Canada
British Columbia
Abbotsford, Joel Portman made welcome visits to Abbotsford, Woodland Drive, Victoria Drive and Lynden assemblies, before returning home after the gospel effort in Okanagan.
Squamish, In late November, Dave Richards had one week of appreciated ministry meetings on Philippians.
Terrace, Bryan Funston and Dave Richards had encouraging gospel meetings with a number of outsiders attending and blessing in salvation.
Vancouver, Jim Allen ministered with good interest for a week in West Richmond on the Revelation, followed by a week in Woodland Drive. He devoted three consecutive Saturday evenings in West Richmond to teach church principles particularly for younger believers. Neal Thompson visited Westbank and Kamloops assemblies in mid November and six assemblies in the Vancouver area in late November before leaving for Australia. At the monthly missionary meeting at Victoria Drive on November 29, he gave an interesting account of the 100 year history of the work in Venezuela as well as the more recent work in Colombia.
Westbank, Two young men were baptized in October, bringing joy to the saints.
Alberta
Fort McMurray, At a recent gospel meeting, more than 30 unsaved adults were present. For many of them, it was their first gospel meeting. Following the meeting, two women and a man obeyed the Lord in baptism. Please pray for us. The recent boom in the oil sands has meant an influx of new people to the community. A number of young couples have been attending our Sunday morning meeting, and for many of them, it is the first time in observing New Testament truth.
Lethbridge, Six believers were baptized on November 1. A man professed to be saved during a meeting on November 16, bringing further encouragement to those who labour in this new field.
Saskatchewan
Glen Ewen, From November 15-24, Jim Webb took up the Epistle of James in an interesting and practical way.
Ontario
Burgessville, Children’s meetings in the fall were encouraging and well attended. Prayer is requested for a gospel series to commence on January 11 with William Seale, Bert Snippe and local brethren.
Clyde, The saints enjoyed a recent visit from John Wright who gave a report on the work in Trinidad. Timothy Walker had a week of children’s meetings with a good number of children attending for the first time.
Grand Bend, The 75th anniversary of the assembly was commemorated by a week of ministry by Norman Crawford. On the weekend of November 22 and 23, a school auditorium was filled with believers when Norman Crawford, Arnold Gratton, Alex Joyce and Paul Kember gave ministry. Brother Gatton’s firsthand account of the planting of the assembly and Alex Joyce’s account of his father’s experiences in 1921-1923 were most stirring.
Lake Shore, In early December, Lindsay Carswell reported on the work in Brazil, and Lome Langfeld spoke at the S.S. Treat and remained for the Lord’s day and two nights of ministry.
Milton, Harold Paisley had a week of profitable ministry on the Upper Room Ministry of the Lord Jesus.
Oshawa, The November conference was one of the largest with six of the Lord’s servants present to help in ministry.
Parry Sound, Two souls professed salvation during a recent series in the gospel by Ken Moore and Eugene Badgley.
Sault Ste. Marie, Albert Hull and Bryan Joyce concluded three and a half weeks of gospel meetings on November 25. The attendance was very good, three souls professed salvation and the Christians were greatly cheered.
Strongville, A week of ministry by Norman Crawford on Assembly Truth was very well attended by the assembly and surrounding assemblies. Two vans from Waubaushene came every night.
Toronto, Jack Nesbitt and Murray Pratt had gospel meetings at Highfield with a good interest and several souls found the Saviour. A baptism was held after the gospel meeting on November 30 at Pape Avenue and one of the speakers had the great joy of witnessing his mother and his aunt obey the Lord in the waters of baptism.
Windsor, One young man was received into fellowship in early December. On December 7, Alex Dryburgh commenced a week of ministry. The saints looked forward to the baptism of two believers.
New Brunswick
Quispamsis, Murray McCandless and Jonathan Procopio are preaching the gospel in a school.
St. Leonard, Two souls professed faith in Christ during three weeks of gospel meetings by David Kember, Allan LeBlanc and Brian Owen.
Nova Scotia
Sydney, At last report, Jim Jarvis and James McClelland were starting their sixth week in the gospel. An 81 year old man has professed and others are interested.
Prince Edward Island
Summerside, The five assemblies on PEI held their first theme conference on November 7-9. Eight meetings were taken by Sandy Higgins on “The Mind of the Believer” and more than 500 attended. On Lord’s day evening, Jonathan Procopio and Robert Mcllwaine preached the gospel with a total outsider professing faith in Christ.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Carbonear, Carl Payne and Ken Taylor closed encouraging gospel meetings on November 23. Following this series, brother Taylor made appreciated visits to a number of assemblies in Eastern and Central Newfoundland.
Parsons Pond, The saints enjoyed two weeks of ministry in November from Bert Joyce on Egypt to Canaan.
