Mike Bower is no stranger to the ups and downs of life.
As a young adult he struggled with finding himself after a professional baseball career did not come to fruition. He began using drugs in the early 70s to forget his troubles.
Parkway Bible Chapel pastor Mike Bower, of Ringgold, hosts meetings inside Hampton Inn's conference room at 6875 Battlefield Parkway."In early 1974 I was searching for something better," said Bower. "I worked at the Chattanooga Community Release Center, part of the penitentiary system, as a trust fund accountant and food service manager. I was miserable and God dealt with me and showed me I was lost. I surrendered my life to God and bought a Bible."
He said the Lord turned his life around and he decided to go into the ministry so he could turn other people's lives around too. He now ministers to others through his startup church Parkway Bible Chapel, which meets in the Battlefield Parkway Hampton Inn conference room Sundays at 10 a.m.
"I [first] started witnessing to my former drug buddies and following God instead of going back to that life," said Bower. "The answer to everyone's problem is in scripture. If we preach the truth from scripture, then lives are transformed."
His young congregation is transforming itself, going from a small Tuesday night Bible study group that met in his home a year ago, to a growing congregation.
"We are a non-denominational independent Bible church," said Bower. "Our DNA is the grace message. Our goal is to be culturally and socio-economically balanced. We are open to anyone that wants to come."
He said on a typical Sunday in Georgia, eight out of 10 people don't attend church and he wants to reach those people.
"We want to be true to the scriptures and relevant in the way we reach out to people," he said. "We want to make a difference in the community. Right now we are collecting offerings for Christ Chapel Share and Care Mission in Ringgold."
He said guests are welcome to dress casual or dress up for church services. Bower preaches while wearing blue jeans and hiking boots.
Parkway Bible Church will read from James Chapter 2 throughout February. The chapter begins by telling readers to treat all people equally no matter their social economic status and details loving one's neighbor.
To learn more about Parkway Bible Chapel, visit www.parkwaybiblechapel.org.