SOWER Ministry Newsletter April 2025 | | |
Dear Stephanie,
Ah, Sweet April.
Spring has officially arrived – even though March went out like a lion in some parts of the country - and the roadsides and gardens are starting to come alive! From the cheery daffodils nodding in the breeze to the bluebonnets that drench the fields in Texas to the desert in bloom in the West, there is renewal in the air! (If Spring hasn’t reached you yet, it will be there soon! That’s not my promise – it’s the Lord’s!) Everywhere we look, new life is bursting out - a constant and true reminder of the New Life we have in Christ. As believers, we celebrate our Lord's Resurrection and his perfect gift of Life each and every day. But this month, we share in a time of special reflection - Resurrection Sunday. My prayer is that you will indeed be renewed as you embrace the wonder of the Resurrection!
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!!
May He get all the Praise and Glory!
Stephanie Conrad #2509
Editor
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
P.S. Has the Lord been prodding you about helping with this newsletter? Let's talk, OK? Steph
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From Where I Sit (Office) by Gail Fieler & Katie Gay
• Coming Soon!! At the request of many of you who are helping to promote SOWERs by wearing SOWER apparel, we have ordered more crew neck T-shirts in a tan color – SAND with Dark Brown lettering. (Lettering is the same with RV with a purpose on the back). This is a bit cooler color for the upcoming summer and we should have them in stock by May. They will not show up on the Merchandise Order form until they arrive, but if you would like to pre-order them, you can just write in the order on the second page. Or send us an email with your request, including color, size, method of payment and shipping address. You may pay using the Donate button on the website or pay by check. We will have them in Men’s sizes – Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, 2X-Large and 3X-Large – so ladies order your size accordingly. We have a good supply of all the other colors as well.
• KUDOS!! You all have been doing great submitting your GL reports on the website! Thanks for making our jobs here a bit easier.
REMINDER:
New dates regarding Sign-Up Procedures for winter 2026: This year we will be using new roll out dates for winter 2026.
• You will begin to see projects post their 2026 winter requests as usual – last weekend in May. This will give you time to prayerfully plan your next opportunity to serve.
• The 2026 Annual Registration will begin July 1, 2025, and you will be able to do this online. Your signature verifies that you have read and understand the current SOWER Ministry Constitution, Bylaws, Membership Guidelines, Admin Policies, etc. and agree to abide by the requirements and conditions described in them. This may be a good time to review them. You will find the registration form under Forms & Docs/Members.
• Sign-ups for 2026 winter projects will begin at 9:00 a.m.(CDT), Monday, July 28, 2025, and should be done online. No more staying up until midnight to push that “Submit” button!
• You will NOT be able to sign up for 2026 projects if you have not submitted your annual registration.
Thank you all so much for serving the Lord through the SOWER Ministry!
Katie & Gail
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Are you afraid when you see “Tornado Watch,” “Severe Storm Warning”? Are you scared or are you prepared?
Right now, Thursday, April 3, we are under an enhanced risk of severe weather here in Lindale, and we remain prepared. The best tool we have in our weather tool bag is subscribing to the YouTube channel Ryan Hall, Y’all.
As I write this, I am watching him right now via the internet as he is reporting on the tornadoes that are possibly imminent just northeast of us, including a huge risk of flash flooding. Their goal is to keep people warned of the weather in their area with radar, meteorologists reporting in, and storm chasers on the ground.
I’ve not had any luck with local TV stations (even when I can get a TV signal) during potentially dangerous weather while traveling. If I lose power, I don’t have A/C to power my TV. However, I almost always have an internet connection and power from my battery to keep my phone going to get internet.
"Be prepared, not scared," as Ryan Hall admonishes his viewers. Check him out and subscribe. There may be a day you are glad you did!
Bruce Gay
#3659
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If you are at the time in your life where you are no longer able to work the allotted hours on a SOWER project, but want to be a part of a Christian community with many opportunities to continue serving our Lord, you may be interested in spending the winter months at Bibleville Conference Grounds located in Alamo, TX. Bibleville is the winter destination of many SOWER and RVICS alums as well as pastors, missionaries, and Christian educators. Although there are some who live in Bibleville year–round, the typical season is November through March. Some stay for a couple of weeks while others stay for the entire season. Bibleville maintains low monthly rates by recommending that each person volunteer and there are a variety of ways to serve.
