Bio: Cowherd, John J. (Maran-Atha Fellowship 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Cowherd, O'Brien

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald (14 October 1983)

The Rev. John J. Cowherd of Thorp has been leader of the Maran-Atha Fellowship in Thorp the past four years, coming to that area from DeKalb Four-Square Church, DeKalb, Illinois. Born in Kaneville, Illinois, Cowherd attended high school, took correspondence courses from Rhema Bible College, Four-Square and Assembly of God Schools. On August 1, 1979 he was licensed and since has been affiliated with Four-Square Church. He served as vice-president of Rockford, Illinois Chapter of FGBMI, went on an airlift to West and East Germany; visited an underground church in East Germany, ministering there for a week, served as elder in DeKalb Church for many years; held charismatic meetings in the Cowherd home in Durand, Illinois for 10 years, and saw dozens of people saved, healed and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Six years ago the cowherd home was destroyed by fire. At that time, he said, God led him to quit his job of 20 years and walk a life of faith. He and his wife, Beatrice, have been pastoring a small group of believers in Thorp since 1979. They are the parents of a daughter, Mrs. Sherry O'Brien of Minneapolis. There are four grandchildren.