Dear Precious Friend,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12, KJV).

The things that Jesus did when He was on the earth are the same things that He is doing today. Nothing has changed, Only now He is doing these things through His body of believers.

The goal of Tom Shanklin Ministries is to continue to do the things that Jesus did, and to inspire others to do the same. 

We see that much of His ministry, as well as in the ministry of the early church, took place outside of the synagogues and churches—in homes, in the open air, on the sea, and in public places. 

I’m happy that the Lord has also given us opportunities to minister outside the church walls. We were blessed in April to minister at an outreach at the High School Gymnasium in Mahnomen, Minnesota and in July at a Barn Revival in a machine shed at Shawn Johnson’s farm near Pipestone, Minnesota. Shawn has a long history of revivals on his farm. 

While Shawn was going through a struggle with alcoholism, his wife, Maria, started attending the Country Church in Ruthton, Minnesota. When Shawn was in treatment for his addiction, Pastor Rich DeRuyter visited him and led him to the Lord. After Shawn got on his feet spiritually, Pastor Rich said, “Good! Now, you can have a barn revival.”

The first barn revival at the Johnson farm was held in 2009 with Pastor Rich DeRuyter preaching, and Evangelist Henry Vanderbush opening and closing with prayer. This turned out to be Henry’s last barn revival before going home to the Lord. 

Going back further, Rich DeRuyter had given his life to the Lord after listening to Henry Vanderbush on the radio while doing chores in his barn. Henry then held his first barn revival on Rich’s farm in 1984. From that point, Henry kept holding barn revivals in various places in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Rich DeRuyter later retired from farming and became the pastor of the Country Church, as well as holding barn revivals and evangelistic meetings. Rich DeRuyter has graduated to heaven, but the barn revivals continue. This thing has history, folks, and the ministry of Jesus continues—teaching, preaching, and healing. 

Shawn said that there have been changed lives from every barn revival held at his place, and the one this year was no exception. A half dozen young people came forward to pray in response to a call for a new beginning, and six people were water baptized. Shawn said he heard comments from many friends and family who were greatly impacted by the revival meeting. That’s the thing about meetings like this. You reach people who you will never touch inside the church. It’s being like Jesus, reaching people out where they are.

This was the third time I spoke at the Johnson farm. I was blessed to have Susan with me on this trip. They put her on the poster, so she had to come, and she was truly blessed. She livened up the crowd with her jovial quips. Then she spoke more seriously on subjects of repentance and forgiveness, especially the importance of forgiving those who have hurt you. She also ministered one-on-one to many, especially the young people. 

A New Heart: A New Beginning

At the barn revival, I spoke on “A New Heart: A New Beginning” from Ezekiel:

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26, KJV).

Although the book of Ezekiel is primarily a prophecy of judgment upon Israel, predicting that the land would become desolate because of their idolatry and blasphemy, in chapter 36, the prophet speaks of restoration and mercy, which tells us that although God is a God of judgment, He also is a God of mercy, which He clearly demonstrated to us by sending Jesus to die for our sins. 

Ezekiel told Israel that He would forgive them and restore the land, which He did when He brought them back from a time of captivity in Babylon. He also spoke about “a new heart,” which refers to what He was going to do for us under the New Covenant. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, God promised to forgive all our sins and write His laws in our hearts and minds. He promised to actually live in us by His Holy Spirit and make us different than we used to be. Oh, praise God. I feel like preaching! 

It’s a glorious thing, this New Covenant! And we receive it all by believing in Jesus who died for our sins and rose again, and making Him Lord of our lives. Susan and I want to help as many people as possible to do just that. Please pray for us that we can reach many. 

Another barn revival will be held in the area on Friday and Saturday, September 11-12 at 7 p.m. at Paul and Sandy Fehrman’s farm, 2259 US Highway 75, Lake Benton, Minnesota. The Friday night speaker is John Stenen of Word of Faith Church in Avoca, Minnesota and the Saturday night speaker in Pastor Frank Vanderbush of the Country Church. All are welcome to attend.

Tom demonstrating the application of the Passover blood. Click the photo to watch or listen to the message.

Church Meetings in July

In addition to the barn revival, I had some wonderful church meetings since our last report. After the Barn Revival, we had a wonderful time at the Country Church, where Susan encouraged the church and I ministered on “The Precious Blood of Christ,” emphasizing the need to apply the blood to our lives by the confession of our mouth. You can find the message here.

In late June, at Prairie Faith in Glenfield, North Dakota, I spoke on “See the Lamb,” from John the Baptist’s announcement: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29, KJV). During the Sunday evening service, I spoke on “What You See is What You Get,” talking about seeing with the eyes of faith.

Prairie Faith is rejoicing that they now have a pastor and his family in place. After praying and searching for five years, Pastor Jonathan and Mary Frohms have come to lead them forward. The congregation did a tremendous job of maintaining the ministry while patiently waiting for God to send them a new pastor.

In July, I also spoke at Word Of Faith Fellowship in Avoca, Minnesota and gave Pastor John Stenen a much-needed break to go fishing. And the adult Sunday school and the worship service, I spoke on two of my favorite subjects, the anointing and miracles. Praise the Lord! 

Seeds of Revival

I’m thrilled to have another opportunity to extend our ministry outside the church walls at Roosevelt Park in Devils Lake, North Dakota on August 18-19. Local pastors have worked together to organize this event, and they are expecting a move of God. They chose the theme, “Seeds of Revival,” believing that this will be the beginning of a powerful change for their area. Please add your prayers to theirs for a great move of God during this exciting event. 

Thank you so much for your friendship, encouragement, and prayers, and for the churches, businesses, and individuals who are led to give so that we can continue this work. It’s a team effort, and Susan and I recognize the value of all of your contributions to the cause.

Let’s keep going for Jesus!

Great blessings!

Tom

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