The “Tribe” at Every Tribe and Tongue Church, Minneapolis

In late June we had a powerful meeting at the Every Tribe and Tongue Church in downtown Minneapolis. This new work, which was founded by Pastors Jim and Destaye Crawford, has a goal of reaching immigrants and others in the Minneapolis area. Pastors Jim and Destaye have served as missionaries to Destaye’s home country of Ethiopia. The couple also has a regular prayer meeting at Luther Seminary in Minneapolis, where Destaye is a graduate student. Our friends Pastor Tony and Stacy Welman of Minneapolis are also part of the leadership team of the church. I spoke on “Building Together”—a message encouraging God’s people to unite to reach the lost and build the local church. Pray for this fledgling work that God will use it to touch Minneapolis and the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tom with Pastor Tim Warner

In Hayward, Wisconsin, I was a speaker for the annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Tent Revival for Northern Lights Christian Center. This was my first time to speak at this church, which is led by Pastor Tim Warner. Pastor Tim is also chairman of the International Ministerial Association, a worldwide association of churches and ministries dedicated to helping one another to fulfill the great commission. The theme of the meetings was “The Army of the Lord.” On Sunday morning, I spoke on “Mission Possible” based on Jesus’ statement, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Mt. 16:18) When we look at the world around us we are tempted to think that the devil is winning the battle, but our Lord promised us the victory, so let’s get on with possessing the land and crunching the devil’s head, in Jesus’ name.

Sunday night was one of those meetings you might call a “preacher’s dream.” The Word just flowed from me like a river. The message was called “God’s Boot Camp” based on Ephesians 6:10-19. I focused particularly on one piece of the armor of God, as Paul said, “…having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.” The footwear of the Roman soldier was one of the most important parts of his equipment. After all, without solid footing, it is impossible to successfully fight the enemy. So we must be firmly established in peace—peace with God, peace in our mind and emotions, and peace in our attitudes towards others—in order to be properly prepared for battle. You can listen to “God’s Boot Camp” online here.

The Young Army of the Lord at Hayward

On Monday I shared a message called “A Spirit of Conquest” based on (1) Israel’s failure to believe God and possess the promised land, (2) God’s Word’s of encouragement to Joshua, who finally led them into the promised land, and (3) Caleb’s cry for possession of his inheritance—“Give me this mountain!” Like Caleb and Joshua, we must have a spirit of conquest to attempt and achieve great things for God. It’s so exciting to serve the Lord in this hour. The challenges are great, but they are all just opportunities for God to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are perfect towards Him. We had wonderful altar calls in all the services. In the mean time, the children were being trained in the army of the Lord each morning at the VBS by a capable team of Holy Ghost drill sergeants from the church. While in Hayward I also did two 30-minute radio broadcasts with Pastor Warner on the subject of the “The Biblical Way to Find Rest and Peace.”

I returned home tired but happy, where I was scheduled to speak at the Oaklawn Nursing Home in Mankato on Wednesday. I had a refreshing time with the residents there, leading some Gospel hymns on my guitar and preaching a message from John 3 on “You Must be Born Again.” I told them that it was Jesus’ message originally, not mine, and that each of them must have a personal rebirth by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in order to enter the Kingdom of heaven. About six people raised their hands to indicate they wanted to be born again and many of the people in the packed meeting room prayed boldly and out loud as I led them in a prayer of salvation.

Then the following Sunday I preached at New Life Assembly of God in Chaska on “The Rest of Faith,” a message which emphasized the rest and peace that God gives us through the Gospel. We should not accept mental torment and emotional upheaval as a normal part of the Christian life, but we should “labor to enter into the rest” of God by sitting at Jesus’ feet and absorbing the truths of His Word.

Tom and Susan preparing the radio broadcast

Each week Susan and I are also preaching the Gospel over the airwaves through our radio broadcast called “Your Life Matters” which is on four stations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It seems God is teaching us to flow together more and more in these 15-minute segments, in order to effectively reach people with the Gospel. We are preaching messages designed to touch people where they live—in the areas of the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of their lives—and sharing the only real answer, Jesus Christ and His shed blood of Calvary. You can listen to these broadcasts anytime on our website at www.tomshanklin.org

Sometimes I think I am the world’s most blessed man, to be able to share these wonderful riches of Christ with people in all types of settings and to see the power of God released as His Word is proclaimed. Please continue to pray with us for God’s continual guidance for this ministry, for expansion and open doors in to new venues, as well as for the power and provision to accomplish the things that He has given us to do.

Where We Go, You Go With Us! Thank you for being a part of this ministry through your prayers, cooperation, encouragement and financial support. It’s great to have you on the team. As you share in the labor, you also share in the rewards and we agree with what Paul said to his ministry partners, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, KJV. Please keep Susan and me up to date on how we can pray with and for you. God bless you!