THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 5, 1997 TAG: 9701030226
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Close-Up
SOURCE: Ida Kay Jordan
LENGTH: 105 lines
State Del. Ken Melvin of Portsmouth turned the tables on Elder Charles H. Bowens Jr. recently.
Bowens, pastor of New Testament Community Church, organized ``A Great Celebration'' at his church on Dec. 15 and presented plaques of recognition and appreciation to more than 65 Portsmouth citizens.
Melvin was one of them. However, he had an award of his own to present. When Bowens concluded his presentations, Melvin stood up from his front-row seat and said he had something to say. Bowens stepped aside, and Melvin went to the pulpit to read a resolution passed at last spring's General Assembly session in Richmond. Approved by both the House and Senate, the resolution recognized Bowens for ``extraordinary and invaluable service to the community.''
A framed copy of the resolution was presented to Bowens by Melvin, and it now hangs in a place of honor in the pastor's office.
Bowens never stops being involved.
``My father was that way,'' Bowens said. ``He was my hero.''
He said his father was an ``activist'' and was ``color blind.''
``He'd help anybody who needed it,'' he said.
The family lived in a big house near the corner of Lincoln and Effingham streets, he said.
``We grew up in an integrated society because that's the way things were when people were mixed up in the community,'' he said, adding that the mixture included people of all incomes, and that blacks and whites, though legally segregated, knew each other.
``Television robbed us of that community,'' he said.
People now live in isolation with others just like themselves, and that leaves many young people with no role models, nothing to emulate, Bowens said.
Basically, he said, people ``resent classes not color,'' but the economic impact is a major factor in race relations.
As a member of the Portsmouth School Board, Bowens has pushed for ``character education.''
``Character is essential to everything else we do,'' he said.
It is important, he added, that people ask two questions:
Is it right?
Is it fair?
Bowens, 74, taught 35 years in the Chesapeake school system and simultaneously was a preacher.
Before becoming the pastor of the New Testament Community Church congregation in Cavalier Manor, he preached at New Hope Baptist Church at St. Julien's Creek and Little Zion Baptist in Driver.
``I became pastor of this church 22 years ago,'' he said.
A major expansion of the church facility on Rapidan Street will begin this year.
Elder Bowens is a man of words. He jokingly says his late wife used to ask him why he used five words when two or three would do.
Actually, he frequently chooses a word to say exactly what he wishes to say. In honoring more than 65 people at his church, he pared the length of the program by picking one or two words to describe each person's contribution to the community.
``I believe people should be recognized for what they do,'' he said.
Name: Charles H. Bowens Jr.
Education: I.C. Norcom High, Norfolk State, Virginia State and Hampton Institute; holds bachelor of arts and master's of art degrees.
Neighborhood: Victory Manor.
Years in Portsmouth: 74.
Birthdate: July 26, 1922.
Occupation: Pastor of New Testament Community Church and retired Chesapeake schoolteacher, educator and counselor.
Marital status: Widower - was married 50 years to Beatrice Andrews Bowens.
Children: Charles H. Bowens III, Cynthia Benton and Curtis M. Bowens. Five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Affiliations: Member Portsmouth School Board and past chairman of Tidewater School Board Association; past member of state board of the School Board Association; member of Interdenominational Ministers Forum; past president of Portsmouth Branch of NAACP, the Church and Community in Action, and the Portsmouth Ad Hoc Committee; past secretary of Interdenominational Forum of Portsmouth and Vicinity.
My favored Scriptures: Proverbs 3:5-6.
Who would I trade places with? Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
Most embarrassing moment: Because my name ends in Jr., people get me mixed up with my son, who is principal of Highland Biltmore Elementary School.
A perfect way to spend a day: Reading lots of books and magazines.
I can't resist: Laughing at myself.
Favorite Portsmouth hangouts: Formosa Restaurant and my sister's house.
My greatest accomplishments: Founding the Ministers' Fellowship, serving as president of the Portsmouth Branch of NAACP, teaching 35 years in the Chesapeake school system, organizing the first integrated art exhibit in Portsmouth, writing my memoir, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ since 1957, and helping make people happy.
If I could change myself: I would like to reach more people and have more resources to respond to those who ask for help.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Not enough people committed to buying things in the city.
Three wishes for Portsmouth:
Improved race relations.
More respect for each other among the people of the city.
Get churches to work in unity in responding to the less fortunate.
Things I like about Portsmouth:
The many options presented by the waterfront.
The quality of strong leadership by the mayor and City Council and the School Board.
The tremendous role churches play in our community. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Bowens