The lame walk, the dumb speak!
Tom Shanklin Ministries with your partnership is helping
to support valuable ministries like Calvary Commision India. This
is another way we are able to continue the work of soul winning,
church planting and leadership training on an ongoing basis. This
month Dr. Ileeni Benjamin brings us another testimony of a crippled
and mute woman who was healed on our last trip.
By the grace of God, I have been to Mamidpalli, the place where
we had our first crusade this time, there were 3 baptisms and
pastors from different places attended, and some of them requested
me to visit their place. God willing, I would like to visit them.
I was so blessed to see the woman who was crippled and not able
to walk and also was dumb when we prayed for her in our crusades
she just started walking and talking. By the grace of God, she
is fine now, and I had a talk with her, she is loving the
Lord and requested me to give her baptism next time. I am planning
to visit them in June. Thank you very much for all your prayers
and financial support. Give my greetings to your dear wife, Susan, and
all the other family members.
Dr. I. Benjamin, Secunderabad, AP, India
Bed and Breakfast business triples
Thank you so much for agreeing with me in prayer to have more
business in the winter months for our Bed and Breakfast. After
having Pastor Tom stay with us for a few days, a lady called and
wanted to be a boarder for a whole year for two or three days
a week. After donating a free night to another minister for the
youth program in Jamestown area, more calls came in. The business
has done triple the business this last quarter, thanks be to God.
Thank you so much for your ministry and your prayers.Julie at
Snuggle Inn, Jamestown, North Dakota
Appreciates the simple Gospel
We really appreciated many of the specific things you said in
our church a while back, eg.-the blessing of being able to preach
the simple Gospel to hungry and thirsty people and taking them
back to the Creation as the foundation of faith!
A. & J. K., North Dakota.
Congratulations for 25 years
Congratulations on your 25th anniversary. Keep up the good work
you are doing. By the way, it was interesting to see all the photos.
Alan Langstaff, Kairos Ministries, Excelsior, Mn.
* * *
Thank you for sharing your 25th anniversary newsletter. May your
next 25 years be an even greater blessing. Thank you Tom for your
dedication in preaching the Word of Jesus Christ to the nations.
T.O., Minnesota
Good News from Wounded Knee, South Dakota
Hello Tom and Susan,
I like what you're doing. And I like reading everything you send.
I thank the Lord everyday and praise Him. Thank you for your prayers.
They have been answered. Myu daughter just had a baby boy. They
are both in good health and again I thank you. I like your ministries
so keep up the good work. You are a blessing.
ASB, Wounded Knee, South Dakota
Belize receiving the Word
Thanks for putting us on your mailing list.
Pastor we received the tapes and the book you sent us. This is
the word that we need to hear. This Word will bring Transformation
to our Nation. All of that is revelation knowledge to us.
Pastor Victor Hernandez,
Faith Outreach Christian Center
Punta Gorda, Toledo, Belize, Central America
Assuring Words
It's great to read your newsletter, so solid
and simple in Jesus. The gift of God I always treasure in you
is the simplicity and sureness of the words you share. It reminds
me of how solid the ground we stand on is on Jesus our rock, so
assuring thank God for the strength he is for us. I hear so much
confusion in the world and even in "Christian" people
and churches. But of all preachers in the world, your words always
ring so true and grounding for me.
L.S, California
Dear Susan
I just wanted to write and thank you for your delightful article,
"It's Spring on the Homestead." It was fun to read it.
Blessings.
Alan Langstaff
Update from Dr. Benjamin
Greeting to you from our LORD! Thank you very
much for you prayers and gift for our ministry. By the grace of
GOD I am doing fine and need much to recovery and I have to gain
strength in my body, please continue to uphold me in your prayers.
We are praying for you and the LORD is going to bless your ministry,
I am sincerely grateful to GOD and thankful to you for your partnership
in our ministry and the LORD has been richly blessing us we are
praying and planning to begin two Bible school this year and we
are thrilled to see people accepting Christ and baptism are been
taking place every month. I have to visit all the Churches soon
after my recovery please pray for me. Just this month we have
opened our school by the grace of GOD new children are coming,
we are trying to renovate the school building and construct new
toilets, bathrooms and septic tank for the children. We are prayerfully
waiting for your next trip to INDIA.
