john gowdy served as a teacher at the tilton school in tilton, new hampshire, 1897-99. following seminary graduation, he was ordained in the new hampshire annual conference of the m.e. church. he was appointed a missionary teacher at the anglo-chinese college in foochow, china, serving in this position 1902-04. he also was a class leader in the heavenly rest methodist church in the foochow annual conference. the rev. gowdy then became president of the anglo-chinese college in 1904, serving until 1923. he became president of the fukien christian university in 1923, serving there until 1927. he also served as a trustee of both the anglo-chinese college, of union normal school in foochow, and of the tilton school in new hampshire. he also served on the boards of managers of both anglo-chinese and of fukien.