|
|
|
SOWER Ministry Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
Well, we've made it to March! The days are beginning to seem just a little bit longer, thanks to Daylight Savings Time (unless you're in Arizona - sorry) and I recently spotted my first Red Bud of the season.
Many of you are half-way through your final winter project of the "season" before beginning the long (and somewhat frighteningly expensive) trek home. I'm sure all of your project hosts have said thank-you again and again, but speaking for the Sower Ministry, I'd like to add our heartfelt thanks for a wonderful season of service. This month we have 214 SOWERS (couples and singles) working at 57 different projects! Praise the Lord! Many tiles have been laid, nails hammered, rooms cleaned, walls painted - well, the list could go on and on. Projects have been blessed, and I trust you have been blessed also! If you've been home this winter I hope you have found your ministry niche. If life's circumstances have kept you on the sidelines this winter, may you continue to feel our Lord's arms wrapped tightly around you. We've missed you and hope to see you down the road!
Resting in His Grace,
Stephanie Conrad, #2509
for the Board of Trustees
SOWER Ministry
stephanie@rvthereyet.org
|
|
|
Trying something new
We have been SOWERS since 2002 and we have been blessed by the projects and the Sowers we have worked with. Usually our summer project was Glen Eyrie in Colorado Spring to be near our kids in Denver. A favorite project!
But last summer we decided expand our horizons and work other summer projects. First we went to Camp Living Waters (NC-285) in Bryson City, NC at the foot of the Great Smokey Mountains. After work the view out our front window was soccer games and practices for kids, the wee little ones (whose shin guards came up to their hips) to high school girl's team. What a community outreach the camp has with that!
|
Next we went toAmerica's Keswick (NJ-3) in Whiting, NJ arriving just before Memorial weekend, the beginning of their conference season. We were so blessed by the music, guest speakers, and testimonies of the Colony of Mercy residents. Highlights were to hear the 40 residents sing "Victory in Jesus", also director, Bill Welte and worship leader, Robert Hayes, playing grand pianos together. We had a great team to work with as well.
|
Lastly we traveled to Sacandaga Bible Conference (NY-284) in Broadalbin, NY on Sacandaga Lake. Our arrival coincided with the arrival of the youth counselors for the summer. We were impressed by their faith, musical talent and resolve to guide the kids who came. We helped celebrate the 75th anniversary of the camp and enjoyed the speakers and special music during the two weeks of family camp.
The summer of 2011 was very rewarding for us as we saw these camps in action! We look forward to serving the Lord at summer camps in 2012.
Ed and Laura Shuster #2459
|
|
It's never too soon.......
to start thinking about the
Northwest Reunion
Start planning now for the NORTHWEST REUNION which will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2012 beginning at 8:30 AM, at Warm Beach Camp (WA-367) at Stanwood, WA. As in the past, Warm Beach Camp will provide us with complimentary lunch and dinner in appreciation for our work at the camp. There will be a $6.00 per person charge to be paid at the Reunion for miscellaneous expenses. Please contact us, Roger and Gail Trucker at: randgtrucker@yahoo.com or call (360) 770-0547 (cell) or land line (360) 416-0327. It is important to let us know ASAP as Warm Beach Camp needs to know for meal preparations. We plan to have a wonderful day with fellowship of past, present and future SOWER friends as well as entertainment and our traditional SOWER Auction!
|
|
Welcome!!!! FL-501
Capernaum Inn is a peaceful and quiet lodge available to people who desire to restore first century and New Testament fellowship and leadership to the body of Christ for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. They are a newer ministry and can use SOWER help (4 spots) any month of the year! Check out the details in the On-Line PLS!
|
|
Sweet Memories
 The 2012 Florida Reunion is now just a sweet memory. A Very Sweet Memory! There were 50 RV's clustered around the Florida Baptist Encampment and on the day of the Auction, 144 SOWERs were in attendance! And a good time was had by all! As with any reunion, probably the best part was the talking, sharing and sweet fellowship enjoyed in the relaxed atmosphere. Each morning participants were blessed with meaningful devotions from our own Mel McFarland and Bob Griffith along with a local pastor. Devotions were coupled with personal testimonies and times of joyful worship. The meals, handled by willing volunteers, were fun and festive - and delicious! We enjoyed pancakes and sausage, pizza and BBQ, pot-lucks and hot dogs and sweets from Hope Children's Home. Special thanks to everyone who helped feed the multitudes! The Talent Night was absolutely wonderful as everyone enjoyed Canine tricks, musical numbers, comedy "acts", instrumentals and clever skits. Nick Murabito did a great job as the Emcee! Other highlights were great evening of comedy and music by the Rivolis, an informative Q&A time with board members Jenny Rasmussen and Mal Wall, and of course the SOWER Auction which raised $3900.00 for the ministry! Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow! Plans are already in the works for the 2013 Florida Reunion, so keep that week between the February and March projects clear! If you're in Florida, you won't want to miss it! |
|
Dear Sam and Sally SOWER......
