By Tom Shanklin

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35 KJV)

It’s the shortest verse in the Bible, but not the least powerful. These words were spoken by Jesus as He approached the tomb of Lazarus and felt the weight of sorrow and grief of Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha. These words demonstrate His heart of compassion for all of us. As the Bible says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NKJV)

Jesus knows what we are going through. He knows the pain that we suffer because of sin. He knows the struggle of the human condition. He understands the slavery to sin, and it’s results. 

He looks at the nations and how far they have fallen … and He weeps. He sees people hurting one another because of pride or lust or greed … and He weeps. He weeps because of depression, suicide, divorce, and abortion. He sees multitudes going into eternity destined for hell … and He weeps. He weeps over their blindness. He weeps for their present condition, and for their empty future. 

None of this is His will. His will is not eternal damnation. He came to give us life and life more abundantly. He died on the cross so that every sin could be forgiven. He came to bear our pain and sorrows. He came to heal us from the inside out. The Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV)

When Jesus saw the grief of Mary and Martha, he not only wept, He acted to help them. He raised Lazarus from the dead. 

Likewise today, Jesus not only weeps for hurting people, but He has an action plan. He died to defeat sin. He rose to give us life. Then He sends His people into the world with the message of forgiveness and healing. This is the change that is needed in the heart of mankind. This is the message we take to the world. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)

Together, we are part of Jesus’ action plan. We are focused on reaching lost souls, bringing them into the Kingdom, and making world-changing disciples. That’s our vision because that’s His vision.

Europe, Here We Come!

It was said of the ministry of Jesus, “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16 NKJV) This is my prayer for nations we will be visiting this month. Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are sitting in darkness. It is my prayer that we will bring will bring the great light of the Gospel. 

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Another social action plan will not bring light. Neither will the latest FAD teaching change anyone. It’s only through the message of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that men, women, boys, and girls can be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Therefore that is what we will bring. Thanks to everyone who has designated offerings for this mission. I am happy to say that all the funds have come in for our anticipated expenses for this trip. Praise God!

Our itinerary in Europe is chocked full of ministry. We are scheduled to have eight Gospel healing services, two evangelism seminars, two healing seminars, two Gospel meetings, one women’s meeting, and two Sunday worship services during our two weeks. We are also scheduled to see the Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland. 

We need your prayers for this journey! Please pray for strength, health, wisdom, favor, grace, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Pray that the Gospel we preach will be accompanied by signs, wonders, and miracles in the name of Jesus. 

Partner Ministries Extend the Outreach

We are blessed to work with Partner Ministries which are touching North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. They enable us to reach more people than we could alone. Here’s what some of them have been doing:

Stan and Sarah Strunc, missionaries to Europe, ministered recently in churches in Spain, South Wales, and a Roma Gypsy church in the Midlands of England, encouraging Christians  and seeing decisions for Christ.

Our missionaries from a nation in Asia held an outreach to migrating forest dwellers and have been working with another church to reach Muslim people in their city with the Good News. They are planning to use our Believers School of Ministry curriculum to train rural pastors so that they can, in turn, train their people in evangelism. We’ve been asked to teach some of the sessions with the pastors by Skype. We are also planning a healing service with a church in  via Skype in March.

We are also partnering with Apostle Issac and Hortense Clossou and their church in Benin, West Africa, to construct a Bible School in a remote area in Benin. So far, $3,317.00 of the $15,000 needed for construction of a dormitory has come in, and the walls have begun to go up. Right now, the work is temporarily halted while they wait for more funds. Please pray that every need will be met, and the work will continue, in Jesus’ name. Click here for the latest information on the dormitory project>>>

Let’s Keep Praying for One Another!

The Apostle Paul was always asking his friends for prayer. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:” (2 Thessalonians 3:1 KJV) Likewise, we know that we need your prayers for our mission to reach the world to be successful. It is my strong desire to reach more people with the Gospel this year than ever before, both in the United States and around the world. We are praying for more open doors, and especially that churches in the United States would work together to bring in the harvest in their areas. Please pray with us to achieve that goal.

Susan and I count it a great privilege to pray for you—that you will fulfill your mission in life, and enjoy God’s abundant provision in every area. May God richly bless you!