Canada
British Columbia
Surrey: The gospel booth at the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair was held again for the 9th year over Victoria Day weekend, May 18-21. A large model of Noah’s Ark was a feature. There were good conversations and a lot of literature was handed out.
Vancouver: Tall ships were anchored and open to the public in the area in June. At different times over two weekends, groups of younger believers from the area gave out a few thousand John 3:16 texts which carried a ship motif.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Gander Bay: There were over 125 in attendance at the conference over the Victoria Day weekend. Helpful and practical ministry was given by Wallace Buckle, Noel Burden, and Carl Payne, helped by local brethren from assemblies across the Island in both ministry and gospel. The assembly is grateful for the strong support from local assemblies in the area.
Seal Cove: Noel Burden and Carl Payne commenced gospel meetings Monday, May 23, after the Gander Bay Conference, and continued until the Lord’s Day.
Ontario
Clinton: In May, Robert Surgenor visited the assembly, as well as Tom Matthews who gave ministry and a report of the work in Brazil.
Embro: Due to the sale of the building in which the believers met, they are now meeting in the West Zorra Community Centre which will be known as the West Zorra Gospel Hall. The Hall can be reached by going west on Commissioner Street to the 35th Line, and then south to the hall on the left. See Updates for change of correspondent.
U.S.A.
Arkansas
Alpena: In May, the assembly enjoyed another Lord’s Day visit by Jerry Jennings. There was also joy when Paul Thiessen, with his family, visited on the last weekend of the month and gave appreciated help with all the meetings, including the evening meeting in Springdale. There was blessing when two Hispanics professed salvation at the end of a short gospel series by Jack Saword and Harrys Rodriguez in Springdale, while another two obeyed the Lord in baptism. A young man, who came up through the Sunday school, was gladly received into fellowship at Alpena.
Connecticut
Newington: Gospel meetings held in May with David Petterson and Jonathan Procopio were an encouragement to the saints. While no one professed, the Seed was faithfully sown. Pray for blessing as a result of this effort.
Terryville: The assembly appreciated a visit from Stanley Wells for a Lord’s Day and two nights of ministry. On May 22, a large gathering celebrated the 100th anniversary as an assembly, with thanksgiving to the Lord for these years of faithful testimony. James Rosania gave a history of the assembly while located in Waterville, Waterbury, and presently at Terryville. David Oliver and Eugene Higgins shared the meeting for this Lord-honoring occasion.
Iowa
Ankeny: The April and May gospel effort has proved to be encouraging with blessing in salvation. Al Christopherson held the meetings two nights each week. This is considered new work with several sons and daughters of assembly believers living in the Ankeny – Des Moines area.
Stout: The annual conference held in April was well-attended and the Lord gave help. Thirteen of the Lord’s servants were present to minister the Word. The assembly is expecting Dan Shutt for a children’s effort June 20-24. Stan Wells is expected to visit on June 26 for the Lord’s Day with a ministry meeting in the afternoon.
Michigan
Deckerville: In May, Bill Metcalf was here with encouraging ministry.
Saginaw: Jim Smith and David Alves, Jr had profitable visits to the assembly in May and early June. William Metcalf and William Lavery encouraged the saints here, and from surrounding assemblies, with ministry and gospel at the bi-monthly ministry meeting, June 5. Brother Lavery plans ministry meetings in Saginaw and Cass City assemblies in the following weeks.
Sherman: The assembly had a booth at the annual Mesick Mushroom Festival over Mother’s Day weekend. The saints were encouraged by the number of people who stopped and received the gospel literature in various forms. The weather was superb which enabled large numbers to attend over the three days. God willing, the assembly plans to do a summer children’s outreach in the form of a VBS in mid-July. Prayer would be greatly appreciated.
Massachusetts
Saugus: Many attended the Bible reading and ministry conference, with interest shown by many young people. The subject on stewardship was ably presented by John Meekin, Dan Shutt, and David Vallance. Dr. Vallance summarized the weekend teaching and challenged the saints as to our responsibility in stewardship. The gospel was faithfully preached by John Prins (Sarnia), Bill Brescia (Newington), John Meekin and Dan Shutt. David Valvano (Livingston) gave an object lesson for the Sunday school. Dan Shutt remained to speak in the gospel at the rehab center following the conference. Also, Gene Higgins visited for a Lord’s Day and faithfully preached the gospel to a good number.