With Prayers Dr. I. Benjamin
Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh, India
Saved in Kenya
I am saved and love Christ Jesus, Baptist in
immersion, and filled with the Holy Spirit. How is your family
plus church over there? Its long since we parted last here in
Kenya- Litein crusade and Kisumu. I have been inspired by your
preaching tapes. I have been going through over and over and it
has really changed my Ministry. Please I would like to visit your
church in the near future. Please contact me to your conferences/seminars
over there. Greet your family and the church.
Pastor Paul Kibet Birgen,
Londiani, Kenya-East Africa.
Thanks for coming!
Thank you for coming. Everybody was glad that
you did. You have a great ministry. Anytime you're in my area,
your always welcomed.
Pastor James Boyd
Celebration of Life Church, Salem, Illinois
Concerning the message: "Is Jesus Really
Lord?"
This is a very timely and much-needed message Very few are preaching
the Word like you did in this message.. There is a remnant, but
there will be more as God's ministers begin to live the life,
then they can get the people to follow them.
Bob Buess, Tyler, Texas
Friend wants to know how to get to heaven
We were real encouraged by your visit. My friend
who I told better find time for God called the pastor that Monday
and wanted to know how to get to heaven. Pastor went to see her.
Sometimes one has to be bold.
Evelyn Monserud
Richwood, MN
Thanks for going to the Ukraine
Dear Tom,
We at World Light Ministries appreciate your going with us on
our June 2005 mission trip to Ukraine. You were an asset to our
group with your unique preaching abilities. You were able to preach
in a way that prisoners at the prisons could understand and also
able to reach the children in the orphanages. Not often do you
find Pastors that can preach in Pentecostal, Evangelical, and
Baptist churches. The people in the Kirovograd region, as well
as World Light Ministries were fortunate to have you on this trip.
Tom, ministers like you make directing a mission trip a breeze.
Thank you very much for listening to God and going with us on
this trip.
Your Brother in Christ,
Mike Fuller, Director of Missions
World Light Ministries
Greensboro, Alabama
Still saved in Kenya
Dear Tom,
Hope you are doing fine. I know that you have forgotten me by
now. Well, we met in Kenya. Well, I was your hotel steward back
then. I am still saved from that day you prayed for me until now.
And yes I am in a good church. Thank you for being that friend
when I needed you. Bye and God bless!
Kevin Alrgo
Nairobi, Kenya
Blessed by ministry in India
Dear Brother TOM!!!
Greetings to you from our LORD!
Thank you very much for your prayers visiting us and ministering
to our people. The LORD has richly blessed all of us through your
ministry among our people. I am also grateful for your financial
assistance towards the expenses. May our GOOD GOD continually
bless you and your family. We hope to see you again in India next
year.
Please give my greetings to your family and friends.
With love and prayers,
Dr. Ileeni Benjamin, Calvary Commission India
Hyderabad, IndiaSpreading the Word
Mr. Shanklin,
I am Pastor Rodney LaVallie. I pastor at the Ball Club Assembly of God here on the Leech Lake Reservation. I am a very thankful for the book it really hit the heart of many things that go on in the churches today. I must tell you that I received your book in the mail thinking: "What is this? I never ordered this." Just before this I was praying in my home asking God to show me how to deal with something that was going on in our church. You must understand that I hadn't even opened your envelope yet. I was sitting at my table and the Lord spoke to me three scriptures that all dealt with leadership and the church. I was trying to think of how to deal with a situation that was going on in our church. This situation was exactly like what you had talked about in your book. Your book was very direct and very helpful to me. You put things in there that really said what most pastors or leadership need to know and don't know how to say. Well, I don't want to carry on, but I can say thank you very much for your insight. I believe this is something that should be taught in the churches with the intentions to show the Christians on how satan works and tries to take down the church as a whole. I shared some of the things in my sermon Sunday and I saw the people come to life and the devil was exposed. So thank you for the book. I will be wanting to get some of the tapes that were in the back of your book. God Bless You in all that you do!!!
Thank You
Pastor Rodney LaVallie
Tom,
An excellent exposé on the subtilty of witchcraft and curses. I've seen much of this kind of activity throughout the churth through the years. Your understanding is anointed. God keep on blessing.
