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Greetings!
Has Spring caught up with you yet? I know in a lot of areas there was snow falling LONG past when it was welcome! But we know that summer will be here soon enough because the June SOWERGRAM has gone to press! As always, the June 'Gram is chock full of goodness - Along with all its regular "stuff", like the GL Reports and PLS (with the Lottery projects listed), you'll find the 2015 Trustee Nominee Resumes and Ballot (and don't forget to vote by July 1st!), a mid-year Roster update, and the minutes from the March Board meeting (teleconference). It will also have the new password for the Members Only page, which will officially change on June 15th. Happy reading!
In April the Board invited our project family to participate in an on-line survey. We wanted to get input on how we're doing and if there are ways that we can improve how we are serving them. We've had a wonderful response and will be discussing the results in the months ahead. We heard many "We LOVE Sowers!!", and we also heard, "How do we get more SOWERS to come to our ministry". Of course, there is no simple answer to that question. Please pray with us that God will provide the workers to enter the "fields that are white for harvest".
May God richly bless you as you continue to serve Him!
Resting in His Grace, Thankful for His Mercy,
Stephanie Conrad, #2509
for the Board of Trustees
SOWER Ministry
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Trustee Nominees
The following members have been nominated for the SOWER Board of Trustees
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Preston Bruxvoort
(3245)
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Brian Forbes
(3076)
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Nancy Ragatz
(2838)
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John Jones
(2813)
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Cliff Stone
(1966)
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Watch for their resumes and the ballots for voting in the June/July Sowergram
ALL BALLOTS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY JULY 1st. |
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God Sighting
We were at The Cove (NC-498) in NC in March and had many God encounters. We visited with Will Graham and prayed with guests in the Chapel while being greeters, and met guests on the trails and had wonderful times of sharing.
We were able to pick from 3 dates to attend a dinner provided by The Cove. Two nights before we were also treated to one session of Ron Hutchcraft's seminar. As we were seated, Bob struck up a conversation with the gentleman next to him. The man knew someone that had been a SOWER and the conversation went from there. As we arrived for dinner that night the same man saw us and said I've been looking for you, Ron wants to talk to you about SOWERS. (he was a personal friend of Ron's.) He then spent some time finding Ron. As we were being seated we asked the hostess how many seats there were and there were 9. Eight SOWERS and Ron Hutchcraft. What an honor!
Ron ministers to Native Americans in South Dakota. He wanted to know about the ministry and if we might be able to consider this as a project. We shared with him and gave him a SOWER business card. It is a very poor area and at this point no money for materials. One Native American has risked himself and acquired a parcel of land, is leaving his job and trying to build a Youth Center for this hard to reach tribe. At this point there are no RV hookups, but there might be alternatives. God definitely spoke to all of us that night and we wanted you to be aware of this possible phone call/email and to encourage you to consider it.
On a Mission,
Bob & Pat Carrington #3097
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Area Rep Opportunities
After many years of faithful service, our California /Nevada Area Representatives, Menno & Alice Issac (#2384) are stepping down. We cannot thank them enough for the great job they have done in this large (both in number of projects and in square miles of territory!) territory. As we look to replace them, the decision has been made to split the territory into a northern and southern section, each with about a dozen projects. Our Area Reps check out new projects, check in on existing project annually (preferably in person, but at least by phone), and welcome new members that are in their territory. Sound interesting? Please contact Jenny Rasmussen for more information. She would love to talk to you about it.
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New Service Opportunities!
Watch the Sowergram for their official "opening".
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Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go has been re-instated after many years off of our SOWER ministry list. It is a non-denominational Bible camp nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. Summer camps are offered for grades K-12.
Their current project is the construction of bathrooms off one of their cabins, and they're excited to be again hosting SOWERS to help facilitate this construction.
Wayne and Michelle Muncey (#3200) are the Sponsors for this project.
Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go will have 6 SOWER spots and has openings in Sept-Oct 2015 and Apr-May 2016
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Long Prairie, MN MN-523
Here are more details from the sponsors of this new project -
We are excited about Lake Beauty Bible Camp (LBBC) being added to the SOWER project list. LBBC was founded in 1963 in central Minnesota and was used primarily as a summer camp. In the past three years the cabins and the bathrooms have been upgraded with heating and air conditioning to accommodate year around use.
A new ministry at LBBC is Solid Rock. It is an intense one year Bible school enabling post high school graduates to grow in their faith. The first class began in the fall of 2014. Currently LBBC is expanding the dining hall to allow more dining space and meeting rooms for Solid Rock and to accommodate requests by other groups to use the camp for their ministries.
LBBC continues to expand into a year around retreat center serving youth and adults. Our children (3) have been campers in their youth and now are bringing their families for family camps and their children to youth camps.
LBBC is located about 35 miles off I-94 in central Minnesota. Their web address is: www.lbbc.com. This northern destination will be a blessing to you and to the camp.
Following in His ways,
Myron and Carolie Carlson #3216
LBBC Sponsors
Lake Beauty Bible Camp has 4 SOWER spots and has openings in June and August 2015.
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You want us to do what?
Who: Bob and Billie Wakeman (#3114) & 11 young people from the National Civilian Community Corps
What: Decorate a pontoon boat as "The Ugly Christmas Sweater".
When: December 2014
Where: Apple Tree Educational Center (NM-477)in Truth or Consequences, NM
Why: To build public relations with the the Education Center
How: With the help of the energetic young folks from the National Civilian Community, we built an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" float. The results were amazing and it won first place!
Thanks to Bob Wakeman for submitting this great example of our wonderful SOWER job diversity!
What's the most unusual job you've been asked to do as a SOWER? Send your stories and pictures to Stephanie and we might feature it in the newsletter!
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Recently seen on the SOWER Facebook Group Page
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 Have you stopped by lately? Make sure you've "checked" the box to receive notifications, and PLEASE post pictures and stories from YOUR projects!
And if you're a member of Facebook, but haven't joined the SOWER Group, click on the icon to join the family!
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Doug and Amy Heilman working at Twin Lakes Camp (IN-289). This project has 6 SOWER openings, August through November.
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While you're on Facebook, don't forget to check out your favorite projects. Many of our project 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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Dear Sam and Sally
Dear Friends,
Instead of our usual 'advice' column, we thought this month we'd share a response received to last month's column regarding ministries that invite us to join them for meals (even on non-working days).
At New Life Ranch (our April service opportunity) SOWERS are invited to eat with them whenever the kitchen is open. They give us a printed menu each week. This weekend, my wife and I tried to get to as many meals as possible. Each meal we have had opportunity to interact with staff and community volunteers that we do not get to see during the week. Bethany (one of the horse ladies) said she loves when SOWERS come. She brought one of the horses to our camp site for us to pet and feed carrots. We brighten her day and she ours. Today in church we met a 17-year old community volunteer who we had dined with on Saturday-she was excited to introduce us to her mother and sister. Also, at the Saturday evening meal, one of the staff's children sat with one of the SOWER Grandmas instead of with her family (she was about 5 yrs old and very outgoing).
That is what service ministry is all about--not just physical work. Bill
Bill, we're glad to hear that the "serving and encouraging" that we do really does go both ways! Thanks for sharing your story!
Blessed to be in the SOWER Family,
Sam & Sally
Do you have a question about SOWER policy or etiquette? Sam and Sally would love to hear from you! Contact them at -samandsally@sowerministry.org.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
SOWER Gatherings are in the planning stages!
Whether you're an Alumni, a Seasoned Sower or New to the Family, there's nothing like a Sower Rally to connect with friends old and new and get recharged about the ministry. If you live in close proximity to a SOWER project, let them know you're around! There are often impromptu gatherings of SOWERS happening all around the country all year long! Whether you're camping together or just meeting for a meal at a local restaurant, a SOWER Gathering is always a blessing!
