By Tom Shanklin

“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:20, KJV.

I love to go other nations and proclaim the Gospel and see the miracles, but we also need the public proclamation of the Gospel with signs following right here in the United States. And I believe that we will see it in a greater way in the days to come.

Thank God for all the ministry which is being done to encourage and help Christians. Thank God for all the teaching ministry, prophetic ministry, and all the fellowship that we can enjoy. But without the preaching of the Gospel to a lost and dying world, we are failing in our mission.

That is why I am praying that more churches and more of God’s people will catch the vision for having evangelistic events in their communities. In some cases it may be churches working together to reach the lost in their cities. In other cases, it may be evangelistic outreaches sponsored by one particular local church. But regardless of how it is done, we need to get out there and proclaim God’s Word to those who are away from God. The Lord will confirm that Word with miracles, signs, and wonders that the world may know that Jesus is alive.

We hear a lot about a movement of prayer and revival and awakening in these days, and it’s all good. But I believe without evangelism any movement will fizzle and die. All the movements of the Holy Spirit in the past that had any lasting effect involved the preaching of the wonderful Good News and reaching the lost.

We need both prayer and the public proclamation of the Gospel. We see the pattern established in Book of Acts where the disciples were praying in one accord and in one place. The Holy Ghost came in the room like a mighty rushing wind with tongues of fire and they all began to speak with other languages. There must have been some real Holy Ghost goose bumps in that place, but it didn’t end there. The news of it was “noised abroad” and the next thing you know, Peter is standing up with the eleven and proclaiming the message of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Then, 3,000 people were saved and baptized and added to the church. Now, that’s an awakening, and that’s what we need in America today.

I believe we need to just start! We need to pray and seek the Lord for power and direction and then begin to hold evangelistic meetings. Have them in tents, have them in barns, have them in parks and stadiums and auditoriums, have them in churches…but have them! We need to preach the Gospel, expect miracles, and give an invitation for the lost to come to know Christ. It IS God’s will!

God is not limited to working in third world countries. He will work anywhere people will seek Him and obey His call to evangelize. If you can hear the voice of God calling you to reach out to your world, contact us. We would love to work with you to reach your community.