In August, we had a wonderful and fruitful time of ministry at the Times of Refreshing Tent Meetings in Pelican Rapids.

Four people made decisions for the Lord. On Friday night, I preached on repentance, forgiveness and the refreshing of the Holy Spirit from Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Three men came forward to commit their lives to the Lord.

On Saturday night, we had a healing service, emphasizing healing for spirit, soul and body. A 10-year old girl came forward to accept Jesus and her Lord and Savior. We prayed for cancer, heart problems, prostate issues, back problems and more. Several people experienced immediate relief from pain. One man who was experiencing knee pain was healed before we had a chance to pray for him. A spirit of joy pervaded the meeting as we proclaimed the Gospel and experienced God’s tangible presence. One young woman testified that she was filled with the Holy Spirit as she sat in her seat during the meeting.

On Sunday afternoon, we had a Commissioning Service to release God’s people into their ministry. My message was “Wake Up!” I shared scriptures on the need for revival and awakening from Isaiah 52, Isaiah 60, Acts 1-3, and Ephesians 5. We prayed that each person would be released into their ministry without fear or hindrance. The fire was fueled and I am trusting the revival will grow in Pelican Rapids and the surrounding region.

I received the following encouraging note from a woman who attended the meetings:

“Just wanted to thank you for coming to Pelican Rapids this weekend! Your messages were both edifying and encouraging. I so very much appreciate your grounding in the Word and the way you were able to present it in the power of the Holy Spirit. I know that [my friend] also was encouraged by your ministry, and will be reading your book on presenting the Gospel.”

Pastor David and Dawn Lysaker

The meetings were organized by Pastor David and Dawn Lysaker of Pelican Rapids, who own the tent that was used. Meetings were held in the tent the previous weekend with Evangelist Bill Davis. We heard a good report of deliverance and people being filled with the Holy Spirit from those meetings as well. Pastor David shares the Gospel as he does interim pastoral work with Lutheran churches in northwest Minnesota.

It was a great blessing to me to minister under the Gospel tent. At one time we owned our own tent and did Gospel outreaches in and around Howard Lake, Minnesota. There is something about God’s people from various backgrounds, churches and towns gathering under a big tent to hear the Word of God and to experience His presence. From scripture, we can see that the Lord is comfortable in a tent. He dwelt in the tabernacle in the wilderness and the tabernacle of David. The Old Testament tabernacle was also called the “tent of meeting” and the “sanctuary.” The Hebrew word for tabernacle means dwelling place. I am thankful that the Lord has been pleased to tabernacle with us wherever we live or wherever we worship together.

“After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.” Acts 15:16, 17, KJV.

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:3, KJV.

Tom preaching in the tent in the ’80s.