Raising People Who Build Nations

Ron and Star Nelson
Jan 13
3 min read

Sowing Seeds of Joy has never fit neatly into a traditional box.

From the very beginning, God did not call us to build monuments—He called us to build people. He did not assign us to raise funds for things, but to raise faith in hearts. He did not instruct us to complete projects, but to cultivate purpose.

Many ministries are built around projects. A well. A building. A trip. A campaign. A moment in time. And there is nothing wrong with those. They are visible. They are measurable. They are easy to understand and easy to support.

But Sowing Seeds of Joy was shaped differently.

We are a people-shaping, mission-mobilizing, bridge-building, kingdom-advancing movement. Our focus is not on what can be photographed in a day, but on what God can grow over a lifetime.

We don’t intentionally raise funds for buildings, wells, or facilities—not because those things aren’t important—but because our primary calling is discipleship, mobilization, leadership development, and spiritual transformation. Our assignment is to touch lives, train leaders, and transform communities by awakening believers to their global purpose in Christ.

And yet, when God places a project in front of us—when He opens a door, aligns hearts, and confirms His will—we humbly welcome the opportunity to walk through it.

That is how we view opportunities like the future Grace Center in Kenya. We did not seek it as a fundraising target. But when God allowed us to be invited into the vision, we recognized it not as a building—but as a vessel for people, ministry, healing, training, and kingdom impact. And if it is God’s will, we welcome the privilege of standing in agreement with what He is building through His servants.

Because for us, buildings only matter if they build people.

Our work has never been fast. It has always been faithful.

We plant seeds that take years to grow. We disciple people, not statistics. We walk with churches, not just visit them. We partner with leaders, not just pass through communities. We listen, pray, train, mentor, and mobilize.

Much of what we do happens quietly—in prayer rooms, training rooms, living rooms, Zoom rooms, and sacred conversations that never make headlines. But those moments change destinies.

And yes, that makes funding more challenging.

Because movements don’t always look impressive on paper. Because transformation doesn’t always produce instant photos. Because obedience doesn’t always match fundraising trends.

But God has never failed to provide.

For more than two decades, He has sustained Sowing Seeds of Joy—not because we mastered fundraising—but because we remained faithful to our calling.

He has provided:

At the last minute. Through unexpected people. Through one conversation. Through one church. Through one obedient yes. Through doors we never could have opened ourselves.

And He continues to remind us:

We are raising people who build nations.

Today, Sowing Seeds of Joy remains committed to:

Touching lives. Training leaders. Transforming communities. Mobilizing African Americans and the Body of Christ into global missions. Partnering with nations, not just visiting them.

We are not building programs. We are building people who will build nations.

And sometimes the funding comes slowly.

But the fruit always comes abundantly.

"Sowing Seeds of Joy is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping individuals for discipleship, leadership, and global missions. As a tax-exempt entity, we rely on the generosity of donors and partners to fulfill our mission and make a lasting impact in communities worldwide.

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