PROPELLING
MINISTRY R
yan Bowell was always intrigued by the business model of the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation (GBIF). As comptroller and later, chief financial officer, for sister organization Encompass World Partners, he had the opportunity to see first-hand the benefits of the ministry. Encompass had utilized the investment accounts and even had a line of credit with GBIF. “I knew they were serving the Fellowship in a different way,” he recalls. “I was drawn to that.” When the Encompass offices moved to Atlanta, and Ryan and his wife, Sharmion, didn’t feel led to follow, he sought out an opportunity with the GBIF. He felt the church extension fund that serves the Charis Fellowship would be a good place to use his business skills combined with 15 years in another Fellowship ministry. Starting at GBIF as director of credit services in 2013, he began to oversee the loan functions of the organization. Admittedly, he didn’t have a commercial banking background, but he quickly learned procedures and asked questions of others who were more experienced. In the process, he worked with nearly one hundred churches and other ministries within the Charis Fellowship to help them obtain financing or manage their existing loan. As with many small organizations, he also found himself wearing other hats – overseeing the marketing of the organization and helping with technology questions. When President and CEO Ken Seyfert announced his pending retirement in 2019, it seemed natural that Ryan would seek the position.
Top: The Bowell family, left to right, front Austin, Sharmion (holding the dog, Hudson), Ryan, Madeline; back, Cameron, Aidan Bottom: Ryan and Sharmion Bowell celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this past year. She also serves the Charis Fellowship as operations manager in the Fellowship office.
18 GraceConnect | Winter-Spring 2021
“GBIF has been operating more like an investment loan fund and not a foundation,” Ryan observes. “I had some ideas that GBIF could potentially implement some new services. The CEO role is the natural place to roll some of those things out.” “Ryan has demonstrated a dedication to serving the Lord for more than two decades,” says Seyfert, who hired Bowell eight years ago. “At GBIF, he is a hard worker with a burden to do what is right,” he adds. “Ryan is focused on helping facilitate God’s work to move forward. As CEO, he will use his gifts and experience to benefit the Charis Fellowship and bring glory to God!”
