MINISTRY REPORT
Dear Friends and Partners,
"Go! Go! Go! Take My Gospel to the world!" That is what I hear the Lord saying. Now is the time to fulfill that vision that has been in my heart for many years.
Sunday, September 25, was my final service as pastor at River Hills Christian Church in LeSueur, Minnesota. For the past 22 years, I have been a pastor of various local churches, carrying a burden for missions and evangelism. But now the Lord is bringing a change, putting the primary focus of my ministry on evangelistic and missions work, both in the United States and around the world.
I will be concentrating my efforts on reaching the lost and proclaiming the Good News wherever God will send me. As I told the congregation in LeSueur, "The Lord has been stirring in my heart, especially in the last year, an even greater burden for reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's time for a change," I said.
I shared with them how God had spoken to me out of the scripture how Paul and Barnabus were sent forth from the church at Antioch: As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2, NKJV).
While Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch, their primary focus and ministry was building up and encouraging God's people and teaching the Word of God in the church. But the Spirit of God spoke to them that it was time for a change. They were to be sent out from the church at Antioch in order to fulfill a worldwide vision. They were sent to evangelize and establish churches around the world.
Paul's writing ministry was also eventually birthed through this change as he ministered to people all over the world through his letters. These letters are a large part of what we know today as the New Testament.
Paul and Barnabas followed their destiny and reached their generation. Even though it was difficult to leave, they departed from the local church in Antioch to fulfill the Lord's mission of reaching the world for Jesus Christ. Similarly, God is sending me out to fulfill a mission for Him.
Thank you for your prayers as this ministry launches out into new territory for the Lord. I'm very excited about this change, as I feel I am being released to accomplish what I was created to do with my life.
We first ministered to Barry in the year 2000. Barry had a background in the Christian church, but he had never come to the point of surrender to the Lord's will for his life. Several months ago, he came into my office at the church in a crisis situation and gave his life to Jesus Christ, making a firm commitment in prayer. From that point, his life radically changed and he gives witness to the transformation that has occurred. At our last service in the church, I stated, "Maybe we had to stay in LeSueur for an extra five years so Barry could be saved." On Sundays now, Barry brings two of his children to church and listens to the Word of God with adamant desire. He's the kind of person who always wants to help and encourage someone. Barry is a treasure for the Lord. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to follow God's destiny for His life.
In September, I had a great Gospel meeting in the nursing home in LeSueur. Yes, that's right, in the nursing home. I always preach an evangelistic message there. I have seen a powerful anointing for evangelism in the nursing home ministry. On this occasion, it was the conversion of Zaccheus that stirred my heart and the hearts of the hearers. The community room where we were became a revival center and I believe that most of the people there, including staff members, prayed a prayer professing Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives.
For His Glory Church in Spring Grove, the church in southeast Minnesota that we started one year ago this month, continues to press forward in God. There are several committed families. Sunday morning meetings are held in a rented log building in the city park. I took this photo following a March snowstorm this year. I minister at the church once a month, encouraging the saints, teaching the Word of God, and praying for the surrounding area. Southeast Minnesota has great spiritual needs and God's will is to raise up a strong church to be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ in the region. The work in Spring Grove will continue to be part of our missionary vision, because we know that planting churches in one of the greatest ways to impact society with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for the church in Spring Grove.
I'm excited to share with you about Tom Shanklin Ministries' Mission
to Hyderabad, India in December 2005. I will be working with a
minister that I met at a missions conference in Jackson, Michigan
this past summer. His name is Pastor Ileeni Benjamin of Calvary
Commission India. Pastor Benjamin oversees 160 churches in southern
India.
Because of my burden for the lost, India intrigues me and stirs my heart. Dominated by Hinduism, the worship of false gods, the nation of 1.1 billion people is only 2.4 percent Christian. The greatest need is for evangelism and for strong churches to be established. Pray for India. Many are lost, headed for an eternity without Christ. The Bible says, ". . . he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:12, NKJV). Many of us are moved to action by the suffering we see through the natural disasters around us today. Our compassion is aroused and we do something practical to help. That is good, but how much more should we be stirred to give our all to prevent men and women from spending an eternity in hell. Only Jesus Christ is the answer for these needy people.
While in India, I will be holding open air evangelistic crusades, ministering in churches, encouraging pastors and spying out the land for future ministry. The cost of this trip, including airfare, lodging and ministry expenses will be approximately $4,000. I know that I will have an opportunity to share Christ with many people and see many come to Christ. The Gospel will set these people free and enable them to find the joy of a relationship with the living God.
Besides our international work and the ongoing ministry in the church at Spring Grove, I will be sharing the Good News in other locations in the United States, such as churches, home meetings, prisons, nursing homes or one-on-one. We also plan to continue our outreach through the internet, cassettes, books, tracts and other media. Whether we are ministering to thousands in an evangelistic crusade in Africa or Asia, or talking to one person about their need for a Savior, it's all the Lord's work, and the plan for this ministry is to follow the Lord step by step. Stay tuned for future developments.
"Together wE Achieve More." I saw this on a sign in a small town in Minnesota. The capitalized letters spell "TEAM." We are a team. I know God is sending me, but I am just one person. I can't do it alone. This ministry will only be successful as a partnership of people, who are committed to the greatest cause in the universe-spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A pastor is supported by the people he helps and the church in which he serves. In the ministry of evangelism and missions, that is not always the case. However, the work still needs to be supported. Spreading the Gospel is equally as important as maintaining the local church. And those who preach the Gospel in the outer reaches are no less worthy of financial support than the local pastor. Today, God is calling His church to get behind the ministry of missions and evangelism with prayer and finances.
As we go, we will be ministering many times to unbelievers, at times overseas, in out-of-the-way places, in small churches, and other places where the offerings are small or nonexistent. I want to be able to "Go" where the Lord wants me to go without concern for financial considerations. That is why I am asking you today to pray about supporting this ministry on a regular basis. We will let you know the needs, present the value of the work we are doing, and give you the opportunity to invest as you are led by God. You can be part of something great and meaningful as you plant your seed in the good soil of this ministry. God promises to bless those who give the Gospel to a lost, dying, and needy world.
Susan and I appreciate each one of you. We want you to know that our ministry to the world includes serving you. It's our desire to encourage you in your walk with the Lord. Please send your prayer requests and praise reports. We'd love to hear from you!
Tom Shanklin
Website: www.worldevangelism.info
E-mail: tom@shanklinministries.org
PRAYER NEEDS
1. Pray for finances for the India Mission.
2. Pray for more partners for this ministry.
3. Pray for open doors and open hearts.
4. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spiri