Introducing Scot Bower

This summer CSW announced changes to its executive leadership. In September Mervyn Thomas took on a new role as Founder President, and Scot Bower, formerly our Chief Operating Officer, became CSW’s new CEO.

As Scot prepared to step into his new role, we spent some time chatting with him about what’s ahead for CSW…

Scot, how does it feel to have been invited to lead CSW as CEO?

I’m thrilled to have been asked to lead CSW. In all honesty it’s both exciting and somewhat daunting! To be asked to build on the incredible forty-year legacy of CSW is a huge privilege and it’s certainly not a responsibility that I am taking lightly. Before I joined CSW five years ago as Communications & Fundraising Director, I’d followed the charity for a number of years and loved what they did. Back then I said to friends that there’s no more important cause in the world today: the root of so many global issues that we see in our news feeds and on our TV screens is the treatment of minority groups. That’s just as true now as it was then, and I remain committed to tackling those injustices.

Is there a moment or experience that planted your passion for justice?

I think I first began to experience and understand the justice imperative in the place of prayer through the 24-7 Prayer movement. I owe a lot to them, as they shaped my understanding of an intertwined theology of prayer and justice – that as we spend time with the Father in prayer we glimpse something of His heart and are propelled towards acts of justice.

Perhaps though, my time in (North) Macedonia did most to develop my passion for justice. I was spending a lot of time working with a tremendous Christian kindergarten for Roma children in a settlement on the edge of the capital Skopje. Little children, many of whom would otherwise be sent to the streets by their families to beg for money, would be fed, cared for and taught to read and write in that preschool. After the kids were sent home each day I would be taken by my friend Nebojsha to visit the homes of these children and I recall sitting with three generations of a family in their home – half a shipping container – and simply sharing tea and listening to the stories of their lives.

Through that experience, and many like it, God showed me the power of solidarity coupled with advocacy as a tool for justice. My days with Nebojsha showed me that there’s nothing more powerful than sitting in someone’s home, accepting hospitality and listening. And then doing something to be an advocate for them, retelling their stories and sharing their experiences with others to bring attention to injustices, and expecting long-term change.

What are you excited about in CSW’s next chapter?

There’s a lot to be excited about! A new chapter is beginning, but the overarching story of CSW continues and I’m really looking forward to seeing what God does in and through us. If I had to pick three things that excite me most about what I see ahead, they would be:

• Empowering more local communities: I remember being on assignment in Indonesia with Benedict Rogers, our Senior Analyst, East Asia, and talking with him about empowering local leadership and equipping activists, building local and regional offices and campaigning hubs to develop an authentic regional voice to talk about what’s happening.

• Growing our global movement: We will continue to build a global movement of campaigners, activists and intercessors. Taking part in the protests and prayer vigils for Leah Sharibu (the 17-year-old Nigerian Christian schoolgirl being held by a faction of Boko Haram) has really inspired me – knowing that we’re joining our prayers with and protesting alongside the Nigerian diaspora around the world, as well as being led by our incredible team in Nigeria, is powerful. I can’t wait to see more of that!

• Our team! I have never worked with a team as gifted, talented and committed as CSW’s. It really is a privilege to work with them, lead them and help them outwork some of their calling.

Finally, Scot, is there anything you want to share with CSW’s supporters?

Firstly I would simply say thank you for your support! Secondly I think I would remind us all that CSW is far more than a staff team and volunteers working in offices around the world; as a supporter you are just as much part of CSW as I am. I’m so incredibly grateful that you are part of this movement for justice, and I’m looking forward to getting to know those of you I don’t already know.

Three things you might not know about Scot…

• He and his wife Misty gave up their home, possessions, jobs and roles in church leadership 15 years ago and spent five years travelling with their two small children through Europe, working with and supporting churches and Christian NGOs.

• He’s a ‘rather slow, but persistently enthusiastic, long distance runner’. So far he’s run nine marathons (including one running 2,000+ times up and down his garden path during lockdown) and three ultramarathons!

• He’s a published author – look out for ‘Saints’ published by Lion Hudson, which retells stories from the lives of early Christian heroes.

Pray For wisdom and blessing for Scot as he takes on his new role, especially as he works alongside Mervyn Thomas.