Leadership
Board of Directors
Meet the leaders helping guide the vision and mission of SOWERS Ministry.
Cindy & John Brickner
Finance Manager & Secretary General Since 2016
Cindy Brickner
Cindy has been a teacher of God's Word for over 20 years and is passionate about inspiring the faith of others. Her first introduction to India was in 2008 when she and John were invited to visit the country with their senior pastor as an elder and leader in women's ministry.
She spent one particular bus trip alongside a young man who was praying about building a school—he told her of the needs, and she sought God for ways to help. After much prayer and divine appointments, Cindy was encouraged to become a part of what God was doing in India.
In 2017 she joined the board for SOWERS Ministry, witnessing the completed school that her dear friend had spoke about in 2008. Cindy has a deep heart for the people of India and a passion to see Christ glorified through connecting the heart of his bride—regardless of our borders.
John Brickner
John Brickner is a dedicated leader with more than 14 years of experience serving as a pastor and elder in Southern California. Known for a compassionate approach and commitment to social justice, John has been an inspiring force in both spiritual guidance and community outreach.
His work in India includes multiple mission trips, establishing partnerships with local organizations, and mentoring emerging leaders. His unique perspective and hands-on experience in cross-cultural settings have enriched the mission and vision of SOWERS Ministry.
In his free time, John enjoys traveling with his wife, spending quality time with his grandchildren, and collecting baseball cards.
Bill & Heather Sugg
Heather Sugg
Heather Sugg leads community relations for the SOWERS ministry. You may find her reaching out to schedule a visit or discuss getting involved. She is an executive at a technology-focused communication agency. Her marketing background includes consulting and developing communication strategy for clients ranging from start-ups to S&P 500 companies.
She enjoys launching new brands and helping build a new generation of leaders. Her missionary work began in 2015 when she collaborated with East-West Ministries International to lead small groups in remote Caribbean locations.
Heather is a bible study leader, deaconess, and board member at Calvary Chapel North Shore, her home church in Princeville, Hawaii. When God moved her and Bill to Hawaii in 2017, they prayed for a new mission to support and He placed Pastor Jay in their lives with divine appointment.
Bill Sugg
Bill Sugg (and his wife Heather) first met Pastor Jay in 2017 when he visited their new home Church (Calvary Chapel North Shore). After hearing of the incredible need and work SOWERS was doing to spread the gospel in India, he knew they needed to be part of supporting this incredible ministry.
After a couple years of supporting the ministry and getting to know them better, Pastor Jay approached Heather and Bill asking them to assist in donor relations and join the board of directors.
Bill's diverse career spans from high net-worth insurance, marketing and sales management, full time ministry and even personal training/nutrition coaching. Wherever God brought him, he develops relationships that help people bring God into the forefront of their lives.
Today, Bill is an owner and executive at Cloud Warriors, a technology service integration company with a social mission to turn IT budgets into jobs for U.S. Veterans. He has a passion for helping others achieve their goals and succeed. Bill is an elder and board member at Calvary Chapel North Shore where he leverages his experience to help bring the ministry to the next level.
Pastor Jay
Rev. Jayakumar Babu Salluri, “Pastor Jay” was called to the ministry on August 21,1994. After a 7-year bible college program he earned a Bachelor of Theology in 1999. He launched Bethel Ministries in India in 2001, the foundation and home church of SOWERS Ministry.
Pastor Jay has personally trained 1,300+ pastors and sent them out into the field over these years. He is Vice President of The Greater Vijayawada Pastors Fellowship. And has been serving as chairman of Sowers Ministry International, USA & Canada since 2016.
"Point them to Jesus."
Nicholas & Jenny Patey
Nicholas Patey
Nicholas Patey was saved by Jesus in high school, a life-changing moment that continues to shape every part of his journey. He played volleyball throughout high school and began coaching during his college years, an experience that not only deepened his love for the sport but also led him to meet his wife, Jenny. They have now been married for 18 years and are raising three wonderful children: Noah (14), Lucas (12), and Charlotte (10).
Nicholas earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from The Master's University and his master's degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University. His teaching career began at Azusa High School, where he taught for three years before moving to Golden Valley High School. For the past 16 years, he has served at Golden Valley as a mathematics teacher, including five years as department chair, and currently works as an Instructional Coach.
Since 2009, Nicholas and his family have been active members of Grace Baptist Church, where he helps lead Bible studies in an adult Bible fellowship group and serves in the youth ministry. He has also had the privilege of traveling to India, Haiti, and Ecuador to share the gospel and is honored to serve on the board of Sowers Ministries.
Jenny Patey
Jenny Patey grew up in a Christian home and invited Jesus into her heart at a young age. Her church quickly became a second home, where she was actively involved in ministry and missions. From a young age, she had the opportunity to visit other countries and experience different cultures through church-led mission trips, which deepened her passion for seeing God's work around the world.
Jenny played college volleyball and later coached junior high and high school girls, a role that blended her love for the sport and mentorship. Volleyball is also how she met her husband, Nicholas. They've been married for 18 years and share a heart for global ministry. In 2009, they spent a summer in India supporting schools and teacher credentialing programs as part of kingdom work abroad.
Jenny is passionate about education and began her career as a history teacher after earning her master's degree in education. She later transitioned out of the classroom to care for her young children and currently works as a credentialed teacher, supporting K-12 homeschooling families. She also homeschools her own children, ages 14, 12, and 10. Recently, she completed a second master's degree and earned her credential in educational leadership, with hopes of one day pursuing a role in school administration.
Deeply involved in her local church, Jenny has served as a youth leader for over a decade, investing in high school students and pointing them to Jesus. She and her family have a special heart for vulnerable children and have been actively involved in foster care, both as a foster family and in supportive roles, for the past five years. Jenny is passionate about teamwork, discipleship, and making a positive impact wherever God calls her.