SOWER Ministry Newsletter February 2026 | | |
Greetings!
February is often called the “Love Month,” and SOWERs is truly a ministry of love. Because of God’s great love for us, we share that love with others through serving at our projects. Yet beyond the building, painting, and cleaning, there are many other ways the love of Jesus is shared. Some roles are visible. Our wonderful office staff, dedicated Trustees, and faithful Area Representatives who support ministries across the U.S. and Canada are among the familiar faces of our SOWER ministry.
But many others serve quietly behind the scenes, helping keep SOWERs running smoothly. Faithful members manage our website with care and excellence. This newsletter benefits from dedicated proofreaders who make sure our commas are in the right place and our sentences are complete. Some members send cards to encourage those walking through difficult seasons, while another faithfully leads a GriefShare ministry for those who have lost a spouse. Our social media administrators work to keep our Facebook presence honoring to God, and our Prayer Chain coordinator ensures that prayer requests are shared in a timely fashion. One of our alumni faithfully welcomes new SOWERs, answering questions and helping them feel at home in the ministry. And then there are our countless prayer warriors, who continually lift up this ministry before the Lord. We would be lost without them!
We cannot begin to name this great “cloud of witnesses,” but we pause now to offer our heartfelt thanks. Each act of service, both seen and unseen, is an expression of Christ’s love. What a blessing you all are to this ministry!
"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in
perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."
Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV)
Thankful for His LOVE so freely given,
Sharon & Stephanie
Newsletter Team
Sharon Hoyt & Stephanie Conrad
newsletter@sowerministry.org
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From Where I Sit
by Office Managers Gail Fieler & Katie Gay
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Greetings in Christ!
Thank you for your faithful service and for being such an important part of our ministry family.
To help us communicate with you more effectively, we ask for your help with a few simple details.
- Please add the SOWER Office number (903-882-8070) to your phone contacts so you’ll recognize us when we call.
- When you email or call us, including your SOWER number allows us to assist you more quickly.
- For our records, most requests need to be submitted in writing, so email is always best. However, you are welcome to call during normal SOWER office hours (Monday-Thursday 8AM-4PM) if you have a question or need clarification — we are always glad to help!
- Our office is open Monday through Thursday. Mondays can be especially busy as we work through the weekend mail, so thank you for your patience.
- Cancellation and assignment requests are processed during regular office hours and handled in the order they are received. If you need to change an assignment more than six weeks in advance, please wait for the cancellation to be cleared by our office before requesting a new assignment on the website.
Here are some uplifting comments we’ve received recently from our Project Hosts:
“The SOWERs worked so well with our people and everybody loved them.”
“Because of the SOWERs, we are able to reach more campers for Christ.”
“We love our SOWERs and depend on them to help us move forward in our ministry.”
“This group went above and beyond our expectations and did a great job with everything we asked them to do.”
Kudos for a job well done! It is wonderful to serve with so many God-loving, servant-hearted people!
Warmly,
Katie & Gail
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Clicking on the Valentine cookies will take you to the SOWER website, where you can sign onto the Member Dashboard and get "Real Time" updates for our ministry projects' needs, sign up for projects, and maintain your account. | | | |
What’s Good Today?
The staff person opened with “What’s good today?” during our dining room luncheon. “I beg your pardon, what did you ask?” She explained that “What’s good today?” is a way to begin a conversation on a positive note. I agree. What a nice, unexpected way to start chatting. I don’t remember my answer at the time, but, oh, how many things in this life are good! God is good – all the time! Serving for His purpose is not only good but also rewarding and fulfilling. SOWER service is good and heeds the Christian call in Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’(NIV)” My hands and feet are ready and willing to be used for God’s good service. His salvation through Jesus Christ is a good reason to serve Him every day. As SOWERs, start each day with good thoughts of love and service to His glory, in thankfulness and praise for all He has done!
Janelle Jorgenson, Trustee and Treasurer 2025-26
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Trustee Nominations
It’s time once again to begin the process of nominating SOWERs to serve on the Board of Trustees. We encourage you to prayerfully consider whom the Lord might lead you to nominate for this important three-year term. Nominees must have served on at least 12 projects, including 8 different locations, and have served as Group Leader at least three times. If you have worked alongside an experienced SOWER who demonstrates strong Christian character, has a servant’s heart, and a love for the SOWER ministry, consider reaching out to ask if they would be willing to be nominated. If they are willing, simply send an email to office@sowerministry.org with the name and SOWER# of the person you are nominating. Three positions will be filled this year.
| | | | The Pacific Northwest is Calling! | |
Black Lake Bible Camp
WA-78
Black Lake Bible Camp (BLBC) is a place where joyful service and meaningful ministry go hand in hand, and SOWERs play a vital role in making that possible.
“It was such a joy this last September to attend the SOWER Round-Up on behalf of BLBC,” shared Collin Wood, Volunteer Coordinator. “We love the energy of the SOWERs and their willingness to serve. I hope to welcome more of you this coming year.” That enthusiasm is echoed throughout the camp as SOWERs come alongside staff to support projects that strengthen the ministry.
