Fowler, Andrew J.

1935 - 2021
Missionary
Methodist
Malaysia

Dr Andrew Joseph Fowler was born in Killeen, Texas, the US. He was educated at Southwestern University, Union Theological Seminary and Perkins School of Theology in Southern Methodist University, earning a PhD in Ministry. His wife, Monina Cepede (Nina) also served in Malaysia for 28 years.

Dr Andrew Fowler came to Sarawak in October 1957. He started teaching in the Methodist Secondary School while assisting the Iban churches at Sg Aup and Penasu. In 1958, he was posted to Kapit as the principal of the Methodist Primary School and, at the same time, served as a pastor there. It was there he met Monina Cepeda, a Filipino missionary sent by the Philippines Methodist church. She was serving as a nurse in Christ Hospital in 1957. In 1960, Dr Fowler served as the chaplain of Christ Hospital. He then returned to America to take up theological training for three years. Upon his return to Sarawak in 1963, he was posted to Sarikei where he started to learn the Iban language.

The Fowlers went home to the US in 1965, but soon they returned again to Sarawak to serve in the Iban Literature Evangelistic Centre in Sibu. In 1971, he was posted to Kapit again. They went on furlough in 1975.

In 1976, he was appointed as the principal of Sibu Methodist Theological School (MTS) where he served until 1979. MTS was established in 1954 but it was only for short-term Bible studies and extended courses. The theological students were sent to study at the Trinity Theological College in Singapore.

Before returning home to the US in 1979, he was interviewed by the Methodist Message magazine. He said, “No matter what, MTS should continue. It is only through local training and practicing that the students could well meet the local needs. In the past, there were many foreign missionaries assisting the work here. However, many have retired and left for home. So the church would undoubtedly depend on these local theological students to shepherd them.”

Dr Fowler also mentioned four main challenges faced by MTS: lack of teachers, degree certification issue, financial problems, and sources of student intake. When he returned home, the administrative work was taken over by the board of directors. The courses were overseen by the two deans of the Iban and Chinese departments. Dr Fowler served in Sarawak for 21 years. When he first came, the Chinese and Iban Annual Conferences were not separate entities. In 1956, the Iban Annual Conference had only one elder pastor and today there are more than 40 pastors serving the Iban community. In the past, all major administrative power was in the hands of the Western missionaries but today the two conferences are independent bodies. The missions ministry is expanding in both Annual Conferences and they are collaborating closely with each other.

After returning home, Dr Fowler's membership was transferred back to his mother church, Texas Central Conference of United Methodist Church of America. In his hometown Killen, a Junior High school is named after his father, Dr Joseph A. Fowler. When his father came to Killen in 1932, he was not only a missionary but also a doctor, the only doctor in the town in fact. More than 2,000 children were reported to have been delivered by him over the years.

Dr Fowler is popularly called Andy by his friends both in the US and in Sarawak. He and his wife, Nina, live in Killeen, Texas. They have two children, Marianina and Joseph.

Rev Dr Andy Fowler, 85, passed away on January 5, 2021. [1]

 

Notes

  1. ^ https://kdhnews.com/obituaries/joseph-andrew-fowler/article_6943802a-520f-11eb-b14c-630442898991.html

© SCAC. This article from Missionaries to Sarawak: Footprints in the Land of Hornbills is reproduced with permission of the Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference, The Methodist Church in Malaysia, with minor editing for clarity and brevity. 

[Missionaries to Sarawak: Footprints in the Land of Hornbills 1 and 2 are compiled by Wong Meng Lei (also chief editor), edited by Tumi Ngae, and translated by Christina Tiong, K.T. Chew, and Chang Yi. Book 2 translators are Christina Tiong, K.T. Chew, Chang Yi and Ting Kong Sing.]