McGowens acknowledged his call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1981 and licensed at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina. Ordained by the Enoree River Baptist Association. In July 2005, Pastor McGowens was called to the Greater Galilee Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina and in February 2010, Greater Galilee Winston Salem, North Carolina was established. Pior to that, he served as a pastor for Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Winston Salem, NC from 1994-2005, Salem Baptist Church, Anderson, SC from 1984-1994, and Athens Baptist Church, Travelers Rest, SC from 1981-1984.