Minnesota
Fridley: A 23 year-old woman professed salvation toward the end of a three-week series in May with Stu Thompson and William Skates. Three baptisms are planned in June. Also, a short visit from Jerry Jennings was appreciated in May.
New Jersey
Barrington: Shawn St. Clair gave help in the Spanish work here, May 20-22, and also gave valued and appreciated help on Lord’s Day in ministry and in the gospel.
New York
Caneadea: The Sunday school treat was held on May 15. Dave Zuidema presented a very clear gospel message to a good number of young people who attended. Also, the saints were encouraged with a visit in May by Jim Smith for ministry of the Word.
New York City (Flushing): Andrew Gardiner and Andrew Zuidema from the Midland Park assembly visited to share the gospel at the monthly ESL outreach gospel meeting held on May 13. The believers were joined by students from China and Korea who listened to the gospel message for the first time. Joseph Chung visited Korea in March and April and held five weeks of well-attended ministry meetings in 13 assemblies (four in Seoul and nine in four provinces).
Mexico
Chihuahua: Local brethren helped with three weeks of well-attended house meetings.
Ciudad Obregon: On May 14, the assembly had the joy of seeing a good number of new believers baptized. Two vanloads came from Hermosillo, boosting the numbers. Some of those baptized are a result of the work in the south of the city where meetings continue five nights a week, and where a young woman recently professed faith in Christ.
Nezahualcoyotl: The assembly is encouraged with increased attendance on the part a number of people searching for the truth. Sid Emberly (Portage) has been a real help in the ministry of the Word over several weeks.
Paraiso: J. Chovan and A. Dyck of the Leamington assembly enjoyed fellowship with the new Christians in Paraiso, Mexico in April. The gospel was preached again for a week with 60-70 souls present each night. The saints appreciated Eduardo (who is the original contact, now in fellowship in Leamington while he works there temporarily) and his wife lending their property for the meetings. About 1,400 Via magazines and tracts were distributed to surrounding areas. Souls are eager to hear the gospel. Please pray for this ongoing work.
San Luis Rio Colorado: Five believers obeyed the Lord in baptism here on May 15, the first fruits of this new work. Daniel Barbour (St. John’s) is spending three months helping here.
Veracruz: The assembly was encouraged by a week of children’s meetings taken by local brethren. Eleonor Mosquera also visited here and was a great help to Rebekah Nesbitt, visiting saved and unsaved women both in Vera Cruz and in Cotaxtla.
N. Ireland
At the end of May, Andrew Nesbitt and Andrew Steele concluded seven weeks of gospel meetings with the Killykergan assembly, and were encouraged in seeing blessing in salvation. Stephen Gilfillen and Chris Beresford are into their eighth week of gospel meetings at Shanaghan, seeing blessing also. Wesley Martin and David McGarvey have recently commenced a gospel series in Cullybackey and have seen the Lord moving in salvation early in the meetings.
Gospel meetings have commenced at Portadown with John Fleck and John Rogers; Samuel Nelson and Brian Currie at Glenanne; Leslie Craig and Paul McAuley at Growell; Tommie Wright and Kenny Newell at Dundrum, and Gary Woods and David Williamson at Whitehouse. Walter Boyd and Robin McKeown have commenced in a tent at Cloughmills.
David Oliver was in N. Ireland after the Dublin conference in May and visited Newtownstewart, Bloomfield, Craigyhill, Larne, and Lurgan, where his ministry and visits were appreciated.
Republic of Ireland
Bridgetown, Co Donegal: During May, Gilbert Stewart, and Gary Woods had two weeks of meetings in Ballyshannon in a local day center. This town is about 10 miles from Bridgetown, with about 2,000 households, and where the gospel had not been preached before. There were some unsaved along each evening including some from the town. Pray for the gospel preached and for literature distributed in this area.
Longford: David McAllister gave a report of the work in Zambia on Saturday, May 28, and continued with the assembly on Lord’s Day in ministry and gospel. There was good attendance with support from other assemblies in the Republic.
