
Rev. David L. and Shonda Tompkins
President and Founders of
Praise Ministries Int'l Inc.
In 1988, Shonda and I, along with Dustin almost 3, and Dillon being planned for our future, began under a call of God and started Praise Ministries. We were living in Newalla, OK., renting a small 2 bedroom mobile home when we started preaching as part-time Evangelist. During which time our family moved to a small country home in Norman, OK. and I worked a part time job as a carpenter in remodeling and preached whenever I could. At that time we owned a Chevy PU with a camper shell that we would sleep in while on the road in ministry!
The ministry became so busy we sold our house, purchased a 1 ton Ford Van and a 33 foot travel trailer. We went full time into the Evangelistic ministry traveling and preaching all over the United States. In 1992, I applied for Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, OK. Shonda educated the boys at home while I attended Rhema for the next two years. During school, I had classes through the weekdays and we preached revivals on the weekends.
In the summer of 1993, Shonda and I became Associate Pastors and Youth Pastors of Calvary Temple in Edmond, OK. In may of 1994, I graduated from Rhema. We had commuted, about 120 miles, back and forth from Edmond to Broken Arrow for that year, 4 times a week. We sold our trailer and found a house in Edmond. During our times as Pastors, we took several trips and several groups to the mission field. Pastoring PowerHouse Student Ministries was in our heart but the heart of missions was calling our name! In December of 2002, our family resigned as pastors and became full time Missionaries, thus Praise Ministries Int'l Inc.
As of February 1, 2005, we have now become Pastors of Mending Hearts Church located in Newalla Oklahoma. Shonda and I felt the Lord was leading us in further direction to build the kingdom of God. This is by no means a hinderance to PMI, but rather a blessing. MHC is a church with a missions heart and they have voiced their efforts to help us continue reaching the world!




