Tom Shanklin Minstries Newsletter

Dear Friend,

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16, KJV).

Wherever I go, I am seeing the power of God's glorious Good News. The Lord is confirming His Word with signs following. It's the Gospel that is the "power of God." It is when we present the redemptive facts-that man sinned and lost his place with God, that God in His mercy sent His son, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, who died for our sins at Calvary, was buried and rose again the third day-it is when we present this message, then God works. . . confirming the Word with healing, deliverance and changed lives. "Getting religion" never helped anyone. But new life through Jesus Christ is the answer to all of mankind's problems.

When God raised up the lame man at the Gate Beautiful through the ministry of the Apostle Peter, all the people came running, and were "filled with wonder and amazement." Peter responded by saying , ". . . Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? (Acts 3:12, KJV). He then told them that it was by the name of Jesus that the man was healed.

Yes, it is by faith in that wonderful name that the man was healed. Today, as well, it is not our own power or holiness. It is by His name and for His glory that the wonderful works of God are being done. When we think that these are things that we can earn, we miss it and we move away from the power source. It is by grace that we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. Every good and perfect gift comes down from our loving heavenly Father.This month I'd like to share with you some of the wonderful things that have been happening in the name of Jesus. Here are some reports we have received:

A woman from Southeastern Minnesota writes: "Thank you for your ministry to us. My eye is healed and my husband's shoulder feels better. The Word of God is powerful unto salvation, healing, deliverance and restoration."

A Minnesota woman writes, "When the altar call was given after you spoke, I went up front. After an absolute attack from every corner, emotionally and physically, this opportunity for prayer was as welcome as a drop of water to a parched man in the desert. I said simply "Lay it on me. I need it from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.' With my son as my witness, that church was filled with bright sparks of light as of angels, as hands were laid and prayer prayed. The weight of the world was indeed taken away. Praise God!"

A pastor writes, "Thanks again for the great ministry. We were all added on to greatly. There's already fruit."

A man who was touched in one of our meetings writes, "I renewed my calling to the Lord at an altar call you gave. I wanted you to know that the Lord is working in my life again and I thank the Lord there are ministers like you out there. Praise the Lord!"

Ileeni Benjamin from India writes, "Thank you very much for your visit and ministry. We praise God for He has used you as a great blessing. Your ministry has left a great impact upon our ministry. Thank you once again."

A woman from North Dakota writes by e-mail, "Tom...I wanted to thank you very much for the India presentation last night.  It was very good! I also appreciate your down to earth, kind and gentle way of presenting your presentation and yourself.  My husband really enjoyed your testimony in Sunday School a lot! You left an impression in my heart. "

Here are some other great and mighty things that God has been doing through His Gospel:

An Illinois man had been touched by God in his shoulder on a previous visit. This April, he came into the meeting with his thumb cramped together. He complained about the pain and difficulty this was causing him in his work, saying "It's time for them to put me out to pasture." He was obviously discouraged and wanting to be able to continue working. After preaching on the resurrected Christ and the power of the Gospel, we prayed for this man, and he was instantly healed. He started moving his thumb back and forth with a big smile on his face. Jesus is alive!

A couple in that same church had come up from prayer during a previous meeting for in-law problems. They testified that the situation had miraculously turned around, which they said, could only have happened by the hand of God.

An 80-year old woman, who is a partner with this ministry, had received prayer for major pain in her knees, testified that she was healed. She told her friends, "Did you notice I'm not complaining about my knees anymore?"

A woman in western Minnesota testified of receiving a healing of buzzing in her ears while I was praying for others. The Spirit of God is not limited to the laying of hands. He will move wherever there is faith and hungry hearts.

An Illinois woman had previously received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit but had only been able to speak in tongues twice. After ministry about faith, God's grace, and forgiveness through the cross, she received a glorious freedom to pray in a heavenly language.

Jesus said, ". . . Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe. . ." (Mark 16:15-17, KJV). In each of the Gospels His command is repeated in various forms. This is the ONE THING that is most important for us to do. This is the Great Commission! There are many other meaningful and important activities, but this is the ONE THING that will make a difference in eternity and this is the ONE THING that is most important to the heart of God. This ONE THING is the reason for this ministry. The fields are ripe unto harvest. Together, we can reap a great harvest of souls.

Please pray for our upcoming schedule. We have crusades in three churches on reservations in Minnesota and South Dakota in May and June, as well as an area-wide crusade in Norman County, Minnesota in July. Susan and I appreciate your love, support, prayers and encouragement. Thank you for being a part of this. Together we are making a difference in people's lives. We are praying for you!

For the cause,,
Tom Shanklin

P.S. There is a special need in our ministry for updating our office equipment. The needs include an Apple iMac computer, updated software and a multi-purpose printer. This equipment will improve our ability to perform many areas of ministry, including publishing (in print and on the internet), database management, and video editing. It also will enable us to produce DVD videos, which we are not able to do with our present equipment. If you would like to make a special offering to help us move forward in these important areas, please designate your offering for "Office Equipment." The cost of these important items is $2,000.