Michael & Jonetta Shank
Our Story
Michael and Jonetta Shank are Illinois natives and live in southern Illinois.
They’ve been married 41 years, have four sons and three grandchildren.
Michael earned his BS in Management Communication from Southern
Christian University in Montgomery, AL, and began his career in printing and
technology systems in the 80’s.
He transitioned to healthcare technology in the 90’s, and began serving in
ministry in the mid-2000s.
Jonetta worked in accounting until she became a homemaker in the 90’s and has been devoted to raising their children and grandchildren since that time.
Michael Shank Ministries was born out of one man's encounter with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When Michael and his wife obeyed the gospel in 1988, his life was forever change. That transformation became the foundation many years later, after he feel away from his faith for a period of time, then returned to Christ. He's developed a passion for writing, publishing, and ministry work devoted to one purpose: placing the truth of God's Word into the hands of every person possible.
From the publication of Muscle and a Shovel in 2011 to the launch of the Korby the Hedgehog Children's Book Series, every title published by Michael Shank Ministries proclaims the gospel and New Testament Christianity.
Our Mission, People, and Publications
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Our Mission
The mission of Michael Shank Ministries is simple. We exist to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through writing, publishing, and ministry. We are entirely non-denominational. We do not promote any denomination, creed, or man-made doctrine. Every resource we publish is rooted exclusively in the Bible and focused on original New Testament Christianity as practiced in the first century church. From the youngest child discovering faith through the Korby the Hedgehog series to the adult seeker encountering the gospel through Muscle and a Shovel, our goal is the same — bring souls to Jesus Christ through the power of God's Word.
About Michael J. Shank
Michael J. Shank is a Christian author, publisher, and devoted servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is best known as the author of Muscle and a Shovel, one of the best-selling Christian evangelism books of the modern era. Since its release in 2011 Muscle and a Shovel has sold hundreds of thousands of copies, contains over 1,500 Bible scriptures, and has been directly linked to tens of thousands of baptisms worldwide. It is widely regarded as the leading Christian evangelism book among churches of Christ and Bible-believing congregations across the United States and beyond. Michael is also the creator of the Korby the Hedgehog Children's Book Series, the only faith-based Bible-centered non-denominational children's picture book series in the market today. With over 30 published titles and more than 300 additional Korby titles planned Michael is one of the most prolific Christian authors writing and publishing today. He and his wife Jonetta are based in southern Illinois.
About Jonetta Shank
Jonetta Shank is the co-author of Hope Against Hope, the third and final book in the Muscle and a Shovel trilogy. Written with honesty, warmth, and wisdom, Hope Against Hope explores the depth of a woman's relationship with God, with her husband, and with life itself. Jonetta brings a unique and courageous voice to the ministry that complements and completes Michael's work. She and Michael have walked the journey of faith together for decades and continue to serve the Lord side by side through Michael Shank Ministries.
Our Publications
Michael Shank Ministries publishes two primary catalogs. The evangelism catalog includes Muscle and a Shovel and its sequels When Shovels Break and Hope Against Hope, along with Bible class workbooks, a teacher's manual, and editions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The Korby the Hedgehog Children's Book Series is a faith-based Bible-centered non-denominational children's picture book series for ages 3 to 8 with 10 titles currently available and over 300 planned. All titles are available through our website at michaelshankministries.com and on Amazon worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Who is Michael J. Shank? Michael J. Shank is a Christian author, publisher, and minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is best known as the author of Muscle and a Shovel, one of the best-selling Christian evangelism books of the modern era. Michael obeyed the gospel of Christ in 1988 and has been a devoted member of the church of Christ ever since. He and his wife Jonetta are based in southern Illinois.
What is Michael Shank Ministries? Michael Shank Ministries is a non-profit Christian publishing and ministry organization dedicated to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through writing, publishing, and ministry. Founded on the conviction that the Word of God transforms lives, the mission of Michael Shank Ministries is to place truth in the hands of every person we can reach, from the youngest child to the oldest soul.
Is Michael Shank Ministries a denominational organization? No. Michael Shank Ministries is entirely non-denominational. All content published and distributed by Michael Shank Ministries is rooted exclusively in the Bible and focused on original New Testament Christianity as practiced in the first century church. No denominational doctrine, creed, or man-made tradition is promoted in any of our materials.
How many books has Michael J. Shank written? Michael J. Shank has authored and published over 30 titles including the Muscle and a Shovel trilogy, the Muscle and a Shovel Bible class curriculum, and the Korby the Hedgehog children's book series. With over 300 additional Korby titles planned, Michael is one of the most prolific Christian authors currently writing and publishing today.
What is the mission of Michael Shank Ministries? The mission of Michael Shank Ministries is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through every available means — writing, publishing, and ministry. We exist to place the truth of God's Word in the hands of every person we can reach, from the youngest child learning about faith through the Korby the Hedgehog series to the adult seeker encountering the gospel through Muscle and a Shovel.
