Canada
Alberta
Edmonton: The believers were pleased to have a visit from Dave Richards recently. The saints appreciated his ministry.
Fort McMurray: Gordon and Doreen Williams were with the Wood Buffalo Gospel assembly from December 2-9. Our brother helped in the gospel as well as speaking at the annual children’s Christmas program. A good number of parents as well as children were in attendance. Throughout the week, ministry was given and deemed to be very profitable.
British Columbia
Vancouver: During the Christmas holidays, a number of younger brethren in the city were exercised to have a Seed Sower effort in the vicinity of four assemblies in the area: North Vancouver, South Main, Fairview, and Deep Cove. Pray that God will bless this exercise and encourage these assemblies.
Gospel meetings commenced in Fairview on January 13 with John Meekin and Frank Sona. Please pray for these meetings.
New Brunswick
Moncton: The annual Christmas program was held December 8. A large number of people attended and heard the gospel for the first time. Peter Ramsay gave a clear and simple gospel message following the program. He also had two weeks of gospel meetings which ended December 9. The attendance was good and the Lord was pleased to save three souls. Please keep Moncton in your prayers, as several others are still troubled about their sins.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Corner Brook: The saints appreciated the helpful ministry of Peter Mathews on Church Truth for a week in November.
English Point: A large number attended the Sunday School program on December 16.
Gander: Stephen Vance was here January 9-19, primarily to work among the Chinese who are here for flight training. Some have shown an interest in the gospel. Eric Fowler and Holger Verlagem (Cape Breton) will be commencing gospel meetings February 3, Lord willing.
L’Anse au Loup: The hall was full for the Sunday School program December 30. Please pray for gospel meetings which Matthew Cain and Peter Ramsay began on January 6.
Mary’s Harbour: Freddy Barney and Randell Layden continue a gospel meeting here one night a week while there seems to be a little interest. The town just felt the shock of a terrible traffic accident on December 20 when a husband and wife were killed instantly just outside the town. Pray that this may be a voice to the townspeople.
Red Bay: Fred Barney and Wallace Buckle had two weeks of gospel meetings in December.
Ontario
Clinton: Although the attendance was down a little for the Sunday School presentation on December 9, we are glad the gospel was clearly presented to the parents present. A chicken dinner concluded the event.
Sudbury: At the annual conference, the saints were blessed with good fellowship and ministry from Brian Crawford, Alex Dryburgh, Brian Owen, and Bruce Rodgers. On the Lord’s Day, the Sunday School children remained for lunch along with a few of their parents. On December 30, the assembly appreciated having Bruce Rodgers for the Lord’s Day.
Quebec
Larry Buote wrote: “We asked this question on our web site Gospel bulletin in December: ‘Why do you believe in the birth of Jesus? And what effect has your believing had on your life?’ A printed copy of this Gospel bulletin was delivered to the following towns in December: Padoue, Baie-des-Sables, Saint-Damase, Saint-Noel, La Rdemption; Ste-Jeanne-d’Arc, Saint-Gabriel, and St. Charles-Garnier. About 2000 copies covered these towns.”
U.S.A.
Arkansas
Alpena: The distribution on December 1 of about two hundred calendars, tracts, and invitations to gospel meetings resulted in one local resident’s coming to the hall and hearing the gospel. The believers greatly appreciated ministry from Dan Shutt during a short visit. His ministry was directed toward the building-up of the local assembly for the future.
Iowa
Garnavillo: S. MacLeod and M. McCandless started gospel meetings here on January 13.
Massachusetts
Saugus: The December conference was well attended with many young believers present. The ministry was edifying, timely, and challenging, and the gospel presented. We appreciated the Lord’s servants who were with us: Marcus Cain, W. Gustafson, E. Higgins, J. Meekin, S. MacLeod, M. McCandless, E. McCullough, E. Moore, D. Oliver, J. Procopio, and F. Sona.
