Full or Empty? The Oil that Changes Everything

A few months ago, Brandy discovered something unexpected — he enjoys writing devotionals. When it came time to prepare this week’s blog post and he wasn’t sure what to share, he did what he’s learned to do: he prayed.

The answer came quickly.

God brought to mind a devotional he had written called “Full or Empty?” — a message rooted in two powerful passages of Scripture: one from 2 Kings 4 and the other from Matthew 25. As Brandy shared it, he was also translating it from Spanish to English for the very first time.

“These stories show us something important,” he said. “We all have a need that only God can fill.”

The first story takes us to a place of deep desperation. A widow, already grieving the loss of her husband, is left drowning in debt with no way out. Her situation is so dire that a creditor is preparing to take her two sons as payment. With nowhere else to turn, she cries out to the prophet Elisha.

When he asks what she has in her home, her answer feels almost hopeless: nothing — except a small jar of oil.

Not exactly a solution.

And yet, Elisha tells her to go to her neighbors and collect empty jars. Not just a few, but as many as she can find. Then, with her sons beside her, she is to begin pouring oil from her small jar into the empty ones.

It doesn’t make sense on paper. The math doesn’t add up. But the miracle isn’t in the math.

One by one, every jar is filled. The oil flows until there are no more empty vessels left to receive it. In the end, the widow has enough to pay her debts and provide for her family. What once felt like “nothing” became more than enough in the hands of God.

The second story carries a different kind of urgency.

In Matthew 25, ten young women are waiting for a bridegroom to arrive. Each brings a lamp, but only five bring extra oil. As the night stretches on, all of them grow tired and fall asleep.

When the call finally comes that the bridegroom is near, the difference between them becomes clear. The wise women are ready — their lamps are full. The others are not.

In a moment of panic, the unprepared women ask to borrow oil, but it’s not something that can be shared at the last minute. While they rush out to find what they lack, the bridegroom arrives. The door is closed. The opportunity is missed.

Two stories. Two very different situations. But one common thread.

Oil.

Brandy explains that oil in the Bible represents the presence of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is a symbol of strength for the weak, comfort for the hurting, and guidance for those who feel lost. It represents peace, joy, and the sustaining presence of God in a believer’s life.

In both stories, the need is the same: something only God can provide.

“The widow felt empty,” Brandy said. “She was afraid and believed she had nothing of value. The women in the second story were tired of waiting — but only some of them were prepared. The others hadn’t matured enough spiritually to be ready.”

Then comes the question that turns the focus toward us:

“How is your spiritual condition?”

It’s not a question meant to condemn — but to invite reflection.

“What are we filling ourselves with?” Brandy asks. “We are like a jar or a lamp. We can become empty. But if we seek God daily, we will be filled with His presence. When we don’t, we start to feel tired, worried, and burned out.”

Life has a way of draining us. That’s not a surprise.

But where we go to be refilled — that changes everything.

“We need to look for God to fill us,” Brandy said. “To seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God never promised a life without trouble. There will be challenges. But He does promise that we can come to Him and find rest. He can take what feels heavy and make it lighter.”

And that’s the invitation. Not to strive harder. Not to pretend we’re not running low. But to come, empty if needed — and be filled.

“With this, I invite you to look for God,” Brandy said. “Connect with Him. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. With God, you will find peace, joy, and comfort. Even when life is hard, you won’t feel desperate. And you will be ready when the Lord calls you.”

Because in the end, the question isn’t whether life will pour things out of you.

It’s whether you’re making space for God to pour something back in.

 - posted by Christi

From Calling to Classroom: A New Chapter Begins

It was a joyful and meaningful opening day for the new Sunday school teacher training school — one that felt less like a single event and more like the beginning of something much bigger.

The inaugural session began with a small ceremony to mark the launch of the program, but there was nothing small about its significance.

Leaders from the seminary in Tegucigalpa made the journey to Gracias for the occasion, including the dean, a department head, and the instructor for the first module. For them, this was a milestone moment. As Brandy shared, this marks the first time the seminary has ever brought a formal training program to Western Honduras.

But what stood out most wasn’t just the logistics — it was the story behind it all.

The dean shared that the seminary itself was founded about forty years ago after its founder recognized a need in rural villages. Many people had a deep desire to teach the Bible, but little to no formal training. Some could barely read, yet they carried a genuine passion to share God’s Word.