Pastor Virgil Amundson
Full Gospel Church, Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Hi,
I just wanted to say thanks so much for your email sermons - they
always come at just the right time. The topic for your preaching
is always on what God's either dealing with me about, or teaching
me. So thanks. I pray for your ministry regularly, and believe
that God will continue to bless you - emotionally, spiritually
and financially - in fact in all areas of your family life, personal
life, spiritual life and ministry life. Kepp on staying close
to God and fellowshipping with Him - You are a CHILD OF THE LIVING
GOD - in the ARMY OF THE KING! What an awesome priveledge that
is hey? God chose US to be on His side.
Could I please have a copy of the tape "Use your Authority"?
Thanks.
Sarah Dowling
Aberfoyle Park, Australia
Hello,
Thank you for the newsletter. I got so much from the teaching,
and I need that. Are you making a series on the Blessings and
Curses? I got a couple of the tapes when I visted your church
the last time. I listened to them at least six times each. . .
in the car and in my home. At the present time my daughter has
them. It is such a blessing to have you on the internet. Thank
you so much for your website.
Nancy Katzmarek
Blaine, Minnesota
Andrew and Shirley Gackle..The Philippines
Thanks for the tracts you'll be sending. Hey, speaking of sending,
THANK YOU for sending us a copy of your testimony book, Pastor
Tom. It was FANTASTIC! I only wish it would have been longer!
Maybe you can write a sequel sometime ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! The Lord
has really done a wonderful work in your lives! Thank you for
your prayers. God bless you both!
Thanks for sending us the cyber updates. That article you wrote
for the newspaper is GREAT. It could probably apply equally to
any community. I am grateful to the Lord for you, and for your
zeal in serving Him and advancing His message. Your boldness encourages
me to be more bold too, and I pray for God's richest blessing
in your life and ministry.
Your brother in the Lord.
Mike Fulton Boise, Idaho
Hello, just wanted to drop a note to you and say that we appreciate
your faithfulness to support this ministry. we know that you have
made sacrifices to continue to send money. We know that God will
honor your giving and bless you tremendously. Thank you so much,
we continually pray for you and your church. You are Victorious
in all things.
Larry and Marla Johnson
Missionaries to Central America
This has been the most fruitful year of ministry in Belarus. Pleas
understand the vital role you play in reaching the Russian people.
We could not do it without you. Thanks so much for opening up
your hearts and helping us go. We love you.
Chris and Nate, Missionaries to Belarus
I shared this message to my pastor's meeting today and it blesses
them. Another meeting tomorrow and on Weds. I will be sharing
again to them.Powerful messages that we can bless other person
by faith. I thank you so much for sharing this message. I pray
and believe Gods blessings on you always. God bless you more abundantly
.
In Christ,
Rodrigo Limpot Cebu City. Philippines
Praise the Lord, Jesus is Lord, Receive brotherly greetings from Londiain Churches. Thanks for yours that i received 16/3/2001 I prayed for your safe air travel back and thank God you are back in America. I was revived after a c such wonderful days in crusade in Litein. I experienced a new refreshing of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the seminar I attended. There is a new infusion of the power and enthusiasm. I will be waiting for you in the next visit to our beautiful country- Kenya. Please, brother, organ=nize for more days so that you may do for me a big crusade and a seminar in Londiani area. Send me the dates toy are coming to Kisumu in advance. We can make arrangements to make posters here in Londiani for advertisement. People are thirsty for the Word of God here in Londiani. Kisumu has been blessed every time with visitors. Please remember us in Londiani-Kenya in your next visit.
My calling as a pastor came while still in high school I went evangelizing in camps (youth) and church missions. later I established church which is growing very fast. The problem I have is with the religious leaders since i pastor a full gospel church and leadership become somehow religious and normally don't understand the move of God.Brother Tom That is why I told you I need a ministry whereby I can work without any hindrances. I have never started a ministry yet and I see the only solution is to start and I really need you prayers and support to start this ministry.
I am not trained and I desire a training. I am single, living with my parents. I went to school and acquire 'O' level certificate. Much of the preaching is evangelistic and the church needs a lot of teaching and seminars etc. I need a lot of support. e.g. public address system, generator, motor bicycle to assist reach out many mpeople. With this I can evangelize the whole village in Jesus Name.
