A native of Petersburg, VA, Rev. Maurice H. Bowles, III is a leader who is passionate about people developing a personal relationship with God and equipping them to effectively serve in divine purpose.  In 2016, he founded "The MountainTop Experience" - Virginia Interstate Youth Conference, which brings together over 1,000 youth and adults from throughout the country. 

Rev. Bowles was educated through the Petersburg Public School System. While attending Peterburg High School, he was the French Horn section leader for the marching band and the shooting guard on the varsity basketball team. Upon high school graduation, he majored in Health and Physical Education at Virginia State University, where he was the Head Drum Major the The "Trojan Explosion" Marching Band."   Rev. Bowles was licensed to preach the Gospel by Bishop Jeffrey L. Reaves, Sr., Good Shepherd Baptist Church (Petersburg, VA) and ordained in the Gospel Ministry by Rev. Dr. Raymond A. Bell, Jr., Mount Hope Baptist Church (Fredericksburg, VA).  Bowles is in pursuit of the Master of Divinity Degree from The Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University.  

Rev. Bowles has served in numerous ministry capacities to include youth pastor, and college and young adult pastor at Second Baptist Church, Chester, VA, Mount Hope Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist Church Old Site, both of Fredericksburg, VA, Gethsemane Baptist Church of Newport News, VA, Second Calvary Baptist Church of Norfolk, VA, and First Lynnhaven Baptist Church of Virginia Beach, VA.  He served for 11 years as a member of the State Youth Advisory Team for the Baptist General Convention of Virginia (Division of Youth Ministry).  As a member of this team, he preached, facilitated, and assisted in the planning of various youth ministry events and trainings throughout the state of Virginia. For two years, Rev. Bowles served on the "iROCK" Young Adult Ministry Team for The National Baptist Convention, Inc.

Currently, he serves as the Pastor of Family Engagement and Innovative Strategy at Mount Hope Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, VA. 

In addition to his service in the Gospel Ministry, Rev. Bowles has been a teacher, basketball coach, and instrumental music assistant in the Henrico County and Petersburg Public Schools of Virginia, the Warren County Public Schools System of North Carolina and the Virginia State University Department of Music.  His love for young people lead him to becoming a Qualified Mental Helth Professional as an Intensive In-Home Counselor.  He also served as the Cooperative Extension Program Director of Chesterfield County Virginia's At-Risk Youth Program. 

Rev. Bowles' life's joy is being an active part of young people reaching their God-given potential and purpose.

His life's motto can be found in Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."