Report from “Ricky” William Shanks in Gainesville GA
4565 Persian Trail; Gainesville, GA 30507; Phones: 843-569-8729-Home; 843-725-9283-C

Website: AnswersFromTheBible.ORG - Dial A Bible Study: 770-835-4000 (Ext. 3 for Spanish.) Gainesville church (GCOC.org) meeting address is 2815 Wallace Rd. Gainesville GA 30507.

February 2023

It is amazing what can change from month to month. February has been a month of rejoicing to God’s glory. We had a Bible student (Tara) who enrolled in Bible course a second time after a year without sending it back to us. We reached out to her and she said she would be willing to meet with Janice and I, which she wanted the same day. She is hungry to serve God. Coming from a very abusive upbringing, she was eager to hear of the correct way to serve Christ and quickly after two studies put on Christ. She is quick to memorize verses she needs the most to overcome her past.

Another (Mario) has a big family of which some of them had become saints in FL. He visited with us about two years ago. We studied with them a few times but never obeyed the Lord. It seemed sports and family came first in his schedule. Studies soon fizzled. In Feb. Mario renewed his interest in Bible study. After having an uninterrupted one on one study with him about priorities in putting God above all else, he obeyed our Lord and committed life to serving Christ being baptized immediately. With his zeal
he started to set up video studies with his family all over

Tara

Mario

the US. I study with them on a weekly basis. His wife scheduled a study with us and
now we rejoice again because today Norma was also added to Christ. Hopefully
more of his family will follow Christ soon. All of these new in Christ have a long
road ahead of them for different reasons but we are following up with several nurturing efforts by us and the local saints. Such rejoicing going on in heaven and on earth over these three being raise to walk in newness of life.

The weather has finally cooperated which allowed setting up at UNG on February 28th , the first opportunity to return. It ended up with 5 different studies over a 6 hour period and a good case of sunburn on one side of my face. It’s ok to smile. I don’t know how some of these young people are going to turn out but some are really growing over time. The two that seem most sincere are very active in their denominational group they are in. I try to keep in mind my role in this is to let God lead them through His word and for me to stay out of His way. Thus I try to make certain to address where they might need to change as God would have them to and help them realize the ways of darkness that have distracted “churches” from the narrow way Christ has given us.

We rejoice in these opportunities to help seekers find the way to serve our Lord in truth. Please keep us and them in prayer to our God. We pray that He may place even more who seek Him before us that His word may be heard by other seekers. Thank you for making this possible. May He give you much fruit from our labor and fellowship together.

Sincerely to God’s glory, Ricky

Norma

Report from “Ricky” William Shanks in Gainesville GA
4565 Persian Trail; Gainesville, GA 30507; Phones: 843-569-8729-Home; 843-725-9283-Cell

Website: AnswersFromTheBible.ORG - Dial A Bible Study: 770-835-4000 (Ext. 3 for Spanish.) Gainesville church of Christ (GCOC.org) 2815 Wallace Rd. Gainesville GA 30507 meeting location.

October 2022

Brethren,

The efforts to find those who “ask , seek and knock” are continuing. The UNG efforts have slowed down this month due to fall break and weather. Never the less, the studies with repeat students continue to get deeper and more pointed to helping them into Christ. Some study sessions go over 2 hours at a time. There are now over a dozen that I periodically study with. They continue to show great promise. Most of them live 30 minutes to two hours away and commute to the campus.

A year ago I studied with a sharp young man named Tim. He took careful notes. At the end of the study he repeated points that we had read from the Bible. Encouraging right? Then he said, “that is the most hopeless teaching I have ever heard.” He was a strong Calvinist. Fully convinced of once saved always saved. I went over a couple of other verses where God give us the hope as we walk in Him as we repent of sins we commit. Well, fast forward a year. He is still on campus and the more I saw him the more my heart was compelled to prepare a study on the subject that is very clear and compelling us to know how to have hope in Christ. It included over 2 dozen passages to show what God has to say about eternal security. The next time I saw him I gave him a copy of it. He studied through it...but with a view to rebuttal it. He did not stop there he actually copied it and gave it out to a room of his Baptist friends and tried to tear it apart. I’m thrilled he did that. Even though his motive was wrong and he did not submit to the teaching from God’s word, I can’t help but think God will use this for good. I think that some of those young people might have a good and honest heart and will study the many verses and come to the truth. It has already resulted in a 2 hour study with one of the young people who sees the error of Calvinism.

