SOWER Ministry Newsletter October 2021 |
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Dear Friends,
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 and 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 that 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 fall and winter partner ministries are gearing up for your arrival! We've heard from many about what a blessing you all are to them as they recover from last summer’s shutdown. If you haven't zeroed in on where you'll be serving yet this winter, take a moment to look over the PLS and see what ministries still have openings. 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 the 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 Conrad #2509
Editor
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
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Do you have a testimony or 'God Story' of how you've seen God in action at our SOWER projects during these tumultuous days? We'd love to hear from you! Send your story ideas and photos to me at stephanie@rvthereyet.org!
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Your 2021-22 SOWER Board of Trustees
Ladies (L-R) Cheri Smith (2634), Diane Zaharako - Secretary (2983), Nelda Thompson (3445), Gail Fieler (3187)
Men - (L-R) Bill Myers (3190), Dick Howard - Vice President (2527), John Barber (3365), Roy Olson -Treasurer (2964), Gary Conrad - President (2509)
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A note from the President |
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For the first time in two years, the entire Board of Trustees was able to meet together in person. Thank you, LORD! We started our meeting with a short devotional on I Cor. 12, reminding us about being in one body and one spirit. The meeting progressed well, with much interaction and good humor. We all felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in our discussions.
The one topic that was evident throughout our meeting was the need to disseminate as much information as possible to our members. The primary avenue for this distribution of information will be the Members Site on our webpage. These updates won’t happen overnight, so please watch for these changes in the weeks to come.
God continues to bless our ministry with many new, excited and ready to serve couples. From Sept 2020 to Aug 2021, we have added 125 new members! If you’re one of our ‘seasoned’ SOWERS, check out the Wait List (on the Members Site) to see what new members are waiting for a GL to sign-up so they can work! Also, the “Underserved Project List” will soon be available on the site and will be updated every six months. Hopefully these two lists can be a help as you look and pray about where the LORD would have you serve in the months ahead.
The full minutes from the meeting will be available in an upcoming SOWERGRAM.
Thank you for your prayers!
In His Grace & Mercy
Gary Conrad– SOWER President
Acts 20:24 - But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
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Turtle Mountain (MB-490)Testimony |
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We have really missed having SOWERs at Turtle Mountain Bible Camp in Manitoba the past few years. We praise God for orchestrating and bringing Brian and Beverly Gauntlett (3368) from Chilliwack, BC and Darren & Sandra Urkevich (3798) from Drayton Valley, AB to us in September “for such a time as this." They all have such joyful servant hearts and although their labour of love with so many things was deeply appreciated, the fellowship and encouragement we shared was just as valuable. It was wonderful to hear their God stories and share in their morning devotions together.
These couples lifted the load in so many ways. Beverly was an experienced cook so she and Sandy took over meal preparations, which was a huge relief. The ladies led horses for riding lessons on occasion, polished saddles and tack at the barn, sorted an abundance of items and cleaned facilities in preparation for rental groups.
Darren and Brian shingled a small Chalet for staff housing. They installed railings, hung cabinets, and retrofitted fire doors. Needed upgrades on the staff house were also completed, as they installed new windows, doors, insulation and siding. They also assisted during our JOY (Just Older Youth) seniors camp. There was so much excitement as ‘old’ and ‘new’ friends came to see the new facility and enjoy this long anticipated time together. The SOWERs along with many JOY campers even had the courage to try out the zip-line, go horseback riding, kayaking and shoot archery. God’s presence was so evident!
The summer was fruitful, lives were changed and we celebrate the ever present and unchanging hope we have in Christ! To hear campers express, “This was the best week of our lives” and another tell us that prior to camp they had no intention of continuing to live, made it all so worthwhile. We are so thankful to the SOWERs organization for the blessings of new friendships and needed help, as together we seek to glorify Him and further His Kingdom.
Howard & Kathy Weir
Directors
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The project involved replacing the dry rotted siding that had been destroyed by animals, replacing the roof, covering the inside with plywood and replacing the toilet seat. And then of course, painting the exterior and interior!
Good as new – and ready for use!
Roy Olson
#2964
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SPONSORS NEEDED!
A Project Sponsor is an active SOWER couple who will sign up for a few project months during the first couple of years to help them 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. Please contact Dick Howard for more information!
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Hasty, AR
Rock Haven Bible Camp is a non-denominational camping ministry dedicated to advancing the Gospel and teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We provide a quality, Christ-centered program and facility, where youth and families can enjoy a safe and wholesome environment for Spiritual refreshment.
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La Canada, CA
Angeles Crest Christian Camp, is a beautiful wooded campus located at the 6,000-foot peak of a crest of the San Gabriel Mountains, just an hour and a half outside of LA. We are dedicated to giving kids and adults alike a place to reconvene with nature, make new friends and worship in a Christian community.
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A SOWER Area Representative (AR) is a vital part of our ministry. The Project Committee (Vice President and two others) works with the ARs to stay connected to our various ministries. Essentially, the ARs are the 'boots on the ground' for the ministry, mainly checking on existing projects periodically and taking a look at prospective projects. Right now there are four Area Rep openings.
