The Inner Views of Kelly Bowling

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 

They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22, 23

(KJV)

More than once over the course of the past few years, I have mentioned or included the song,
"I'll Be Alright As Soon As I Touch Calvary" in my posts.
That song has come to mean so much to my family and me,
and last year, we were blessed to be able to hear it sung, in person,
by the group that first introduced the song to us.
(You can read about that special night, by clicking HERE.)

So, it was no surprise that while seeking God's face about His will concerning future Inner Views,
the dear lady you will read about today was brought to my mind.

I made contact, and she so graciously granted us an interview!
I am eternally grateful, and I know you will be very encouraged by meeting her.
Perhaps you are already familiar with her and her family's music.
If not, you are in for an extra special blessing!

The

of follower of Jesus, wife, mother, and soprano singer for The Bowling Family,

Kelly Bowling.

Cheryl:  First of all, I want to thank you, Kelly, for taking the time to grant us an interview. What an honor it is to be able to have you share with us today! To start off, can you tell us about yourself? 

Kelly:  I'm married to Mike. We have three daughters, ages 16, 12, and 9. We are on tour about 209 dates a year, so life is crazy at times, but we are blessed and together.  I sang for 17 years with my family, The Crabb Family, before Mike and I started The Bowling Family.

Cheryl:  We would love to hear about your Christian testimony. How old were you when you gave your heart to the Lord? What life events led up to that decision? How has following Jesus changed your life?

Kelly:  I was 14 when I got saved.  I was listening to music at home.  At first, secular music, but I had one gospel cassette (showing my age) to my name, and decided to listen to it.  Before I knew it, tears were falling, and I gave my heart to the Lord the summer before my freshman year of high school.  It set me on a totally different path, and I'm so thankful.  God has been so faithful to me.

Cheryl:  How long have you been singing? Can you recall any special memories of your first time singing in public? When did you first realize that God was calling you to sing full-time for Him?

Kelly:  I started singing at age 3.  I don't remember the first time I ever sang in public, but I remember the young years being up there, and I knew I loved it.  However, I got shy as I got older, and took some time away, but when I got saved, there was a new fire in me to sing again! I'm so glad I did! 

Cheryl:  How did you meet your husband, Mike, and how did you know he was “the one”? What is it like being on the road with him and your children, and being able to sing for the Lord together as a family? As a girl growing up, did you have any dreams or aspirations that this is what your life would one day look like?

Kelly:  I met Mike in Boaz, AL.  He was the lead singer for the Perry's.  My family was just getting started.  We had so much in common, it didn't take long to realize that he was the one. We dated about two years, and then he proposed.  I had always hoped to stay in ministry, and marry someone who had that same vision.  Our road life can be challenging, chaotic, and everything you can imagine life to be with three kids and raising them part time on a bus, but we're together, and that is the best part of it!

Cheryl:  Over the course of the past few years, my family and I have gone through some intense, fiery trials, and one of the songs that has gotten us through is “I’ll Be Alright As Soon As I Touch Calvary”. Last year, we were blessed to be able to attend Singin’ In the Sun in Myrtle Beach, and as we were standing in the part of the arena where the product tables were set up, we heard you and your family practicing that song next door. I can’t even begin to tell you the profound effect that moment had upon me, as I stood there, tears pouring down and thinking back over all of the many times we have turned to that song for comfort. Later, we got to see you all perform it live, and it was, without a doubt, my favorite moments of our entire time there. Can you please tell us the history behind your singing this song? Was there a particular reason you chose it, and what has the song meant to you, on a personal level? How has it affected others who have heard you sing it?

Kelly:  Mike has always loved this song, and he cut it as a solo artist years ago.  It is a Rusty Goodman song, and we have always loved his songwriting.  He was one of the greats!  I love to hear Mike sing this as well, it suits his voice, and the message never gets old.  It's wonderful to be reminded that at the foot of the Cross, is the only place we need to go! 

