Linda grew up at Bethany. Her father, Lawton Gowey, was Bethany’s organist, and her mother, Jean, sang in the choir. Linda remembers crawling on her belly under the church pews and trying to sneak up on her father as he practiced on Saturday mornings. She also recalls waiting year after year to finally play the coveted role of Mary in the children’s Christmas program.

In her teenage years, Bethany went through a “charismatic renewal,” and Linda joined with other youth for prayer before school. Her memories of those years were of a deep sense of belonging. Bethany felt like part of her extended family.

Linda left Bethany to major in English and elementary education at Whitworth College. In the summers she worked as a youth director. After graduating, she returned to work at Bethany’s bookstore, The Carpenter’s Bench, but was miserable in this job.

Desiring to be in ministry and aware of gifts for leadership, she nevertheless was confused about her role as a woman in the church, thinking that she needed to quietly serve behind the scenes. Linda spent time seriously studying the Scriptures concerning issues of women in ministry and spiritual gifts. This gave her the freedom to take a leap of faith and serve for two years as youth director at First Presbyterian Church in Ellensburg.

Linda was hired as Director of Christian Education (children, youth and adults) at Bethany from 1978-1987. Though she had previously met her husband, Mark, at Whitworth, their paths crossed again at Bethany. On a cross-country ski trip, they took notice of each other, and were married in less than two years. They now have two children, Ryan (9) and Sarah (7), whom they cherish.

Linda returned to Bethany staff in 1994 as Director of Adult Ministries, which later merged into her current position. She sums it up by saying,

“I guess you could call me a “Bethany lifer.”