Thanks for the three preaching tapes you sent me I really appreciate
every gift you send whether small or big(Mt 4:4)In your information
I still look forward for more tapes and literature. Please I request
you to buy for me a powerful workman machine (radio) a pocket
one to help me to go over and over this preaching tapes for spiritual
growth since the Bible says SEEK YOU FIRST the Kingdom of God
and His righteousness and all this shall be added unto thee. Please
greet Susan and the family at large. Greet the church and tell
them I long to see them. Thanks for your prayers and for every
support God will lead you to. Please take time in prayer concerning
the issue I have told you about starting a ministry. Please keep
in touch. Don't delay.
Yours in Lord Service,
Pastor Paul Birgen S Africa
Dear Pastor Tom,
I prayed and believing God in my metro Cebu City prayer walked. As I read all your writings it blesses me saturated myself with God's word then my heart having a burden what i got from you or learned must proclaim or shared among the leaders, pastors and ministers here. i did it and doing it further.
We will support you in our prayer that God's blessings will always be upon you, your family and ministry. our country needs your help it i going down more and more unless Jesus Christ must be proclaim.
God bless you more abundantly!
In Christ,
Rodrigo Limpot
Cebu City, Philippines
I appreciate the material you have been sending us. I have used some of the tapes and e-mail messages for our congregation. We just received a paper from you on guidelines for volunteers in ministry. It is exactly what we need for our volunteers. We involve a large number of our people in various types of ministry. We are in the process of translating your guidelines into Spanish. The only changes we made are now the guidelines for Centro Cristiano Monte Sion.
I like the strong faith basis to all your teaching. It is vital to make a real change in our disciples.We are training church planters and world changers and it is vital that we can renew their minds if we are going to complete our vision.
Muchos gracias y Dios te bendiga.
Pastor John Wilson
God bless you both and the ministry there! Thanks so much for
the tapes.The four part series on How Too Have A Happy Family..We
appreciate it so much.Praise the Lord that you could attend the
ministers conference at Lakewood.
Andrew Gackle
Sounds like things are really cooking at your church. Thanks for the message on Godly Prosperity. I think there is a powerful truth here and spiritual principle that you don't hear much about. It would make a good teaching. I would like to use it in my next newsletter. Thanks for the teaching.
I wrote you about my marriage being under a lot of stress from
my husband's affair and you really helped me a lot. I'm glad I
found your new web site. It is terrific! Great job! I would love
to be put back on your mailing list to receive anything you can
send my way.
CP
I visited your church on Sunday. I felt so welcomed for being
there for the first time. I enjoyed meeting your congregation.
They are kind people. I am new to this area..from St.Cloud area.
Thank you for your wonderful welcome.
Teresa Then
Hi Pastor, just a note to say thank you for your sermons...they
are passed to me from my wife who gets them from you..Could you
put me on your mailing list and send it to me directly? I have
used several of them with some changes...since I work a full time
job as well as being a full time pastor, believe me, these have
been a blessing. You are on my prayers. I pastor Pentecostal Tabernacle
here in Sacramento,CA. God Bless You..
Pastor Frank L. Garcia
Dear Rev. Tom, Kind greetings to you. It is very good to hear
from you. I have been just planting churches since Aug. That is
why you have not heard from us. Anyway, now you will be hearing
from this boy three times in a year. Now I would like to receive
your teaching also to help me with my teaching in the church.
I am praying to have an e-mail computer. I am coming to America
this year. Maybe you can help me raise money for the e-mail computer.
It will be the easy way of getting your teaching materials every
week. Praise God! Please do pray for me that God will, open the
door for me to get that e-mail computer. It is very expensive
to buy a computer in Kenya. I really appreciate your love and
care for this boy. He is really doing good in school. Praise God.
Maybe one day he will be a minister of the gospel or somebody
in Kenya. God bless your heart. Yours in His love and service,
Samson Nyameche
Believers Fellowship Church PO Box 6153 Kondele Kisumu Kenya
Dear Pastor Tom I have not written you for some time because
Pastor Samson was going around Kenya preaching. But we kept you
in our prayers and thanking God for what you are doing for me,calling
me one of your sons. May God bless you now. I like playing ball
in the school and I am praying God for one.
