Children praying for the sick at Gary.

Dear Partner,

I love the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John, which contains the story of Jesus, the master evangelist, leading the Samaritan woman to the living water. It’s amazing to see how He guides the conversation in such a way that her heart is opened and changed.

Perhaps more amazing, though, is the woman’s response to her encounter with Jesus. She immediately became a witness for Him. The Bible says, “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (John 4:28, 29, KJV).

This story tells me that anyone can be a witness for Jesus. You don’t need to go to seminary or have a special anointing. You just need to tell someone what Jesus has done in your life. 

When the disciples returned, they urged Jesus to eat the food which they brought to him, but He said, “…My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:34, 35, KJV). 

Here, Jesus sets our priority for life and ministry. He tells us what our focus should be. “Look on the fields, for they are white unto harvest.” He did not say, “Look at all the problems in the world” or “Look at all the problems in the Church.” Or “Look at your own weakness and inability.” No! Look at the fields! Look at the fields! Keep your eyes on the fields!

Why? They are white unto harvest. A farmer friend tells me that when the grain is white it is actually overripe. It is in danger of spoiling if it is not harvested soon. This is why Jesus said, “Don’t say four months!” Now is the time to get the crop in the barn.

Same Gospel, Same Results

I have found out that wherever the Gospel of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is proclaimed there are results. The Lord confirms His Word with signs following. The signs are changed lives, healed bodies, deliverance, and the empowerment of believers. So we keep preaching the Gospel message and seeing the same glorious results. 

At a nursing home in Mankato, I spoke to a small group of residents, who listened intently as I shared a message from John 3 called, “You Must Be Born Again.” When I asked who would like to be born again, over half raised their hands and prayed to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

At our church in Spring Grove Minnesota, I was disappointed when I heard that a man who we had prayed with for salvation had not returned to the church until I discovered that he was attending a Bible Study in a nearby town. Praise the Lord! 

At Prairie Faith, a local church in Glenfield, North Dakota. Susan spoke at a Saturday morning women’s brunch on “How to Get from Here to There,” based on the life of Esther, I was not in the meeting, but I was in the building and judging by the laughter, the women had a great time. I also heard great reports later that the women were encouraged in their walk with the Lord. On Saturday night, we had a revival service, where I spoke on “The Power of the Holy Spirit.” We had a time of prayer, and there were manifestations of the Holy Spirit and reports of healing. On Sunday morning, I spoke on “The Great Commission and You!” One young man came forward to make Jesus Lord of his life. That’s what it’s all about!

Praying for needs at Prairie Faith.

In late April, we held an All Generations Conference at Good News Fellowship Church in Gary, Minnesota, where several young people responded to an invitation to receive Jesus as Lord. This was our second Generations Conference at Good News. We had a fun time with a talent show, preached the Gospel, and built bridges between the generations. Troy and Sarah Johnson, children’s ministers from Fergus Falls, Minnesota spoke. Sarah was raised in the church in Gary. She talked about the Gospel message she had received as a child in the church. It’s good to see the seeds planted in young people’s lives growing and bringing forth fruit. 

Tom and Jenny Ramsey spoke at the Generations Conference last year. Tom, who is a pastor in Thief River Falls, also received his spiritual grounding at Good News Fellowship Church. Thank God for the faithfulness of Pastor Norm and Lori Gullingsrud and all the other pastors and people who have given themselves to faithfully preach the Good News in Gary. This meeting really touched my heart, since Pastor Norm and Lori and many other people at Good News were part of the first church Susan and I pastored in Twin Valley, Minnesota beginning in 1983.

Unloading cement for construction of dormitory in Danzounmey, Benin, West Africa. The well and water tower which we purchased with the help of our partners is in the background.

Propelling Gospel Workers

Besides our own work here in the US and internationally, we are also regularly supporting other fruitful evangelistic ministries, propelling Gospel workers in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and the United States. This month we are sending $500 to help begin work on a dormitory for the Mt. Moriah Bible School in Danzounmey, southern Benin, West Africa. This strategic investment will be used to purchase cement and sand, so masons and volunteers can begin to make concrete blocks for the structure. This is the property where we provided a water well, with the help of our partners, earlier this year. This much-needed dormitory will house the Bible School students and will serve as a major step forward for this property being used for the advancement of the Kingdom, especially in training ministers to reach Gospel-needy rural areas in Benin. 

God’s Part, Our Part, Your Part

After we returned from England and Wales in April, a pastor friend from the US was led to give $1,000 from the church he leads designated for the mission to England and Wales. When we calculated our offerings and expenses, this turned out to be almost exactly what we needed to cover our expenses. Praise be to God!

The Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:13-15, KJV).

God has done his part—sending Jesus. We endeavor to do our part—preaching the Glad Tidings. Thank you for doing your part—sending us to preach the Gospel in all the world. Susan and I love and appreciate you and pray for you every day! Thank you for allowing us to be an extension of your hand to reach the nations for Jesus.

Together!

Tom Shanklin