A couple of weeks ago, Brandy mentioned that Sowers4Pastors was gearing up for one of the most meaningful efforts of the year — preparing gifts for pastors and their families. It’s the kind of project that deserves more than a passing mention, so today, Allen and Trish are pulling back the curtain on why these gifts matter so much… and how you can be part of it.
“The thing people ought to know,” Trish shared, “is that the pastors we work with — these are men and women we’re trying to empower — are incredibly under-resourced. Like most families in the mountain communities, they’re working hard just to survive. And on top of that, they’re planting churches and serving their villages. Their lives are marked by sacrifice.”
Allen added, “The people they’re ministering to are just like them. That’s part of why their ministry is so effective — they truly understand the struggles. Most families in these communities live on about $1,400 to $1,600 a year. Some have learned trades like welding or masonry, which can help, but then there’s less time for farming. It’s always a balancing act.”
In other words, when someone in the community is struggling to put food on the table, their pastor isn’t standing at a distance offering advice—they’re walking through that same reality.
“This isn’t exaggerated,” Allen said. “A chicken dinner would be
considered a feast. Really, any meal with meat is a big deal.
That’s where pastor gifts come in.
These aren’t extravagant packages. In fact, they’re filled with things most of us wouldn’t think twice about tossing into a shopping cart — items you might grab during a quick run to Dollar Tree or CVS. Toothpaste. Soap. Shampoo. Everyday essentials.
But in these communities, those “small” items are anything but small.
“Even something like owning a pair of scissors is a big deal,” Trish said.
Household items are also incredibly helpful, as long as they don’t require electricity (which isn’t guaranteed) or batteries (which are expensive and hard to replace). Practical items like dishtowels are simple, useful, and deeply appreciated.
Each family also receives backpacks filled with school supplies — an investment not just in the present, but in the future. Many of the pastors S4P partners with are second-generation leaders, and it’s not unlikely that some of their children will follow in their footsteps. Education opens doors, whether those doors lead to ministry or other opportunities.
And then there’s one item Allen makes sure never gets left out.
“We always include a $6 soccer ball,” he said. “It gives pastors a way to connect with teenage boys in their communities — one of the hardest groups to reach. Whether they’re playing or just organizing the game, it creates an opportunity for relationship and evangelism.”
It’s a simple idea with a powerful ripple effect.
At its heart, this entire effort is about something deeper than supplies.
“The whole idea,” Trish said, “is that we’re saying, ‘We see you. We appreciate you.’ It reminds them that someone cares — that they’re not alone.”
But here’s the challenge: in recent years, donations specifically for pastor gifts have dropped off.
As backpack collection season approaches, this is a perfect time to step in and make a difference. If you live near one of the stops on Kirstin and Mary Faith’s collection route, you can drop off items in person (just reach out to Kirstin for details). If not, you can still participate by ordering items online and having them shipped directly to:
Sowers4Pastors
c/o Denise Cofer
7047 Blue Mountain Rd
Thurmont, MD 21788
A couple of quick reminders:
Please don’t send medications (even over-the-counter items like Tylenol or Advil), as they require special documentation.
Toothpaste must be packed separately due to shipping regulations.
Avoid breakable items to help simplify packing and transport.
Beyond the physical needs, there’s also a bigger story unfolding.
“Lempira was one of the last areas of Honduras to be evangelized,” Trish explained. “After Hurricane Mitch in the late ’90s, evangelism spread rapidly across the country — but not here. There wasn’t even a reliable road into these mountains back then. We were the first full-time North American missionaries to live here. In many ways, this region is still 10 to 15 years behind the rest of the country.”
That means there are still entire areas with little to no Gospel presence — and pastors faithfully stepping into that gap.
And finally, there’s one more urgent need.
Sowers4Pastors is still waiting on approval for their dispensas — the government paperwork that allows them to ship supplies duty-free into Honduras. Everything has been submitted, but the process is delayed.
The ministry is moving forward in faith. But without those approvals, there won’t be shipping containers filled with backpacks and pastor gifts.
So here’s the invitation:
Pray for provision.
Pray for favor with the government.
Pray for the pastors who are faithfully serving in difficult places.
And if you’re able — give, send, or gather supplies.
Because sometimes, the most powerful way to encourage a pastor… is with a bar of soap, a pair of scissors, and the reminder that someone, somewhere, sees them and cares.
- posted by Christi















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