“They had the heart,” Brandy reflected, “but they didn’t have the tools.”

Now, decades later, that same need is being met in a new way — and in a new place.

Thirty-five students attended the first session, representing churches from across the region. A few were unable to be there due to personal circumstances, but there is hope they will join in the months ahead. Even so, the room was filled with energy, purpose, and a shared commitment to grow.

Brandy was able to sit in on part of the training and came away encouraged.

“The teacher leading this module is dynamic,” he said. “She had everyone engaged — learning through play, participating, and fully involved. You could tell the students were enjoying it.”

That joy matters. Because this isn’t just about information — it’s about transformation.

“It’s amazing how God gives us vision,” Brandy said. “We may have different callings, but we share the same purpose. Many ministries are doing different kinds of work, but ultimately, it all points back to spreading the Gospel. The vision of this seminary aligns perfectly with the vision of Sowers4Pastors. Their vision is our vision.”

And this is only the beginning.

As Brandy put it, “This is how big things start — with one small step.”

That step, however, comes with real commitment. Seminary staff are traveling long distances from Tegucigalpa, and students are coming from villages across the region — all connected through S4P sponsorship programs. They are leaving their homes, traveling to Gracias, staying overnight, and returning the next day, all for the opportunity to learn and grow.

That kind of dedication deserves both recognition and support.

So as this program gets underway, there is a clear and meaningful way to be part of it: through prayer.

Pray for perseverance — for both the students and the staff — as they commit to the months ahead. Pray for encouragement when the journey feels long. And pray that what is being learned doesn’t stop in the classroom, but flows outward into churches, communities, and future generations.

Because that’s the goal.

To teach those who will go on to teach others.

And that’s how something small becomes something lasting.

Even Missionaries Get Tired (And God Still Shows Up)

 Breaking news: missionaries get tired, too.

Brandy is sharing a bit more personally this week, pulling back the curtain on what life can really look like on the mission field. It’s easy to imagine something a little more…storybook. Maybe not full-on woodland creatures doing the dishes, but at least a steady soundtrack of joy and a nonstop stream of meaningful, mountaintop moments.

“It sounds nice,” Brandy said, “but sometimes we get tired.”

Over the past couple of weeks, Nathan, Michael, Levi, and Lottie have all been sick. Rachel has been sick. Brandy has been sick. That’s a full house of illness — with no magical helpers stepping in to cook meals or keep things running smoothly. And all of this has been happening right in the middle of team season, when energy, focus, and presence are needed the most.

“I remember thinking, I’m already tired, and now we’re starting a team week,” Brandy said.

He pushed through and went out with the team, but something felt off.

“I wasn’t feeling joy. All the circumstances in life were adding stress.”

Then came an unexpected gift.

“There was one of the older men on the team,” Brandy shared. “He was always happy — dancing around, full of joy. Every day I spent time with him, it felt like he was giving me some of his joy.”

By the end of the week, something had shifted.

“I felt like I had my joy back,” Brandy said. “I told him that, and I really believe God was speaking to me through him.”

The following week, when the Crosspoint team arrived, Brandy could no longer ignore the fact that he was sick, too. One day, instead of heading out with the team, he stayed in town and went to the doctor.

“I had a really sore throat. My sinuses weren’t handling the dust well. And I even had an issue with my eye from all the dust,” he said.

The diagnosis wasn’t surprising. The dry season — better described as the dusty season — had taken its toll.

Even so, Brandy continued going out with the team when he could. During one visit, he spoke with a local pastor serving in one of the poorest communities. The pastor has faithfully led his congregation for eight years, and now they are beginning construction on a sanctuary.

“The building is going to be huge,” Brandy said.

What the pastor shared next left an impression.

“We don’t have a budget to build,” he said, “but God is providing.”

He went on to explain that focusing too much on resources — or the lack of them — can derail what God is calling you to do.

“Focus on God and God’s vision,” the pastor told him. “If you focus on the money or the circumstances, you’ll stop. You’ll start trusting in your own strength instead of God’s.”

That perspective landed exactly where it needed to.

“When we are feeling tired, we need to remember to rest in God and trust in Him,” Brandy said. “He is always taking care of us — in every situation. When you’re sick, when you’re tired, when you’re trying to build something bigger than you… He’s there.”