Dear Sam and Sally,
We're new to SOWERS and while we're pleased that there aren't any "dues", we know the ministry can't run on air. I'm wondering what is the best way to make regular donations?
Thanks!
Striving for Stewardship
Dear Striving,
What a great (and appreciated) question! There are a couple of different ways to contribute financially to the ministry - One way would be just send them a check. :) But if you'd like to set up an automatic giving plan, here are two easy options. One would be to use the bill-payer service that is offered by your bank. Once you set it up, they write the check, put the stamp on the envelope and you're good to go. There is usually no fee for that service. Another option would be to use the Direct Monthly Support Plan Enrollment Form at the back of the Sowergram. That way the money is transferred automatically each month directly from your checking account to the Sower account. While this is a free service for you, there is a very small fee that the ministry pays for each transaction. Of course, the SOWER Ministry is a non-profit (501-c3), so all donations are tax deductible. Thank you for considering SOWERs as you plan your giving. Along with your monetary support, we also covet for your prayer support! God bless you as you begin your SOWER Adventure!
|
|
Special Thanks from Alma Heights - CA-459
"Thanks to all the SOWERS for their dedicated service! I hope you enjoy the article we just published on our school website. It highlights Sowers and the example that they set for us."
Check out the article HERE!
 | | AHC Mac Lab Gets a Face Lift - Time Lapse |
|
|
Quick Links -
To send in a prayer request or praise item-
To contact the office -
903-882-8070
|
|
Don't forget - FREE brochures and business cards are available from the office!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coming soon.....
Just in time for those looking for a project to do on the way home, we're pleased to introduce
located in central Kansas! This ministry, a Bible school and Mission training center and Summer camp all in one, has recently moved to this Kansas location from South Texas. They are anxious to get their new facility up and running and eager to welcome SOWERS there on their newly constructed RV sites! Watch for all the details in the April Sowergram!
|
|
Upcoming Board Meeting
The SOWER Board of Trustees will be having it's bi-annual meeting on Saturday, March 24th. While we meet in person for several days in September, this meeting is done by teleconference. We'll be calling in from all across the country (and time zones!), and we need your prayers! We'll be reviewing the last 6 months in the ministry, and discussing many of the items that have been brought to our attention by you, the members!
Please pray for us as we work together to maintain the integrity of the ministry and seek to bring glory to our Lord and Savior in all that we say and do.
|
|
Have a question or concern for the Board?
If you'd like to contact all the Board of Trustee members at once -
Send an email addressed to the SOWER office with " For the Trustees" in the subject line. Presto - the office staff will immediatly get it on its way to the entire Board. Of course, you are welcome to contact any member of the Board indivudually by phone or email using the information in the roster.
|
|
Click on the forget-me-nots to get to the Members Page and the most recent PLS!
The February SOWERGRAM is also available in its entirety.
The next "hard copy"
SOWERGRAM will be out in April
Don't forget - the PLS is updated every weekend! Check it out
|
|
Getting ready to send in the order
Call the office to get your order in for one of these great Denim Shirts!
Here are the details -
Colors - Ink Blue or Faded Blue (photo is Faded Blue)
Sizes - Mens: S,M,L,XL
Womens: S,M,L,XL
Cost - $30.00
Contact the OFFICE to place your order!
Looking for a SOWER T-Shirt, Golf Shirt, or Sweatshirt? How about a new hat, or a SOWER License Plate? All these items and more are available through the form found at the back of the Sowergram or on-line on the Members Page under "Forms".
|
|
Logo Update
The Logo Committee is still accepting comments and ideas about a logo change. We appreciate all the comments and the committee will be making recommendations at the March 24th meeting. Please send your comments (either pro or con) to Mal Wall.
|
|
You're more than a number to us, but ANYTIME you communicate with the office (or a trustee) - either by email or snail mail or voice mail, PLEASE include your full name and your SOWER number. This is especially important if you are requesting a project or making any changes to your personal information. Thanks!
|
|
Are you "on" Facebook?
 If you are, SOWERS has its very own Facebook page and we invite you to join our community! You are welcome to post about projects and upload pictures. Click on the Facebook Icon for a direct link to the SOWER Facebook Group. It's always a blessing to hear and see what's going on in the SOWER Family! |
|
SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERS are doing around the country!
Sower Adventures
Bill and Carol Cairns
Roger's SOWER Blog
Roger & Nola Sorenson
Soltesweb.net
Ed & Patty Soltes
On a Wheel and a Prayer
Don & Jenny Rasmussen
Bob and Billie on the Road
Bob & Billie Wakeman
RV There Yet -
Gary & Stephanie Conrad
Follow the Sun
John & Mary Flynn
Do YOU have a Blog you'd like to share? Send me the link, and we'll add it to the "Blog Roll".
|
|
|
|
|
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12: 1-2 (ESV)
|
|
|
|
