SOWER Ministry Newsletter October 2024

Dear Stephanie,

Regardless of the Christmas decorations that are showing up in the aisles of your local Wal-Mart, it is still October and Christmas is still months away. Months. It always seems a shame that the beautiful month of October, with its vivid colors and refreshing temperatures, gets the short end of the holiday 'stick.' It's the month of pumpkins, crisp fall air, and trips to the apple orchard. For some, it's the season of that final yard clean-up, and checking to make sure you know where the snow shovels are! I imagine many of you are starting to get your RV ready for that long drive to where you don't have to worry about the snow shovels. I know that our late fall and winter partner ministries are gearing up for your arrival - especially those who have been impacted by the recent hurricanes in the Southeast. If you haven't zeroed in on where you'll be serving yet this winter, take a moment to look over our current listings and see what ministries still have openings. The office can also help with information about those projects in the path of Helene and Milton who may have special needs. If this is a "stay home" season for you, I pray you'll be blessed where the Lord has placed you. The definition of a "SOWER" is not only physically serving, but also supporting the ministry through prayer and giving. So whether you're signed up and ready to go, still deciding where the Lord would have you serve, or are wondering just where the snow blower is and lifting our ministry to the Throne, you are a valued member of the ministry. 


We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thessalonians 1:2-3 (ESV)


 

Resting in His Grace, Thankful for His Mercy, 

Stephanie


Stephanie Conrad #2509

Editor

stephanie@rvthereyet.org

2024-25 SOWER Board of Trustees

Your 2024-25 SOWER Board of Trustees

Standing - Evan Asby #3495 (Secretary), Bill Blake #3766,

Richard Webster #3808, Dave Pincus #3663 (President),

Floyd Adcock #3748 (Treasurer), Brad Smith #3482 (Vice President),

Jim Haney #3902

Seated - Carolyn Strausser #3369, Nelda Thompson #3445

desktop-items-phone.jpg

From Where I Sit (Office) by Gail Fieler


A few reminders ………..


1. There are still couples signed up to work 2025 projects that have NOT renewed their 2025 annual registration. WARNING - By mid-November, just prior to the 6 week cutoff, those who have not completed their 2025 annual registration will be cancelled from the project. Directly under your name on the member dashboard is a place for you to “click” to renew your registration or email the office and we will send you a form.

2. We count it a real blessing for visitors to stop by the office. Remember if you plan to park overnight or make use of the apartment, make a reservation in advance by calling or emailing the office.

3. Are you aware there are two divisions here in the office?:

a. Members – sowers@sowerministry.org phone #903-882-8070 EXT. 102

b. Projects, SOAs & finances – office@sowerministry.org phone #903-882-8070 EXT. 101


Also - The Technology Committee has plans for additions and developments to the site this coming year. Change is not always easy; growth is fabulous! 

Project Highlights

Marsh View Bible Camp

SOWER Brothers and Sisters,


We would like to give a shout out to all SOWERs, but especially those who have already served at Marsh View Bible Camp (GA-549).

We want to thank all of you for being a part of a ministry which has and continues to have a profound effect on Christ Focused ministries.

In the case of MVBC, SOWERs were the primary reason for saving this ministry from the apathy which nearly let it die. 

Through the heartfelt efforts of some 40 SOWER couples that have helped at the camp; the vision of the founder Thomas Jackson (Tommy) Taylor is being realized.

Through your time, talents, and treasures you have made it possible for Marsh View to more than double the number of children reached this year, in the Name of Christ, compared to any of the last 30 years.  

This growth trend already appears to be in place to continue in 2025, with year around camping becoming possible for years to come.

Equally as important has been the SOWERs’ efforts in making the Retreat Center possible. The revenue from these facilities is a part of our camp sustainability efforts and our commitment to keep the camping fees affordable for the students for years to come.

Grateful and Thankful!

In His Service!!

You MVBC hosts,

Ron and Jaci Klick      #3335

Pinehaven Christian Ranch

As Skip and I travel, we sometimes visit SOWER projects along our route. We delight in seeing other ministries and sometimes a visit inspires us to serve at that project in the future. That's just what happened recently while we were traveling through Montana in September.

The Pinehaven Christian Ranch is a REMARKABLE ministry, serving young men and women, typically ages 18-24, through a Gap Explorer course and/or the Gap Apprenticeship program. The 8-week Explorer program combines studies and hands-on training in Wilderness First Aid, Welding, Heavy Machinery, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing, Woodworking, Blacksmithing, Cooking, Wilderness Experience, Forestry, and Butchering. The participants are exposed to all these trades to explore new interests and to potentially define a positive path forward for their lives. The Gap Apprenticeship affords the opportunity for a young adult to do a deep dive into a desired career path, particularly in the trades. Furthermore, the apprentices acquire business administration skills through online studies, opening the door to building their own future small businesses. Both programs nurture spiritual growth through Bible Studies, Church Service, and Mission Opportunities. Finally, participants cultivate a strong work ethic as they contribute to the life of a working ranch while living in a structured, faith-centered community that encourages personal discovery and growth.