That was the reminder Brandy wanted to share this week — not just about the hard moments, but about where to turn in the middle of them.

Thank you for continuing to pray for Sowers4Pastors. Those prayers matter more than you know. In a very real way, everyone who prays is part of the ministry — strengthening, encouraging, and helping carry the work forward.

Health Update

There is good news to report. Levi and Lottie have fully recovered, and Nathan and Michael are improving, though still a bit under the weather. Rachel has had the toughest stretch, making multiple trips to the doctor with a serious respiratory infection, but she is finally beginning to feel better.

As for Brandy, he isn’t quite back to 100%, but that hasn’t stopped him from heading out to deliver a second round of backpacks.

Please continue to keep the entire family in your prayers — for healing, for strength, and yes… even for a little extra joy along the way.

  - posted by Christi

A Big Step Forward: Formal Training for Sunday School Teachers

Several months ago, Brandy hinted that Sowers4Pastors would soon have a surprise announcement. Well, the future has arrived — and the surprise is a big one.

This year, S4P will begin offering its own formal training program for Sunday school teachers.

You might be thinking, Don’t they already provide training? That’s true. Just a few weeks ago, S4P hosted a training day for teachers to review the new curriculum. Those sessions are valuable, but they only scratch the surface of what teachers need to feel fully equipped.

Brandy began to notice this while visiting Sunday school classes throughout the region.

“Once in a while, we visit the Sunday school classes in the area,” he explained. “There are some places where the teachers are doing a really good job. But in other areas, teachers are struggling with the techniques needed to use the resources we provide. That’s when I started looking for a solution.”

That search led Brandy to a Christian seminary in Tegucigalpa. His sister studied there, and many others he knows have had positive experiences with the school. After conversations with the seminary leadership, something remarkable happened. The seminary agreed to do something unprecedented for the region: they will send instructors to Gracias to provide formal, intensive training for Sunday school teachers.

The ministry originally hoped to launch the program last year, but the timing wasn’t right. It would have overlapped with the coffee harvest, when many families depend on seasonal work for their income. Asking people to leave their work during that time simply wasn’t realistic. Now, however, the dry season has arrived and most agricultural work has paused—making it the perfect time to begin.

More than 30 people have already committed to the 10-month program, and that number may grow. S4P is still waiting to hear back from three churches that are considering sending teachers.

“We already have the location where the classes will be held,” Brandy said with a laugh. “We have beds for people to sleep in. We have the teachers. We even have the food lined up. We have everything we need for the students to begin—now we just need the money.”

One of the most important aspects of the program is accessibility. The seminary has agreed that the only educational requirement for participation will be the ability to read and write. Many adults in the region have those skills but never had the opportunity to earn a high school diploma. This program opens the door for them to receive meaningful training despite that barrier.

Students will complete two modules on Christian education, one module on child psychology, and a laboratory focused on developing and teaching Bible lessons. Opportunities like this are extremely rare in the area. In fact, Brandy remembers speaking with pastors from some of the largest churches in major cities who admitted they have no formal training available for their Sunday school teachers.

The fact that this level of training will now be available to teachers in rural communities is nothing short of extraordinary.

The program will run for ten months. Once each month, students will travel to Gracias by bus on a Friday. After arriving, they will share lunch together before heading into their first classes of the weekend. The evening will include dinner followed by another class before rest. On Saturday morning, students will enjoy breakfast and attend additional classes before boarding their buses to return home around noon. The seminary instructors will also stay overnight in Gracias during each training weekend.

Sowers4Pastors will provide the students with food, housing, and all educational materials. The only cost participants will be responsible for is transportation. However, two partner churches have already asked for help covering bus expenses because they simply do not have the funds.

This new initiative is only the beginning. Brandy hopes that once S4P gains experience with the program, similar training opportunities can expand into other areas — including formal training for pastors.

If you’re wondering how this differs from the existing Sunday school teacher training, Brandy explained that the current program is designed for individuals who may struggle with reading and writing and who arrive with very limited education. This new training represents the next step for those who are ready to continue learning.

Opportunities like this do not come along every day. Please consider supporting this new program financially — and as always, your prayers are deeply appreciated.

