Carlos and Myrtice Owens were touched separately as youth to follow the call to missions. Carlos was educated at Union University, Jackson, TN and Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, Ky. He served as pastor in churches in Tennessee from age nineteen and until he went to Africa.

Myrtice was educated in Mather School of Nursing, New Orleans, LA; Florida State University; and Carver School of Missions and Social Work (Southern Baptist Seminary), Louisville, Ky. She nursed in many hospitals and taught nursing for Florida State University.

The Owens served thirty-six years in Africa in Tanzania, Kenya and Namibia.