the third of five children. His parents were also officers in the Salvation Army. At the age of 18, he took up military service with the plan to prepare for a career as a teacher. Eventually he decided to join the British Army . His first choice was the Army Catering Corps . However, the army recommended him for the Royal Army Educational Corps . He spent two years of his service in Germany.
Work in the Salvation Army
In 1954, Gowans began his training at the Salvation Army's International Training College in London. There he met his future wife Gisèle Bonhotal, a French woman whose parents were also officers of the Salvation Army. The couple married in Paris in 1957 and have two sons, John-Marc and Christophe.
From 1967 Gowans began together with John Larsson with his work as a writer of ten musicals. He also wrote three books of prayers and poems under the title O Lord! and an autobiography There's a Boy Here .
Over a period of 16 years, Gowans and his wife served in various Salvation Army parishes (corps) in British territory. He was then the National Administrative Secretary.
After serving as head of the Manchester (Great Britain) division, Gowans was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In connection with this he was appointed deputy country leader (chief secretary) of the Salvation Army in France.
This was followed by duties as division manager for program development for the US West division (Los Angeles) and as division officer for the Southern California division.
In 1986 the couple returned to France as country manager. Seven years later, they became heads of East Australia and Papua New Guinea Territory .
In 1997 John Gowans was promoted to command and was given responsibility for the territory of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland .
On May 15, 1999, the Salvation Army High Council elected John Gowans as the 16th General of the Salvation Army. He took office on July 23, 1999. His wife, Commander Gisèle Gowans became world president of the Salvation Army women's organizations.
After his retirement in 2002, his former musical partner John Larsson succeeded him as the international leader of the Salvation Army.
Musicals
- Take-Over Bid (1967)
- Hosea (1969)
- Jesus Folk (1972)
- Spirit (1973)
- Glory (1975)
- White Rose (1977)
- The Blood of the Lamb (1978)
- Son of Man (1982)
- Man Mark II (1985)
- The Meeting (1990)
death
John Gowans died on December 8, 2012. The funeral service took place on December 14, 2012 in the auditorium of William Booth College in Denmark Hill (London).
Individual evidence
- ↑ The Salvation Army International - General John Gowans
- ↑ The Salvation Army International - Funeral and Thanksgiving Service for General Gowans
| predecessor | Office | successor |
|---|---|---|
| Paul A. Rader |
General of the Salvation Army 1999–2002 |
John Larsson |
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Gowans, John |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | British General of the Salvation Army |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 13, 1934 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Blantyre |
| DATE OF DEATH | December 8, 2012 |
| Place of death | London |