Dear Friends,

“Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” Colossians 4:3, 4, KJV. 

God has been opening new doors for us. In May, I was privileged to hold a three-day healing service at Solid Rock Church in Monroe, Iowa, a church I had not visited before.

There were a number of instant manifestations of healing, both physically and emotionally. Lives were touched. A church was encouraged. The Kingdom of God was established.

There has been a trend away from extended meetings in recent years, but I’m glad to see churches opening up to the idea of holding a series of meetings once again. We need to set aside time for God, allowing Him to work in our hearts and minds. I have found that longer meetings bring change to hearts, and more fruit for the Kingdom of God.

We also continue to see signs of life and fruit at For His Glory Church in Spring Grove, where we have been ministering once a month. The people of the church are sharing the Word of God with others, especially in a Bible Study they have started in Caledonia, Minnesota on Wednesday nights. People have been finding freedom in Christ. Family members are being touched and it seems a fire is beginning to burn once again in southeast Minnesota. Please continue to pray for this work.

Update On Susan’s Book

We have been receiving good reports from Susan’s new book, “Help! I Want to Lose Weight! The approach she takes in sharing her story on this important subject seems to be resonating with people. Here’s an example of one response we received:

I read Susan’s book and I love it. It is so encouraging and I love her sense of humor, I laughed out loud more than once.  I hope the next time I see you and Susan I will be at least 40 pounds thinner.  I plan to share the book with my daughter.  Thanks so much. (Northern Minnesota)

We are thankful that many of our partners have ordered Susan’s book. The book has also been selling on Amazon and other online vendors.

If you’d like to help let others know about “Help! I Want to Lose Weight!” you can rate it and review it on Amazon. You can also share a link to her Amazon book listing on Facebook or other social media sites. This will help the book to gain some traction online and reach people—not only with encouragement for weight loss, but also Susan’s testimony for the Lord Jesus.

How You Can Help

Your prayers are so valuable to Susan and me and this ministry. God moves through the prayers of His people. When you pray, we see God’s miracle power at work in people’s lives.

Like us, Paul recognized his dependence upon God’s people to pray. He knew that He could not accomplish God’s purposes for His life without the prayers of God’s people. He asked them to pray for the Lord to open a door of utterance. He asked them to pray that he would be bold to speak the Gospel as he ought to speak it.

Here is Colossians 4:3-4 from another version:

Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. Pray that we can preach the secret that God has made known about Christ. This is why I am in prison. Pray that I can speak in a way that will make it clear, as I should. Colossians 4:3-4 New Century Version (NCV)

Please continue to pray for Susan and Me!

• PRAY that God would give us more opportunities to tell people his message.
• PRAY that we can preach the secret that God has made known to us about Christ.
• PRAY that we could make the message clear, as we should.

I am asking the Lord to take us to new churches and new nations with the Gospel. We are in this together. Wherever we go, you go! And our fruit is your fruit! Remember, you are in our hearts and daily prayers! Together, we are touching the world!

Tom Shanklin

Click here to partner with Tom Shanklin Ministries to reach the world!

From the Mailbox…

A Rare Message in Today’s Churches

Dear Tom and Susan,

As usual, I enjoyed your bulletin. The message “Keeping Eternity on the Front Burner” was a rare message in today’s churches. However, you are “right on.” Haven’t heard that message (which I grew up with) for a number of years. It reminded me of a major speaker at the recent stadium downtown L.A. Azusa St. 110th year celebration. (A friend attended and told me.) He said, “Preach the basics—get back to basics to save people today.” I give thanks for the duo-ministry of might and truth. Don’t understand where you invent the time to run a farm!! God is a miracle worker. Thank you for Susan’s book. There is a tremendous need for it. (Illinois)

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