Kavin Omondi
I just want to thank you for sending your tape, "Make
a Choice Today". It has been a blessing to listen to. That
message reaffirms the decision I have made to turn away from the
world and to serve and follow Christ. it helps "make my calling
and election sure" (2 Peter).It also helps to "renew
my mind" (Romans 12). I thank God for using you to strengthen
others in the faith by His servants using the gifts He has given
them. Praise be to God!
Brian Hall
I've been passing on your sermon tapes, after I've listened
to them, to a young Christian in our church from Thailand. So
the Lord continues to use your ministry to touch the world! P.S.
your last newsletter was powerful!
Andrew& Shirley Gackle
We are in receipt of your sermon tapes and articles. We really
enjoyed these messages. It is a powerful one. Please keep sending
your tapes to this ministry. Convey my love and wishes to your
family and the church. I thank God for giving us so wonderful
family in overseas (USA). Awaiting for your early reply. We want
to have your personal link with us.
Lovingly your brother in Christ,
Rev.S.Vincent Jesudian Nagendiran
Thank you for the two tapes you sent me, and the newsletter.
It was great to hear from you and receive these items. I'm blessed
by the ministry of Pastor Tom Shanklin and enjoy listening to
his perspective. Your letter was a real encouragement and I appreciate
you taking the time to write.
Gary Folds, Sr.Pastor Second Baptist Church
Macon, GA
The finances you gave us are still being used. We have bought
a few Bibles for two communities and this week will get tools
needed to build the church in Imbaimadai (given to an Amerindian).
We have only now begun cutting wood and we wanted to get the right
tools when needed. Please know that your gift REALLY has helped
the Imaimadai project and given it a boost. We are careful to
use it as it was designated. Bless you for your giving! Blessings
on you.
Kimberly Cook YWAM in Guyana
From us via Canto Gullings
I wanted to thank you for your encouragement! We all have our
particular struggles down here - but I wanted you to know that
you have blessed me and encouraged me to press on in Him!.
Dianna Burke
We couldn't close without telling you how very grateful to
God we are for you. You make what we do possible, you share the
task (actually a privilege) of taking the gospel to the world,
therefore you will also share the reward!! This month You had
a part in training a pastor and starting a church in one of the
poorest sections of Guatamala City. A church that preaches God's
love to save, heal, and meet the needs of a hurting world. May
God bless and keep you. We love you! Harvesting and training harvesters,
Larry and Marla Johnson
It really does help to know that there are people out there
who are praying for me and who truly do care about my children
and me.
Angel Curtis
Just thought you should see this.We are so thankful your church had such a great part in kingdom work. We trust we can come and share with you. via Canton Gullings..from Kimbery Cook -Guyana-Let me tell you about the tools. I must say they are a BLESSING. We could never have purchased them ourselves as the cost is high so your giving has been a tremendous blessing to us and to those in the interior
I am really blessed to your ministry May I request your free tape entitled The power of Thanksgiving & the United Prayer in the Local Church and also can you send me please your sermon via e-mail. I know that this is a great help for me, and my ministry. Rev. Noel S.J. Christian Faith Ministries Cabanatuan City Philippines
Once more we remind you of how special you are to us. We only wish that you could be here with us to look into the eyes of the people as they give their hearts to Christ, to see the tears and hear their voices. Thank you, from our heart, for your prayers and financial support, it makes it all possible. Larry&Marla Johnson
Your selection of tapes is astounding! I wish I could get them
all because they all seem so relevant to what my friends and I
are dealing with in school and church and around. I would love
to receive your weekly cybersermons . Thank you very much for
sending out God's word, I will make sure that any help I receive
from you will be spread around as much as possible. As a matter
of fact I am currently building a library of tapes to use to minister
to all of those around my area, so this will help greatly!! Thank
you
Joshua Blanco
Thanks for the teaching. Really liked what you said, "Royalty
must learn to walk as royalty". Of course we have a responsibility
to warn people about hell, a real place, but some preachers never
get to heaven. Appreciate your insights.
Rich Apfel
Sounds like things are really cooking at your church! Thanks
for the message on Godly prosperity. I enjoyed reading about LeTourneau
that after he went to a mission things came together for him.
I think there is a powerful truth here and spiritual principle
that you don't hear much about. It would make a good teaching.
I would like to use that in my next newsletter. Thanks for the
teaching!