The two Brenau students (J & J) still seemed to be interested but severely distracted. Recently a couple of saints made harsh comments about ungodly behaviors in the world. It hampered and may have destroyed their seeking after more Bible studies. Hopefully they will not let those kind of distractions sidetrack their pursuit of God. Please pray for these efforts that they will follow through with their obedience to God.

The business cards shown in last month’s report have been very useful. 100’s have been given out personally face to face and left places like gas pumps and waiting areas. In October there were over 600 videos downloaded from website. I also made banners, car magnets and yard signs made. But the QR code somehow changed from what was put on the card. Which made the QR code useless. I’m in the process of doing them over. This time making certain it is correct each step of the process. I did not even notice until I took a picture of the set up table and my phone gave me a unknown message. I have no idea how it changed on the magnets, signs and banners.

The flock has continues to slowly grow (swell). All three of our deacons are very reliable and responsible. Which enables everything to be moving in the right direction.

Janice and I are well. The only hiccups are age related. To God be the glory, Ricky

Report from “Ricky” William Shanks in Gainesville GA
4565 Persian Trail; Gainesville, GA 30507; Phones: 843-569-8729-Home; 843-725-9283-Cell

Website: AnswersFromTheBible.ORG - Dial A Bible Study: 770-835-4000 (Ext. 3 for Spanish.) Gainesville church of Christ (GCOC.org) 2815 Wallace Rd. Gainesville GA 30507 meeting location.

June 2022

As schools start to open again there should be a real concern with our families who serve God. It seems that our enemy has secured a way to undermine the good nurturing that godly parents have tried to give their children. A title wave of secret efforts in many areas of our nation have undone a lot of the good foundation that parents have laid. In single parent homes it is even more fragile. Home schoolers have largely prevented it from causing so much damage. But even with extracurricular activities the other kids who have been affected by such, seem to be ambassadors for such perversions. I’m sure most of you know this. But this has compelled me to seek out the young people in the flock to give focused attention with them to help the parents a little in establishing the godly foundation with their kids. Especially to be alert of these things right before school begins. I’ve seen many young people through the years of working camps and homes of saints suffer so much from how their children turned out. It breaks my heart. This is why Janice and I feel compelled to give time and energy to try and help.

Efforts return back on UNG campus studying with college kids. Even though they are in college to prepare for their future, most clearly are hopeless. Of course, God gives hope. In a couple of weeks the campus will be full of students. Please pray that those who seek such hope will join our efforts. The most consistent student is trying to get his family to agree to a bible study with me as well.

Tammy continues to find people for us to have studies with. She is personally tormented with the ungodly behaviors in the college she works with, which is full blown “wokeness.” Yet we encourage her that it will make her light shine even more bright. Which gives her more confidence. She is less that 3 years old in the faith and is still vulnerable, so we keep close watch over her and her son. May she continue to grow and help many others find God’s path of righteousness.

The studies mentioned in last month’s report have seemed to fizzle. Hopefully they will agree to continue but not yet. Summertime distractions still are prevalent and discouraging to consistent studies.

The local flock is at peace and has grown with another family identifying with us. They hope we will help their daughter to also yield to serving the Lord. We are seeking a way to study with them and pray her and her husband will cast their hope in God.

We thank God for your encouraging us in the work in this area. May our Lord of the harvest bring much fruit to you and here as well.

To His glory, Ricky

Report from “Ricky” William Shanks in Gainesville GA
4565 Persian Trail; Gainesville, GA 30507; Phones: 843-569-8729-Home; 843-725-9283-Cell

Website: AnswersFromTheBible.ORG - Dial A Bible Study: 770-835-4000 (Ext. 3 for Spanish.) Gainesville church of Christ (GCOC.org) 2815 Wallace Rd. Gainesville GA 30507 meeting location.