The mission of Bibleville is to witness to the lost both in the community and around the world. As a part of Rio Grande Bible Ministries, Bibleville has many opportunities within Bibleville, Rio Grande Bible College or within the community. Activities and ministries available at Bibleville include:
• Preparation and distribution of tracts and scripture booklets, crafts, and quilts for missions into Mexico.
• Music ministry through a band and choirs.
• Concerts and week-long conferences open to the community (January-February).
• Weekly Bible studies and community prayer times.
• Activities include pickle ball, shuffle board, bowling, making stained glass and group exercises.
• Fellowship opportunities are through potlucks, trips to local attractions and restaurants, game nights and parties.
Bibleville has close to 100 RV sites available,website and so there is a space available for you at $300 per month plus electric in 2025. If you are interested in learning more, Bibleville has a web site at www.bibleville.org or call the office at (956) 787-2024.
Tony & Sue Malone (3667)
| | Underserved Project Highlights | | |
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains there is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer in an Outdoor Educational experience for rural mountain children. Camp Nathanael has developed a 6-year cycle program that reinforces different subjects covered in schools and gives the students hands-on learning experiences. For four and a half weeks in September/October, we host approximately 200 public school children each day, and we are allowed to teach the workshops from a Christian perspective! Last year, we revamped the camp into a “Pioneer Days” experience, teaching about candle and soap making, blacksmithing, and farming. They also got to experience a one-room schoolhouse with a “strict” schoolmarm.
For 2025, we are teaching the Scientific Method as the students will solve a problem using experiments and recording data. The program is entitled, “OUR POWER-PACKED EARTH,” and we teach about: God’s gifts of coal, how worms enhance our gardens, and how gemstones are formed and discovered through sluicing. Without volunteers to handle the many responsibilities, we could never offer this unique program. Volunteers are needed, not only to teach, but also to help in the store, cook food, and clean cabins. The opportunities for serving are vast! We offer comfortable living quarters as well as nice RV sites. We also provide three meals a day during our OE days, and most evenings we gather for games, puzzles, and even campfires. The day begins around 9 am, and the students typically leave by 2 pm. After clean-up, the rest of the day is free to do whatever you desire. We would love for you to consider volunteering this fall and experience what God is doing here in the Appalachians. By the end of the program, we have introduced our Creator God to over 3,500 public school children ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade. Seeing the school buses drive into camp through the morning mist warms my heart. We look forward to having you join us in this important ministry!
Cathy Franklin
Camp Nathanael
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Let's try to shorten up that Underserved Project List! Send in highlights about your favorite project on the UPL along with a couple of pictures to stephanie@rvthereyet.org to help get it OFF the list!
| | Area Representative Needs | | |
One of the most important positions we have in SOWERs is the Area Representative (AR). We simply can't run effectively as an organization without faithful and dedicated AR's as our eyes and feet on the ground for all of our projects. We are praising God that most of our Area Rep positions have been filled!
We are still looking for an Area Rep in Eastern Canada. Can you help?
ON - 554 Ethnos Canada
ON - 556 Elim Lodge Ministries
ON - 559 Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre
If you would like more information about this opening or are interested in learning more about the Area Rep position, please contact Evan Asby (3945), Western and Canadian Project Coordinator.
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A Project Sponsor is an active SOWER couple who will sign up for a few project months at this new project during the first couple of years to help the ministry get a better understanding of SOWERs and also to encourage others to sign up.
All new prospective projects must have a Sponsor before they can move forward in the application process.
| | Sponsors are needed for Teen Quest Ranch in Somerset, Pennsylvania (Southeast of Pittsburgh). Their mission is to challenge teens to make a decision to follow Christ. WIN-BUILD-SEND. Their goal is to WIN students to Christ, BUILD them up in faith, and SEND them out to do ministry. They do this through camping, student groups, ministry teams, and global evangelism. Did I mention they have horses? You can help get this wonderful camp listed in the PLS by volunteering to be their sponsor. Contact Bill Blake for more information. | | Seen recently on Facebook | Thank you, Lorraine, for sharing how you were blessed through serving with our SOWER Ministry. Texas Baptist Encampment (TX-364) was surely blessed by having you (and the rest of the SOWER team) there! | |
Have you stopped by our Facebook Group lately? We have recently updated our guidelines for adding posts:
This group serves to keep our SOWER family connected, and to share the blessings that we both see and receive as we serve the LORD at our ministry partners.