Rich Apfel
Really enjoy all of your e-mail sermon's, keep them coming
! God Bless
Evangelist Sarah Garner
I just have to say that you have a wonderful ministry. I am
so glad to have found you. I apologize for the burden I have laid
on your tape ministry, but frankly God has made you good! Fight
the good fight and continue to help others to do so as well. In
Christ's everlasting love,
Joshua Blanco Mehoopany, PA
Thank you so much for all you do to convey Godly principles
over the internet. I enjoy reading your sermons and often get
ideas to preach and sometimes your illustrations are helpful as
well. I appreciate the time it takes to see all of this gets done.
Keep up the good work.
Gary Folds Macon GA- Second Baptist church Senior Pastor
Hi! Thank you for all the tapes you sent, they are SUCH an encouragement to me. In His Love, Mark Rogers
God answers prayer cause Mike got a real good job in West Virginia.
I just wanted you all to know cause I know you all pray for us.
I know that God was handling it all cause of the teaching from
Pastor Tom Shanklin. Praise God for him being so faithful to God.I
will listen to the tape and I will be with you all in Spirit.
I close my eyes and I can see you all. Greet one another with
a holy kiss.
Love Sister in Christ, Dianne Vreeland.
I'm a lay preacher and presently am preaching from one to two times a month in three churches (two Baptist and one independent) in this area of the world. Two of the churches are in northern Italy and the other (my church) is in southern Switzerland. I've been doing this now for almost two years and am always in search of good material that suits my style for sermons. I'm always looking for sermons and inspirations, from either other preachers or God's Word itself, that lend to the pure Gospel, i.e. Jesus has died for our sins,we've been freed from Satan, we have the Promise of promises and living in Him brings peace, joy . . etc., etc. And to this extent, I've found many of your sermons very helpful.
This past week I even translated your sermon "Are You A Grasshopper" into Italian and preached it in Lugano, Switzerland in our church on Sunday morning. One elderly ex-missionary woman wanted a copy to send to her daughter in Formosa where she (a Presbyterian pastor/missionary's wife) is having problems with "giants".
So, your efforts have been reaching people you never dreamed about or even know. Next week I plan on preaching "Are You A Grasshopper" in northern Italy and more than likely it'll now be preached in Nationalist China, and then who knows where it might go from there. I wanted you to know this for an encouragement. God will often use much of your ministry in ways that you probably won't even know about during your stay on this planet. But thank Him none the less for all the invisible things He is doing behind the scenes as a result of your ministry. He'll surely bring you up-to-date on these matters when you meet Him face to face and of course to your overwhelming joy. My prayers are with you and your congregation.
George Leonard via alle Pezze 6807 TAVERNE Switzerland
Thank you for the three cassette tapes you sent me.I listened
to them all more than once and they were all a blessing to me.
It is wonderful to hear of the progress at church.I wish I could
sneak into one of your back pews for maybe a half an hour and
just enjoy worshiping Jesus with you all.As you know-I do lay
preaching. I continue in prayer that God might release me from
my vocational ties and let me go into His full time service-somewhere-
somehow. This summer, in June, I will be going down to a small
mining town in southern Sardegna(that is the big island off the
western coast of Italy) for two weeks to work with a small Baptist
church there in trying to get them interested in home groups which
serve for Christian edification, ministering and neighborhood
type evangelism. It will be something like my first missionary
type assignment. I would appreciate your prayers for this.
G.Leonard
I praise God for the work the Lord is doing in your local church.
From what I have seen and heard in the literature and tapes you
have sent me thus far, it seems evident that you have been richly
blessed and that you are endeavoring to seek and do the Lord's
will. I thank God that you have a pastor who teaches his flock
that they are all ordained and destined, by God Himself, to be
ministers and that each believer has a ministry. I pray that each
of you will indeed be built up in his and her faith as to become
more fervent and competent ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ..
