Rev. Fowler began serving at Church Street UMC in 1994 from First UMC in Bristol, Tenn. where he served as senior pastor 12 years. Rev. Fowler received his master of divinity degree from Duke University. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in 19th Century American History from The University of Tennessee. His undergraduate degree is from George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville.He served as a member of the board of trustees of Emory & Henry College, where he chaired the Religious Life Committee. He also served as a member of the Holston Conference Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and the Ethics Committee and the Institutional Review Board of Bristol Regional Medical Center.