Ministry Update: God is Moving in Devils Lake, ND
By Tom Shanklin
I had a wonderful time of ministry in the Devils Lake, North Dakota area in August.
I spoke five times in three days—first early Sunday morning at Webster Chapel in Webster and then 3-days of Revive Services at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Devils Lake.
During these meetings, I had the opportunity to pray with 14 people who responded to a call to make Jesus the Lord of their lives.
On Sunday morning at both churches, I spoke on “The Miracle of the New Birth,” emphasizing the supernatural nature of being born again, which Jesus taught in John 3. We open our hearts, and God does the miracle. I emphasized the need to turn to the Lord in true repentance by making Jesus Lord. There was a wonderful response in both churches.
On Sunday night, we had a movie night in the Westminster Presbyterian Church basement and watched the first episode of “The Chosen.” The story tells what the lives of the early disciples might have been like before and after meeting Jesus. In one scene, Nicodemus, a teacher of the Jews, is compelled by Roman soldiers to cast the demons out of Mary Magdeline. He is depicted as nervously approaching her and commanding the demons to leave her, using every name imaginable from the Old Testament Scriptures. Finally, the demons spoke in a deep voice to him through Mary, saying, “You have no power here, teacher.”
After the episode, I shared a message on “The Name of Jesus” about how God has given us power in the name of Jesus to cast out demons and heal the sick. We then prayed for several emotional and physical needs in that wonderful name. Brad Thompson of Devils Lake came forward for prayer with a severe neck injury he had suffered when he accidentally fell backward while doing lawn work.
Doctors, he said, had done X-rays, an MRI, and a CT scan to try to discover the problem and treat it, but nothing had changed. He could not move his neck in any direction without severe pain. However, Brad testified that when hands were laid on him in the name of Jesus, the pain instantly and totally left. Praise the Lord! You can see Brad’s testimony on the Tom Shanklin Ministries YouTube Channel. Very encouraging!
On Monday night, I spoke on “The Love of the Father,” and more people prayed to receive Jesus as Lord. There was a comment from one senior saint who said she previously knew about the love of Jesus but that she had never thought about the love of her heavenly Father.
We started to offer to pray for individual needs, but instead, one lady asked for prayer for her church because it was “so worldly.” Several area churches were represented at the meetings. Then people began to pray for revival in their own lives, their churches, and their community. They also prayed that outreach would begin to reach the lost and to the needy in the community. It was a very unique service indeed, and I had the sense that something had begun in the spirit that will continue in the days to come.
Speaking of “Devils Lake,” I read the history of the city in a book that stated that the name “Devils Lake” was taken from the Dakota tribe’s name for the huge lake, “mni waken” which actually means “Lake Holy One.” Other references say that it means “pure source.” It became Lake of the Devil and then Devils Lake because of a mistranslation. Even today, the native people call it Spirit Lake. So praise the Lord! It’s not the devil’s lake!
On the final night, I spoke about the anointing of the Holy Spirit, drawing some truths from the story of the woman with the issue of blood from Mark 5. Many people were deeply touched by these meetings.
Skype Meeting in India
I also had a great time ministering at a church in Secunderabad, India, via Skype. I’m not sure I was totally awake after setting my alarm for 1 a.m. to preach at an 11 a.m service, but the Word did the work, and two people prayed to receive Jesus as Lord of their lives. We also prayed for the emotional and physical needs of several people. Thank God, He can use technology for good purposes.
Thank You!
Thank you for all that you do to help us preach this wonderful Good News. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support are very significant and appreciated. Susan and I pray for you every day, expecting our Father to lavish His love on you and provide for your every need. Be blessed and encouraged! God is moving by His Spirit as we move with Him!
Jesus Christ Makes You Whole [Audio]