G.Leonard
Man! On the 25th of May-what a surprise to have received two packages from you containing so many wonderful things (Your letter, the newsletters, ten tapes. FOUNDATIONS CLASS AND FOUNDATIONS OF PROSPERITY) I really don't understand how I deserve such kindness and why you continue to do such things-but nonetheless I want to indeed thank you for such kind thoughts. It might be that your timing of sending such a wonderful gift was really inspired by the Lord Himself. I'll try to explain. Do you remember in my last letter that I mentioned a few things about the importance of waiting on God-about listening to so called good advice during a time of darkness. Well,I feel at the moment that I'm in the middle of the time of darkness for the following reasons: 1) My vacation of two weeks for going to Sardegna has been canceled by my employer due to project deadlines which are overdue. I'm part of a software development group which is working on a multi-million dollar project to launch life insurance industry software all over the world for probably the biggest insurance company in the world. Our project deadline is for the end of June and we're very much behind. Most likely-I won't be able to do what I planned on in Sardegna until next year. 2)Our church pastor (only one year in his pastorate with us) has just announced his departure from Europe to go to the USA at the end of this month. I was the key person in getting him to work in our church and I had very high hopes of our congregation growing and transitioning to a less traditional church to a more person oriented relat ional church through cell groups-and I was depending much on his leadership to help with the new direction. His decision to leave has been a tremendous let down, not only for me-but for many others as well I'm sure. With all the tape cassettes you sent me-now I'll have some time to listen to God through His servants-those who exhort His word. I enjoy especially Tom, your pastor, when he preaches. You are very fortunate to have him.I know that something needs to be done for the spreading of the Gospel in this part of the world. the Protestant churches are heavily divided in my area-small groups of Pentecostal, Baptist, Brethren, Reformed (The state church)-and maybe ninety per cent Roman Catholic churches. The people in them have a hard time you even articulate the word "Jesus"- a harder time to explain His purpose here on earth was. It seems as if there is a dark shadow over the whole area-although I feel also that there are probably hundreds of these church go-ers (Especially the younger ones) who would stand up in motion for Christ if their clergy would just begin to tell them (as does Tom to your church members) that God has ordained that EACH and EVERY one of them as Christians be built up into ministry that God has prepared for each of them through the special talents and gifts God has given them in Jesus. I send you my prayers and also for your entire body in Christ. Continue to be living stones of His church. I pray that His wisdom will guide you and your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ there at L.W.C.C. to bring more and more people to the knowledge of the living Lord Jesus Christ- so that His name will be lifted higher , higher,and higher . In this way more and more people will be able to see Him in you all and be more able to recognize Him as the living Savior of all mankind. I pray this now for you all-here where I am- before the living God-Praise God-Amen.
May 99- I want to once again sincerely thank you for the sermons you are sending out through the e-mail. God bless you for the work that you are doing,
I'm learning so much and now all the things that I learned
from your church is falling right in place. I hope and pray that
everyone is blessed like me. I pray that you all will reach out
to more and more people. My husband got a real good job in W.
Virginia. God answers prayers. I just wanted you all to know cause
I know you all pray for us. I know that God was handling it all
cause of the teaching from Pastor Tom Shanklin, Praise God foe
him being so faithful to God.Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Dianne Vreeland
I greet you all in the name of Jesus. Thanks so much for your quick response. I am very much attracted by your ministries. I am so far away in Southern Africa. Remember me always in prayers. Ilona Niilonga ya Nangoloh (Nambia)
It is yet another opportunity that the Lord has allowed me
to write to you, brother. First I must thank God for having used
you and for having agreed to be used as God's vessels. I must
thank you for the Crusade and Seminars we had together. It was
such a blessing that I am more than sure that I am many steps
forward in my faith, brother. Brother, it was blessing, strengthening
and anointing that nobody could ever convince me that God was
not honored from that moment, we expanded our work with brothers
from other countries and given a revelation to form Interdenominational
Evangelical Ministry, to spread the Gospel. Greet the church each
one with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
George Cheruiyot .A. Samich (Litein,Bureti, Kenya)
Dear Tom,I take this opportunity to send my greetings to you,
your family, and the Saints, who are the body of Christ in the
Living Waters Christian Church. In the name of Our Lord Jesus
, grace and peace to you from God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus
Christ.I would like sincerely to thank you for the gift which
I received on 11 Sept.99 e.g. 3 tapes and the notes on the 52
days of restoration July 11- Aug 31. However late the prayer arrived
I have started and am continuing (A prayer for the building the
body of Christ) following it , despite the fact that it was supposed
to be 11th July- Aug 1.
