Tom and Susan Shanklin are both part of the baby-boomer generation that sprung up in America after the end the Second World War. In the 70s, they embraced the hippie lifestyle and became involved in a life of drug use, experimenting with various forms of spirituality, and a rejection of what they saw as a hypocrisy in society.

In 1977, both Tom and Susan had dramatic encounters with the living Christ, and were radically transformed. Jesus became real, and He became Lord of their lives. They served as pastors in various local churches in Minnesota and North Dakota for 22 years, along with traveling nationally and internationally, and publishing the Gospel in various forms. Since 2005, the focus of their ministry has been missions and evangelism, and living the Christian life in practical ways with their family and in their community. Tom and Susan live on a small farmstead in southern Minnesota and have three wonderful adult children and five grandchildren, which give them great joy.

The focus of their ministry since 2005 has been evangelism, cross-cultural missions, and living the Christian life in practical ways with their family and in their community. Tom and Susan have three grown children and three grandchildren who give them great joy.