Pastor Josh Hower

Joshua Matthew Hower grew up in a Navy home and regularly moved from place to place until settling in Oak Harbor, Washington in his senior year of High School.


After joining Bible Baptist Church in Oak Harbor, WA in 2007,Josh graduated from the Church's Bible Training Institute in 2013 and began full-time service with the church in January 2015 as a minister to the pastors. He served in areas of daily church finances and administration, the Church's ministry to the Island County Jail, and the Children’s Church Ministry. 


Josh and his wife Shantel were married on January 15th, 2016. They were blessed, in February 2023, to welcome a son, Jubal Lee Hower, into their home.

 

In 2019, Brother Josh was sent from Oak Harbor to assist in the church's outreach to the people of North-Central Washington. At that time, he and his wife moved to Wenatchee in December of 2019.  In January of 2021, the Lord led him and his wife to move back to Oak Harbor where he took over several ministries, including the youth ministry, the church’s evangelistic outreaches, and preaching on a regular basis.  


In February of 2022, God directed Pastor Josh and his wife to begin outreach in Sedro Woolley, Washington. After having completed over 300 surveys and determining the spiritual interest of Sedro Woolley, God led Bible Baptist Church to send the Howers, and several other families, to begin regular meetings in Sedro Woolley with the goal of planting a Bible-believing, independent Baptist Church. God willing, when the church is organized, Brother Josh will be formally ordained as its pastor.


If you wish to get in contact with Pastor Hower, please reach him through his cell (360.720.0962) or through his email (jhower07@gmail.com).

My Testimony

I grew up in a Christian home, the eldest of four children. I attended church at least three times every week, and memorize Bible verse after Bible verse.


I claimed to get saved several times throughout my childhood, although each time I asked God to save me, I felt like nothing changed. I realized later it was because I thought I was a good person, and, deep down, that I didn't need God.


Though I didn't have a personal relationship with God I still read my Bible, more out of duty than desire. However, in doing so, I came across this passage in Matthew 7:21-23:


Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heave; 

but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? 

and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


I realized I had been hoping that, after my death, I could convince God I was good enough to be accepted into heaven. This Scripture showed me very clearly that while I, like so many, thought

I would go to Heaven because of all the good things I had done, I was missing a personal relationship with God. I did not know Him, and He did not know me!


Furthermore, God showed me, from Titus 3:5, that my relationship with God had nothing to do with what I had done, but with everything Christ Jesus did when He died on the cross and rose again for me.


Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us...


There was only one thing left for me to do: call on His Name and put my trust in Him for my salvation instead of in myself.


On April 13, 2005, I placed my full trust in Christ alone to save me. I have no doubt that He did just that and, for the first time, I had hope for my future and was no longer afraid of what would come after my death.


Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.