SOWER Ministry Newsletter November 2025

From Where I Sit

by Office Managers Gail Fieler & Katie Gay

Are you starting to see stars? No, not the ones from hitting your head. Look closely at the badges of your fellow SOWERs serving at projects around you. With great help from Linda Webster #3808, many of you received a letter from our office that had some numbered stars in it. Those SOWERs that have reached the milestones of 25, 50, and 75 projects served will now be able to display a special star on their nametags. We should all be encouraged by the faithful service to the Lord that many of you have performed as you complete multiple projects every year. This is just a little way to show our appreciation.

Did you know that we also have large plaques in the office with the names of those members who have completed 100 and 150 projects? Keep your eyes out for more ways to recognize faithful servants. What a great legacy!

Our Host report cards also praise not only the work that is accomplished at each project but the encouragement and heart you share with the staff.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – I Thessalonians 5:11”

Always Thankful,

Katie & Gail

Got Questions? The office is happy to help!

903-882-8070

sowers@sowerministry.org

Trustees Corner

The SOWER Ministry is a Family

When we first decided to sell our house and live full-time in an RV, our plan was to workcamp or maybe volunteer at state and national parks. However, God had a different plan for us and led us to the SOWER Ministry. His plan was MUCH better. As we are away from our biological family and church family for much of the year, we have been blessed with a new family that in many ways has become much closer to us than our own. God has an amazing way of putting us together with other SOWERs who we need to meet and spend time with at just the right time. Our closest couple friends are SOWER couples. Now, just like a regular family, there is the occasional strange uncle or crazy cousin we get to meet along the way (you know who you are! 😉). But we know that God is sovereign in that as well. 

As I begin the final year of my three-year term on the board, I am very excited for the future of the SOWER Ministry. If our experience at the annual board meeting is any indication, the board is a vibrant, intelligent, hard-working, God-fearing group of people who only want what is best for the ministry and its members. We have been having fun working together, and many fresh ideas have been discussed. If you have been thinking about joining the board, I encourage you to do so. It can be a lot of work, but it is very rewarding. I believe that through the SOWER Ministry, God is changing lives and drawing people to Christ.

Brad Smith #3482

Prov 16:9 The mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (NASB)

WEBSITE TIPS AND TRICKS

What's Under the Forms and Docs Tab?

Need Answers? Check the Members Tab!

There’s a wealth of helpful information waiting for you under the Forms and Documents/Members tab on our website. Thanks to Janelle Jorgenson, these resources stay current and easy to use—so you can always find what you need. Whether you’re looking for a form, a policy, or a quick reference, this is a great place to start. Plus, many forms are available in PDF format, making them simple to view or print whenever you need them.

Pine Ridge Bible Camp, MI - 574

In 1946, God set forth a plan to develop 100 acres of land into a place that would share the gospel of Jesus Christ with children, youth, and special needs campers. Pine Ridge Bible Camp, a place where faith and fun thrive, is located in Cedar Springs, MI, on quaint Pine Lake. The camp annually serves over 2,000 campers and guests through summer overnight and day camps, winter retreats, homeschool days, Bible Clubs, and teen discipleship groups. The mission of Pine Ridge is clear: to share and model the message of Jesus with every camper. They start and end every camp day with cabin devotions. And in between, they have two chapels a day and a vast selection of fun and learning experiences. But Jesus and the gospel are always the focus. This last summer, Pine Ridge rejoiced that 64 children placed their faith in Christ while at camp! Many others made commitments to read God's Word, attend a local church, and follow the Lord in baptism. The camps for special needs adults are focused on Christ, too. This unique population is a mission field that is often ignored. Pine Ridge offers two summer camp sessions and one winter retreat for this population group. We often hear how these camps are the highlight of the year for the campers. And in serving this population, it has also become a ministry to their families and caregivers.

Pine Ridge asks for SOWERs from May through October. Check out their listing and see how you can help this new member of our SOWER Ministry camps!

Ginger Hock
#3489

Have you checked out the Underserved Project List lately?

Good News! Every project on the list has had at least one SOWER couple serving with them in the last two years. There are no zeros!!

