The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Grace H. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Take Action - Interview a Local Leader #3
Biographical Sketch
Bob Showers is a wonderful man of God who serves his community with all his heart. He grew up in the church, but did not become a born again Christian until he was 17. He viewed himself as a Christian only in a sense that he did the right things, but his heart wasn’t in it. To avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War he went to collage at Western and earned a degree in business administration. Out of college he started off in the insurance world and has now worked there for 38 years. He currently works for AIG and has been there the past 9 years. He has also worked as a licensed insurance agent. Bob lives in DeWitt with his wife Marie and has three grown daughters and one granddaughter.
Transcript
1. What motivated you to seek your current position?
Bob was never interested in politics in high school, but once he got to college his interest was peeked and he decided to get involved in school politics. He had many experiences in college that concerned him about the good of America especially in the local area. After college he didn’t really pick up politics again for many years until he started working his way up from cable commission to planning commission to city commission, to mayor pro tem and finally to his current position of county commissioner. Bob sought it out because he felt this was where God was calling him.
2. What Training do you think prepared you for your position?
The one thing Bob feels prepared him best to be a county commissioner was being a city commissioner. It taught him how to handle different situations, to look out for what is best for the community and to shine God’s light in his work area. He also says that the city commission showed him a good idea of how local government is run and the importance of it.
3. What are the greatest rewards of your job?
The greatest reward Bob gets from his job is knowing he is where God wants him. He says God is concerned about secular and spiritual things in life and that he is sure God wants him right here affecting both of those areas. Bob finds it sad that so many people are in their job for self gratification. He is glad God has opened his eyes to seeking Him instead of selfish desires.
4. What are the biggest challenges?
Bob says his biggest challenge is expectations others have on you. They expect you to be seeking self advancement and money other than relationships. He also finds it slightly challenging with the economic slump because everyone is asking for money but there is none to give.
5. What role does your faith play in your profession?
Bob’s faith keeps him honoring God every day, through commitments and accomplishing His will. Bob constantly reminds himself that this is not his own political office but God’s. He always strives to be a witness for Christ and honoring Him in all he does.
