Dear Ministry Family,

This is one of the most important letters I have ever written to you and I sent it with a great sense of excitement.

Nancy & I and SHOM are about to embark upon what will be the most extensive and extended outreach in the history of our ministry.

On April 13^th, Newsweek magazine published an article entitled “The Decline and Fall of Christian America.”  n that article the case was laid out that the Northeastern

 United States is now the most “religiously unaffiliated” part of America.  It has the dubious distinction of being the most spiritually deficient part of our country.

Think about this…

·         The Northeast is the main focus of the political and economic power of this nation.

·         The Northeast is the most densely populated region.

·         The Northeast is where Christianity first took root in America.

·         The Northeast is now in dire need of a spiritual awakening that will bring in a harvest of people who have never been influenced by Christianity.

One pastor described this area to me as a “spiritual wasteland.”  His comment got me excited because I know “light works best in darkness!”

This is why Nancy and I – after months of intense prayer - believe that now is the time to make a very strategic move and relocate our base of ministry to the East Coast.

Please follow along closely because I want to open my heart and share with you the strategy we believe the Lord has laid upon our heart:

·         SHOM will continue the ongoing outreaches and ministry throughout the country including New Orleans and several other cities.

·         Our East Coast strategy will include more rallies, outreaches, community blitzes, E-Intensives, servant evangelism, evangelism training and more.

·         Later in the summer we will begin an extended series of outreaches and weekly rallies in the greater Jersey Shore area.

This high level of concentrated outreach will continue for at least 4-6 months!

All of this will lead to the raising up of a vibrant outreach-driven church in Red Bank, NJ  ( Red Bank is 30 miles outside of Manhattan and part of the NYC Metropolitan area).

We will continue significant outreach to numerous communities in this region including the urban areas of Long Branch and Asbury Park (my hometown).

We believe that planting a church is the most effective way to bring the hope and life of Jesus Christ everyday to a “wasteland”.

This strategic relocation positions SHOM to make a much greater and long lasting impact on people who desperately need the life Jesus brings. We will be moving another family across the

country as a part of the team as well.

All of this ministry will be done under the spiritual covering of Pastor Matthew & Tommy Barnett and Angelus Temple /LA Dream Center.

Nancy & I are amazed at how God has so quickly put so much in place.

For many months we have prayed and “spied out the land” following the instructions from Luke 14:28-31 that in order to wage a war make sure you are able to complete the task before you begin. 

It’s now time to launch!!

Without a doubt we are about to engage the enemy in a battle for a strongly held unreached part of America.  The goal is simple…see Jesus raise up a people who will make a difference and effectively

show His light in a region of darkness.

Charles McPheeters, the man who led me to Jesus in a parking lot taught me that there are three essential pillars to any people-reaching ministry…faith, friends and finances.

FAITH: 

By faith along with prayer and counsel we have been able to draft a strategy to impact this region.  This includes outreaches taking place in a variety of ways and places.  Teams will be coming in from

around the country to help touch and reach people and families.  Venues are being held for public rallies and so much more.

We will be starting everything from the ground up… purchasing a sound system and other equipment, printing materials and literature, renting auditoriums, housing, you name it and it will have to be obtained.

In addition the costs for almost everything are incredibly higher in New Jersey.

When we began to see how much this all would cost there was no doubt that God’s hand of provision must move mightily.

I must confess – in the natural - my mind was staggered as I look at the expenses necessary for basing a ministry and pioneering a work there.  But by FAITH – I see it!  I know that as God directs –

He will provide and bring us what it takes to see that vision become reality!

FRIENDS:

We will not be able to see this take place without the heartfelt prayers, involvement and support of our friends.

I know that this is God’s vision – God’s plan – and I know that He will quicken the hearts of many reading this letter to partner with us!

FINANCES:

As we move forward we are facing a huge need to help set up and launch this vital outreach.

Your continued monthly support as well as one time gifts are going to mean more than ever! It will go towards reaching a spiritual wasteland in our country’s most desperate region.

You have been such dear friends. I cannot wait to share with you more details and reports in the next few weeks as we move forward.

Please continue to pray for Nancy and me and our team – as we are obedient to the Lord and move forward on our most significant step of faith ever.

        In His Mission,

       Scott Hinkle

PS – I pray that you will catch the vision – and see the incredible long-term impact of this move.  Needless to say, it’s required some real soul-searching for Nancy and me. 

But we are confident in His direction – and I ask that you join us in whatever way He directs…through prayer, coming to NJ to serve and witness or financial support. 

Your love and friendship means so much to us –and we are looking forward to hearing from you soon.