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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 13th, 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…
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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:
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SHOM will continue the ongoing outreaches and ministry throughout the
country including New Orleans
and several other cities.
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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.
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