We (the Clakes) have been serving as SOWER Home Project volunteers at BLBC since December 2025 and have seen firsthand the impact of that partnership. It has been a blessing to come alongside the BLBC staff so they can focus on helping families learn about God and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. What SOWERs support is a full calendar of retreats, summer camps, and day camps, along with classic camp activities like swimming, archery, and basketball.
Located on beautiful Black Lake in a forest setting, BLBC also offers a wonderful home base for exploring the Pacific Northwest. Weekend adventures include the Olympic Peninsula, Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens National Parks, Pacific Ocean beaches, Snoqualmie Falls, and more.
Executive Director Steven Wetzel sums it up well: “The SOWERs ministry has been such a gift to Black Lake Bible Camp. Their joyful service and faithfulness allow us to focus more fully on the ministry God has called us to.”
We hope you’ll join us on a project at Black Lake Bible Camp!
Chris & Roxy Clake (#3901)
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Are you ready for a Pacific Northwest Summer? The following ministries in Oregon and Washington have openings and would especially welcome additional SOWER participation. Projects marked with an asterisk (*) are currently on our Underserved List.
OR-320 - Aldersgate Camps & Retreats, Turner, OR
*WA-78 - Black Lake Bible Camp, Olympia, WA
WA-190 - Flying H Youth Ranch, Naches, WA
*WA-235 - Lake Retreat Camp, Ravensdale, WA
WA-255 - Warm Beach Camp, Stanwood, WA
*WA-283 - Warm Beach Senior Community, Stanwood, WA
*WA-438 - YWAM/Discovery Bay Camp, Port Hadlock, WA
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Have you checked out the Underserved Project List lately?
If you've served at one recently, we'd love to feature it in an upcoming newsletter. So send in some highlights along with a couple of pictures to newsletter@sowerministry.org to help get it OFF the list!
| | SOWER STORIES AND TESTIMONIES | | |
Finding the Rainbow
One of my favorite projects was serving at Rainbow Acres (#74) in Camp Verde, Arizona, a group home for adults with developmental disabilities. Many of the “ranchers,” as they are known at Rainbow Acres, once held jobs and even earned college degrees before coming there. Yet despite the unexpected turns in their lives, I found them to be some of the most loving and joyful people I have ever met.
I have many stories, but I’ll share one about a rancher named Beth (name changed). We formed an immediate connection. Although it sometimes took patience to understand her words, her heart was always perfectly clear. Whenever we saw each other, we sat together. She saved me seats at meals and devotionals, and I treasured those small gestures of friendship.
The ranchers have a choir, and Beth loved to sing. As SOWERs, we were privileged to attend one of their brief concerts. Before it began, Beth came to me, visibly nervous. I was able to encourage her and pray with her. When the music started, the choir sang their hearts out, and so did Beth. She beamed with joy afterward, hugging me tightly.
One of the songs still echoes in my mind:
“We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo.
How about you, you, you?
You can come too, too, too.
We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo.”
On another day, Beth came to me in tears. Again, we prayed together, and later she told me things were better. She trusted me enough to share her struggles. She adopted me and I adopted her.
I hope to return to Rainbow Acres someday, because sometimes we are the ones who need a smile, a hug, or a simple song of praise from some of God’s most genuine people. It doesn't take a high IQ to share a smile or an athlete to give a hug. And it doesn't take a great singer to lift your voice in praise to God.
Who do you know that needs a smile, a hug, or a grateful heart of praise that you can share? Let's all be like Paul who wrote in Philippians 4:11
"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation."
Judy Pavlik #4009
| | Thank you, Judy for such a powerful reminder that we can always bless and be blessed, no matter what situation we are in! | |
Do you have a SOWER testimony of God's power and protection as you served, a testimony of His miracles? Or a SOWER story to share? Please share it with us at: newsletter@sowerministry.org
| | Seen Recently on Facebook | | |
Have You Stopped by Our Facebook Group Lately?
Our private SOWER Facebook group is a place to stay connected, share blessings, and encourage one another as we serve the Lord alongside our ministry partners.
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Ministry Facebook Pages
Many of our partner ministries have their own Facebook pages--check them out to stay updated on the places you love to serve.
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Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who has "liked" or "followed" our SOWER Facebook Page -- we now have over 1900 followers! If you haven't yet, head over and give it a thumbs-up to help spread the word about our ministry.
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Praise the Lord! We have two SOWER couples already registered for this coming June’s - Escapade 2026, who have volunteered to man the SOWER Ministry tabletop booth in Vendors' Row. If you are registered for, or still considering attending, this event in Fryeburg, Maine, please let us know, and we will make sure to get all the SOWER couples attending connected. It’s a lot of fun to fellowship together, promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the worship services, and, in general, just get to know one another better. Contact Jim Haney (SOWER #3902) if you plan on attending.
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Why would I want to help at the Escapade?
Manning a SOWER booth at an Escapee Escapade is not only a great way to share about our ministry, but it is also filled with great blessings! Here are some of the perks shared by Janelle Jorgenson, who served at the last Escapade-
- It was a wonderful opportunity to greet and fellowship with RVers while sharing the SOWERs ministry.
- They loved connecting and working alongside other SOWERs, some of whom were new to them.
