Mustard Seed Ministries

02/22/2024

Thoughts and prayers today for those who are living in aching bodies.
Specially thinking of those who live with headaches.

12/19/2023

12/02/2023

Mustard Seed is at the Mentoring Alliance Christmas Bash. Come!
Noon -4
Food and Fun!

02/16/2023

Thank you Smith County! Mustard Seed thanks you and so do our kids in Smith County!

Smith County donated surplus computer equipment Wednesday to Mustard Seed Ministries that will be refurbished and given to local school children.
Dr. Karen Jones, founder and president of Mustard Seed Ministries, received the donation from the Smith County Information Technology Department. Items included 153 desktops, 44 laptops, 82 monitors, 22 printers, four servers, three scanners, two switches and three DVR. The donation was approved Tuesday in Commissioners Court.
For years, Smith County has donated outdated and broken computer equipment to Mustard Seed Ministries. The nonprofit organization dismantles and reassembles the equipment and donates them to school children who do not have computers.
Mustard Seed supplies schools in Tyler, Whitehouse and Mineola.
In 2001, a small group formed to teach a one-time computer class to 15 students. A year later, they received their first donation of salvaged computers. Mustard Seed now has more than a dozen volunteers, including several who teach computer classes.
Mustard Seed Ministries, at 1420 N. Church Ave., is a nonprofit organization and a working extension ministry of the United Methodist Church. For more information, visit www.mustardseedcomputers.com.

Photo: Dr. Karen Jones, founder and president of Mustard Seed Ministries, poses with volunteers after loading two vehicles and trailers with surplus IT equipment donated to them by Smith County on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

08/12/2020

MSM has free computers for kids! 10 hours of community service earns you the free unit. They are super fast “I” core processors with plenty of memory. Office Pro is included. Plus some educational games. There is a lifetime warrantee and free upgrades. The camera for video conferencing is available at a small cost. We have 300 units in house ready to go to students for this school year.
TJC students - we have some special laptops for you! Come see us and check them out.
Teachers - we have special laptops for you too.

Needed: donors who will cover the cost of cameras for students who can’t afford them. Call me: 903-530-2046.

04/18/2020

Check it out!

Smith County donated surplus computer equipment this week to Mustard Seed Ministries that will be refurbished and given to local school children.
Dr. Karen Jones, founder and president of Mustard Seed Ministries, received the donation from the Smith County Information Technology Department. Items include 99 desktops, 64 laptops, one tablet, 85 monitors, 14 printers, and three scanners.
Since all students in East Texas are out of school and learning from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need is greater than ever. Dr. Jones said her ministry cannot keep up with the demand.
“Mustard Seed’s mission has always been based upon the understanding that technology is essential for learning – whether it be during regular conditions or like now, during distance learning,” Dr. Jones said. “To succeed, students need tools for research, paperwork, printing and creativity; and only a computer can handle these needs. Mustard Seed wants every student to have this valuable tool.”
They distributed 66 computers during the last two weeks of March, and through Thursday, April 16, have given out 171 computers to local school children who need them. Every Tuesday and Thursday, refurbished computers are distributed on a “first come, first serve” basis.
For years, Smith County has donated outdated and broken computer equipment to Mustard Seed Ministries. The nonprofit organization dismantles and reassembles the equipment and donates them to school children who do not have computers.
“Fifty percent of what we give away has come from Smith County,” Dr. Jones said. “Beginning on Monday, those numbers will change to Smith County contributing 75 percent of what we distribute … Smith County is definitely a partner in promoting academic success in our East Texas students.”
Smith County IT Director Don Bell said the county appreciates the partnership it has with Mustard Seed Ministries and their commitment in serving the schools and children in Smith County through the repurposing of our donated technology.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship with this outstanding organization,” he said.
Dr. Jones said they have also received equipment from other companies, as well as personal donations.
Mustard Seed supplies schools in Tyler, Whitehouse and Mineola.
In 2001, a small group formed to teach a one-time computer class to 15 students. A year later, they received their first donation of salvaged computers. Now, with a team of 20 volunteers, Mustard Seed Ministries has given away more than 11,000 computers. They also teach several computer classes.
Mustard Seed Ministries, at 1420 N. Church Ave., is a nonprofit organization and a working extension ministry of the United Methodist Church. For more information, visit www.mustardseedcomputers.com.
Tyler ISD
(PICTURE: Dr. Karen Jones and Mustard Seed Ministries volunteers are seen picking up Smith County surplus computer equipment in 2018.)

11/10/2018

Another group of 5th graders excited about getting their free computers. Any student 5th thru college qualifies. Call and ask us about this super opportunity. 903-530-2046.

08/17/2017

Are you a 5th grader (or higher) and need a computer for school? Are you willing to do 10 hours of service for someone in need? If you answered YES and YES - then you qualify for a free computer! Contact Mustard Seed Ministries in Tyler.