Partner Update: Report from the Road

August 2025

Dear Precious Saints of God,

I had some wonderful meetings in July, starting with a Sunday morning service at For His Glory Church in Spring Grove, Minnesota. This is a church that I helped to start and where I ministered at least monthly for many years. I had not been to the church for 2 1/2 years and it was good to reconnect with the people, most of whom I have known since I became a Christian in 1977. I spoke on “Priorities”—The Priority of the Gospel Message, The Priority of Love, The Priority of Evangelism and Discipleship, and God’s Priority in Prayer (which is to pray for laborers). It was a wonderful reunion and a great refreshing of the Spirit for me.

I had excellent meetings in North Dakota in July as well. The central theme was miracles. I am believing for more miracles in my life and ministry, as well is the churches where we minister. On Sunday morning at Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church in Starkweather, North Dakota, with Pastor Rob and Debbie Buechler, I preached on “Signs and Wonders are Normal.” On Sunday evening, I shared a message called “Such as I Have” about Peter’s statement to the lame man in Acts 3. The message was that we have the power of the Holy Spirit and the right to use the name of Jesus to bring help and healing to people.

I also had a great time with Pastor Michael and Colleen Rohrer (left) for two nights at Cando Assembly of God in Cando, North Dakota. This is a new church for me. I spoke on “The Anointing,” “The ‘I am’ God,” and shared my testimony of salvation at the church. Pastor Michael was a rancher in the same area when God called him as a pastor 17 years ago. He jokingly said that ranching was excellent preparation for becoming a pastor as he was used to chasing Buffalo wherever they wanted to go. Besides the church in Cando, he is also pastor at North Prairie Free Lutheran Church in Leeds, a congregation which began with Scandinavian immigrants in 1894.

Great News from Benin

As I mentioned to you last month, we needed $1,900 to help our friends in Benin, West Africa, to complete the second-floor classroom addition. In July, we received $3,000 for the project. We have sent the entire amount to Benin with the additional funds to be used “where most needed” for the Bible school and vocational school.

By the grace of God, we have now been able to help the Messenger Church of God drill a well, provide a water storage tank, construct a 2,476 square foot dormitory, a 3,573 square foot kitchen, dining room, and classroom building, and a 3,573 square foot second floor classroom addition on their property in the village of Danzounmey.

With the help of our partners, we have also provided sewing machines for the sewing program, which now has five students (one boy and four girls). We have also been supporting the Bible school on an ongoing basis. I am amazed at what God has done through our relatively small ministry as we have teamed up with our friends in Benin and partners in the U.S. God can accomplish great things when we are willing to follow His plan.

Apostle Isaac Clossou reports that the Mt. Moriah Bible School has graduated 67 students so far, and 42 are active pastors. The Moriah Vocational High School had 32 students finish the school year this term, including seven girls. He also reported that 10 students from the vocational high school, who are studying either electrical or civil engineering, recently passed their national exams and received Professional Aptitude Certificates (CAP). See the photo at right celebrating a 100 percent success rate of the students passing the national exam.

Thank you!

You have no idea how much Susan and I appreciate your prayers, encouragement, and financial support for Tom Shanklin Ministries. It is such a blessing to have you holding up our arms. May God’s continued blessing be upon you as you follow His direction for your life.

Onward!

Tom