Still good news! There are still 65 projects on the Underserved List. What an opportunity!! Be sure to check this list as you consider where God would have you serve. We know God has them in our ministry for a reason. Some of these projects have zero sign-ups in future months. Let's keep those zeros at bay!!



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!

God Amazes Us On This Journey!

Our SOWER project in December of 2023, Lighthouse Christian Camp in Smithville, TN (TN-351), had us thinking about some of the boys we worked with over the years at our boys' ranch in Iowa called Miracles Can Happen Boys Ranch. This was our ministry between 1992 and 2019, a refuge for at-risk boys in need of a safe and structured environment, stressing Christian values and good work habits.

 While driving to Lighthouse in Tennessee, my husband Jim says, "Why don’t you try to find a contact for Ben?” Ben was a boy we worked with at our ranch in Iowa. So I began the search. Four wrong phone calls and two hours later, I got the right number. We talked a little, and since we were only going to be an hour and a half away from each other, we agreed we needed to get together. On our last Sunday on the project, he drove down to visit us. It was a great time catching up, and we were so thankful to visit after 30 years of not seeing him. He seems to be doing well and owns his own construction business. God is good!

”I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jim and Cathy Fry #3564

Thank you, Jim and Cathy! How marvelous that God provides us with the opportunity to see how our past service has brought fruit for Him, and to see this in person, because we are traveling and serving.

Cathy Fry also has a blog: Jesus, Take My Baton! if you want more of her stories on the road.

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



An Area Representative (AR) plays a vital role in the success of the SOWER ministry. Each AR serves as the main contact for one or more projects (ideally no more than six) and is responsible for answering questions, offering encouragement, and conducting at least one annual visit to each project. ARs also help evaluate potential new projects by visiting and assessing their ministries and facilities.

We are deeply grateful to those who have served in this important role. Whether you are an active SOWER or a SOWER alumnus, your involvement is essential to continuing this critical part of the ministry.

If you’re interested in serving as an AR or would like more information, please contact that trustee or Brad Smith (#3482). Thank you in advance for your support!

Currently we have the following AR opening -

Florida panhandle (contact Ginger Hock):

FL - 448 Gateway Academy (Teen Challenge)

FL - 475 Bethlehem Camp Inc.

FL - 563 Realife Blue Springs

FL - 580 Tri State Christian Camp

Missouri (Contact Linda Senn):

MO-323 Camp Barnabas

MO-465 Ethnos360 Training Center

MO-560 Life Change Camp and Retreat Center

MO-569 Missionary Acres

SOWERs work hard! But do they ever have any fun!?!

His Passion Our Mission

SOWER article in Christian Living Magazine

Recently, George and Carina Jump-former SOWERs and presently staff at Hope House (ID - 239), John and Becky Ballard #3880, Wade and Anne Little #3921, Ron and Debbie Mead #4044 were interviewed by Christian Living Magazine about their work at Hope House . What a wonderful article highlighting our organization and our Host Ministry Hope House!

Click on the picture for a link to the online version of the article.  

Kiwanis Club Presentation

While working at our October 2025 project in Maxwell, NE (Maranatha Bible Camp (NE-584)), we were asked by a camp staff employee if we would accompany them to a nearby Kiwanis meeting. They had been asked to make a presentation about Maranatha Camp, and they included the SOWER Ministry in their presentation. We had plenty of brochures and business cards to hand out, and we also gave a brief PowerPoint presentation. 

We have learned to carry a good supply of brochures and cards on hand since you never know when you might be given the opportunity to showcase the SOWER Ministry. Even if your audience is not SOWER clientele, they might know someone who would be. 

Always be ready! 

Wayne & Gail Fieler #3187

Here's Mindy Carter, handing out brochures at Family Camp at ALERT, TX - 410.

She says on Facebook, "I think I handed out material and talked to 100 people on campus for Trade Days during Family Camp!"

Way to go, Mindy!

Do YOU need brochures or business cards? Just call or email the office! Remember, our PowerPoint presentation and other resources are on our Website under Forms and Docs/Promotional Items

Here is the link!

