Founded in 2015, Once Was Lost was created in loving memory of David Eli Sowers Jr. and Marjorie Ann Sowers, the brother and mother of founder Joy Jacoby. Once Was Lost is a Christian based organization to help people understand they are never really lost or alone.
Sometimes life seems overwhelming and you don’t know where to turn. We are here to help you find your way by getting to know God, your Father in heaven.
When you know you can count on God, life doesn’t seem so hard. You don’t have to go through it alone.
Our goal is to help you understand the meaning of God’s love. Your Father’s love is never ending. Once you understand that, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
About the Founder – Joy Jacoby (Sowers)
Joy was one of four children, born to David Eli and Majorie Ann Sowers. Her siblings Gay, David and Kim helped her become who she is today. We were raised in a Christian home with morals and values. Growing up we always had a few extra kids at our table with each meal. My grandpa Thomas B. Sowers, was a Methodist minister in southern IL. He was married to Caledonia Ruth Sowers and together they raised six children of their own: Josephine, Dorothy, Thomas, Mary Ruth, Margaret, and David. They also, ran an orphanage caring for many children throughout the years.
“I’ve had this calling for many years, maybe since childhood. I’m so excited to finally be able to share what my grandpa started almost 100 years ago.” – Joy Jacoby, Founder
Once Was Lost‘s Goals
- To show you how to open your heart and live with God as your center so you never have to feel lost or alone again.
- To provide housing units with 6-8 children in a house with a Christian family influence.
- To teach morals and values.
Our ideal environment is in a rural area where the kids we help can learn responsibility by caring for horses and other animals. In doing so, they will learn to love an be loved – as all God’s children are loved.
Once Was Lost is brand new; we are exited about all the possibilities.
We are looking to open our first facility, so if you or anyone you know might want to donate a rural setting for us to begin our journey, please contact us.
We are a 501(3)c organization and all donations are tax deductible. We’d love to talk to you is you can help in any of the following areas:
- Fundraising
- Event Planning
- Social Media Advertising
- Accounting
- Grant Writing
- A Facility – Farm or Ranch Donation