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Michigan Rally
September 21-24
Michindoh Ministries MI-139
Activities include
(but are not limited to :) )-
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Talent/Testimony Night
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Guest speaker
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Special Music
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Book Exchange
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Auction
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RV Seminar
Cost:
RV Parking is Free
Cabins are $25/couple for the 3 days.
Registration is $25/couple
5 meals: $60/ couple ($6 per meal per person)
Contact Barbara LaBreton (2947) for more information or to request a registration form.
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Minnesota SOWER Retreat
September 21-23
Lake Beauty Bible Camp
Long Prairie, MN
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2016 Florida Rally
Florida Baptist Encampment - FL-143
February 29 - March 3
Get out those 2016 calendars and start planning now! The Reunion committee is already hard at work putting together a great rally. Check the June-July Sowergram for more details.
Registration - $45.00/rig
Rooms - $45.00
RV Parking - Free
Walk-ins - $7.50/person
NEW THIS YEAR - ALUMNI can attend FREE!
Registration is already open! Contact Ruth Stoll (2980)to secure your spot!
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Heart of Texas Baptist Camp has been blessed with wonderful SOWER couples to work with throughout the years. We have seen God's divine guidance as He brings the perfect skills for our specific need at the perfect time. We look forward to working with many more SOWERS as you pray and seek God's will for your projects. Thank you for serving God with your time and talents. - Rhonda Roberts, Camp Executive Dir.
Heart of Texas Baptist Camp
(TX-429) has three SOWER spots and is open every month for the rest of 2015!
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Clicking on the White Lilacs will take you to the Members Only Page, the most recent Sowergram and the latest updates to our Project Listings (updated weekly).
The password will be changing on JUNE 15.
Your June/July Sowergram will be in the mail by the end of May so check there for the new password. (If you're Web Only, you will be notified by email of the change.)
Feel free to contact the office (M-Th) if you have any questions - they're always happy to help!
903-882-8070
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Just the Facts
for May 2015
(May 2014)
Number of Active SOWERS*
500 (539)
Number of ALUMNI SOWERS*
133 (144)
Number of SOWER projects requesting SOWER Assistance
116 (125)
Number of SOWER projects receiving SOWER Assistance
39 (36)
Number of SOWERS* requested (Including SOAs)
545 (569)
Number of SOWERS* working (Including SOAs)
69 (64)
*Number of SOWERS always refers to a SOWER "Unit" - whether a couple or a single, not individual SOWERS.
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SOWER Blog Roll
See what other SOWERS are doing around the country!
Roger's SOWER Blog
Roger & Nola Sorenson
Soltesweb.net
Ed & Patty Soltes
Bob and Billie on the Road
Bob & Billie Wakeman
RV There Yet
Gary & Stephanie Conrad
Paul Alton.com
Paul and Juanita Alton
Benedictus
Terry & Alice Burnett
RV Craze
Wayne and Gail Fieler
Glennandjanesjourney
Glenn and Jane Kellenbenz
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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Photo Info/Credits
Header location -Camp Barnabas (MO-323) Nancy Ragatz
Header Group Shot -
Ironwood Camp (CA-464) March 2015
Charlie & Bobbie Pickard (2582)
Ulah & Cheri Smith (2436)
Cam & Betty Clarkson (2402)
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Hot off the Press!
Our NEW BROCHURES
have arrived and are waiting to be sent to YOU!
Contact the office to get your supply so you'll be ready to hand them out to interested couples. Feel free to leave a stack at church (home or visiting), campgrounds and anywhere else you think it might generate some interest!
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Download the new Work Voucher and GL Report found on the Members Only page to your computer so you can easily fill them out. The Work Voucher can then be filled out and printed for distribution and the GL Report can be filled in and then sent to the office. Have any questions about how this works? Check with the office, they're happy to explain the process.
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A message from the Office
Beginning with the June project month, Data Sheets for your project will be emailed about a week before your arrival date. Hard copies will still be supplied at the start of the project, but we hope getting this information into your hands before the project begins will be a help.
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Quick Links
To send in a prayer request or praise item-
To contact the office -
903-882-8070
To submit something to the newsletter
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