Preaching the Word at the Times of Refreshing Tent Meeting in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.

Dear Friends and Partners,

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2-5, KJV.

We continue to see good fruit from our ministry as we preach the Word of God. We can take no credit for it. God’s Word works!

Wherever the Church is strong, it is because the Word is preached. When the Church is weak, it is because of lack of preaching and teaching of the pure Word of God. Some folks have no power in their life, because they are being fed Readers Digest and Psychology Today. Preach the Word!

Preaching the Word in Spring Grove

In August, we held “Church in the Park” at For His Glory Church in Spring Grove. There were four visitors, which is good for Spring Grove. One homeless man prayed to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We prayed that God would provide a place for him to live, and before we left he had a place to stay.

For His Glory is a church which we started in 2003. We actually have been ministering in the Spring Grove area in southern Minnesota for many years, since we came to Jesus while living there in 1977. The church has continued to meet and to be a light in the area. I am praying for the Lord to provide a spirit-filled pastor, which I believe will be the key to reaching many lost and scattered sheep in southeast Minnesota. Please agree with me for this need!

Times of Refreshing Tent Meeting in Pelican Rapids

We had a fruitful time of ministry at the Times of Refreshing Tent Meetings in Pelican Rapids in northwest Minnesota with Pastor David and Dawn Lysaker.

Four people made decisions for the Lord. On Friday night, I preached on repentance, forgiveness and the refreshing of the Holy Spirit from Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Three men came forward to commit their lives to the Lord.

On Saturday night, we had a Healing Service, emphasizing healing for spirit, soul and body. A 10-year-old girl came forward to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. We prayed for cancer, heart problems, prostate issues, back problems and more. Several people experienced immediate relief from pain. One man who was experiencing knee pain was healed before we had a chance to pray for him. A spirit of joy pervaded the meeting as we proclaimed the Gospel and experienced God’s tangible presence. One young woman testified that she was filled with the Holy Spirit as she sat in her seat during the meeting.

Releasing God’s People into their Ministry

On Sunday afternoon, we had a Commissioning Service to release God’s people into their ministry. My message was “Wake Up!” I shared scriptures on the need for revival and awakening from Isaiah 52, Isaiah 60, Acts 1-3, and Ephesians 5. We prayed that each person would be released into their ministry without fear or hindrance. The fire was fueled and I trust revival will grow in Pelican Rapids and the surrounding region.

I received the following encouraging note from a woman who attended the meetings: “Just wanted to thank you for coming to Pelican Rapids this weekend! Your messages were both edifying and encouraging. I so very much appreciate your grounding in the Word and the way you were able to present it in the power of the Holy Spirit. I know that [my friend] also was encouraged by your ministry, and will be reading your book on presenting the Gospel.”

Click here for more photos and information on the Time of Refreshing Tent meeting.

Preaching the Word in Hendricks

Susan preaching in Hendricks.

We also visited Faith Family Christian Center in Hendricks, Minnesota, where we gave Pastors Chris and Joyce Caugherty a much-needed break and an opportunity to spend time with family. Susan preached and challenged the people to “Excel More and More.” Finally, brothers, we urge and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have learned from us how you ought to walk and to please God, you should excel more and more.” (1 Thes. 4:1 MEV)

I love to watch Susan preach. It’s so animated! It’s almost like every story and illustration is a mini-drama. Thank God for the anointed female preachers that we have in the Body of Christ. I personally believe that we should not hold them back, but encourage them in their ministries. The hour is too late for us to keep more than half of the Church on the sidelines.

There are some verses where the Apostle Paul seems to put restrictions on women in certain situations, but it is also clear that Paul worked with women preachers and encouraged them. Jesus Himself commissioned Mary to be the first preacher of the resurrection. And the Word of God declares that both our sons and daughters would prophesy (speak inspired utterances). Here’s an interesting verse from Youngs Literal Translation of the Bible. “The Lord doth give the saying, The female proclaimers are a numerous host.” Psalms 68:11, YLT. Go for it, ladies!

Preaching the Word in Asia via Skype

I’m so excited to share that we will be ministering weekly in a nation in Asia beginning October 4 via Skype. We will be holding our Believers School of Ministry at a church. The focus of the school is to ignite Christian believers to reach the lost, move with the Holy Spirit and to do the works of Jesus Christ. There are powerful seeds here from the Word of God which we believe will bring forth a harvest in Asia and throughout the world. A number of our classes are already available on our website at www.shanklinministries.org.

Thank  you for being a part!

Finally, thank  you for being a part of this ministry with us! Susan and I are praying daily for you. Keep your eyes on the prize—the many souls of men and women, boys and girls who need to find Jesus as their Lord and Savor! Each of us have a part! Each of us can make a difference!

Tom Shanklin

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