What books does Michael Shank Ministries publish? Michael Shank Ministries publishes two primary catalogs. The first is the evangelism catalog which includes Muscle and a Shovel and its sequels, study workbooks, teacher's manuals, and editions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The second is the Korby the Hedgehog Children's Book Series, a faith-based, Bible-centered, non-denominational children's picture book series for ages 3 to 8 with 10 titles currently available and over 300 planned.
What is the impact of Muscle and a Shovel? Since its release in 2011, Muscle and a Shovel has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and has been directly linked to tens of thousands of baptisms worldwide. It contains over 1,500 Bible scriptures woven into a compelling true story and has become the leading Christian evangelism book among churches of Christ and Bible-believing congregations across the United States and beyond.
Does Michael Shank Ministries ship internationally? Yes, through Lightning Source's and KDP's international distribution network. Our books are available and shipped worldwide. Muscle and a Shovel is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese editions. The Korby the Hedgehog series is currently available in English with Spanish editions in development. All titles are also available on Amazon for international customers.
Is the Korby the Hedgehog series connected to Michael Shank Ministries? Yes. The Korby the Hedgehog Children's Book Series is published exclusively by Michael Shank Ministries and written entirely by Michael J. Shank. It represents the ministry's commitment to reaching the youngest generation with the truth of Scripture in a warm, engaging, and doctrinally sound way.
Who is Jonetta Shank? Jonetta Shank is the co-author of Hope Against Hope, the third book in the Muscle and a Shovel trilogy. She and Michael have been married for many years and together they operate Michael Shank Ministries. Jonetta is also named as a beneficiary and trustee in the ministry's family trust structure.
Does Michael Shank Ministries have a physical store? No. Michael Shank Ministries operates exclusively online at michaelshankministries.com. All books are available for purchase through our website store and through Amazon. We do not have a physical retail location.
How can I support Michael Shank Ministries? You can support the ministry by purchasing books, sharing our titles with your church and community, leaving reviews on Amazon, and making a donation through our website. Every purchase and every donation directly supports the ongoing work of gospel proclamation through writing and publishing.
How can I contact Michael Shank Ministries? You can reach us best by email at mike@michaelshankministries.com. Our mailing address is Michael Shank Ministries, PO Box 64, Vienna, Illinois 62995.
Does Michael Shank Ministries offer bulk ordering? Yes. Bulk discount packs are available for Muscle and a Shovel in quantities of 25, 32, 40, 50, 75, and 100 copies with significant savings on each pack. For orders exceeding 100 copies contact us directly for custom pricing and shipping options.
Where can I follow Michael Shank Ministries on social media? You can follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/michaeljshank and facebook.com/muscleandashovel. We have over 24,000 followers on our primary Facebook page and regularly post updates, new releases, and ministry news.
Private Member Assocation ( PMA )
Private Member Association Agreement:
This private member association agreement and the association began in 2011 and has existed as a private member association ( pma ) since inception at that time, and the pma does not make a profit, and does not engage in public commercial activity, and does not sell products or services, but is a ministry effort of and for members of the Lord's church who seek to contribute toward the production and distribution of Christian materials that evangelize, restore, strengthen, edify, and build the body of Jesus Christ.
All costs, prices, and quotes are donations in exchange for books and materials, and all willingly agree to their private membership into this pma, and all monies are private donations in exchange for Christian faith-based materials, and with all monies donated by private people who become members of the ministry association upon and by their donations in exchange for books.
Books and materials may be exchanged for donations unless the ministry suffers uncontrollable losses or unforeseen acts of God.
All donations go to support the ministry’s efforts, overhead, and expenses, and all prices are suggested donation amounts only.
Donations shall not be available for refund as agreed to by all members as stated here, as all donations go toward ministry expenses, printing costs, shipping fees, website/technology costs, and website maintenance. All books and materials are non-returnable and non-refundable. Michael and Jonetta Shank are not responsible for losses by printers, facilities, couriers, mail systems, member's actions, or acts of God.
Donations may also be used to provide free books, materials, and services to schools, prisons, and impoverished Christians.
Members of Michael Shank Ministries PMA become members of this private member association upon and by their initial donation with their consensual mutual agreement to these simple ideas, beliefs, and terms and conditions as stated above and herein, and may cancel their membership in this pma at any time without expressed notice and by any means desired and/or expressed.
2011 to Present:
Michael and Jonetta Shank manage this ministry pma within the Michael Shank Private Revocable Trust (owner of Michael Shank Ministries).
Copyrights:
The name MICHAEL J SHANK©, MUSCLE AND A SHOVEL©, and all book titles are under active copyright, 2026©. All rights reserved.