Since you left many people continue to receive Jesus Christ as
their personal Savior. God has enabled us through our Lord Jesus
Christ to expand the work of His kingdom miraculously using me
as His vessel. Through me and other brothers our Lord has started
six home fellowships in the town Litein and surrounding villages
three revival meetings farther afield. We held three large meetings
in these fields every month.
Pray for me and the brethren I work with, David A Chepkwong and
David Keech including my wife Emily Samich. God is doing wonderful
things in my life, as I work as an evangelist,Our God being caring
one I believe He is going to do miracles and provide the finance
needed for His work.Pray for us as we face the following problems:
Famine, devil worship and female circumcision, a form of idol
worship in Kenya. I have never stopped praying for you since you
left, I continue to pray for you, the L.W.C.C church and the people
of the United States as a whole. May the grace of the Lord and
the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with
you all.
Yours in Christ ,
George C.A.Samich - Faith Church ,Chemitan Academy Litein ,Kenya
East Africa
Dear Pastor Tom,
I just read your message about your first anniversary at Living Waters Christian Church and would like to extend heartfelt congratulations and to thank you for your gracious consistence in including me in your e-mails.
I'm a lay preacher and presently am preaching from one to two times a month in three churches (two Baptist and one independent) in this area of the world. Two of the churches are in northern Italy and the other (my church) is in southern Switzerland. I've been doing this now for almost two years and am always in search of good material that suits my style for sermons. I'm always looking for sermons and inspirations, from either other preachers or God's Word itself, that lend to the pure Gospel, i.e. Jesus has died for our sins,we've been freed from Satan, we have the Promise of promises and living in Him brings peace, joy . . etc., etc. And to this extent, I've found many of your sermons very helpful.
This past week I even translated your sermon "Are You A Grasshopper" into Italian and preached it in Lugano, Switzerland in our church on Sunday morning. One elderly ex-missionary woman wanted a copy to send to her daughter in Formosa where she (a Presbyterian pastor/missionary's wife) is having problems with "giants".
So, your efforts have been reaching people you never dreamed about or even know. Next week I plan on preaching "Are You A Grasshopper" in northern Italy and more than likely it'll now be preached in Nationalist China, and then who knows where it might go from there. I wanted you to know this for an encouragement. God will often use much of your ministry in ways that you probably won't even know about during your stay on this planet. But thank Him none the less for all the invisible things He is doing behind the scenes as a result of your ministry. He'll surely bring you up-to-date on these matters when you meet Him face to face and of course to your overwhelming joy. My prayers are with you and your congregation.
George Leonard via alle Pezze 6807 TAVERNE Switzerland
Thank you for the three cassette tapes you sent me.I listened
to them all more than once and they were all a blessing to me.
It is wonderful to hear of the progress at church.I wish I could
sneak into one of your back pews for maybe a half an hour and
just enjoy worshiping Jesus with you all.As you know-I do lay
preaching. I continue in prayer that God might release me from
my vocational ties and let me go into His full time service-somewhere-
somehow. This summer, in June, I will be going down to a small
mining town in southern Sardegna(that is the big island off the
western coast of Italy) for two weeks to work with a small Baptist
church there in trying to get them interested in home groups which
serve for Christian edification, ministering and neighborhood
type evangelism. It will be something like my first missionary
type assignment. I would appreciate your prayers for this.
G.Leonard
I praise God for the work the Lord is doing in your local church.
From what I have seen and heard in the literature and tapes you
have sent me thus far, it seems evident that you have been richly
blessed and that you are endeavoring to seek and do the Lord's
will. I thank God that you have a pastor who teaches his flock
that they are all ordained and destined, by God Himself, to be
ministers and that each believer has a ministry. I pray that each
of you will indeed be built up in his and her faith as to become
more fervent and competent ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ..
G.Leonard
Susan and I thank God for the many friends and ministry partners
that we have met over the years. We're excited to be part of the
great army of God all over the world. We invite you to launch
out into the deep with us by becoming a partner of Tom Shanklin
Ministries through prayer and financial support. Together we can
do it. We can make a difference in the lives of hurting, dying
neglected people.
In Jesus, who is the answer,
Tom Shanklin
For ministry. . .
If you would like to have Tom and Susan Shanklin minister in your
church or community, write Tom Shanklin Ministries, PO Box 4144,
Mankato, MN 56002 or e-mail us at tom@gopreach.net