- posted by Christi If you'd like to help with the new Sunday school teacher training programs, you can donate to our general fund - just add a note saying that your desire is to help with Sunday School teacher training. Here's the link: Donation page

From Blight to Blessing: Singing of God’s Goodness on the Coffee Farm

This week’s blog post begins a little differently — with a moment of praise and worship. Go ahead, jump in if you know it:

“ ’Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God…”

That song — “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans — came to mind for Brandy as he reflected on the story of the coffee farm. And once you hear what God has done, you’ll understand exactly why.

Let’s rewind.

When Brandy first joined the ministry, he stepped into a role he hadn’t exactly trained for: overseeing a coffee farm. And not under ideal circumstances, either. The farm had been hit by a devastating blight.

“There was no hope for the farm to recover,” Brandy shared. “We brought in the experts, and they gave us two options: stop working with the farm… or start all over.”

Not exactly the kind of multiple-choice question you want.

The final decision landed on Brandy. So he did what he could do — and what he knew to do. He prayed. The staff prayed. Visiting teams prayed. One moment, in particular, stayed with him.

“I remember a pastor visiting the farm and giving a short devotional — maybe three minutes,” Brandy said. “He prayed for healing over the land. And after that prayer — after all of those prayers — I started to see things changing.”

The decision was made: give the farm another year.

That first harvest?

“Pathetic,” Brandy said, with a laugh that only comes from hindsight.

But then something shifted.

The next year’s harvest was good. The year after that was even better. And this year?

This year, the harvest has already surpassed last year’s total — and they’re not even finished.

The final picking of the season is underway, and it’s taking longer than usual — not because of problems, but because of abundance. What normally takes a week is stretching well beyond that, simply because there is so much coffee still to gather.

And the quality? Brandy has already submitted samples to two laboratories. The verdict: this year’s crop qualifies for a specialty coffee rating. From “no hope” to exceptional.

But for Brandy, the story of the farm has never been just about coffee. It’s about people.

Over the past three years, he’s gotten to know the workers — learning their names, their families, their stories.

“I was talking to one woman,” Brandy said. “Many families save what they earn during harvest season to use throughout the year. She told me that two of her sons graduated from high school because of this job.”

He paused, then added, “This year, others have told me how grateful they are that they don’t have to travel far from home to find work.”

Even the children are part of the story. It’s common for kids to work alongside their parents during harvest season, earning their own money. Recently, as Brandy paid a group of them, he asked if they would be going to school.

“They told me they were only working Saturday — because they start school on Monday.”

The money they earn often goes toward their own school supplies. And with that comes something more than provision — something deeper. Pride. Ownership. Dignity. A quiet understanding that God provides, sometimes through the work of their own hands.

“It’s great to remember this is one of the purposes of the farm,” Brandy said. “I think God is blessing us to be a blessing to others.”

And isn’t that the thread running through it all?

A farm that looked finished… now flourishing.
A harvest that once seemed impossible… now overflowing.
A community once limited by opportunity… now growing, working, and thriving.

So yes — go ahead and sing it again:

All my life You have been faithful.                                                     All my life You have been so, so good.

Because sometimes, the goodness of God looks like healing land. Sometimes it looks like full coffee branches. And sometimes… it looks like a child heading to school on Monday, proud of what they earned on Saturday.

Now that’s a harvest worth celebrating.

 - posted by Christi

Home, At Last (And Staying Put… For Now)

Mary Faith is home.

That may not sound like headline material unless you know that in 2025 there was a six-month stretch when she was only in her home in Gracias for two and a half weeks. Two and a half. Weeks.

So yes — this announcement comes with a bit of fanfare… and a very long, very satisfied exhale.

She’s back from language school, back from the backpack trip, back from visiting family in the States. The packed suitcase has been unpacked. The comings and goings have (temporarily) ceased. And Mary Faith is genuinely happy about that.

That’s not to say she didn’t love all the experiences. She absolutely did. But sometimes it’s nice when “all the things” are spread out a little more evenly across the calendar instead of stacked like carry-on luggage in an overhead bin.

One of the sweetest parts of her time away was Christmas in Arizona. Her brother and his family traveled from Missouri. Her sister and her family came from Indiana, and another sister came from New Mexico. Her oldest son and his wife traveled from North Carolina. In other words, it wasn’t just a gathering — it was a full-fledged family reunion.

And yes, this is the son and daughter-in-law who are expecting a baby boy in May - Mary Faith's first grandbaby! Cue the confetti!