Rathmines, Dublin: During March, Jim Flanigan preached at a baptismal meeting where two sisters and one brother were baptized. Our brother continued in ministry for several nights following. The meetings were well-attended and the believers were encouraged.
The annual conference was held on May 7-8. Because of increasing numbers in recent years, the meetings this year were held in a marquee at the rear of the Gospel Hall. The believers were delighted by a further increase in numbers and thankful for excellent ministry. The speakers were W.J. Nesbitt, D. Gilliland, D. Oliver, B. Currie, W. Martin, D. McAllister, and T. McNeill. David Oliver continued in ministry several nights after the conference, taking up the subject of assembly testimony. These meetings were very much appreciated by all in the assembly.
Conferences
Sioux City, IA
July 16-17, in the Gospel Hall, 120 S Leonard St, Sioux City, IA. Saturday: Prayer 7:30pm followed by refreshments. Lord’s Day: Breakfast 8:30am, Breaking of Bread 9:45am, Bible Reading 11:15am (Ephesians 5), Lunch 12:30pm, Children’s Meeting 1:30pm, Ministry 2:30pm, Dinner 5pm, Gospel 6pm. Contacts: Gary Hayes, Tel: 712 560-6911; Enoch Hayes, Tel: 712 204-9315; or Bernie Mertens, Tel: 712 223-0439.
Akron, OH
September 3-4, in Copley High School, 3797 Ridgewood Road, Copley. Friday: Prayer Meeting 7:30pm in the Gospel Hall, 2705 Smith Rd. (Tel: 330 867-3818). Saturday: Ministry 10am, Ministry 1pm (especially for young couples, “Problems and their Resolutions”). Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 10am. Accom: David Metcalf, 3228 Blake Road, Wadsworth, OH 44281; Tel: 330 334-9691, E-mail: Dmetcalftt@msn.com. Corr: Kenneth Webb, P O Box 13350, Akron, OH 44334; Tel: 330 666-9466.
Kansas City, MO
September 3-4, in the Gospel Hall, 4603 E. Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64128; Tel: 816 924-6346. Friday, September 2: Prayer 7pm. Saturday: Ministry 10am and 2pm, Gospel 7pm. Sunday: Bible Reading 9:30am (Hebrews 1:1-14), Breaking of Bread 11am, Ministry 2pm, Gospel 6pm. Corr: William Jackson, 1613 Ashland Pl, Blue Springs, MO 64051; Tel: 816 228-3591.
Beetown, WI
September 5, Labor Day all-day meeting in the Lancaster Senior High auditorium, 806 E Elm St. Lancaster, WI. Meetings begin at 10am. Corr: Marvin Studnicka, 1026 Ridge Ave, Lancaster, WI. 53813; Tel: 608 723-7156.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI and ON
September 9-11, in the Gospel Hall, 475 Wellington St. East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON (Tel: 705 949-1101). Friday: Prayer 7:30pm. Saturday: Meetings 10am, 1:30, 3:30, and 6:30pm. Lord’s Day: Meetings 10:15am, 1:30, 3:30, and 7pm. Bible Reading 1:30 p.m. both days in John 14 and 15 on the life of the Lord Jesus prior to His crucifixion. Corr: David West, Tel: 705-945-9245, E-mail: dcwest@shaw.ca.
Arnstein, ON
September 16-18, in the Gospel Hall, 10762 Hwy 522, Arnstein, ON. Friday: Prayer Meeting 7:30pm. Saturday: Bible Reading 8:45am (Subject: Dedication), Ministry 11am, 2pm, and 7pm. Lord’s Day: Bible Reading 8:45am (Subject: “Resurrection”), Breaking of Bread 10am, Ministry 2pm, Gospel 7pm. For advance accommodations, etc., call Tom Dellandrea, Tel: 705 757-0222; or E-mail: tomdellandrea@hotmail.com.
Hitesville, IA
September 16-18, at the Hitesville Gospel Hall, rural Aplington, IA (Tel: 319 347-2333). Directions: from Aplington, take county road T25 six miles north to 260th Street, east on 260th Street 1/2 mile to the hall. Friday: Prayer 7:30pm. Saturday: Ministry 10am and 2pm, Gospel 6:15pm. Lord’s Day: Bible Study 9am (Hebrews 1), Breaking of Bread 10:30am, Ministry 2pm. Corr: Larry L. Brandt, P.O. Box 683, Parkersburg, IA 50665; Tel: 319 346-1084.
