Pastor Robert E. Lee McGowens, Sr., is the fourth of five children born to Mrs. Elna Mae and the late Mr. Samuel McGowens, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina. He is married to Mrs. Terry S. King McGowens and is the father of five children: Mrs. Stacy Yvonne (Maurice) Wright, Mrs. Tabitha Denise (Gary) Shorter , Mrs. Robin Michelle (Allen) Elder, Robert E. Lee, Jr.(Pamela) and Christopher Fernandous (Sabriena) and daughter/niece Latresa (Tommy) Thompson. Pastor McGowens has thirteen grandchildren, Abrielle Monique, Ashley Renee, Jalen Juwan, Christopher Michael, Tyler McKenzie, Brianna Nicole, Robert E. Lee, III, Montago Maurice, II, Bryce Alexander, Riana Camille, Toma LeChe', Aaliah Rae and Cameron Alexandria.
Nadia Giovanni Hudson, Javon Levi Anderson, Rodaysha McCallum, Kaylah Tamiah Hannah.
The Sturdivant Family, The White Family, Greenlee and Jones Family.
Pastor McGowens is a product of the Greenville County Public School System and a graduate of Washington High School. He saw the need to pursue religious training by studying at Morris College School of Religion-Greenville Extension. He received a Bachelor of Ministry degree from Columbia Bible Institute-Spartanburg Extension, and further studied at Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion & Philosophy, Cum Laude, from Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina and also has a Masters of Divinity degree from Shaw University Divinity School. He has received a Doctor Ministry Degree from Covington Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Theology Degree from The North Carolina School of Theology and has completed the Pastoral Care Training at Presbyterian Hospital.
Pastor McGowens acknowledged his call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1981 at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina. Pastor McGowens was licensed by the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, and ordained by the Enoree River Baptist Association..He has pastored churches for both South and North Carolina. In July 2005, Pastor McGowens was called to the Greater Galilee Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina and February 2010 Greater Galilee Winston was established.
Pastor McGowens is a member of the following organizations:
- National Baptist Congress and Conventions U. S. A., Inc
- Progressive National Baptist Convention U. S. A., Inc.
- Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention
- General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc.
- Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc.
- Mt. Peace Missionary Baptist Association, Inc.
- High Point Educational and Missionary Baptist Association, Inc.
- Lott Carey Executive Board Member
- 3rd Degree Prince Hall Mason
- NAACP
Athens Baptist Church, Travelers Rest, SC: 1981-1984
Salem Baptist Church, Anderson, SC: 1984-1994
Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Winston Salem, NC: 1994-2005
Former Chairman of General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Evangelism Ministry
