John C. Bowling is the president of Olivet Nazarene University (ONU). John Carl Bowling has been the president of Olivet Nazarene University since 1991. Founded in 1907, Olivet offers a full range of fully accredited bachelors' and masters' degree programs as well as a doctor of education degree. Current enrollment at the University is 4,500. Prior to accepting his current position in August 1991, Dr. Bowling served for eight years as the senior pastor of the College Church of the Nazarene in Bourbonnais, Illinois. He also served as senior pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene, Dallas, Texas. He has been a member of the faculty at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and at Olivet Nazarene University. Dr. Bowling holds a bachelor's degree, two master's degrees, two earned doctorates and was chosen as a Resident Fellow for post-doctoral studies at Harvard University. In addition, he was honored by Olivet with the conferral of the Doctor of Divinity degree as part of the University's centennial celebration. In addition to his work at Olivet, Dr. Bowling is active with a variety of professional organizations and local community affairs, including membership on the Board of People's Bank in Kankakee. Dr. Bowling is a member of the Board of Directors of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Church of the Nazarene Foundation Board of Directors. He is a member of the USA/Canada Council of Education and the International Board of Education for the Church of the Nazarene. In addition to over 60 published articles, he has authored four books: A Way With Words, Grace-full Leadership, Packin' Up and Headin' Out: Making the Most of Your College Adventure, and most recently, Making the Climb, which chronicles his assent to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa and one of the great mountains of the world.
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He served in Vietnam as a PL. In 2005, Bowling declined election as a general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, saying that his mission at Olivet Nazarene University was not complete.[1] In 2009, Bowling was again elected to serve as a general superintendent, and he accepted, but later rescinded his acceptance.[2]