SOWER Ministry Newsletter February 2025 | |
|
Dear Stephanie,
Ah, Sweet, short February! For all of its small size, it’s still packed with activity! We may have joined the throngs cheering at the Super Bowl (from our recliners), be honoring, two Presidents who were instrumental in the formation and development of our country (but then wonder why the mailman didn’t come), and of course we just wrapped up Valentine’s Day (even though we really didn’t need those chocolates!). I'm so thankful that we don’t rely on the world’s definition of Love, but instead can rest in the Love that never fails! I love this verse - I John 3:1 – "Behold what manner of Love the Father has lavished on us – that we should be called the children of God! " I pray that wherever God has you situated this month – working at a SOWER project, leading Bible Studies and teaching Sunday School in your hometown, or caring for yourself and your family and just taking one day at a time – may you relish the love that He has lavished on you, and may your light shine brightly so that other can see His love through you.
Oh, how He Loves you and me!
Thankful for His Mercy, Resting in His Grace,
Stephanie
Stephanie Conrad #2509
Editor
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
P.S. Still thinking about helping with the newsletter? Click HERE for more details about the general process. Let's talk, OK?
| |
|
From Where I Sit (Office) by Gail Fieler & Katie Gay
New Dates regarding Sign-Up Procedures for winter 2026
Can you believe we are talking about 2026 when we’re not even used to writing 2025 yet?! This year we will be using new roll out dates for winter 2026.
• You will begin to see projects post their 2026 winter requests like usual – last weekend in May. Give careful attention, pray, and plan wisely.
• 2026 Annual Registration will begin July 1, 2025 and of course, you will do this online.
• Sign-ups for 2026 winter projects will begin at 8:00 a.m., Monday, August 4, 2025 and of course, you will do this online. No more staying up until midnight to push that “Submit” button!
Please remember whenever possible to PLEASE make reservation and cancellation requests at least 6 weeks in advance. This gives the project host and group leaders time to plan and be ready for the anticipated volunteers.
Twenty-three applications for membership have flown out of the office for the month of January 2025. Thanks for distributing those brochures and business cards. You are our best marketing tool and anytime you need more, we’ll get them in the mail to you!
Thanks so much for serving the Lord through the SOWER Ministry!
Gail and Katie
Office Manager Team
| |
Trustee Nominations
It is that time of year again to solicit nominations for the Board of Trustees. The Trustee Nomination Form will be on the website within the week. Pray about whom you would like to nominate for a 3-year term on the board. Nominees must have worked at least 12 projects with at least 8 of them being different and they will need to have been Group Leader at least 3 times. If you have worked with an experienced SOWER who has demonstrated strong Christian character, a willingness to work together as a team, and loves the SOWER ministry, consider asking them if they would be willing to be nominated to run for the Trustee Board. There are three openings this year that need to be filled. Watch the Member Dashboard for more information and the nomination form!
| | | |
January Surprise Snow!
"Go South," they said.....
| |
|
Camp Sanders - ID-581 Tensed, ID
Hello SOWER community from Sanders Christian Camp! We are excited to join your ministry family! Camp Sanders exists to be “a place where people can meet Jesus”. We will celebrate our 90th anniversary this July. Praise God!
Located in the NW area of Idaho, our facilities accommodate up to 180 campers and include a dining hall, tabernacle, Lakeside Chapel, indoor gym, bathhouse, eight other “cabins”, outdoor volleyball court, and softball field/recreation area near the pond. We have both camp-sponsored events/camps along with opening our facilities for area church and para-church events.
Our paid staff is small: one full-time camp director and a handful of local people paid on a part-time/as-needed. We rely heavily on our many “friends of Camp Sanders” who come help with maintenance, improvement projects, and weatherization/reopening at work weeks in April, June, and October.
Unfortunately, our dining hall was a total loss to an arson fire in October 2024 and we are scrambling to be ready for this next season with God’s help. As in all ministries you support, the work behind the scenes and upfront never ends. We’d love for many of you to come and partner with us in keeping this ministry moving forward. Looking forward to your arrival!
Serving our Savior with you,
Christy Gallogly, Director
Camp Sanders is currently asking for two (2) SOWER couples June through September. Check out their listing on the Dashboard for more info!
| |
|
Guess who’s back and can’t wait to see us?
MERCY SHIPS!
#366 (Lindale, TX)
The road leading in to the Sower parking area has been leveled, and graded, and is easy to drive on. The sites are cleaned...ready for Sowers.
There are already a couple of projects just waiting for the SOWER touch!
