By Tom Shanklin

In July, I had wonderful meetings with Pastor Rob and Debbie Beuchler at Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church in Starkweather, North Dakota. On Sunday morning I preached on “Wasted Treasure” and encouraged God’s people to use the gift of life that God has given them. On Sunday evening, we basked in the presence of God as I shared on “The Glory of God.” We had a wonderful time of prayer and ministry and one lady made a decision to follow Jesus as Lord. 

On Monday and Tuesday evening, we held a Believers School of Ministry. I taught on “Cultivating the Anointing in Your Life and Ministry” and “The Healing Anointing,” and had the participants minister to one another. You know that God has moved when you have a three-hour meeting and no one wants to go home. Many were touched, healed, and activated. 

I believe that more churches are going to return to having extended meetings. Church leaders are realizing that it’s going to take more than a Sunday morning (little dab ‘ll do ya) meeting to bring a much-needed revival in the church and awakening in the land. We need to set aside time to experience God’s presence and allow him to speak to our hearts. 

I also believe that the ministry school format is something that is part of the plan of God for these last days. It’s time for God’s people to be not only turned on to Jesus but also turned loose on the world. God is using ordinary believers to do extraordinary things as they are trained and encouraged. If your heart is hungry to see a genuine move of God and an activation of ministry in your community, get a hold of us and we will work out a time to come. 

Prairie Fires Men’s Conference

Men, I hope you can join me for the Prairie Fires Regional Men’s Advance in Hendricks, Minnesota on Saturday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. I will be speaking and Dave Bakke will be leading worship. I have an excitement in my spirit about this gathering, which will be held at Cedricks Supper Club, 202 S Main Plaza, Hendricks. The free meal of broasted chicken and beef tips is provided by Faith Family Christian Center, which is hosting the event. Be sure and RSVP as soon as possible (no later than August 17), so we can make sure we have a meal ready for you. To contact Pastors Chris and Joyce Caugherty, call or text (605) 690-3701 or email [email protected].

Family Gathering!

We are anticipating a great move of God at our upcoming Harvest World Evangelism Conference on October 13-15 at the Bethel Baptist Church here in Mankato. Please clear your calendar and plan to attend. Stan Stunc of the UK will be with us again along with his wife, Sarah. Susan and I will also be speaking, along with several other ministers. At least three of the missionaries which we support will be with us, and we are expecting many of our friends to be with us. This is not only a conference but a family gathering. It will be a great opportunity for us to unite, pray together, and expect a great release of synergistic power in our lives and ministries. Please be praying for this important event, and come if at all possible. Click here for more details>>>

Bible School Dormitory in Benin

Recently we have been helping with the construction of a Bible school and retreat center in a rural area of southern Benin, West Africa. I have been to the location personally twice and Susan once. We have taught in the Bible School and we have seen the progress there. When Susan and I were in Benin in January, we gave an offering to drill a well and construct a tower as a water source for the ministry center. 

More recently, we sent money to purchase cement to make concrete blocks for a much-needed dormitory. The Mt. Moriah Bible School students are now staying in an enclosure with a dirt floor and a grass reed wall. It is sufficient to keep the sun and rain out, but not much else. (See photo at left.) I am praying that the Lord will provide for the dormitory, a kitchen, toilets, and classrooms. 

Apostle Isaac Clossou, who we worked with in Benin, and his church, Messenger Church of God, are establishing the Bible School as a branch of Vision University. He said that the Lord showed him that there is a great revival is coming to Africa, but that there is a need for sound doctrine to sustain the work. Their church recently received pledges of about $300 toward the construction from pastors of small African churches in their ministry association. 

I see that Benin nationals are taking steps forward, and it is a great opportunity for us to come alongside and help facilitate the building project. The estimated cost for the dormitory is $15,000. The total estimated cost (including the classrooms, toilets, kitchen, and office) is $52,000.

Click here to see the latest Progress Report on the Benin Bible School Project>>>

You are a Channel of Blessing! 

I want to say thank you for all your support, encouragement, and prayers. The letters and emails we receive are like a drink of cold water for parched lips on a hot, dry, windy day. You definitely are a channel of blessing for Susan and me, and all the people who we minister to around the world. May the Lord water you, too, as you co-labor with us, in Jesus’ name. 

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