Located 40 miles north of Missoula, this incredible ministry is in the scenic Mission Valley at the foot of the Mission Mountains. Having just completed the SOWER application process, this new project will be looking to SOWERs for its 2025 year. 

We hope you’ll consider this project as you make your future plans, especially for the coming SOWER year! They are asking for three (3) SOWER couples in May, June and July.

~ Skip and Anne (Denny) Stromberg #3756

Lake Williamson Camp

I just finished up some of my Area Rep visits, and wanted to share these thoughts from the director at Lake Williamson Camp (IL-249) -

Lake Williamson Christian Center is a Christian Conference and Retreat Center located in Carlinville, Illinois. The City of Carlinville is the county seat of Macoupin County and has a rich history dating back to 1829. It is also located along Illinois Route 66, the most famous road in America. The area has notable landmarks, including the historic Macoupin County Courthouse, affectionately called the "million-dollar courthouse," where renowned historical figures, including Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, once practiced law. Carlinville is also home to Blackburn College, an esteemed institution that has been an anchor of higher education in central Illinois since 1837.

If you are seeking an exciting work opportunity where you can help serve and encourage guests, Lake Williamson is the place for you! Our sprawling campus, located off Route 4, part of the old Route 66, hosts 30,000 guests a year, with 15,000 of those guests being youth who visit primarily during the summer months. Your contribution at Lake Williamson Christian Center will make a significant difference in the lives of our guests.

We would love to welcome you to our team. At Lake Williamson, we offer a wide range of jobs to suit all skills and schedules. We are committed to working with you to find a role that aligns with your unique talents and gifts.


Lake Williamson Christian Center has openings for six (6) SOWER couples April through October. They didn't see any SOWERs in 2024 - let's see if we can't get them some help in 2025!

Les Turkleson #3192

Ministry Opportunity

The SOWER office has a ministry opportunity for a full-time couple to serve at the office. This would be considered a missionary position and will have some benefits, such as a monthly stipend, parking in the RV lot at the office and some vacation time. The ideal couple should have worked 25 projects or more so they are familiar with all things associated with signing up, working and reporting on projects. They need to have experience with the Microsoft applications on the computer and Quickbooks or other accounting software and have a heart for service to our Lord through the ministry. If this is something you might be interested in, contact the office for the full position description.

2025 SOWER WORK DATES



Click on the Calendar graphic for a downloadable color-coded calendar of 2025 SOWER project dates.

Area Representative Needs

For those considering our need for an Area Rep for the State of Arizona, but do not want the responsibility of eight projects, please let us know if you would be interested if we divided Arizona into two areas. This would include the following projects:

AZ - 74 Rainbow Acres Ranch 

AZ - 281 Ethnos360 Aviation (NTM) 

AZ - 393 Pusch Ridge Christian Academy 

AZ - 471 Youth Haven Desert Ranch 

AZ - 487 Gospel Rescue Mission-Women's Recovery

AZ - 491 Phoenix Christian Preparatory School 

AZ - 520 Standing Stones/Shepherd's Canyon Retreat 

AZ - 596 Sunshine Acres Children's Home


There is a current need to replace our retiring Area Rep for the Sacramento/Northern California Area. This would include the following projects:

CA - 130 YWAM/Springs of Living Water, Chico, CA

CA - 275 Kidder Creek Orchard Camps, Greenview, CA 

CA - 304 Diamond Arrow Christian Conf Ctr, Nevada City, CA

CA - 435 Wolf Mountain Camps, Grass Valley, CA


There is also a need 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 these openings or are interested in learning more about the Area Rep position, please contact Evan Asby (3945), Western and Canadian Project Coordinator.


Why be an Area Representative?


As an Area Representative (AR), you are the primary liaison between the project host and the SOWER ministry. You can develop a relationship with the host that allows you to assist and direct them so that their experience with the SOWER ministry is as successful as possible. You may also have the privilege of being the first SOWER to have a face-to-face encounter with the host to help them become a SOWER project. Finally, without ARs, the SOWER ministry could not function.

We are grateful for all of you who are serving (or have served) in this vital role. Whether you are actively working on projects or are Alumni, please prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve. If you have any questions or would like to be considered for future AR openings, we would love to talk to you!

Brad Smith

Project Committee Chairman

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

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!