- No political posts will be allowed.
- No memes will be allowed.
- Posts must be SOWER related.
Please use caution and respect when posting. This is a Private group (only members can see posts and add posts), but it is still good Facebook etiquette to get permission before you post someone's picture. The administrators reserve the right to remove any post that they deem to be contrary to the purpose of this group.
If you're a member of Facebook but haven't joined the SOWER Group click on the icon to join the family! Just enter your member number in the question, and an Administrator will approve you.
Since the SOWER Facebook group is a ‘private’ group, we try to limit our members to folks who are SOWER members or project hosts, and couples who are interested in joining our ministry.
If you invite other interested folks to join our Facebook group, they will still need to answer the membership question. Thanks!
| | Thank you to everyone who has given our SOWER Facebook Page a "Like" or follow. Currently, we have over 1800 followers! If you haven't already given it your thumbs-up, head over there now! It's a great way to spread the word about our ministry. |
While the SOWER Facebook Group is for sharing SOWER stories (and is something that you join), the SOWER Facebook Page is where the ministry shares information and works to generate interest in our ministry (and is something that you 'like').
| Don't forget to check out your favorite ministries on Facebook. Many of our partner ministry locations have a Facebook page, and it's a great way to stay up-to-date on the places you love to serve! | |
Clicking on the daffodils above will take you to the SOWER website where you can sign onto the Member Dashboard and get "Real Time" updates for our partner ministries' needs.
The April/May SOWERGRAM is now available on the website!
Questions?
The office is happy to help!
903-882-8070
sowers@sowerministry.org
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His Passion, Our Mission
SOWERs in Action!
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SOWER Ministry Representation at 64th Escapees Escapade
March 16-20, 2025
Pima County Fairgrounds,
Tucson, Arizona (AZ)
We had a great time at the Escapade this spring! SOWER Representatives at the table were Marty & Janelle Jorgenson (3871), Gary & Diane Smith (3627), and Jeff & Sue Reynolds (3961). The Jorgensons, Smiths and Reynolds took turns at the SOWER Ministry table on the ROW/Birds of a Feather (BOF), sharing RV with a Purpose, the SOWER Ministry. They also led the one hour worship on Sunday and daily devotions. Jim & Mari Haney (3902) and newbies Kevin & Laquetta Franz (4113) enriched the presentation and worship. Laquetta Franz enhanced Sunday’s worship and daily devotions with her awesome keyboard talent. The picture above depicts the final day after the presentation. At least 75 couples stopped by the table to inquire more about SOWERs and 8 took packets to complete at their leisure. About 20 couples attended the presentation. It's exciting to think how the Lord will use the contacts we made during the Escapade!
Next year’s 65th Escapade promises to be an exciting rally - June 14-19, 2026, in Fryeburg, Maine. Consider adding this to your 2026 travel plans and volunteer to represent the SOWER Ministry. Contact the Publicity Chairman to sign up.
Marty & Janelle Jorgenson (3871)
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You too can take action and help us bring new members to the SOWER ministry! There are new promotional and publicity aids now available to all members on the SOWER website under Forms and Docs/Promotional Items. If you have an opportunity to present SOWERs to your church, RV club, etc. and you have any questions about the materials available on our website please call the office and we will be happy to assist you. Let us know if you’ve had a chance to get the word out!
| | Let us not forsake gathering together! | | Whether you're an Alumni, a Seasoned SOWER or New to the Family, there's nothing like a SOWER gathering to connect with friends old and new and get recharged about the ministry. If you live in close proximity to a SOWER project, let them know you're nearby! There are often impromptu gatherings of SOWERS happening all around the country all year long! Whether you're camping together or just meeting for a meal at a local restaurant, a SOWER Gathering is always a blessing! Below are some regional Rallies that are in the works! | | Texas "Pastime" Rally Report | | |
The 2025 Texas Rally is "in the books"! We enjoyed fellowship with 20 couples from near and far. There were many highlights - just a few included William Tyndale, who told us about his life (almost 500 years ago) and how he labored and sacrificed to translate the Bible into English. Our service project, compiling 5000 booklets containing the books of John and Romans, will be distributed to missionaries around the world to help them "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation..." Mark 16:15 ESV
We had several couples highlight their favorite SOWER projects - it gave us all ideas on where we would like to serve in the future, and it was great to see the passion we have to serve, both here and in Canada.