The outreach at the rehab center continues, and we are thankful to our God for this opportunity to spread the gospel. Our prayer is that we may continue with liberty, and that souls would be receptive to God’s offer of mercy in their troubled lives. Please pray for this effort as we are about to commence our 15th month.
Worcester: Ernie Moore (Chile) and Philip Moore (Hickory, NC) visited the assembly in early December. They greatly encouraged and helped the assembly by speaking in Spanish to visiting Hondurans.
Minnesota
Fridley: Robert Orr visited the saints three nights in November with helpful teaching from Second Peter.
Andrew Bergsma gave helpful ministry in December and also reported about the work among Canadian Hutterites, many of whom have embraced the truth of God’s salvation and are adjusting to life outside the colonies.
New York
Flushing: A. J. Higgins visited on December 22, and preached the gospel at the monthly gospel meeting for ESL students. Our brother joined the saints the following Sunday and ministered from the Word of God. His visits greatly encouraged the believers.
Ohio
Akron: In December Bill Seale was with us for the baptism of a sister in her teens. Dan Shutt ministered on building according to the pattern in view of future generations, and Jack Coleman on the priesthood of believers. Both were most encouraging.
Washington
Tri-Cities: The assembly is now in it’s 5th year with ten in fellowship. Six to eight young people usually attend the gospel meeting. The Monday night Youth Bible Hour attendance stays at around 25 or 30, and is a good outreach. There were about 100 in for the Christmas program for which we are thankful. Please pray for our upcoming gospel meetings in the Tri-Cities starting February 10 with Gaius Goff and two local brethren helping.
As well as continuing the work with the assembly in Tri-Cities, Bryon and Joni Myers started another outreach in early spring with the Native Indians in the little village of Celilo, Oregon, about a two-hour drive from Pasco, every Tuesday evening. About 40 attended a Christmas dinner for the village people. They are a hard people to reach, but we thank the Lord for open doors in this little village of about 70 people.
Wisconsin
Mt. Sterling: Please pray for gospel meetings that began on January 6 with Al Christopherson and John Slabaugh.
Mexico
Ciudad del Carmen: Thirty-five believers from Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Venezuela met here in mid-December and delivered about forty thousand texts and invitations on this island on the Gulf side of Mexico. A married couple obeyed the Lord in baptism in the ocean on the last day of the distribution. Saved last May, they are the firstfruits of this work and relatives of a man in fellowship in Hampton, Iowa. David Alves Jr. and Ross Vanstone are preaching in a rented house, and have been very encouraged with good attendance and about six souls professing faith in Christ. Children’s meetings in the mornings, held by Gilberto Sequera (Venezuela), have also been very encouraging with up to fifty children attending. Ross Vanstone needs to return to Panama in mid-January. The harvest here is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Guadalajara: One hundred and forty believers from Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Venezuela met here at the end of December and delivered one hundred and ten thousand texts and invitations. Paul Thiessen and Jason Wahls have begun gospel meetings in the temporary hall in Zapopan.
Conferences
Tampa, FL
February 10, with all meetings in the Gospel Hall, 12704 Marjory Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 10 am, Prayer, Praise and Ministry 2 pm, Gospel 7 pm. Brethren walking in and teaching the “Old Paths,” are welcome to minister as the Lord leads. Corr: Oronzo Dalfino, Tel: 813-265-2757; Hall: 813-932-9539.
Jackson, MI
February 15-17, in the Jackson Gospel Hall, 910 Benett Street. Prayer meeting on Friday, February 15 at 7 pm. Saturday: Prayer and Ministry meetings begin at 10 am. Sunday: Breaking of Bread 9:30 am, with Ministry meetings in the afternoon. Corr: R. Douglas Losey, 3605 Sweetgum Dr., Jackson, MI 49201; Tel: 517-787-9169; E-mail: rdlosey@juno.com.