June 2022

Consistency is a concept that is in rare form today. There always seems to be interruptions to Bible studies with folks. The truth is our society is losing the character traits of priorities and dependability. It seems to be happening everywhere. In secular world and business world. Unfortunately it seems to be affecting fellow saints as well. As we seek the seekers of Christ one thing we must always be prepared for are those interruptions. While the new contacts have not yet discovered the eternal importance of their quest, it is almost like pushing a rope to maintain some continuity. I try to never forget that the first characteristic of love is patient. 1Cor. 13:4

Victor and Nancy are two very intelligent souls. Their jobs are both demanding and thus often interferes with the planned times to study the Bible with them. In our studies together they have reached the point where their eyes are opening to see what God has done for us in the gospel message. Our next class will center on what God wants us to do in response. Please pray for them that that seed will germanate to victory.

Brand has been a long time friend of Tammy. He is one of the quickest thinking people I have had the opportunity to teach. He’s in law enforcment and literally hangs his head out of a helicopter about everyday of the summer looking for pot growing farms. He only has less than 24 hours a week off to enable a turn around and the Bible study. Both of these studies are difficult to get to happen. Yet each look promising.

We have had more visitors to assemble lately and now some are seeking to join with the flock. Some have non saints in the mix of their family and we seek to have them in studies soon. I believe there are 2 or 3 we may rejoice over before long.
The young people are still VERY excited about their growing in the God’s word and Janice’s class is overflowing. Adjustments are underway to make more room for the number. One family drives an hour each way to help their great granddaugher to come with us. The monthly gatherings at our home seems to be a highlight for them.

Summertime has long daylight which would enable more time to study with seekers. But vacations and trips do tend to interfere to keep that from happening. The UNG students have seemed to disappear but I will keep trying to develop more as the students return in August. Thank you for your continued encouragements and prayers. The local flock is still at peace and encouraged.

All glory to God for His abiding care, Ricky

Report from “Ricky” William Shanks in Gainesville GA
4565 Persian Trail; Gainesville, GA 30507; Phones: 843-569-8729-Home; 843-725-9283-Cell

Website: AnswersFromTheBible.ORG - Dial A Bible Study: 770-835-4000 (Ext. 3 for Spanish.) Gainesville church of Christ (GCOC.org) 2815 Wallace Rd. Gainesville GA 30507 meeting location

August 2021

Dear Brethren,

I have not heard back from the radio station about allowing a program. So I am pushing ahead with preparations for the mule camp festival. Since it is very hard to type with my right hand (will explain later) I am thankful I have about five weeks to get ready. There are massive amounts of literature to prepare and print. We are also piggybacking on the festival with an evangelistic gospel meeting one week later so things have to be done for that as well. This meeting is where each saint of the local flock will be engaged by inviting 10+ of their family & friends to come. Stats show when done face to face, 10% will come. Please pray for our success in these efforts.

I am continuing to study with Joshua, between his problems and mine we have been slower than usual. A heavy break out of Covid has continued here. The family with 10 children have had it along with others.

The new converts are still growing and doing well. Tammy lost her dad and has been dealing with that. Brian is doing well. He even made a job change this week because he had to work with a man who would not quit cursing at him. Once he decided he would not allow that kind of influence he immediately found a new job. I was very proud of him. Please continue to pray for Cara Ann and Sergey. She called to check on me and we had a good talk with promise that they still are seeking. We had a young man call Wednesday evening who was searching for a church that follows God’s plan instead of man. He had listened to someone from a church of Christ preach on the internet and thought I need to check them out. So keep me in your prayers that our study will go well.

On a personal note, my eye disease has not gotten noticeably worse lately, thank the Lord. Never the less I still have tunnel vision, (retinitis pigmenetosa). So going into a dark area is not recommended. Since my last report, it was well overtime to change the air filter in the attic HVAC. Yelp, I fail from the attic to my kitchen floor again when I made the wrong step. So, this has slowed me down this month. I dislocated my shoulder many muscles injured in my right arm. My son is coming soon to put flooring down to prevent this from happening again. As I recover, I squeeze as much work in as possible. Other than my fall we are doing well, the Lord sure looks after us.

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragements, Ricky