Frank Rowley

Adapted from an article by the late Syd Bland

I first met Frank Rowley over thirty years ago. It was at a Sunday School Camp, at Cayton Bay on the East Coast of Yorkshire. We were both there with our families and seventy-five other children and a few dedicated men and women, all living under canvas, who were prepared to give up valued family holiday time, to help young people to find the Saviour, but along with that there were long hours of hard work, helping to conduct tent meetings, prepare all the meals and look out for all those children and young people for the week long camp. It was Christian Fellowship and the Lord has made it an unforgettable memory, not least for the torrential rain during part of the week, when lots of the equipment, including bedding was soaked and flooding of some areas. (What changes?)

An unexpected event at Derbyshire Street Mission

We have talked often about our conversions and getting saved through believing faith in the Saviour. Frank’s experience was a very unexpected event. He lived as a young boy in Hunslet in South Leeds, he was out with his friends one Sunday evening, they couldn’t find much to ‘interest’ them, so they decided to visit the local Mission Hall, actually to cause a nuisance rather than to take an interest. It was to be the beginning of a life changing experience, at that Sunday evening service, it started out as a laugh but the sermon was about ‘Heaven and Hell’ it led Frank to acknowledge his need for a personal Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He became a committed Christian that night with deepening love of our Lord Jesus Christ. He passionately believes the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Golden Wedding

As the years past he met and married Dorothy and they have five children, and now have ten grandchildren. Their Golden Wedding Anniversary was a special occasion. Frank was employed for a time in the early part of his working life in the engineering industry, before entering the ministry.

The Jewish People

As Frank continued to support his family and develop his Biblical ministry speaking in various churches. All this was over a period of numerous years, including Methodist Circuit ministry. He was eventually called into full-time ministry in God’s timing and direction, to serve in a ‘Ministry to the Jewish People’ in Leeds. By an organisation called ‘The Swedish Society of Friends to the Jewish People’. Also during this period in his life he was studying at NTC [Nazarene Theological College] in Manchester. It was to have an abiding influence on his ministry. Later he undertook further studies with the FEM Academy. Having qualified he is serving as Tutor with the Academy.

Dimbleby Chapel Press

Alongside the work with Jewish people, he was Minister at Dimbleby Chapel in Kirkstall, Leeds. He set up and developed The Dimbleby Chapel Press. With the aim to print literature for the Chapel and the Jewish ministries own use. The monthly magazine ‘The Covenant’ was produced here and ran consecutive for many-many months and was posted all over the world.   It was the time before Personal Computer came into universal use. Hundreds of churches and missions were helped with their printing needs on ‘a not for profit basis’. This venture ran for many years, acquiring some quite sophisticated machinery along the way, it was well known and respected. This was during the time he was the Minister at Dimbleby Chapel at Kirkstall Hall in Leeds.

He also the Minister at the Church of the Nazarene in Bramley, Leeds, over a number of years. Later served in churches on the East Coast in Bridlington. Although semi-retired now, still continues to preach and conduct Bible studies in churches and chapels up and down the country.

Serving as an Executive Council member of FEM. Frank writes regularly for magazines and publications, also for his website ’Colours of the Trinity’ and is delighted to reach hundreds of people through the internet.

Frank and Dorothy are in fellowship at the Hunslet Church and enjoying every moment with friends old and new. Come and share great times with us we would love to meet you with your family and friends.

4 July 2007