Matoaca, VA
March 1-2, in the Matoaca Elementary School (2 blocks past the Gospel Hall) with Prayer Meeting on Friday, February 29, at 7:30 pm in the Gospel Hall, 6204 River Road, Matoaca. First meeting on Saturday at 10:30 am. Due to the fact that the assembly is having a series of gospel meetings during the month of February, the assembly will be unable to provide hotel rooms as we have in the past. We will be mailing a list of available hotels in the area with their prices to the surrounding assemblies.
Long Branch, NJ
March 8, (Note: Change of Date) Saturday Conference at the Gospel Hall: 653 Art St., Long Branch, NJ. Topical Ministry for Young Believers 2:00 – 5:30 pm; Hymn Sing and Gospel Testimonies 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Dinner served in the hall.
Kapuskasing, ON
March 21-23, with the Prayer Meeting, Friday 7:30 pm, at the Kapuskasing Gospel Hall, 154 Mill Street. All other meetings will be held in the Kapuskasing Education Center, 61 Devonshire St. There will be no Bible Reading this year. Corr: Gerald L. Labelle; E-mail: gerrycarole@ontera.net.
Manchester, CT
March 21-23 (90th annual conference), with Prayer Meeting, Friday at 7:30 pm in the Gospel Hall, 415 Center St, Manchester. All other meetings will be held in the Bolton Center School, 108 Notch Rd., Bolton, CT. Saturday: Ministry 10:30 am and 2 pm, Gospel 6:30 pm. Sunday: Breaking of Bread 10 am, Ministry/Gospel 2 pm. Contact Ted Kaulback, Tel: 860-742-0002 for communications and accommodations.
Toronto, ON
March 21-23, Complete information next month.
Vancouver, BC
March 21-23, Complete information next month.
Mt. Sterling, WI
March 29-30, with Prayer Meeting on Friday, March 28 in the Gospel Hall. All other meetings in the North Crawford High School, north of Gays Mills. First meeting on Saturday at 10 am. Breaking of Bread on Lord’s Day at 9:30 am. Bible Readings are on Ephesians 1-3. Accommodations: Richard M. Dudgeon, Tel: 608-734-3639, E-mail: rmdudgeon@juno.com; or Wayne Granzow, Tel: 608-874-4760, E-mail: wcgranzow@centurytel.net. Outlines of the readings and the order of the meetings will be sent on request.
Stout, IA
April 12-13, Complete information next month.
Conference Reminders:
San Diego, CA – February 15-17
Watertown, MA – March 15-16
Nineveh, NS – March 22-23
Change of Address
Eric and Beryl Parmenter: “Hen Dy Ysgol,” Heol-Y-Mynach, Old Ynysybwl, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff CF37 3PE (Wales)
David Richards: E-mail: d09w58ri@telus.net
Home-calls
Mildred Portman (nee Cox) of Marion, IA, on October 23, in her 96th year. She was saved in the spring of 1928 in Mervin, Sask. From that time until her health made it difficult to attend meetings, she was in assembly fellowship in various locations. In 1979 she married John Portman of Arlington, WA, who predeceased her in 2001. For the last number of years she was a resident in the Linn Care Manor rest home in Marion from which she went home to glory. A memorial service was conducted by Joel Portman in Marion. Her body was laid to rest in Arlington, WA. Reuben Hale and Cameron Cox shared in the memorial service there.
Kathryn (Kregel) Lange of Garnavillo, IA, on November 10, 2007, age 90. Kathryn was saved April 3, 1938, when Mr. Lorne McBain was faithfully preaching the gospel in Garnavillo, and a number of others were saved at the same time. She was predeceased by her husband Ray, and leaves one son, Lorne, and two grandchildren. Aunt Kay, as she was fondly known, was a very faithful Christian, and will be greatly missed by the Garnavillo Christians. The funeral service was taken by Murray McCandless and Joel Portman.