They are asking for four (4) SOWERs, March through November.
| |
|
|
|
Have you had a chance to check out the NEW SOWER video yet? It's ready for you to share with friends and family, your church, small group, and Sunday School classes. Click on the link above or on the picture to access the video. It can also be found on the Sowerministry.org website under the "About Us" tab.
| | | |
Area Representative Needs | |
|
We are praising God that many of our Area Rep positions have been filled! We are still looking for an Area Rep in Eastern Canada -
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.
| |
Underserved Project Update | |
|
A complete and 'real-time' updated Underserved Project list is now available on the New Member Site! Check it out!
Underserved Projects List
| |
|
A Message from one of our Underserved Projects
Dear SOWER friends,
Nestled in the beautiful Ozarks of northwest Arkansas, Woodland Acres Bible Camp (AR-137), a ministry of Mid-America Mission, Inc. where Jesus Christ is central and the Word of God is foundational, will be celebrating its 58th year in Green Forest. The ministry is located just a few hundred feet off AR Hwy 62 and just 37 miles south of Branson, MO, 25 miles east of Eureka Springs (home of the Great Passion Play), and an equal distance in any direction to some great places to hike, fish, and browse.
The camp is on 14 acres with 21 buildings, an in-ground pool, 7 full hook-up RV sites, and can house up to 200 campers.
The various projects available are fixing and maintaining the buildings, renovating the men’s bathroom in the gym, felling trees and cleaning up forest areas, building benches to put along the walkways to various buildings, and of course, what project doesn’t have painting as a need? The outside of the buildings have been repainted in the last 4 years, so it’s the insides that need attention. There’s always a need for a keen eye for organizing somewhere, especially the shop.
As far as office work, Mid-America Mission, which started back in 1958 as a church planting ministry in the four-state region, also has a mailbox and prison ministry that sends Bible lessons to inmates and non-incarcerated students, so inputting lessons, grading lessons, writing a few encouraging words, etc are very helpful. There are also years of camper documents and other documents to scan into digital files.
We have always enjoyed having SOWERS come and help us, and we always look forward to ministering with you. The morning devotions with you all are encouraging, and the morning break is refreshing as we tend to get busy around camp and forget to just sit down and take a moment.
Thanks for the opportunity to share a bit about Woodland Acres!
Because of His Passion,
Pastor Scott Naas, Executive Director
Woodland Acres asks for three (3) SOWERs from March through November. Check out their listing to see when YOU can sign up to help!
| |
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!
| |
Seen recently on Facebook | Thank you, Gail, for sharing about the great work that was accomplished at Camp Good News (FL-244) last month! Lo a great month at a very worthwhile project! | |
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 Heart 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 February/March SOWERGRAM is now available on the website! Check it out HERE!
Questions?
The office is happy to help!
903-882-8070
sowers@sowerministry.org
| |
His Passion, Our Mission – SOWERs in Action!
The SOWER Ministry will be represented at the upcoming ESCAPEES RV Escapade in Tucson, AZ being held this coming March 16-21. SOWER couples Marty & Janelle Jorgenson (#3871), Gary & Diane Smith (#3627), and Jeff & Sue Reynolds (#3961) will be setting up a booth and making a presentation about our ministry to the Escapade attendees. Keep them in your prayers as they seek those that have a heart to serve. And stop by the booth if you’re in the area! (Tip - Wednesday (19th) is Community Day, and admission is free for Day Visitors!)
It is our desire to bring new members into the SOWER Ministry by getting the word out to Christian couples who love the Lord and want to serve Him through an RV work ministry - there are many more host projects than we have members. If you too have a desire to represent the SOWER Ministry at an event, church, RV club, etc., please contact the SOWER office to get more information on how we can help you do that.
| |
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! | |
IT'S NOT TOO LATE
TO RSVP!
One Day Florida Rally
“Gathering of the Sheep”
Friday, February 21, 2025
Florida Baptist Camp (FL-143)
Groveland, Florida
10:00 a.m. - ?
Potluck lunch at 1:00. Drinks and tableware will be provided.
A few rooms are available if you want to stay the night. Get your reservation in early!
RV spots are also available.
Games, inspiration time, and sing-a-long.
Coordinator: Diane Zaharako zaharakocharles@gmail.com
RSVP by 2/19/25 812-379-9553
| |
|
ALERT Academy (TX-410), Big Sandy, Texas
Arrive Thursday, April 3 - Leave Sunday, April 6, 2025
Join us for a joyful celebration of God in our lives. We are so looking forward to this time of seeing old friends and new friends we haven't met yet.
