About Tom Shanklin Ministries

Proclaiming the Gospel to the World

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15

At Tom Shanklin Ministries, our passion is to reach the world with the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. We are an interdenominational evangelistic ministry committed to sharing the whole Gospel with the whole world.

Through evangelistic outreaches, healing services, evangelism and discipleship training, local church ministry, and media, we minister hope and healing—spiritually, emotionally, physically, and relationally—to a world in need.

We believe in the power of unity within the Body of Christ. That’s why we work across denominational lines, partnering with churches and ministries around the globe to fulfill the Great Commission. Our heart is for the harvest, and our mission is clear: to proclaim the Good News of God’s love and redemptive plan to all people, everywhere.

Our Vision

The vision of Tom Shanklin Ministries is to unite with the whole Body of Christ to reach the whole world with the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our Mission

The Mission of Tom Shanklin Ministries is to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to all the people of the world.

Our Core Values (C.H.I.E.F)

  • Compassion
  • Healing
  • Integrity
  • Excellence
  • Faithfulness

What We Believe

What we believe

Tom Shanklin Ministries has established the following principles as our statement of faith:

l. We believe that God the Father, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the three persons of the Godhead, one God in three persons. (II Cor. 13:14)

2. We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God, that it is profitable for doctrine, reproof and correction, for instruction in righteousness and that this same Word is alive and powerful, having the ability to bring new life to human beings. (II Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12, I Peter 1:23)

3. We believe in the new birth through faith in Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation. (John 3:7, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Eph. 2:1)

4. We believe in water baptism by immersion as prescribed by Jesus Christ and the apostles, not as a means to salvation, but as an act of obedience, symbolizing the surrender of the will to God, death to the old way of living and identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. (Luke 24:43, Matt. 28:19, Mark 16:16, Rom. 6:4)

5. We believe that believers are to live a holy life, totally in line with God’s will as expressed in the Bible. (Matt. 5:48, Titus 2:11-15)

6. We believe that if we sin, we have an advocate (lawyer) with the Father, who is Jesus Christ, the righteous, and that if we will confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness by the blood of Christ. (I John 2:1, I John 1:7,9)

7. We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an enduement of power for the believer to be a witness in the world. We believe this experience is distinct from the gift of salvation, that salvation is not dependent upon this experience, but that it is the will of God for every believer. (Acts 1:4,5,8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 8:12,14-17; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:1-6)

8. We believe in the ordinance of marriage as prescribed in the Bible. (Eph. 5:31)

9. We believe in healing for the physical body and authority over Satan and demons is provided through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and through the resurrection. (I Pet. 2:24, Eph. 1:15-23.

10. We believe in the future literal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth and the resurrection of the dead. (I Thes. 4:14-17)

11. We believe that the local church is an institution ordained of God for the propagation of the Gospel, the teaching and training of the saints and a place where the love of God operates; that God has ordained leadership and and that they are to be respected as God’s vessels. (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:42, Eph. 4:11, I Thes. 5:12,13)

12. We believe in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper as expressed in the Holy Bible, that the fruit of the vine represents the blood of Jesus shed for our sins and the bread represents the body of Christ. The Lord’s Supper should be taken in an attitude of reverence and repentance, and with a recognition of the entire Body of Christ, not just those of their own fellowship or those of likemindedness, but all those who Christ purchased with His blood at Calvary. (I Cor. 11:23-34)

Board of Directors

Tom Shanklin Ministries is an affiliate ministry with the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministries International, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Tom Shanklin Ministries is governed by our Board of Directors, which consists of Tom and Susan Shanklin and three other Gospel ministers.

Tom and Susan Shanklin

Tom and Susan Shanklin

Tom and Susan Shanklin are part of the Baby Boomer generation that came of age during a time of great cultural change in America. In the 1970s, they embraced the countercultural lifestyle of the era—exploring drugs, alternative spiritualities, and questioning the values of mainstream society. But everything changed in 1977, when both Tom and Susan had life-altering encounters with the living Christ. From that moment on, Jesus became real to them—and the Lord of their lives.

Their transformation launched them into over two decades of pastoral ministry in Minnesota and North Dakota, as well as a broader work of sharing the Gospel through travel, teaching, and publishing. Since 2005, their focus has shifted to evangelism, missions, and living the Christian life in practical ways within their family, church, and community.

Tom Shanklin speaks with a clear desire to see people restored to God, healed in every area of life, and awakened to their divine purpose. His preaching is simple, honest, and powerful—reaching people of all ages and backgrounds both in the U.S. and internationally. His message always points to the cross of Jesus Christ as the answer to the human heart’s deepest need. Tom is an ordained minister with Kingsway Fellowship International and a member of Vanguard Evangelism.

Susan Shanklin brings a bold and compassionate voice to the message of Christ. Known for her wit and warmth, she speaks and writes with honesty, conviction, and a deep sensitivity to the real-life challenges people face. Her articles, featured in the Shanklins’ ministry newsletter and website, are loved for their blend of humor, insight, and spiritual depth.

Together, Tom and Susan continue to proclaim the Gospel, encourage the Body of Christ, and share the love and truth that changed their lives.

Our History

By Tom

In March, 1983, we published the first issue of a Christian newspaper called the Heartland News. I wrote three articles in that premier issue: one on the origin of sin, one on repentance and one on being born again. I’ve given a lot of sermons since that time, but I guess in reality I’m still preaching the same message today, “You must be born again!”

Susan started a column in that paper called “Jerusalem Housewife,” about her home, her kids and how the Lord is the One who gives her strength and purpose for living. Like I say, in some ways, not a lot has changed. Her heart is still in her home, caring for her husband, loving her children, and trusting her God.

Photo of Tom from 1983.

Later in 1983, we established a local church in Twin Valley, Minnesota, I left my job at the Twin Valley Times newspaper and we went into ministry full time, pastoring the church, publishing the Heartland News and traveling about preaching the Good News. It was out of that church that we took our first mission trip, which was to the nation of Haiti with Terry and Cary Nelson of Light Ministries. There, I preached my first open air service and saw a crowd of people come to Jesus. What a thrill! I also remember calling Haiti, which is the poorest nation in western hemisphere, a “hell hole.” The conditions were horrible. I can still vividly remember ministering in the City of Soleil, Port-au-Prince, among the cardboard shacks and open sewers, with unimaginable poverty and despair.

Since that time, we pastored five other churches, and traveled to many other states and countries. It was in China that I first encountered people in remote villages who had never heard the name of Jesus. In one village there, our team slept on the floor of a house in a room filled with bags of rice. Rats ran over our feet throughout the night.

In 2005, I (Tom) felt led of the Lord to leave pastoral work and launch out full time into evangelism and missions. Reaching out to the lost and preaching the Gospel has always been my passion. Both as a pastor and in my travels, I have been privileged to travel to 16 nations and to pray with many people to receive Christ as Savior and to encourage many in their walk with God. I value all those experiences and the people who have been a part of our lives over the years. Along the way, there has always been someone who encouraged us, blessed us, and helped us to go forward.

My heart continues to beat for those who are lost and without hope all around us. Please pray with us that we will be able to reach many people in our nation and around the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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