- Since the SOWER office supplied everything they needed for the booth, it was easy to have a successful Escapade.
- It was an honor to lead Sunday morning worship and participate in daily morning devotions with other believers.
- They also had free time to enjoy other vendors, seminars, and fun activities hosted by the Escapade.
Whether it's at an Escapade or your church's mission conference, sharing the joy of the SOWER Ministry always comes with blessings! Contact Jim Haney for more information about manning a SOWER booth!
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Legacy Grandparenting Summit in Frisco, TX
Dave & Gayle Anderson have graciously volunteered to represent SOWERs at the Legacy Grandparenting Summit in March. They will be manning a table 3/19-3/21 and doing a Lunch and Learn on Friday 3/20. If any of you are planning on attending the conference, it would be nice to have someone man the table while Dave & Gayle are presenting at the Lunch and Learn. It sounds like it will be a great conference if any of you are interested.
https://legacycoalition.com/summit/#schedule
Please let Linda Senn know if you will be attending. Sennlinda@gmail.com.
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The Gospel Music Festival at Pioneer Village Farm
We want to thank the SOWERs that attended and represented the SOWER Ministry at this event in Wachula, FL this last January 31st. They voluntarily set up a SOWER tabletop display and “got the word out” about the SOWER Ministry at this event which is associated with the Sherry White Ministries FL-485 project. Their message to the attendees of this event was, “Would you like a Pay Day in eternity?” That is the question asked of the visitors to the SOWER booth. Despite the cold damp weather the event was well attended and everyone enjoyed the music.
January GLs Tim and Linda Nelsen #3822 and David and Nelda Thompson #3445 were busy sharing the SOWER Ministry, giving out brochures, business cards and Pay Day candy bars. SOAs John and Lori Jamison #3557 worked as event staff, serving wherever needed. First timers Bill and Denise Tautman #4169 circulated among the crowd enjoying a great ending to their first time serving. Let’s pray for some fruits from this labor of love!
| | Area Representative Update | | |
We are currently in need of an Area Representative(s) for the following California projects -
Contact Jim Haney for more information!
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Let us not forsake gathering together!
SOWER Gatherings - A Time of Refreshing
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Tennessee Picnic!
Join local SOWERs at the Blake Homestead, TN, on Saturday, August 22 at 11AM! Get all of the details by clicking on the "Are You Ready to Picnic" flyer!
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Manitoba Meet-up
We are planning a SOWER meet-up June 18-20 at the Virden Lions Campground in Virden, Manitoba. All are welcome. There are a few dry camping sites at $25/night, some water and electric sites at $30, and mostly full-service sites at $35. Most of the activities will take place around the W&E sites, but nothing is that far away. If you let me know what type of site you would like, I could contact them once they open, and then you would pay them once you arrive. We will have some get to know each other activities, a historical walk, campfires, fellowship, etc.
Contact Caroline Friesen #4031 - carfries13@gmail.com - for more information or to sign-up!
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Realife Blue Springs (FL-563) Marianna, FL, February 2026 Group -
Standing, L-R Jon and Denise Witting #3954 and GLs Ralph and Lynn Wacker #3865. Up in the truck bed - Bob and Christy Adams #4175 (2nd project), Bill and Sue Berglund #4206 (1st project). Photo taken by Lynn Wacker.
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February is usually our busiest SOWER month. This year is no exception! There are 148 SOWER couples/singles serving at 46 different ministries all around the country this month. Praise God for all the work that's being accomplished!
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERs are doing around the country!
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Dear Sam & Sally,
Since SOWERs does not have a membership fee, can you explain how it functions financially? How can we best support our ministry with our giving?
Thank you!
Signed,
Looking for options to give
Dear Looking,
Thank you for asking such an important question! As a 501c3 organization, SOWER Ministry depends on donations from members and supporters to maintain our organization and continue to offer servant opportunities. As you pray about making a one-time or recurring gift, here are some different ways to give:
ACH (preferred method): Set up a withdrawal from your checking account using the ACH (Automated Clearing House) form on the Member website. You’ll find it under Forms and Docs → Members → Bank (ACH) Sign-up Donation Form. If you have questions, contact the SOWER Ministry office.
Online donation: Use the Donate link on the public website or the green “Donate or Pay” button in the upper right corner of the Member website. Or the orange Donate button at the close of this newsletter.
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD):
If you are age 72½ or older, you may be eligible to donate directly from your IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution. QCDs can count toward your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and are usually not taxable. Please consult your tax professional to see if this option is right for you.
And of course, sending a Personal Check to the office also works!
Your support truly makes a difference. Thank you!
Serving with you,
Sam & 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-
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To contact the office -
sowers@sowerministry.org
903-882-8070
To submit a SOWER story or a photo to the newsletter, send it to
newsletter@sowerministry.org
Header Photo Credit - Amy Kruse (4145) - Charis Hills (TX-476) taken following the late January snow storm
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Newsletter Team
Stephanie Conrad #2509
Sharon Hoyt #3815
Lou Blount #3952
Janelle Jorgenson #3871 (Email maintenance)
There's still room on our team! Contact newsletter@sowerministry.org
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