The program is coming together. lots of food, fun and fellowship. A few new highlights include the opportunity for everyone to talk about their favorite SOWER project, a welcome supper Thursday night, and an opportunity to put together printed books of John and Romans so they can be distributed to mission fields around the world. Other programming will include a chance to interact with our host, the International Alert Academy, a movie night, Q & A with SOWERs board members, and Sunday church service.
Click HERE for the preliminary schedule.
| |
|
COST:
• $15.00 registration per couple. To register, mail a check to Margaret Gearhart, 230 West Laurel Lane, Big Sandy, Texas 75755 Payable to Margaret Gearhart.
• CAMPSITE - $25.00 for 3 nights with full hookups - ALERT has been so generous to us. All 3 nights for only $25.00 total. (Coming early or staying later? Campsite is $25.00 per night.
• Lodging is also available. Contact Margaret for pricing.
• MEALS - $10.00/person per meal
• An offering will be taken for ALERT Academy, our host ministry.
For more information, contact Margaret Gearhart #3263, magrv@mailfence.com
970-214-4626
| SOWERs working on the John and Romans project. | |
|
|
Save the Date!
9/21-25, 2025 2025 Oregon Rally
Aldersgate Camps and Retreats (OR320) Turner, OR
More information and registration directions coming March 2025 Newsletter.
| | | | |
|
|
This month 154 SOWER couples/singles are serving at 49 different ministries all around the country. Praise God for all the work that's being accomplished! Check the New Member site for information on where YOU can serve!
| |
|
|
Special Needs -
Bethlehem Camp FL-475 in Bonifay, Florida is in need of help in preparation for large groups coming in this summer. They need to remodel the Welcome Center and attach rails to the top bunks of beds. In the Welcome Center, they want to put an outside entrance to a classroom, change the bathroom doors to outside entrances so they can be used when the building is locked, and build a snack bar with an outside serving window. They also need someone who is knowledgeable in IT who can put in a range extender for the RV park. They have 3 SOWERs in March and can take one more. There are no SOWERs signed up for April and they need to have this done by the end of April. If you are looking for a place in the panhandle of Florida to serve, they need your help! James (the director) is willing to take SOWERs at short notice to help with this project and he really loves his SOWERs.
Dick Webster #3808
FL Area Rep.
| |
|
SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERs are doing around the country!
| |
|
Group Picture - The January 2025 Group serving at Toccoa Falls College (GA-469) L-R Scott & Cindy MacArthur (4125), Ed Eileen Scheffler (3972), Sandra Scott Tiffee (4117). "We had a great project working with these folks [first project for the MacArthurs and Tiffees]!"
Header Photo -Dry Creek Camp (LA-287) in the January snow.
Opening Snowy Picture - Marshview Bible Camp (GL-549)
Snowy Project Pictures - Many locations - Many contributors - Many Thanks!
| |
|
Dear Sam & Sally,
Could you please explain the guidelines regarding “overnight parking” provided by projects. We'll be on the road soon and might be able to take advantage of that!
Signed,
Hoping to Stop by
Dear Hoping,
I am so glad you asked that! There are actually several options for finding a SOWER spot to park for a quick overnight stop. Many of our projects are happy to extend overnight parking to SOWERs and that provision is noted on their ministry page. However, there are some guidelines which can be found under Forms/Members on our Member Site. Here is a summary –
1. Call ahead to the ministry if you would like to stop overnight so they know you are coming and to ensure availability.
2. Realize when our partner ministries do have a spot available that this is a definite BLESSING, not a requirement for them, nor should we expect it.
3. Remember that SOWERs will leave a generous donation as a thank-you to the host. This also applies to the additional week(s) when there is a 2 or 3-week break between projects.”
Please use this kind offer from our hosts as a stopping-off point between projects and remember that “overnight” means “overnight.” It should not be used to get to a project early, as a vacation spot, or as a campground for more than one night. We never want our project hosts to feel they should provide us with a place to park when we are not signed up to volunteer there for the month.
Another option would be our many SOWERs (both active and Alumni) who have RV parking on their property. You can easily search for those locations by going into the Member directory and then search by state after you check the “Overnight Parking” box. You will have to manually check to see if they are along your way, but it’s still a great option! Of course, always call first!
And finally – if you are passing through Texas – stop at the SOWER RV Park at the office! There are six (6) full hook-ups (one is a pull-through), and they are almost always available! And if you’re looking for a spot to take a break, our SOWER RV park is also a great option. The first two nights are free and the charge after that is nominal. (The new office annex building is also available for overnight stays if you are traveling without your RV!)
Safe travels friends! Maybe we’ll see you ‘down the road’!
Blessings,
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- | | | | |
