Andrew Owens is a Servant of Christ who is currently obtaining a Master of Theological Studies Degree with a concentration in Christian Counseling.  Andrew grew up in a small town south of Columbia called Branchville.  He is the son of Lynn and WillaDean Owens and has three other siblings, Tonya, Eric, and Lynette.  Growing up was not a walk in the park.  His dad, who was a deacon in the church, was working to make a better life for the children, while his mother stayed at home to take care of and raise them with plenty of love and nurturing. 

Growing up, Andrew was a problem child, getting in trouble almost every single day at school while showing a good front at home.  It did not work for long because his dad, also the disiplinary of the house, was not going to spare the rod for none of his children.  At the age of twelve years old, Andrew, along with Eric and Lynette was baptized and professed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  From that day on his life would never be the same.  He began to make goals on how to improve himself in character and spiritually.  He first stopped bad behavior at school, cursing, and disrespecting of teachers.  This led to him being active in church by leading devotion with the reading of scripture, singing of hymns, and prayer. 

At the age of fourteen, Andrew's parents seperated after nineteen years of marriage.  This was a very hard blow to the family, but they realized that life goes on.  Andrew used that to continue to motivate him through school and in sports, basketball and soccer.  At the age of sixteen, Andrew and his father almost fought in the kitchen of his father's house.  There was a heated discussion that preceeded it, but Andrew realizing who he was, where he was, and who he was talking to helped him to realize that it was not worth it.  Ironically, his relationship with his father grew stronger after that moment.  At the age of eighteen, Andrew graduated from High School and chose to go to Benedict College because of the tuition for Hampton Sydney in Virginia.  Being at Benedict College had many ups and downs, but the most memorable moments were freshman year and being involved with the campus ministry, B.A.S.I.C., which means Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  Within this organization, Andrew prepared programs for worship services, coordinated staff for events, communicated with ministers and pastors about sunday services, presided over sunday services, and represented the organization in the council meetings.  

Freshman year was when Andrew found out who he truly was as a man.  Going through a bonding moment with bruhs on the same floor, turning down temptations, being a member of various organizations, and bonding with professors helped Andrew to learn the diversity among people of color.  Sophomore year was a maturing year for Andrew.  He was involved in a serious relationship, while maintaining a 3.6 G.P.A. at the time, and becoming a leader in the B.A.S.I.C. organization.  Junior and Senior year was a testing of that maturity, as the relationship ended, G.P.A. dropped to a 3.4, and pulling the organization (as it seemed) by himself.  Through it all, Andrew persevered obtaining his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management.  

From there, he became apart of The MEETING Place Church International, where Eric J. Freemen is Senior Pastor and Pastor Anthrony A. Dicks, who he worked with on Benedict Campus, is Pastor of Staffing and Operations (at The MEETING Place today, Hey, Hey, .............Hey Lol).  He was enrolled in Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, and educating the youth on Wednesdays and Sundays, but currently @ Palmer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania obtaining his Master's in Theological Studies with a concentration in Christian Counseling.