An Adventure with Jesus

Born of an English Soldier and an Italian war-bride mother.  Started life by being fostered because mum had TB and was unable to care for new born infant.  At 18 months, adopted into foster family hence the name Cowling.

Brought up in a nominal Christian home even though my adoptive mum converted from being a nominal Methodist to become a nominal Roman Catholic, "so that David could be brought up in the religion to which he was born". Educated through Catholic Schools (rubbish scholar), went to church regularly and Sunday, took my first Holy Communion at 7 years and was confirmed into the Catholic Church at 8 years.

A 7 years of age I had a deep sense of the religious and a real love of God and I knew that I wanted to serve Him even then.  I also had special encounter with God that I was not to understand until 21 years later.

At 6 years we moved to Australia as £10 immigrants; a good time with many happy memories even at that age.  Mum took a job on a sheep station as a cook for a time so I could experience the outback, as she would say.  Another unusual aspect to my life is that I was brought up to know and relate to my biological parents even though I was adopted.  This helped me later when I came to understand the relationship Christians have with God.

When I left school I left the Church also.  School was not a happy experience for me because I lived in a world where the clergy and the nuns and brothers that educated me were not tolerant of my educational shortcomings, therefore I was no stranger to the slipper or the cane.  This, to me, was religion, and I wanted nothing to do with it now I was out of its clutches.

For the next 13 years I had a number of jobs, Apprentice Woodcutting Machinist, clothing salesman (at which I was pretty good - my boss said so), Theatre Carpenter, Carpet Fitter, Floorlayer, taxidriver; eventually becoming self-employed as a flooring contractor.  I was never rich, but I was always able to pay my way.

After a short courtship, I married Gillian, my wife of 35 years, and she presented me with two lovely children; Rebecca, now 33, and Luke, now 26.   But between the two children I had another two encounters with God.  One when I really knew I was forgiven all my sins, and another when the reality of my experience of 7 years of age was understood because I once again encountered the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Since then I have had businesses that have prospered and some that have failed.  I have gained a degree in Theology and Pastoral Studies, I have pastored two Churches and led a Schools Ministry in Sheffield where many young people responded to the Gospel.

God is continuing to work in my life giving me two new careers, and a ministry in education setting up a School for Christian Discipleship at my church (strange considering I was such a poor student when I was at school!)  God continues to lead me, and my testimony expands daily as he takes me from one adventure to another.  Glory to His Name.