Elder H. Bernard Gowens, of Friona, Texas, was born in Crosbyton, Crosby County, Texas, on April 29, 1934.

He is the son of the late Elder Sylvester B. Gowens and Minnie B. Gowens. As of June 1999, his mother is yet living at the age of 96. He was ordained to the full work of the Gospel Ministry at the Muleshoe Church on September 15, 1968. For several years, he served as pastor of the Primitive Baptist Churches at Muleshoe, Texas and Tucumcari, New Mexico. For some seven years, he filled regular monthly appointments at the Perryton, Texas Church. He has served as pastor of the Fairview Church of Clovis, New Mexico from 1972 to the present.

On September 17, 1957, he married M. Lynn McBride. Three sons were born to this union, David, Michael, and Daniel, all of which are members of the Church. Bernard Gowens is a retired Certified Public Accountant having served in that profession for some 38 years.