Praying for the Holy Spirit at Maranatha Christian Church at MSU Mankato.

By Tom Shanklin

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:9, MEV).

It seems like we just got off the plane from a powerful time of ministry in Benin, West Africa, and already we are about to embark on our next mission to England and Wales on March 29-April 15. 

We have a busy schedule. So far, we are slated to preach in nine different churches, a youth meeting, and a ministry school during our time there, and a women’s meeting. 

I’d like to ask you to cover us in prayer during our time in the UK. We had so much prayer support going into our mission to Benin, and I’m quite sure that is why it was such a success. But somehow we think that going to a western nation is different, and we do not need the same level of prayer, but it’s not true. Benin is full of Voodoo, but Eng-land is full of witchcraft and humanism. It’s the same devil, just with a different suit of clothes on. Please pray for divine protection spiritually and physically, open doors and open hearts, and freedom to preach the Gospel and move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Here’s a summary of our schedule:

• March 30-April 4—Somerset, South England and South Wales. We will be ministering in five churches and Susan will speak at a women’s meeting
• April 7-11—Anglesey Island, North Wales, We will be speaking at two churches, a youth meeting, and a ministry school
• April 12-14—Midlands of England, We will be speaking in Roma Gypsy churches in Derby and Rotherham and holding an evangelism seminar in Rotherham. 

Powerful Meetings in Rice Lake, Wisconsin

In March, I was at Trinity Fellowship in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, for three days of meetings with Pastor John and Lydia Kauffman and their church. What a blessing! On Friday night I spoke on “Healing in the Presence of the Lord.” Six young people came forward to recommit their lives to the Lord.

Saturday night was exceptional. A young man, who had been raised in a nearby church, testified about the changes that had come in his life recently when he had stopped putting on a show for the Christians in his life and truly repented of his sins. His words cut through the veneer of superficial Christianity to go to the heart. I then spoke a message entitled “Let My Spirit Flow,” which are the words that the Lord gave me for the congregation. I shared many scriptures on the person of the Holy Spirit and His work. Many people prayed to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and several young people received the experience of speaking in other tongues for the first time. 

On Sunday, I spoke on “A Life of Fruitfulness” and encouraged everyone in the great potential they have, if they will align their lives with the Lord and live in His Word. I am seeing God move in powerful ways when we have a series of meetings. It gives us an opportunity to pull away from the busyness and distractions of this world, sit in the Lord’s presence, and really absorb what He is doing in our lives. I believe that we will see more extended meetings in the days to come.

Maranatha Christian Fellowship

Susan and I spoke at Maranatha Christian Fellowship on the Mankato State University Campus here in Mankato. It was a truly a joy to speak into the future of these young people. We shared the video from Benin, Susan spoke on fulfilling your destiny, and I spoke on the power of the Holy Spirit. 

You are in Our Hearts

As Susan and I pray for our ministry partners and partnering churches daily, we yearn to see God’s purposes accomplished in your lives. You are in our hearts. Your prayers, encouragement and financial support enable us to fulfill the calling on our lives to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel.” 

I think of what Paul said to his ministry partners at Philippi, “But my God shall supply your every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 MEV) We claim that promise for you today. As you have given to see the Gospel go forward, we agree that our God will supply all of your need for comfort, peace, fellowship, relationship, healthy churches, emotional well being, family harmony, physical health, finances, and more.