For now, Mary Faith is settling into a steadier rhythm. She’s continuing language classes online twice a week through the school she previously attended in person. When recent teams were in town, she was able to join them for a day or two each week and even host some of their evening gatherings at her home. For the next few months, she’s sharing her space with Hannah, who is serving as an intern. And when teams are in Gracias, a female interpreter/videographer from Tegucigalpa named Scarleth also stays with her.

It’s a full house — and a full life.

During recent team visits, Mary Faith had a bit more flexibility because updated child profile information wasn’t yet available. But now? The updated photos and information have arrived.

It’s officially "Go Time."

For the next couple of months, she’ll be diligently entering new information and photos into the system so sponsors can stay connected and up to date. The timing is actually perfect. She hopes to complete the bulk of that work before heading to North Carolina in May to welcome that sweet grandson into the world.

Later in the year, Mary Faith will spend a couple of months in the States again. Let’s go ahead and call it the “Mary Faith Taking Care of Business Tour.” The itinerary includes thrilling tasks like renewing her passport and driver’s license — because missionary life is not always glamorous. While she’s stateside, she’ll also be traveling and fundraising. If you’d like her to speak to your group or church, she would love the opportunity!

As you pray for Mary Faith and her family, there are a couple of specific needs on the horizon. Last year, language school was a major fundraising focus — and thanks to faithful support, she was able to complete that season. This year, her focus is building consistent monthly support and purchasing a reliable vehicle.

S4P has graciously allowed her to use a ministry vehicle when teams are not in town. It has been a generous and practical solution. But Mary Faith knows it isn’t a long-term one. A dependable vehicle would allow her to serve more freely and sustainably in the years ahead.

For now, though, she’s home. Home to her house. Home to her calling. Home to the steady, faithful work in front of her.

After a season of suitcases, that feels like a gift.

Please continue to pray for provision, for rest, and for all the good things still to come. The unpacked suitcase may be tucked away for the moment — but the work God is doing certainly isn’t.

-posted by Christi.

Beautiful Feet, Dusty Roads, and Faithful Yeses

Sowers4Pastors has completed three beautiful—but undeniably exhausting—weeks of ministry. The kind of tired that settles into your bones, yes, but also the kind that comes from knowing you’ve been part of something far bigger than yourself. As the dust (and mud… and cold air) begins to settle, Brandy found himself reflecting on this passage from Romans:

        How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And         how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And         how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how            can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How                beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

                                                                Romans 10:14–15 (NIV)

Over the past few weeks, Sowers4Pastors has hosted three back-to-back teams for backpack distributions and other projects. It’s been tiring. Plans haven’t always gone perfectly. There have been detours and delays, most often courtesy of weather or vehicles that decided now was the perfect time to act up. Still, the work continued.

When a team from Lighthouse Church was on the ground, the defining feature of the week was dust. Long days were spent traveling to different communities, distributing backpacks, playing games with kids, and visiting the homes of sponsored children. During that week, Brandy’s pickup truck — loaded to the brim with backpacks — developed mechanical issues. The truck limped its way to the school, was repaired just enough, and made it home at the end of the day. Not ideal, but good enough to keep going.

The following week brought a team from Life Community Church — and with them, the rain. Lots of rain. Dust gave way to mud, and plenty of it. One of the S4P trucks spun out and now wears a few large dents as souvenirs. Thankfully, no one was injured, and the work didn’t slow down.

That team distributed backpacks and tackled a major electrical project at one of the schools. Two electricians on the team were stunned by what they found: much of the school had been without lights for years. When the lights were finally turned on throughout the building, kids gathered to watch. Neighbors looked on from their windows. People cheered. What felt ordinary to some was nothing short of extraordinary for that community.

Last week, Sowers4Pastors was hosting a team from Edgewater, FL, and just to keep things interesting, the weather turned cold — by Honduran standards, anyway. Brandy estimates temperatures hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes for a very chilly backpack distribution. The team also made home visits, where children and their families eagerly welcome sponsors into their homes. Even with nearly 2,000 children in the program, Brandy shared that he’s beginning to recognize familiar faces.

The roads may be dusty or muddy. Trucks may break down or spin out. Temperatures may drop unexpectedly. But the feet that carry the good news — those are always beautiful.

- posted by Christi.