Seal Cove, The conference held on November 7-9 went very well. Although numbers were down, the ministry given was of great value.
Tidings – U.S.A.
Washington
Arlington, During November, John Abernethy had one week of instructive teaching from 1 Peter, Joel Portman gave much needed ministry and Fred Krauss gave prophetic ministry. Prayer will be appreciated for a gospel series which Gaius Goff and Peter Simms expect to start in early February.
Shoultes, The saints appreciated edifying ministry by Jim Allen in November.
Oregon
Forest Grove, In late October, John Abernethy gave three nights of appreciated ministry.
Salem, John Abernethy had a week of ministry with an excellent attendance and interest in October.
California
Palm Springs, The saints enjoyed visits from Jim Currie and Fred Krauss in November.
San Diego, Jim Currie had appreciated meetings at the beginning of December.
Turlock, Jim Allen and Earl Ritchie gave encouraging ministry at an afternoon meeting on the Lord’s day before the Phoenix conference.
Arizona
Phoenix, The conference was well attended by saints from many assemblies. Servants of the Lord present to minister the Word were J. Allen, T. Baker, J. Currie, E. Doherty, W. Gustafson, F. Krauss, W Lavery and G.P. Taylor. Bible readings were most helpful. Brethren Currie and Lavery remained after the conference for meetings in both Garfield and Sunnyslope assemblies.
Kansas
Kansas City, Robert Orr had nine nights of gospel meetings in October with some teenagers listening well.
Minnesota
Hinkley, Joel Portman expected to give ministry at Hinkley from December 9-14; at Fergus Falls on December 15 and 16; and at Willmar on December 17 and 18.
Iowa
Dike, On December 2, Allan Christopherson and Roy Weber commenced gospel meetings. Garnavillo, The Thanksgiving Day conference went well with refreshing ministry given by J. Frazier, J. Jennings, R. Orr, J. Portman and A. Ward.
Hitesville, Prayer is requested for a gospel series which Robert Orr and Jonathan Procopio plan to start on February 8.
West Union, Allan Christopherson and John Slabaugh expected to begin a series in the gospel on December 28.
Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls, William Skates and Arthur Ward closed gospel meetings here and brother Skates is planning follow up meetings later.
Ontario, The assembly appreciated brief visits from John Stubbs in August, John McCann Jr. in September and Peter Simms and Alex Dryburgh in October.
Waukasha, Joel Portman had helpful ministry meetings in early December.
Mississippi
Tylertown, Walter Gustafson and Larry Perkins each had several nights of encouraging and appreciated ministry during November.
Michigan
Battle Creek, The assembly had appreciated visits from Gary Sharp, James Smith, Brian Owen and Larry Perkins during November. An all day meeting on December 7 when Norman Crawford and Dan Shutt ministered was well attended by saints from surrounding assemblies.
Kalamazoo, Supported by the Battle Creek assembly, Dan Shutt began gospel meetings in December. Kalamazoo is 20 miles west of Battle Creek and is predominately Dutch Reformed. There was an assembly here until the mid fifties.
Jackson, A week of ministry by Norman Crawford in November was well attended. Dan Shutt had two weeks of well attended children’s meetings in the Windham Hills community, where the Christians have carried on meetings one night a week since early summer.
Livonia, The October conference was the largest to date and the ministry of the Word was challenging and helpful. Following the conference, Tom Bentley remained for a week of appreciated meetings on Consecration. On November 15, the large hall was filled when David Vallance and Norman Crawford gave teaching on Creation in afternoon and evening sessions. There were profuse expressions of appreciation from many young believers, some of whom are facing anti-God and anti-Christ evolutionary theories in colleges and universities. The subjects for the bimonthly Bible readings on January 24 are (1) Courtship and Marriage and (2) Raising Children.
Ohio
Monticello, The gospel meetings by D. Shutt and M. Smith (Jackson, MI) gave the assembly encouragement. The believers hope to see additions to the assembly as a result of the meetings.
Maryland
Cumberland, Larry Buote visited on December 4, giving ministry and telling of his labours in the gospel. The area assemblies joined in this meeting.
Virginia
Matoaca, In November, the assembly enjoyed visits from Oswald MacLeod, Walter Gustafson and Larry Buote.
North Carolina
Hickory, The Christians recently enjoyed a short visit from Neal Thomson and a week of ministry by Walter Gustafson.
Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr, Some professed salvation during gospel meetings by David Oliver and Gene Higgins from October 26 to November 23. At the conference on November 29 and 30, timely ministry was given by L. Buote, E. Higgins, I. Irvine (Australia), Bryan Joyce, D. Oliver, H. Paisley and J. Slabaugh. The conference was the largest in recent years and included a large number of young people.
