God is Accelerating His Work: Evangelism Conference, Healing Ministry & More

Share the Good News!

Preparing for the Harvest Conference community outreach. (More photos below)

By Tom Shanklin

So much has happened since the last time I wrote to you, it seems like a year has been packed into one month. God is accelerating his program in these last days. It reminds me of the scripture: “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, And all the hills shall flow with it.” Amos 9:13, NKJV.

In other words, in the last days, the harvest will be so abundant and the blessings will come so rapidly that you won’t be able to keep up with it.

The first great blessing I want to talk to you about is our Harvest Evangelism Conference held here in Mankato on October 19-20.

The theme of the conference was “Igniting Your Passion for the Lost.” Our guest minister, European Missionary Stan Strunc, reached into the core of our being to stir up a fervor for reaching others for Christ. His messages were delivered with authority and a depth of spiritual experience that could only come from years of perseverance in the trenches of the work of God.

Raised behind the Iron Curtain in the Soviet Czech Republic, Stan knew the darkness and hopelessness of Communism. He was a gang member in a nationalist group before Jesus pierced his heart and liberated his soul. He faced much persecution as he and others cried out for souls and preached the Gospel on the streets of Prague. It is those days of pressure, he says, which forged a passion in him that has never left.

For Susan and me, preparation for the conference was a challenge and made us appreciate those who work so hard to prepare the way for us to come and minister in their churches and communities. We did all that we knew to do to solicit prayer and to promote the conference, but when the time came, we were unsure who or how many would attend. But in the midst of the struggle, God moved. Friends from Mankato promoted the meeting on social media and by email, and as a result, we saw new faces and made new friends. We had folks from as far away as North Dakota travel to attend along with people from many different churches.

On Saturday, we had workshops on evangelism with Susan, me, and Stan speaking. As we talked about reaching the lost, gas was put upon the fire, and the desire to reach others exploded. At noon, we shared a meal at Pizza Ranch and then met to plan our afternoon of community outreach.

Men, women, teens, and children (14 in all) were part of the four teams that went out into Mankato to invite people to the evening healing service and share the love of Jesus. We were able to pray for a self-proclaimed Satanist and share the Gospel message with four international college students. One of the teams which was working on the Minnesota State University campus began to put fliers for the evening service on cars. One student found the flier on his car and heard God speak to him that he should come, which he did.

Saturday night was a Healing Service for spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. Stan spoke on “Jesus is with You in the Storm.” Four people made decisions for the Lord. There were several instant manifestations of healing. A man with shoulder pain was instantly healed. A woman with severe joint pain all over her body left the meeting totally pain free. (We received word three weeks later that she is still totally pain-free.) Others received tremendous release from emotional pain. Life-changing prophetic words were spoken.

I sense in my spirit that this conference was a powerful step forward for our ministry, and that we will continue to see fruit in the days and years to come. Thanks to everyone who supported this effort with your prayers, finances, encouragement, and advice!

And there’s more …

Susan and I attended the Kingsway Fellowship International Annual Ministers Convention in Des Moines, where we spoke on “Making Disciples Who Evangelize.” We also attended the powerful Annual World Missions Conference at Shell Lake Full Gospel Church in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, a local church which supports over 60 missionaries from around the world. At both of these places, we heard powerful messages on evangelism. I believe that many in the body of Christ are waking up to the fact that reaching others for Christ is God’s number one job. He is igniting His people and accelerating his plan for the last-days harvest.

God is also accelerating the healing ministry in these days. He is stretching forth His hand to heal in the name of His Holy Child Jesus. Here are just some examples:

At Good News Fellowship in Gary, Minnesota, four people made decisions for the Lord, and a number were healed. One lady was healed of pain in her eye during the preaching and gave testimony. She also testified that she was still healed of a neck injury from ministry she received in a service we held in Mahnomen, Minnesota about 10 years ago. Also, a friend at Gary said that she saw in the Spirit a picture of Susan and me passing on a mantel of evangelism to young people in the days to come.

At Jehovah House Retreat Center in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, eleven made decisions for the Lord in two nights. I also prayed with ten people to forgive others and about 16 for broken-heartedness. People were touched very deeply and received emotional healing. About eight people, who came all at once for pain in their bodies, received relief or total healing from pain. One lady with stenosis of the spine and bone spurs was released from pain as well as anxiety. A woman was healed of trigger thumb (an inflammation which causes a clicking and pain in the joint of the thumb). Others were healed of back and neck problems. Two people testified on the second night that they had been healed of skin issues during the first service.

At Prairie Faith, a local church in Glenfield, North Dakota, a woman made a decision for Christ after I preached on “You Must Be Born Again.” She had been part of the church for 30 years, but said she wanted to “make sure” all was well with her soul. She left with joy in her heart and a smile on her face. We continue to believe that the New Birth is the greatest healing of all!

At New Life Fellowship in Tolna, North Dakota, a man came to our service with severe pain due to a snowmobile accident. Both he and others were amazed when he left the service totally pain-free. Oh, the grace and mercy of God!

At Church of the Living Water in Baudette, Minnesota, two people made decisions for the Lord. A pastor from a nearby church attended our Friday night service and received ministry for pain in his shoulder. I sensed that it was related to a pinched nerve in the neck, so I commanded release for the pinched nerve in the name of Jesus. He felt something happen in his neck, but the pain in the shoulder was still there. The next day, we received a text that he was totally pain-free. A lady with severe pain in her hands also sent a text after our Sunday morning service that she was totally pain-free.

Students from the Believers School of Ministry held in Baudette, Minnesota.

At Baudette, we held two classes from our Believers School of Ministry. We had a lively discussion during the class on “Healing the Sick,” and a powerful time of prayer afterward. The Holy Spirit was in manifestation with joy, laughter, and prophetic words.

I could say more, but I think you get the drift. God is moving! We cannot take any credit. We just show up, preach the Gospel, believe for miracles, and the God of miracles does the rest.

Please continue to pray for our mission to Benin in January. Two Open Air Miracle Healing Festivals, a Gospel Workers Conference, and ministry in two churches are planned. To date, we have received $1250 (as of November 8) in designated offerings towards our need of $5,000 for this mission. Thanks to all who have given, and all those who support this ministry regularly. In all of our work, both in the U.S. and overseas, we could not do it without the help of our partners and partnering churches. Every life touched, every ministry ignited, every church lifted to a higher level is a result of your faithfulness to the cause of Christ.

Susan and I pray for you daily. We pray for your health, your finances, your family, your relationship with the church, and your ministry to reach others for Jesus. Be encouraged! God is accelerating His work and the best is yet to come!