John Gowans facts for kids

Quick facts for kids General John Gowans
16th General of The Salvation Army
In office 23 July 1999 – 13 November 2002
Chief	John Larsson
Preceded by	Paul Rader
Succeeded by	John Larsson
Personal details
Born	(1934-11-13)13 November 1934 Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died	8 December 2012(2012-12-08) (aged 78) London, England

John Gowans (born November 13, 1934 – died December 8, 2012) was a Scottish leader of The Salvation Army. He was the 16th General from 1999 to 2002, taking over from General Paul Rader. He is also famous for writing many songs and musicals with John Larsson.

Growing Up in Scotland

Early Life and Family

• John Gowans was born in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, on November 13, 1934.
• He was the third of five children in his family.
• Both of his parents were officers in The Salvation Army.

Joining the Army

• When John was 18, he joined the national service, which was a period of military training.
• He first thought about becoming a teacher.
• Later, he decided to join the British Army.
• He spent two years serving in Germany as part of the Royal Army Educational Corps.

His Work with The Salvation Army

Training and Marriage

• In 1954, John Gowans began his training at The Salvation Army International Training College.
• There, he met Gisèle Bonhotal, who would become his wife.
• Gisèle was from France and was a trained children's nurse.
• Her parents were also Salvation Army officers, just like John's.
• John and Gisèle got married in Paris in 1957.
• They had two sons named John-Marc and Christophe.

Writing Musicals and Books

• Starting in 1967, John Gowans showed his talent for writing.
• He worked with John Larsson to create ten full-length stage musicals.
• Some of these popular musicals include Take-Over Bid (1967), Hosea (1969), and Jesus Folk (1972).
• They also wrote Spirit (1973), Glory (1975), and White Rose (1977).
• Other musicals were The Blood of the Lamb (1978), Son of Man (1983), Man Mark II (1985), and The Meeting (1990).
• John Gowans also wrote three books of prayer poems called O Lord!
• He also wrote a book about his own life called There's a Boy Here ...

Serving Around the World

• John and Gisèle Gowans worked in different Salvation Army churches in the United Kingdom for 16 years.
• John then became the national stewardship secretary.
• Gisèle helped organize the International Youth Fellowship and worked in a maternity home in London.
• After leading a division in Manchester, UK, John became the chief secretary for the France Territory.
• Later, he moved to Los Angeles in the USA Western Territory, where he was the Secretary for Programme.
• The couple then led the Southern California Division.
• In 1986, they returned to France to lead the Salvation Army's work there.
• Seven years later, they moved to Australia to lead the Australia Eastern and Papua New Guinea Territory.
• This included overseeing the Army's work in New South Wales, Queensland, the Australia Capital Territory, and Papua New Guinea.

Becoming General

• In 1997, John Gowans was promoted to commissioner.
• He then took charge of the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland.
• On May 15, 1999, John Gowans was chosen to be the 16th General of The Salvation Army.
• He officially started his role on July 23, 1999.
• His wife, Gisèle Gowans, became the World President of Women's Organisations.
• When General Gowans retired in 2002, his musical partner John Larsson became the next international leader of The Salvation Army.

His Passing

• John Gowans passed away on December 8, 2012.
• His funeral service was held in London on Friday, December 14, 2012.