Hatboro, Harold Paisley was with the assembly from November 30 to December 2, ministering on Proverbs 30 and 31.
McKeesport, From November 21-25, Gary Sharp spoke at a children’s meeting, the S.S. Treat and had two nights of helpful ministry for S.S. workers. The assembly also enjoyed a visit from William Metcalf on November 30.
New Jersey
Midland Park, Ian Irvine gave helpful ministry on David’s life and the Psalms from November 23-26.
Connecticut
Newington, On November 30, Gene Higgins began gospel meetings, using his chart on Future Events.
Massachusetts
Cambridge, The assembly appreciated ministry by Ian Irvine on December 3. Our brother also gave ministry in several other assemblies in the area.
Methuen, Robert Surgenor was with the assembly for an afternoon meeting on November 9.
Saugus, Using his chart on the tabernacle, Robert Surgenor had two weeks of helpful and practical ministry from November 2-14. Before returning to Brazil, Tom Wright had house meetings with a Brazilian family and two more family members professed salvation.
Watertown, William Seale had a week of children’s meetings in November, with blessing in the salvation of a young boy.
Worcester, The assembly has been encouraged by visitors coming to their regular meetings in the new location where they meet.
Tidings – Other Countries
Siberia
Louis Smith (Jackson, MI), Max McLean (Oil Springs, ON) and Jesse Fitch (Omaha, NE) spent a number of weeks in Russia. Much of their time was spent in the Severouralsk area in the Ural Mountains, but they also visited the assemblies at Kaskara and Surgut. Our brethren were encouraged by the growth they saw in the believers and by seeing others saved. Tom and David Cooper of Jackson plan to go to Tyumen early in the New Year to continue the work in the English school.
Conferences, DV
Long Beach, California
There will not be a conference this year.
Palm Springs, California
March 29 in the Gospel Hall, 320 W Racquet Club Road. Breaking of Bread at 10, Ministry at 2 and Gospel at 6:30. Corr. Charles R. Spataro, 945 Buttonwillow Circle, Palm Springs, CA 92262, phone (760) 322-7090. Hall phone is (760) 325-8815. Please pray for gospel meetings which will follow the conference.
Jackson, Michigan
Russian Conference, February 14 in the Gospel Hall. Meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for prayer, reports, ministry and planning regarding the distribution of Bibles and the work of the Lord in Russia. Lunch will be served at noon. For overnight accommodation or information, phone Louis Smith (517) 569-2733.
Matoaca, Virginia
February 14 and 15 in the Gospel Hall, 6204 River Road with a prayer meeting on Friday at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Ministry at 10 and 2:30 with Gospel at 7. On Lord’s day, Breaking of Bread at 10, Ministry at 2:30 and Gospel at 7. For accommodations, contact Jonathan Cooper, phone (804) 265-0670.
Tampa, Florida
February 7 and 8 in the Gospel Hall, 12704 Marjory Avenue, with prayer meeting on Friday at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Ministry at 10:30 and 2:30, with Testimony and Gospel at 7. On Lord’s day, Breaking of Bread at 10, S.S. at 12, Ministry at 2:30 and Gospel at 7. Corr. Oronzo Dalfino, phone (813) 265-2757. Hall phone is (813) 932-9530.
Kindly remember:
Seattle, WA – Jan. 24 and 25
Pennsauken, NJ – Jan. 10 and 11
Change of Address
Bert Snippe, 123 Lawrence Avenue, Wallaceburg, ON, N8A 2Bl, phone (519) 627-1430
Change of Correspondent
Omaha, Nebraska, James Harvey, 3139 North 126th Street, Omaha, NE 68164-5204, phone (402) 498-9005
With Christ
Ada May Neal of Englehart, Ontario, age 83. Our dear sister was saved as a girl of 12 and for more than 40 years was in assembly fellowship, first at Charlton and then at Englehart. The last five years were spent in a nursing home. Our sister was faithful to her large family and the foster children she raised, in bringing them to hear the gospel. She was most hospitable to all who came to her home. The funeral service in the Englehart Community Centre was taken by David Rodgers with Norman Fergusson speaking at the grave side.
Hebbert Goosney of Parsons Pond, Newfoundland, age 81. Our dear brother came to know the Lord Jesus in 1960. It was noted by each speaker at his funeral that he was marked by faithfulness to the Lord, to the assembly and to God’s people. “He was a faithful man, and feared God above many” (Nehemiah 7:2). A good number from the community were present at his funeral which was shared by Carl Payne, Jim Jarvis, Bert Joyce and Peter Mathews. Please pray for his wife and family.