Sponsor Needed for Camp Maranatha in New Hampshire

Camp Maranatha exists to strengthen the family and support the local church by offering events that inspire life-changing encounters with Jesus. Located in New Durham, New Hampshire, Camp Maranatha has been accepted as a new project for the SOWER ministry. However, as with all new projects, we need a sponsor before adding the camp to our list of ministries and inviting SOWERs to come and work. That’s where you come in! A sponsor is a SOWER who commits to sign up for the project at least 2-3 times in the first two years of the newly accepted project. The sponsor also spreads the word about the new project to help bring others along as well. Please note that this project is only accepting RVs up to 35’ in length currently. Please pray about this opportunity to be the key to allowing SOWERs to serve at this worthy ministry! If you would like to be a sponsor or have questions, please contact Bill Blake (3766). For more information on the camp click on the picture or any of the links above.

Seen recently on Facebook

Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing about the work done last month at Sugar Pines Christian Camp (CA-253)! They have openings next year in May, June, August, September, and October.

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 Fall scene 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.


Questions?

The office is happy to help!

 903-882-8070

sowers@sowerministry.org

This month there are 96 SOWER couples serving at 52 different ministries 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!



SOWER Blog Roll

See what other SOWERs are doing around the country!

Along the Walk

Bruce & Katie Gay #3659


Jesus, Take My Baton!

Jim and Cathy Fry #3564


RV There Yet

 Gary & Stephanie Conrad #2509


Salty Strings

John & Connie Nicholas #3322


Where the Dutch Ovens Roam

Conrad & Pam Popp #3652


Rolling With the Ekbergs

Burneall & Ann Ekberg #3702


Sincerely Sondra

Sondra Smith #3779


Friends Along The Way

Spencer & Lorraine Saints #3574


Here-N-There

Dave & Robyn Koppin #3847


KenandPebble.com

Ken & Pebble Williams #3870


Paul Alton.com

Paul & Juanita Alton #2766


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

Send the link to Stephanie@rvthereyet.org and we'll add it to the 'Roll'!



Group Picture - The September 2024 Group serving at Camp Bighorn (MT-525) L-R Jon & Linda Senn (3691), Letty & Ken Myers (3964).

Header Photo -The RV Parking area at Baptist Camp (ME-334) in all of its fall splendor.


Opening Paragraph Photo - Toccoa Falls College (GA-469)

Dear Sam & Sally,

We really enjoyed our time at the 40th Anniversary Rally in March of 2023, and are looking forward to attending other rallies. Sadly, I don’t see any on the schedule. Do you know if there are any ‘in the works’?

Signed,

Finding Joy in the Fellowship


Dear Finding Joy,

Yes – we loved that big rally to celebrate 40 years of the SOWER ministry too! That was the ministry’s first attempt at a national rally, and a rally of that scale probably won’t happen again until it’s time to celebrate our 50th! Meanwhile, all of our regional Rallies (aka Reunions) continue to be an important part of building our SOWER community. We attended our first rally when we were brand new SOWERs and loved meeting more ‘seasoned’ SOWERs and getting a real feel for our new SOWER family. Now that we are the ‘seasoned’ SOWERS, we love meeting all the new folks along with the added joy of reconnecting with folks we have worked with in the past. Whether we’re joining together in prayer or around a campfire, playing games or sharing a meal, our Rally memories are priceless.

In the past, there have been rallies in Florida, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Michigan, Minnesota, and West Virginia! These gatherings came in all shapes and sizes -some have spanned three days and some have just been for the day! Some happen annually, some every other year, and some just once. With the exception of the 40th Anniversary Rally, all of these regional rallies are member-driven. This means a SOWER couple(s) needs to take that first step and form a committee to get the ball rolling. It can be a big job, but we are a ministry of helpers, so the workload is easily distributed to many helping hands. 

Right now the only Rally ‘in the works’ is scheduled for September 2025 in Oregon (Aldersgate Ministry (OR-320)). It’s not too late to get a Rally going for this winter in Florida or Texas – we know venues are available! Maybe you would consider reviving one of these regional gatherings – whether it’s just a day outing or a three-day retreat. Here’s a brief document that gives some tips for coordinators, and I know previous organizers would be more than willing to share some of their insights. Just hit the reply button for this newsletter to get pointed in the right direction!

Thank you for your enthusiasm for Rallies – they truly do reflect the heart of the ministry! Maybe we'll see you at the next one!


Thankful to be part of the SOWER family,

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-

 prayer@sowerministry.org 

 

To contact the office -

sowers@sowerministry.org

903-882-8070  


To submit a SOWER story or a photo to the newsletter, send it to

Stephanie Conrad