Soul-Winning & Salvation Stories

Our travels have given us many opportunities to share the Gospel in different States. We met a young hotel supervisor who was working the front desk. We arrived quite late after a long day of driving, and there were complications with the reservation. While we waited for Carter to work out the details, God impressed upon Missy’s heart to ask him about the cross necklace he was wearing. When she asked him if he knew Jesus, he answered solemnly, “I know of Him. I have been in and out of church most of my life. My life is wreck right now. I need Him more than ever.” Carter shared with us how he had watched people in his church live one way throughout the week and a different way when they were in church. He said that it made the Christian life seem fake to him. I shared a bit of my personal testimony as well. Carter admitted that he had never trusted Jesus as His personal Saviour. We witnessed to him and urged him to trust in Jesus. With tears in his eyes he said, “I know God led you here to talk with me tonight. Please pray that I find my way.” He did not pray. We invited him to the church we were visiting and gave him a Bible before we left that city.

Just two weeks ago, we were out door knocking in Omaha, Nebraska, while we were between meetings. Missy and her parents knocked on a door and met Dee. Dee was a 35-year-old man who seemed trodden down by the cares of this world. As Missy and her dad spoke with Dee, he opened up about his life. He said that just two days prior, he and his teenage daughter had been talking about their lives. He said that they both agreed they needed to have faith and church as a part of their family. Missy had the joy of leading Dee to the Lord! He was so excited to trust Christ that his eyes were filled with tears after he prayed. He said he knew God had led them to his door. Please pray as we reach out to Dee and seek to follow up on him and his family while we are Stateside.

Just last week while we were in Indiana, we met a traveling construction worker at our hotel. He was thrilled to receive the tract we gave him from our home church in Omaha. When he saw the address he said, “Wow, I travel a lot for work, and I am often in Omaha. I’ll plan to visit.”

There are many open and seeking hearts just waiting for someone to care. May we not allow our fear of man’s rejection keep us from sharing the greatest news they will ever hear.

Family News

Lauren is adjusting well in college, and we are thankful for all of those who are investing in her life. God allowed Missy to attend a Ladies’ Conference at the First Baptist Church in Indiana with the pastor’s wife of our home church. This was a wonderful time of great encouragement for her.

We were in four conferences and many different church services. God used each one to be a special blessing. We were able to be in
our home church, Midwestern Baptist Church, for their conference, with Dr. Don Sisk as the keynote speaker. It was tremendous to hear him share his heart and love for missions and missionaries. We are thankful for the love and support of our home church and our pastor, Pastor Mark Bentley.

We were graciously invited to attend North Valley Baptist Church’s Missions Conference this year. It was encouraging to be there and get to see Lauren thriving in her college life and studies and to have sweet fellowship with the Triebers and many of our friends there at the church.

We were in Chicago at the FBC North Albany Church with Pastor John Francis this last weekend. Missy and I worked with the Francis family in the bus ministry when we were in college. They have been dear friends and a great example to us through the years. It was such a wonderful experience to see how God is using their church on the north side of Chicago. We also got to see several of the bus riders with whom we worked many years ago still attending church faithfully.

On Sunday evening, we were at First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, which is our sending church. It was sweet to see our family, the Bosjes, and so many folks who have loved and prayed for us all these years. We are grateful for Pastor Wilkerson and his love for the Lord as he leads and serves the people of FBC. The church had a time of prayer for our family and another missionary family who was there that night. This was a tremendous blessing to hear folks praying for us!

Update on Field Churches

Both churches, International Baptist Church of Hua Hin and International Baptist Church of Nong Phlap, are doing well. Please pray for Petchaburi Baptist Church. Pray that God will provide the needed workers to continue the work there, which has slowed.

We had our annual Village Bible Clubs just a couple of weeks ago. There were four different locations, and many young people were reached during those days. The leaders, helpers, and teachers all did such a great job serving and giving of their time. It was exciting to hear about the reports from those days. Please pray as we stay connected with those who were reached.

Please pray for the upcoming months before the year ends as God leads and works in our ministries. God’s work done God’s way never lacks God’s blessings!! What a joy it is to serve the Lord and to be a part of spreading the Gospel.

Thank you for your prayers and support! We love and appreciate each of you.

For Him,

Tim, Missy, Lauren, and Mark Shook