WELCOME     |        MEET OUR ABBESS |        WHAT WE DO       |        OUR SOWERS     |        JOIN US

Welcome

More than ever before, Christian leaders need prayer and intercession to support the work of ministry in the 21st century. The Sower’s Abbey offers spaces of prayerful presence and spiritual companionship that support pioneering leaders and artists in discernment, renewal, and faithful perseverance in order that the gospel may take root in regions across North America and globally. 

Meet our abbess

“As in the early Celtic and Christian communities an abbess is called and authorised 

by the Christian community and fellowship, to which she belongs, 

to guard and guide the faithful, to tend, heal and comfort souls in distress, 

and to proclaim, with her community, 

the resurrection of Christ and God’s love for the world 

flowing to us through his death and resurrection."


  • Malcolm Guite


The Sower’s Abbey is a place of connection and convergence for the Body of Christ led by Cheryl McCarthy, who serves as abbess and head of prayer and intercession.

Abbess of the Sower's Abbey

Since 2014, Cheryl has been instrumental as a prophetic voice and guide to the missional movement. Cheryl diligently intercedes in prayer and intercession on behalf of various pioneering mission and leadership multiplication initiatives, i.e. Fresh Expressions NA, Ascent Movement, Creo Arts, New Wineskins Missionary Network and key missional movement leaders.


Offering Companioning Prophetic Prayer she employs over 30 years of prophetic and intercessory prayer experience to support pastors and pioneers throughout North America and globally. 


Cheryl and her husband, Bill, reside in New Bern, NC and enjoy their five adult children and are now grandparents. 



"Cheryl’s power in prayer has enthused others in the life and ministry of prayer. It has taught others how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit in a way that advocates for the work of God in a day and age which is full of challenge. I can't thank the Lord enough for bringing Cheryl McCarthy to our team because it has resulted in tremendous fruitfulness in multiplication and the furtherance of the gospel here in North America."



  • Chris Backert

Senior Director of The Ascent Movement, Richmond, VA



“Words can’t express how vital and important Cheryl’s ministry of prayer and encouragement have been to me and my team over the last few years. She has taught me that the work of prayer and intercession is not an option, it's essential for effective 

Christ-centered ministry in the 21st century.”


  • Dr. Winfield Bevins

Founder and Director, Creo Arts

Wilmore, Kentucky

WHAT WE DO

The Sower’s Abbey stands in the great monastic traditions of St. Hildegard and St. Catherine of Sienna who were called to pray for the gospel to take root in their regions. Cheryl works alongside Christian leaders as a spiritual “midwife” to help birth the unique vision that God has given them to impact their communities.


The Sower’s Abbey serves to support in the re-evangelization of North America through prophetic prayer and intercession in the following ways:

Ananias Prayer

Companioning pioneering leaders and artists through personal listening and prophetic intercessory prayer. 


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Fields

The building of a network of farms called to use their land for the glory of God through refreshment and renewal for pioneering leaders and artists.


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Chapels

Chapels are prayer encounter spaces offered at national events.


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The Prayer Mesh

Opening space locally, regionally, nationally, and online for connecting intercessory prayer networks for pioneering leaders and artists.


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Our Sowers

We currently support the following movements and missional leaders:

"Admittedly, I come from a tradition that is not familiar with this kind of listening prayer. However, I have benefited greatly from the joy, playfulness, and depth of intercession I have received from Cheryl, and through times of prayer, have found myself profoundly reconnected to God's grace."

Shannon Kiser

National Director of Fresh Expressions NA 

Springfield, Virginia

“Cheryl has been a great partner in my own ministry. I always rely on her devotion, passion, and prayer for the cause.”

Alan Hirsch

Author and Founder of

the Movement Leaders Collective

Victoria, Australia


"In her approach to collaborative prayer, Cheryl boldly approaches the throne of grace with confidence that God is longing to hear from heaven and bring healing, wholeness and His very kingdom on earth as it is in heaven."

Jenny Noyes

Executive Director of New Wineskins Network

Elon, North Carolina

“Cheryl’s sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit and her understanding of the spiritual landscape in which we work has consistently provided us with invaluable discernment. It’s a joy to share ministry with her and watch God move powerfully in response to her prayers.”

Rev. Dr. Thomas Herrick

Former Executive Director for 

Titus Institute for Church Planting 

Milton, Delaware

“Before speaking at the 2019 Missio Alliance National Gathering, I was greatly blessed to receive prophetic prayer ministry from Cheryl McCarthy. The Lord deeply encouraged my heart through her ministry and continues to do so as I meditate on the particular word offered to me on that day.”

Richard A Villodas, Jr

Senior Pastor of New Life Fellowship

Queens, NY

“I have been blessed by Cheryl's hopeful, abundant perspective, both in my personal life and ministry. She speaks freedom and flourishing over human lives and churches in a way that we desperately need in this moment.“

Mandy Smith

Pastor, Author, Artist

“Cheryl embodies Paul's words to pray without ceasing. Prayer is the fuel by which ministry happens. Numerous times I've seen her ministry of prayer bring about an evident anointing on our events that left an indelible mark on people's lives. Her passion, marked with an equal measure of challenge and encouragement, have not only blessed groups of kingdom leaders, but, also, me personally.”

J.R. Briggs

Kairos Partnerships

Lansdale, PA

JOIN US

The Sower’s Abbey exists through the Ascent Movement. As we seek to steward the sowers called to mission through pioneering leadership, artists called to create because they believe, and to cultivate the growth of those called to undergird this work in prayer we trust in the “Steward of the Cattle on a Thousand Hills” who call His people to support, financially, the Master's work on the earth.


Click here to bring increase to The Sower’s Abbey.   


To donate by check, mail it to the following address:

The Sower’s Abbey

2828 Emerywood Parkway

Richmond, Virginia 23294