He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13: 31-32, NRSVUE

Bishop Dottie delivers the message at the 2026 Miracle Offering worship. Photos by jlynn studios.

“We need to be seed slingers of hope. We may never see the harvest. Don’t measure your ministry by what comes back to you. Release seeds, take small steps, do small things, and see what God can do,” Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank told worshippers during the Miracle Offering Service on Saturday morning.

People gathered at Legacy United Methodist Church in Bismarck, North Dakota, for the 2026 Dakotas Annual Conference listened to words from Matthew 13 and to stories about Bishop Escobedo-Frank’s father and her episcopal colleague, Bishop Nelson Kalombo Ngoy of the Tanganyika Episcopal Area. Listeners learned how they can make a difference in the world by planting small seeds of hope. Seeds as small as a mustard seed.

Bishop Dottie shared how her father, born in the back of a bar, just across the border in the United States, lived a humble life in ministry. Her grandmother wanted to ensure that her son would have the right to practice religion freely as a citizen in the United States. As a child, his mother surrounded him with love and the stories of Jesus. He married and grew his love of God as a Lutheran.

He became a missionary in Mexico, just across the border. He would bring clothes and food to people in a neighborhood that he visited weekly. The people asked him, “Señor, why do you give us food and clothing?” He replied, “Because of Jesus.”

Then he began telling the stories of Jesus during his visits to the neighborhood. The ministry grew to other neighborhoods. Soon, he was preaching and telling stories in people's homes.

“The homes were simple, one room with a dirt floor and a tin roof. My father had to lean over to preach because he was taller than the roof. One time when he came to the house to preach, they had dug a hole in the floor so he could stand. I remember going along and eating. We were offered the only food that was left. They gave us their last tortilla or the leches. We were humbled by their gift of food. They gave their all,” Bishop Dottie shared.

Over 40 years of ministry, Bishop Dottie’s father started 30 congregations in the area around the first neighborhood across the Mexican border. He trained laity to preach and spread the Good News.

“My father brought the Gospel to others in humble ways. He should love everyone. He met them face-to-face, and in little ways he made a difference. I hope he is seeing from heaven that he has made a difference in the world by the many small steps he took,” said Bishop Dottie.

Bishop Dottie introduced the worship service attendees to Bishop Nelson Kalombo Ngoy. Bishop Nelson is a member of her episcopal leadership covenant group. He is serving a new episcopal area, Tanganyika in Central Africa.

“He tells stories of visiting congregations and Christians in his area. He must travel to visit them by walking, cycling, or canoeing. It takes hours and days. He faces dangers such as mosquito-borne illnesses, civil unrest, and weather as he ministers to his people. He is humble and determined to show his people the love of Jesus. He cries for them,” Bishop Dottie stated.

Bishop Nelson offers help in small ways by showing up and meeting people face-to-face. Just like Bishop Dottie’s father. They are seed slingers bringing the hope of Jesus.

Lawrence Sweet, a historical theologian and preacher, coined the phrase “seed slingers of hope.” In his recent blog, he explains that we need to release the seeds of ministry and let them grow. See what God can do.

A mustard seed is tiny. When it is planted, it grows into a huge bush. Sometimes 20 feet tall. Taking a small step, a small act of kindness, or a prayer is a small seed of ministry that can make a difference.

Bishop Dottie invited those at worship to participate in the 2026 Miracle Offering “From the Wellspring: Faith That Learns, Love That Serves,” as one way to be seed slingers of hope. She shared that Bishop Nelson needs trained pastors. One small way to help is by making a financial gift to the Miracle Offering.

One half of the Miracle Offering will support the Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, the Philippines and Europe, helping United Methodists outside the United States access theological education and prepare for pastoral leadership. The other half will be invested in education and training for laity across the Dakotas Conference, equipping everyday disciples for faithful leadership and ministry.

At worship, $51,300 was collected for the 2026 Miracle Offering. Gifts are still being accepted. Learn more about the 2026 Miracle Offering.