Mrs. Agnes Russell (Boyd) of Vancouver, B.C. on October 5, age 88. Our beloved sister was saved on February 22, 1923 through the truth of John 5:24 in Tragarva, SK. For nearly 75 years, Agnes served her Lord and touched many lives. Over the years, she faithfully supported the assemblies at Fairview, Cedar Cottage, West Richmond and Woodland Drive. Agnes was predeceased by her first husband Basil Boyd in 1970 and is survived by her second husband Jim Russell. The theme of her funeral service was, “She served her generation well.”
Mrs. Elizabeth (Bessie) Rea of Longport, NJ on October 27, age 98. Our beloved sister was saved in 1914 during gospel meetings by J. McCullough and T. Braidner in Donegal, Ireland. Married to Sam Rea, a respected evangelist who predeceased her in 1966, she was a faithful, consistent helper in the work. Her husband shared in laying the foundation of the Hatboro assembly and so she was part of that assembly from its be ginning in 1930. Her spiritual concern and steadiness were valuable assets. She was among heaven’s honourable women.
Mrs. Charlie (Elsie) Hill of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on November 16, age 78. Our dear sister was in happy assembly fellowship for many years. She was unable to attend meetings for the last few years, being confined to a nursing home. Mrs. Hill was greatly loved by all who knew her. Please pray for some of the family still not saved. Elgin Johnson spoke faithful words at the funeral.
Miss Helen Gorman of Westbank, B.C. on November 20, age 85. Our beloved sister grew up on the family farm in Glenrosa and attended the one room school, which was the meeting place for the believers. Helen trusted Christ when she was 13. After completing her teacher training, she taught in the little school. On meeting nights, she put the desks aside, arranged the chairs and stoked the fire. Helen served her Lord faithfully and left a godly example. The impact she had on Glenrosa is evidenced by a large modern school named “The Helen Gorman Elementary School.”
Susannah Fowler of L’anse au Loup, Labrador on November 27, age 92. Our dear sister accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour in the year 1921. She was a faithful sister to her Lord and will be missed by many. The funeral was held on Lord’s day, November 30 and was taken by Bert Joyce and Jim Jarvis, with Francis Barney having a word at the grave side.
John MacDonald Samson of Sandringham, Newfoundland on November 29, age 74. Johnny Mac, as he was known by most, was saved on February 23, 1981 and baptized shortly after. He was received into assembly fellowship on November 8, 1981 at Sandy Cove (now Sandringham). He enjoyed his salvation and never ceased to praise the Lord. The large funeral was taken by Bert Joyce and Marvin Derksen with Sandy Feltham speaking at the grave side. Please pray for his wife Daisy and their family.
Forgeries on the Mission Field
In 1997, we learned of instances where fellowship sent to missionaries did not reach the commended workers because the mail was stolen, signatures were forged on the enclosed cheques and then the cheques were fraudulently cashed. In addition to this problem, missionaries face other difficulties with fellowship sent to them because of such things as (1) lost mail, (2) inaccurately addressed mail, and (3) fellowship sent in the wrong currency.
You may be interested to know that the majority of missionaries from Canada and the United States to whom we send fellowship through the Truth and Tidings Gospel Trust have requested us not to send cheques or money orders directly to them on the mission field. Most missionaries have found it necessary to have their fellowship deposited in a bank account in Canada or the United States.
If you have experienced difficulties in sending fellowship to missionaries abroad, we would remind you that for more than 48 years the Canadian Trust has faithfully and successfully remitled funds to missionaries worldwide. Experience gained during these years has taught us the safest and most practical way to forward fellowship to our missionary brethren and sisters.
Both the Canadian and United States Trust Funds are willing and able to help you in forwarding fellowship to missionaries on the field. The Gospel Trusts provide a secure and protected way of transmitting funds overseas. Their addresses are in every magazine at the bottom of the inside back cover.
Mr. Paul Kember
Our beloved brother and servant of the Lord, Mr. Paul Kember, went to be with the Lord on November 29, following a tragic automobile accident. More than 800 attended his funeral, clearly indicating the high esteem in which he was held. The February issue will contain tributes to our dear brother.
“Until He Comes”
Wayne and Heather Rodgers
A beautiful 8 1/2 by 11 book has been written and published by the Rogers. It traces the history of the Spring Street assembly in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario from 1899 to 1997.
This book will be of great interest to all who have memories of the “Soo” and have attended conferences in past years. The large color photographs are excellent.
It covers series of meetings, conferences, children’s work, open air work, prison work and many other activities of the assembly and honors the memory of many saints who are now with the Lord.
Order: Wayne Rodgers 1324 Third Line E. St. Sault Ste Marie, ON Canada P6B 6J8 ($19.95 plus 2.25 Postage in Canadian. US 14.40 plus 2.25 Post).
