SOWER Ministry Newsletter November 2021 |
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Dear Friends,
Scripture tells us that ‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven’ (Eccl 3:1). What season are you in this November? Perhaps a loved one has graduated to heaven this year, and your heart is broken with this loss. Some of you may be expecting your first grandbaby (or great grandbaby!) and this is a season of new life for you. “A time to mourn and a time to dance.” Maybe you are just starting out on your SOWER adventure with great anticipation, but maybe you have decided that this is the year you regretfully hang up the keys. “A time to seek and a time to lose.” Regardless of what season you might be finding yourself in right now, I pray that this November will also be a season of thankfulness. May these last weeks of November be filled with not only wonderful family gatherings but also a true sense of gratitude. How precious to know that regardless of our circumstances, our God is with us. Wherever He has led you this year, whether it's been through the valleys or up to the mountaintops, I pray you have felt His presence going with you. And how thankful we are for that assurance!
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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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You Want Me to Do WHAT?
Bruce Gay #3659
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As SOWERs we have all answered His call and said “Here am I, send me.” We’ve traveled many miles and many times rolled into a project not knowing what to expect. Sometimes we are asked to spend three weeks doing something mundane and other times we are tasked with a high visibility project.
The Memorial Chapel at New Life Ranch, Flint Valley was just such a high visibility request. It is one of the Ranch’s original buildings and carries a great amount of sentimental value. The exterior wood surfaces needed to be treated, but many influential Ranch board members were afraid to do anything lest it be damaged.
Our SOWER GL arrived, was given a tour, and was told the Ranch wanted the SOWERs to tackle stripping/ pressure washing the building and steeple exterior, masking and taping windows, hardware, etc., and then spray on an oil-based stain.
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Could we do it? The task seemed daunting for just the three couples. But with God, all things are possible. It was physically demanding work, high above the ground on slippery surfaces. So we were cautious and frequently reviewed the required work and how to safely accomplish it.
With His help, we treated the Memorial Chapel so that it will hopefully last another 60+ years.
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Many camp staff came by to look at the finished project. Some took pictures; others brought friends. We realized that once again we had blessed a camp’s staff, and hopefully were an encouragement for them to carry on their ministry! |
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SOWER PROJECT MANAGER PROGRAM |
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The SOWER board is considering the establishment of a new program somewhat like the SOA program but would be designed specifically to provide oversight for larger construction and remodeling projects such as cabins, staff housing, kitchen and dining facilities, etc. This program could be called “SOWER Project Manager” or SPM for short. The program would be intended to offer our Project Hosts individuals capable of the oversight of SOWERs working on larger projects to provide continuity from one SOWER group to the next. The SPM would work much like the current SOA program except that the SPM would have over sight responsibility for SOWER groups coming to work on project. Much like the SOA program, the SPM assignment would be for three to six months and possibly longer depending on the projects. Projects of longer duration could be split between two or more SPMs.
Before the program can be established the Board would need to know from our membership those members who have had project management experience, general contracting experience and/or sufficient construction experience to be capable of construction project management. A list would be compiled of interested and qualified members and then the program could be made available to Projects Hosts considering a larger construction projects.
At this point, Trustee Roy Olson will be the contact person for those with questions or interest in the program. Please contact Roy if you are willing to be considered for a SPM assignment should a Project Host request one.
Roy Olson # 2964
Phone # 503 689 0799
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SPONSOR (still) 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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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 reconnect with nature, make new friends and worship in a Christian community.
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Thoughts on being an Area Rep |
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Gary and I have been Area Representatives (AR) for eastern Texas and Louisiana for the last several years. This last month we were able to visit each of our five projects, and while we were able to check out the facilities and make sure that all was well with each project (or learn what exciting plans they had for the future), that wasn’t the true blessing of those visits. It was building the relationship with each of those hosts! Their stories of how God has been working through the pandemic and other trials were inspiring to us. They recounted how many young people found Jesus this past summer or grew in their relationship with Him. It was such a blessing to hear how OUR ministry has impacted them over the years – building this, fixing that, beautifying this area, cleaning out that area…the list goes on and on. But they always come back to the encouragement that they feel when SOWERs arrive! “God is good – and He has sent us help!” Each year as we wrap up our AR visits, we marvel at the work of the Kingdom we get to see, and we know that is repeated at SOWER projects all around the country. We are honored to serve our LORD in this way!
Gary & Stephanie Conrad
#2509
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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.
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
NY, PA, NJ, MD
MD -18 Sandy Cove Ministries
NJ - 3 America's Keswick
NJ - 346 The Pilgrim Academy
NY - 220 Shoshanah Campus
NY - 251 High Braes Refuge
NY - 306 Odosagih Bible Conference
NY - 379 Lighthouse Christian Camp
NY - 284 Sacandaga Bible Conference
PA - 514 Miracle Mountain Ranch
This area could be divided.