Elizabeth Parton of Clinton, ON, on November 22, on her 100th birthday, after six years in Huronview Senior’s Home. She immigrated from England to Toronto in 1929 seeking employment, and married Roy Parton in 1932, setting up home in Scarborough. In 1942, a neighbor lady invited the children to attend Sunday School at Birchcliffe Gospel Hall, and our sister attended gospel meetings there. She was saved in 1943 through John 3:16. Her husband, unhappy that his wife and some of the children were enjoying salvation, moved the family to Britain, but God overruled, and he was saved in 1951. They returned to Ontario and were in happy, helpful fellowship in Birchcliffe, Gore Bay, and Clinton assemblies. The Parton home was marked by outstanding hospitality, and our sister by faithfulness to her Lord, her family, and the assembly. She was predeceased by her husband (2002) and eldest daughter Cynthia (2000). Surviving are two sons, three daughters, 18 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren, many with the “blessed hope.” The large funeral was shared by son William, son-in-law Graham Russell, and Doug McDonald at the graveside.
Ronald Antoine of Toronto, ON, on November 27, age 82. He immigrated to Canada from Trinidad in June 1994. Although he had resisted invitations to gospel meetings in Trinidad where his wife and daughters were in fellowship in the Olivetti Gospel Hall, after moving to Canada he accompanied them to Lansing Gospel Hall where his daughter had been in fellowship for a number of years. He became convicted of his sin and that September during the Toronto United Gospel Series, he accepted Christ while speaking with Mr. Paisley after a meeting. He returned to Trinidad to be baptized as a witness to his family, former friends, and Christians who had prayed for him for many years, then was received into the Lansing assembly. His Christian life was characterized by his joy in the Lord and his love for God’s people. Christ-like kindness marked his testimony among his neighbors and children whose lives he touched in his work as a crossing guard. The Sunday school children were welcomed by his cheery greeting as he handed out hymn books. Ronald’s interactions with the Christians at Lansing, Victoria Park, Broadview, and surrounding assemblies were marked by humor and grace (Proverbs 17:22). Levy Okinga, Bruce Peat, and Stephen Vance spoke at the memorial service in Canada. The funeral in Trinidad was attended by friends and family. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Doris, nine children, 28 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Please pray for those of his family who are not saved.
Edith Volmar of Terryville, CT, on December 11, 2007, age 73, went to be with the Lord after a long illness. Edith was saved on November 7, 1972, during a series of meetings by Walter Gustafson and Oswald MacLeod. She was baptized the following year. She was a faithful sister in the Terryville assembly and will be greatly missed. She leaves a daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters. Tragically, her son passed away December 20, 2007.
Angie (Cristofaro) Colangelo of Newington, CT, on December 18, 2007, in her 87th year, went home peacefully to be with the Lord from her home in West Hartford, CT. She was saved at the age of 11 in 1931 at meetings in Bristol, CT, by the late Cesare Patrizio. She was later baptized and received into assembly fellowship where she continued steadfastly for over 70 years, always in her place. She married Alexander Colangelo in 1946 and came to Hartford/Newington at that time. She and her husband were a faithful, hospitable couple, and an asset to the testimony. She was predeceased by her husband and oldest daughter, and is survived by two daughters, six grandchildren, one great grandchild, and three sisters and their families. The funeral was shared by Frank Tornaquindici and Matthew Brescia of Newington.
Shirley Walker of Portage la Prairie, MB, on December 22, 2007, age 57, after a very brief illness caused by a flesh-eating disease. She was saved in 1963 while attending gospel meetings conducted by Robert Boyle and John Norris. Shirley was very involved in sending parcels to Africa where her daughter Tanis serves the Lord as a missionary nurse. She was noted for her hospitality and special care for young girls who left the Hutterite colonies. She will be sadly missed by both assemblies in Portage la Prairie, where she has been in fellowship since she was a girl. The very large funeral was conducted by Dr. Allan Ronald, members of the family, and Jonathan Procopio. She is survived by her husband Dennis, daughters Tanis and Tracy, and sons Dean and Daren and their families.