Southern California
CA-213 Indian Hills
CA-263 Palomar Mountain
South Texas-
TX - 4 Camp Loma De Vida
TX - 121 Grace Community Church
TX - 402 Way of the Cross (on Hold)
TX - 499 Macedonia Christian School
East*-
NC - 285 Camp Living Water
NC - 294 Ridge Haven/Conf/Retreat
NC - 358 Center For Intercultural Training
NC - 498 Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove
NC - 506 Boys & Girls Homes of NC
NC - 522 Harvest Time Bible Camp
NC - 527 Children's Bible Ministries (Camp Grace)
SC - 545 Psalm 91 at The Potters Place
VA - 33 Camp Bethel
WV- 415 Appalachian Bible College
South Florida
FL - 2 Life For Youth Camp
FL - 157 Lake Wales Care Center
FL - 271 Samaritan Center for Young Boys and Families
FL - 307 Community Baptist Church/Comm. Christian
FL - 341 Lake Placid Camp & Conference Ctr
FL - 427 H.E.A.R.T. Missionary Training Institute
FL - 485 Sherry White Ministries
FL - 548 Hobe Sound Bible College
FL - 550 Missionary Flights International
*This area will be split into two groups
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To all our current ARs - Thank you for your faithful service to SOWERS! Let's help each other out as we travel around the country serving our Lord at these various projects. If you are working at a project that is not one of your AR assignments, check to see if an AR visit is due and contact the assigned AR and see if it would be OK to do a visit. |
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Let us not forsake gathering together.... |
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Plans are in the works for the 2023 National SOWER Rally in Texas to celebrate the SOWER 40th anniversary! The dates have been set -March 30th through April 3rd - the weekend between a two week break, giving folks time to get there and also head off to their next project. There will be an initial committee meeting in October. If you are interested in serving on the committee please let me know (gary@rvthereyet.org). We will be discussing different ideas and proposals. We will be meeting through a Zoom platform (set-up help will be available). Thank you in advance for your interest.
Gary Conrad (#2509)
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Get out your 2022 datebook...... |
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2022 Florida SOWER Reunion
FL-143 Florida Baptist Youth Camp, Groveland, FL
February 28 - March 2, 2022, Monday – Wednesday
Theme: No Matter What, Trust God!
**Needed – Pianist to assist with our worship time. Contact Wendell Ramaker if you can help!** |
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Seen recently on Facebook |
Thank you, "Meandering Malones" for sharing about your experiences at Ethnos 360 (MO-465), in Missouri. Sounds like it was a blessed month!
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Have you stopped by our Facebook Group lately? 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. Thanks!
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 the Administrator will approve you.
Since the SOWER Facebook group is a ‘private’ group, we try to limit our members to folks that are SOWER members or project hosts, and couples that are interested in joining our ministry.
If you invite other interested folks to join the group they will still need to answer the membership question. Thanks!
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Thank you to everyone who has given our SOWER Facebook Page a "Like". We're over 1320 "likes" to date! 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.
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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!
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Passing through Texas??
Don't forget that the the SOWER office in Lindale has five fully paved (full hook-up) RV sites available for overnight or extended stay. The office is located right off of I 20 (directions in the SOWERGRAM), and even if you can't stay overnight, they'd love to put a fresh pot of coffee on for you! Stop by and say hello!
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Group Picture this month - the September 2021 Group at Doe River Gorge Ministries (TN-467) L-R Mike & Joan Busch (3555), Jerry & Robin Servilla (3452), Earl & Judy DeVries (3812), Jim & Susan Finney(3816) Photo Credit - Mike Busch
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERs are doing around the country!
Ed & Patty Soltes #1864
Gary & Stephanie Conrad #2509
Paul & Juanita Alton #2766
Bruce & Katie Gay #3659
Terry & Alice Burnett #3071
John & Connie Nicholas #3322
Jim and Cathy Fry #3564
John & Druann Bauer #3521
Conrad & Pam Popp #3652
Dennis & Lorree Johnson #3658
Sondra Smith #3779
Spencer & Lorraine Saints #3574
Mark & Jeanette Sheler #3782
Doug & Laurie Schneider #3704
Do YOU have a Blog you'd like to share? Send me the link, and we'll add it to the "Blog Roll".
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Clicking on the Apples
above will take you to the Members Page, the October/November
SOWERGRAM and the latest updates to our Project Listings (updated weekly).
NOW AVAILABLE
Found on the Member's Page, the Wait List details those folks who are either waiting for an opening at a project or waiting for a GL to sign up since they are new SOWERs. It will be updated automatically each week as the PLS is updated. Check it out!
If you have any questions,
please contact the SOWER Office
903-882-8070
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2022 Registration/Skill Sheets are still being accepted! Please return it ASAP if you want to be included in the 2022 Roster or sign up for projects next year. |
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Dear Sam and Sally,
My husband and I are new SOWERs and as much as we have enjoyed serving at several projects, I must confess that I often want to continue working after lunch. While I know we ladies are not expected to work in the afternoon, are there any guidelines that would apply when we do want to work? Thanks for your help!
Working Wife
Dear Working,
While there are no official guidelines for ladies working in the afternoon, there are some considerations that should be applied. The primary one would be, of course, that of safety. Always check with your Group Leader about what work would be available in the afternoon and let her know just where you would be working. It’s always preferable to work in pairs if possible, so that would be a consideration as well. There is also the possibility that you could work with your husband in the afternoon depending on what he’s working on. Some of the different things I have heard of ladies doing in the afternoon include on-line Bible studies, sewing items for Christmas Boxes, or knitting hats for chemo patients. I pray as you continue on in your SOWER journey you will find the flexibility of our work schedule a blessing!
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.
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To send in a prayer request or praise item-
To contact the office -
903-882-8070
To submit something to the newsletter, send it to
To submit a SOWING TIP, send an email to
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