ABOUT Maria

MARIA BOWER... SPEAKS LIFE.

(Proverbs 18:21)

CHRISTIAN SPEAKER:

Maria is frequently called upon to speak and teach at different venues with topics ranging from Staff training, Women's Ministry, Parenting, and Health & Wellness to a wide range of audiences.

WOMEN'S MINISTRY:

Maria has BIBLICALLY counseled, taught, and guided hundreds of women (single, married, widowed, empty nesters...) through their various SEASONS of life. She has served as a Women's Ministry Conference Speaker and has taught multiple Women's Ministry classes through the years.  Maria has a heart for Women.

PARENT MINISTRY:

As a former Director of Spiritual Development, as well as a life recovery and women's ministry volunteer, Maria has BIBLICALLY counseled, taught, and guided parents through multiple ages and stages of parenting. She has also created and facilitated various Parent Perspective Panels.  For the past ten years Maria has also taught and counseled hundreds of Moms as they specifically learned how to navigate healthy choices for their families. Parenting is hard. Maria loves to remind parents that they are not alone.

STUDENT MINISTRY:

Maria has led and participated in student mission trips as a volunteer and later as a Director of Spiritual Development along with planning high school retreats for two different campuses while also serving as a Chapel Speaker and volunteer coordinator for over 50 Student chapels.  Maria loves students! Parents seek Maria out to DISCIPLE  & Biblically counsel their students.  Maria is not a licensed counselor. She is a Biblical Counselor (see below).

HEALTH & WELLNESS:

As a Health and Wellness ENTHUSIAST, she is also the founder, teacher, author, and podcaster of Faith Vs. Weight: Slaying the Sugar Dragon based on her Faith Vs. Weight Series, including her two books, Faith Vs. Weight: Magnifying the Glory of God by Reclaiming Your Energy to Serve the Kingdom and Faith Vs. Weight: Daily Strength to Shine Action Guide. 

Through her Faith Vs. Weight podcast, classes, and books she empowers clients to identify strongholds and experience life-changing breakthroughs with regard to their spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Biblical inspiration is introduced with practical and proven behavior, nutrition, and fitness strategies that have helped hundreds of clients lose weight and regain their energy to SERVE THE KINGDOM. 

Growing up in an abusive home, Maria has personally dealt with emotional eating, depression, drug abuse, and other unhealthy behaviors.  She understands the very real spiritual warfare involved in these struggles.  She also knows what it is like to live in VICTORY and loves leading others to that same freedom in the LORD, JESUS CHRIST!!

MILITARY VETERAN:

Maria is also a former U.S. Navy Health Information Systems Officer (ACHE) and White House Military Social Aide.  She served in the military for twelve years.

MINISTRY TRAINING:

Biblical Counseling

Maria has completed certificates in Biblical Counseling (2021) through Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (MABTS) as well as Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS).

Women's Ministry

As a lifelong learner, she recently completed a GO Women's Ministry Certificate (2024) from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary  (SEBTS).

EDUCATION;

She graduated from The George Washington University with an MBA and has completed certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Personal Trainer specializing in Metabolic Health, Behavioral Change, Fitness Nutrition, Weight Loss, Pilates, and Women’s Fitness.  She has also served as a YMCA LIVESTRONG cancer survivor trainer. 

PERSONAL:

Maria is a fifty-seven year old wife to fellow Navy Veteran, Mark Bower, and mother of two sons; Benjamin,  an incoming freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Physics; and Matthew, a Junior at Texas A&M studying Engineering and Pre-Med. 

The JOY of the LORD is her strength! Nehemiah 8:10