There are several ministries headquartered at The International Alert Academy (TX-410), and we had the opportunity to learn about several of them. From Forging Extraordinary men who influence their world for Christ, to learning about their prison ministries, it is a very busy place indeed.
A high point of the rallies held at Alert has always been Singspiration, a time to join with staff and their families to lift our voices in praise to the Lord. Saturday night of the rally was another wonderful time of music and singing.
We had free time to explore the area, play games, or nap. It was a relaxing and enjoyable time.
And then there was food--a welcome supper prepared by the Rally committee; meals prepared by International Alert Academy our host; a potluck supper; and an ice cream social.
The Rally committee thanks you for coming, and we look forward to seeing you 'on down the road'!
Mike & Jackie Barber, Wayne & Gail Fieler, Dwayne & Margaret Gearhart, Dick & Linda Webster
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Wisconsin Third Annual Summer Lunch!
SAVE THE DATE:
Tuesday June 3rd 2025
Home of Teri (H) and Geri (W) Larkee #3747
teri.larkee@gmail.com
geri.larkee@gmail.com
771 Fieldcrest Drive
Neenah, WI 54956
You are invited to our Third Annual Summer Lunch for all Wisconsin Sowers, Alumni and those Sowers that happen to be in the area!
We will provide some sort of meat & the plates and utensils.
If you wish to bring a dish to pass, that is appreciated. Just let us know so that we can plan. Please bring your favorite beverage and your chairs.
Teri and I are SO LOOKING FORWARD to this upcoming get together but even if it’s raining or sweltering.. we can crowd in and get to know each other even better than if we were all spread out!
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(920)277-5139
PS - There is NO room for your RV but there ARE campgrounds nearby if you are more than a day's drive away!
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Western Wound Up
SOWERs Intentionally Following Jesus Christ
September 21-25, 2025
Aldersgate Camp & Retreats
(OR-320), Turner, OR.
Costs include 5 days/4 nights will be as follows (includes 3 lunches and 2 dinners):
Full hook ups - $100 or $25/night
Dry Camping - $50
Lodging - $30 per night
2 additional dinners available at $5 per person per dinner
Monies (cash only) will be taken at Rally
Registration: contact Ann Ekberg #3702 at 559-260-6368 or acekberg@gmail.com
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This month 89 SOWER couples/singles are serving at 46 different ministries all around the country. Praise God for all the work that's being accomplished! Check the Member site for information on where YOU can serve!
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERs are doing around the country!
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Group Picture - The March 2025 Group serving at Standing Stones (AZ-520) L-R John & Julie Weideman, (3792), Mark & Paula Best (3983), Dan & Ronda Kropf (4020), Bill & Pam Hanlin (3904) (SOA). Photo by John Weideman
Header Photo -Camp Tejas (TX-240) by Benita Coffman (3623)
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Dear Sam & Sally,
We've heard that we can use the "Donate" button to purchase SOWER merchandise, but it seems too confusing when we try to do that. Can you help us understand how it works?
Signed,
Looking for some SOWER Bling!
Dear Looking,
Our ministry is pleased to be able to offer different payment options, so I checked with the office for the complete scoop on using the Donate button! Here is a brief (and hopefully) helpful explanation from the “Back Office”:
The Donate button is used for paying for SOWER Merchandise, RV parking, or making a donation to the ministry. When you hit the Donate button, you leave the SOWER website and go to SecureGive, which handles the financial end of these transactions. SecureGive has many other organizations that use their services to securely purchase things. Thus, Secure Give has two buttons for their member organizations to use: “Donate” and “Purchase.”
Since the SOWER ministry is a non-profit organization and as such we do not sell or provide services for a profit, you are making a suggested donation to defer the cost of the items. Therefore, we are only using the “Donate” button, and do not use the “Purchase” button at all. So, whether you donate to the ministry or you are paying for SOWER merchandise, please use the Donate button and always provide a comment in the note field to let the office know what it is for. We’ll take care of the rest at the SOWER “Back Office”! 🤠
We hope that clarifies the process, and if you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to contact the office!
Can't wait to see those new T-shirts!
Sam and Sally
Do you have a SOWER etiquette question? Or maybe you'd like some clarification about a policy or rule. Sam and Sally would love to hear from you! Contact them at - samandsally@sowerministry.org.
| | To send in a prayer request or praise item- | | | | |