South Florida
FL - 2 Life For Youth Camp
FL - 157 Lake Wales Care Center
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 could be divided.
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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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2023 National SOWER Rally
March 30 - April 4, 2023
ALERT Academy (TX-410)
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Plans are moving forward with our 40th Anniversary National Rally scheduled for the weekend between the March and April 2023 projects! We know it's still a long way off, but the committee had its first meeting recently and the excitement is mounting! If you would like to join the committee or have suggestions for activities and speakers, please contact me! I'd love to hear from you!
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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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Do you love sweet fellowship, great food, and refreshing insights into God’s Kingdom Work? Then attending the Texas Rally is for you! Dwayne and Margaret Gearhart have graciously agreed to be the lead couple again for this rally, but they need your help! The rally is scheduled for March 27-30 at ALERT Academy (TX-410). There are still several openings for SOWERs for the March project at ALERT when much of the behind-the-scenes prep happens. All the program planning will have been done, but there is a need for that last minute help to pull everything together. Can you help? Sign up today so you won’t miss the opportunity to serve your SOWER family in this way.
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March 27-30, 2022
ALERT Academy (TX-410)
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Seen recently on Facebook |
Thank you, Chris, for sharing about the great work being done (both by you and the ministry itself!) at America's Keswick in New Jersey! There are still lots of openings for next summer!
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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 almost to 1350 "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').
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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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Love sharing SOWERS with others?
Join the SOWER team at the upcoming 2022 Escapades Rally located in Lebanon, TN, dates June 19-24. We need several couples to man the SOWER booth and help answer questions at the seminar. Camping at the Rally is paid for by the ministry for couples working the booth. If interested e-mail Wayne & Gail Fieler #3187
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Click on the calendar to download a one page PDF calendar with all of our 2022 project start and end dates.
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Group Picture this month - the October 2021 Group at French Camp Academy (MS-541)L-R John and Rosie Stoner #2721, Tim and Patti Ambrose #3869 , John and Sandi Barber #3365, Tony and Sue Malone #3667.
Photo Credit - Tony & Sue Malone
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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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above will take you to the Members Page, the October/November
SOWERGRAM and the latest updates to our Project Listings (updated weekly).
The December-January SOWERGRAM will be available on-line by November 18th.
The MEMBER ONLY Website password will be changing on December 15th. The new password will be included in the upcoming SOWERGRAM being mailed to all members.
If you have any questions,
please contact the SOWER Office
903-882-8070
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The 2022 ROSTER, the Dec/Jan SOWERGRAM and the PLS will be mailed to ALL Members by the end of November. This will contain the NEW Member Site Password which will be changing on December 15th.
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Dear Sam and Sally,
Can you explain the mechanics of the prayer chain? We're honored to pray for our brothers and sisters, but we'd like to know how it all works!
Pleased to pray
Dear Praying SOWER,
What a great question! Prayer is SO important to our ministry. We're happy to share some of the nuts and bolts of the process. First – who’s on the Prayer Chain? When you join SOWERs you are automatically added to the prayer chain list. It is separate from our regular database in that it also includes other believers who are committed to praying for our ministry, such as project hosts and past SOWERs. So how does it work? When you send in a prayer request (prayer@sowerministry.org), it goes to the prayer chain ‘moderator’ with a back-up copy going to the office. Once the moderator verifies that it’s not spam (yes that happens even on our prayer chain), it is then sent on to you, our prayer partners. Here are some Prayer Chain insights -
• Generally a prayer request gets out to our praying members within 24 hours. So if you don’t see your request come through the chain within a day, please send it again.
• Please feel free to use the ‘reply’ function when responding directly to someone requesting prayer. But do not use the “Reply All” function since that sends your reply not only to those requesting prayer, but also to the entire prayer chain.
• Don't forget that our prayers need to include praises also!! Please send follow-ups so that folks who have been praying can also be praising when those prayers are answered.
Sometimes the prayer requests seem to come fast and furiously. Other times days go by without a prayer need. Thank you for taking the time to remember these dear saints in your prayers.
Lately we’ve been hearing the word “efficacy” (“the ability to produce a desired or intended result”) a lot. How good it is to know that the efficacy of our prayers is 100% - for we know that “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16). Our Lord eagerly awaits our prayers as we lift our brothers and sisters to the Throne of Grace.
Joining you in prayer,
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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One more Prayer Chain thought - Howard Wall (#1119), who recently passed into the arms of Jesus, moderated the SOWER Prayer Chain almost since its inception. We cannot thank him enough for his diligent care over this important arm of our ministry. Alumni Marilyn Cloyd (#2475) has taken over those moderator responsibilities and covets your prayers as she begins this task.
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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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