Cheryl:  Will you share with us about what happened on July 1, 2010? How has that event changed your life? What impact has it had upon your ministry? How was God’s love demonstrated to you throughout and in the aftermath of this ordeal?

Kelly:  On July 1st 2010, our family was in a bad bus wreck that left us with several injuries.  I suffered a broken back and Mike was airlifted with a brain injury.  Our daughter, Katelanne was airlifted as well.  It was my darkest day as a wife and mother, but God was with us, and brought us through.

It was life changing, we learned to trust God on a different level, and we learned that even if the enemy tries to destroy you, God has the final say.  There are not enough words for me to say how faithful God has been to us! 
(To read news article about the accident and to view pictures, click HERE.)

Cheryl:  As a woman who is involved in full-time ministry and who is also a wife and mother, how do you find balance and maintain Biblical priorities?

Kelly:  As, a mom, I just try to look to the Lord to lead me.  I'm sure I fail daily, but I feel the key is to keep God first, to live what you sing, to let your kids know that it's more than when you're on stage, and that you're a Christian first with or without a platform.

Cheryl:  There is an element of sincerity and genuineness in your stage presence that is so evident and refreshing. In moments of success and public affirmation, what is the one thing that you would say most keeps you humble and grounded in your walk with God and His purpose in having you do what you do?

Kelly:  What keeps me grounded is knowing who I am.  I don't deserve this wonderful life I've been blessed with, I know that.  I know that every good gift is from God. 

Cheryl:  We are, undoubtedly, living in the last and perilous times that were prophesied of in God’s Word. It is easy, in these troubled times, to become discouraged and lose hope. Are there any words of encouragement God is laying upon your heart to share with us here?

Kelly:  I would just say keep your faith in God, no matter what.  I often say, the enemy wants your faith, more than anything.  He attacks different areas of our life to ultimately steal our faith.  But God says we walk by faith and not by sight.  Trust Him even when life is crazy, trust Him when the rain is falling.  He is faithful, and I believe he'll prove that to you if you trust Him!

Cheryl:  How can we pray for you? Are there specific needs the Bowling Family would like us to know about? How can we support your ministry and purchase your products?

Kelly:  I appreciate all prayers, especially as we travel!  You can get our music at http://www.bowlingfamilyonline.com.

Bless their dear hearts!

This family has truly been brought through the fire,

and God has allowed them to live to proclaim His glory and praise.

With permission, I am including several videos concerning their bus accident.

As you watch, you will see the amazing power of God and how His mighty hand has been upon

this dear family through it all.

What a blessing it is to watch how God turned such a horrible test into such an amazing testimony!

As you watch, you will be abundantly reminded of the miraculous power of God.

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A BIG thank you to Kelly Bowling for granting us this interview.

To GOD be the glory!

Great things He has done.

It is my hope that by reading Kelly's story and watching the videos that reveal the trials and ordeals

she and her family have been through, you will be reminded that there is always hope in God.

No matter what you are going through, 

He is bigger than your problem.

He is greater than your situation.

He loves you so much!

You can trust Him.

Even though He allows us to walk through hard places, He is ever present in our lives.

The 4th man is always in the fire.  (Daniel 3:25)

He doesn't walk out a moment ahead of us.

He is always faithful!

Don't give up, my friend, no matter what you are facing.

Keep looking unto Jesus!

He will see you through.

As Kelly mentioned in her testimony above, Jesus made a promise to us.

"...lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Matthew 28:20

I hope you will stop by The Bowling Family's Website to learn more about this sweet family,

their music, and their ministry,

and please keep them always in your prayers.

God bless you and your family, Kelly!

You are such a blessing to us all.

To read previous

 click the links below.

The Inner Views of Joshua Becker
 The Inner Views of Lisa Newton
The Inner Views of Dr. Alveda King
The Inner Views of Jen Avellaneda
The Inner Views of Tonya Shellnutt
The Inner Views of Karen Del Tatto
The Inner Views of Evelyn Rennich
The Inner Views of Bob Sellers