Did you know our members are the greatest recruiting tool we have?

Are you willing and ready to recruit more SOWERs? Can you set aside some time to help man a SOWER booth?

The Legacy Coalition Grandparenting Summit will take place at Community Church in Frisco, TX, on March 19-21, 2026. We need willing and enthusiastic SOWERs to man the booth. If you live nearby or plan to spend the winter in TX, please lend a hand and voice. There is great potential in recruiting some of these grandparents!

Several projects are within a 2-hour drive of Frisco, which is a northern suburb of Dallas. Check the website map to see them.

If you can help, please contact:

Jim Haney #3902

SOWER Trustee, Publicity Committee

Or

Arlyn Nies #3927

Marcy Nies #3927

If you are aware of any plans for a SOWER Rally/Reunion/Luncheon, please email janelle.jorgenson@gmail.com with the dates to be included on the 2026 Work Calendar.

Whether you’re an alumnus, a seasoned SOWER, or brand new to the family, there’s nothing like a SOWER gathering to reconnect and recharge. If you live near a SOWER project, let them know—you may find an impromptu get-together happening! From campgrounds to local restaurants, these gatherings are always a blessing



This month 62 SOWER couples/singles are serving at 33 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!

Do YOU have a Blog you'd like to share? 

Send the link to newsletter@sowerministry.org and we'll add it to the 'Roll'!

Group Picture - October 2025 ministry team at Applacian Bible College (WV-415) L-R (Lower picture) Don & Tracey Detwiler (4111), Paul & Karen Baer (4138), David & Karen Cooper (4069), Scott & Sandra Tiffee (4117) Photo by Karen Baer

Header Photo -YWAM - Cimmeron (CO-517) by Joy Rothfuss (#3488)

Verse Photo - Betsy McClintick (#3213)

Dear Sam and Sally SOWER

Dear Sam & Sally,

I have a question about how to handle holidays that fall during projects (like Thanksgiving this year!) and the long breaks (2–3 weeks) that sometimes happen between project months. With the Christmas break coming soon, we need to figure out what to do with our rig if we decide not to take it “home for the holidays.” Can you help?

Signed,

Wanting to Do It Right!

Dear Wanting,

Thanks for asking! When a holiday falls during regular project workdays, it’s always a good idea for the Group Leader to check in with the project host. Some ministries may need a little extra help during the holiday, while others may be taking time off with their families. Either way, we want to be respectful of their plans and follow their lead rather than assume a normal work schedule. If Thanksgiving falls on the same day as the SOWER GL is expected to arrive (as it often does!), the GL should contact the host ahead of time to confirm the preferred day and time of arrival for the GL and the rest of the SOWER team. The GL should then coordinate the arrival schedule with the rest of the team, understanding that everyone may have different travel needs based on the holiday. This is the one time during the year that the arrival day guidelines are very flexible. If at all possible, it is still desirable for the GL to arrive first.

Regarding the Christmas break (or other extended breaks of two or more weeks), our membership guidelines have some general SOWER principles that apply:


1. Make arrangements directly with the host. Most projects are happy—even delighted—to accommodate SOWERS during off-project times. However, never assume that this will be the case. Always check first. We should never expect a host to automatically let us stay just because we’re SOWERs. Please respect their ministry schedule and needs by asking in advance.
   
2. Show appreciation through a donation. If a host allows you to leave your rig on-site (plugged in or boondocked), remember what a privilege that is. Storage can be costly, and if the ministry is willing to help, it’s appropriate to leave a generous donation to compensate for your stay. If they decline the donation in person, try mailing it! (I can almost guarantee it’ll get deposited.)

These same principles apply if you’re stopping at a project overnight or between project months (only if the project is listed as having overnight parking available). Even if a host has said, “Stop by anytime,” we should still extend the same courtesy: Ask first. Donate generously.



Oh, and one more thing - make sure you are always out of the way before the next project starts! Just sayin'.

Hope this helps!

Serving with a Thankful Heart,
Sam & Sally

P.S. You can check out the Member Guidelines #23 & 24 (on page 2) for more details if needed.

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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-

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