Conference Reminders:
Kamloops, BC – July 1-3
Clinton, ON – July 23
Westbank, BC – July 29-31
Change of Address
Matthew & Esther Cain, 29 Cabot Cr., Lower Sackville, NS, B4C 3L4. Tel: 902 864-4265. E-mail remains the same.
Change of Correspondent
Embro, ON (West Zorra Gospel Hall): Mr. Joseph Bennett, 1736 Tralfalgar Street, London, ON, N5W 1X5, Tel: 519 457-2515; E-mail: bennettjoe@rogers.com.
Home-calls
Margaret Elizabeth Norris of Sault Ste. Marie, ON, on March 23, in her 88th year. She was the beloved wife and life partner of the late John Norris, and loved and cherished mother of Ann Clark (Robert), Desmond (Elisabeth), Peter (Cathy), and Ruth Nicholson (David). She will be missed and remembered by her 14 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren. Margaret and John came to Canada in 1956, commended by assemblies in Northern Ireland, and settled in Sault Ste. Marie where they raised their family, and together served the Lord in full-time service. Margaret was predeceased by John in 1999. For the past several years, Margaret has been cared for by the exceptional staff at Lighthaven Christian Home in Bruce Mines. David Nicholson officiated at the funeral service.
James Campbell Harding of Unionville, ON, and formerly of Guelph, Ontario, on April 14, 2011, age 86. Jim went home peacefully to be with the Lord from Bethany Lodge, Unionville, ON. He was the loving husband of Rubina Grace Harding (nee Paul) for 43 years. He was saved on August 19, 1943 at the age of 19, while listening to Charles Fuller and the Back to the Bible broadcast. As they sang “Just as I am without one plea” he believed that Christ would receive him just as he was, and asked the Lord to do the same. He loved the Lord, and was in fellowship at the Yorkshire St. Gospel Hall in Guelph for most of his Christian life.
Rubina Grace Harding (nee Paul) of Unionville, ON, and formerly of Guelph, Ontario, on April 23, 2011, age 85. Grace went home peacefully to be with the Lord from Bethany Lodge, Unionville, ON. She was the loving wife of James Campbell Harding for 43 years (see above obituary). She was born again July 4, 1937, and after her baptism was in fellowship in several assemblies. She lived with her parents Mr. & Mrs. Mervyn Paul on the Clyde Road (Cambridge) for a number of years, and moved to Guelph when she married Jim in 1968. She will be remembered for her memory of dates and events, as well as her skill as a writer. She wrote many poems for the comfort of others.
Robert Harbaugh of Waterloo, IA, on April 30, age 94. Our dear brother was saved at 18 years of age, several hours after a visit with Oliver Smith. He and his wife, Fern, were in the Western Avenue assembly for many years and were faithful in attendance. She preceded him in death in November of 2000. In recent months he resided in a care center. A daughter, Marilyn, three sons, Donald, Douglas, and David survive, along with seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Gavin Collins took the service and Robert Orr had a word at the grave.
Helen Boyes of Chapman Valley, Sundridge, ON, on May 15, age 87. Our sister and her late husband Willard, who predeceased her 18 years ago, were saved in 1950 through the preaching of Aubrey Dellandrea and Wallace Cudmore. Both were received into assembly fellowship at Chapman Valley in 1961. Helen was faithful to the assembly and family and in her gospel testimony to neighbors and friends. The Jarvis family who camped along the river by her house heard the gospel for the first time at her kitchen table. Mrs. Jarvis (presently Thelma Kember) was the first to get saved, followed by other family members, and then her husband. Her son Jim, as a boy, was saved soon after his mother. Helen was a faithful witness to all that attended to her, and doctors were amazed at her calmness and confidence as she approached death. At the funeral Jim Jarvis gave a tribute to Helen’s life, and Fred Krauss spoke about heaven and the necessity of trusting Christ to get there.
Ruby Nicholson of Lindsay ON, on May 15, in her 90th year. She was saved in October 1952, in a gospel series at Victoria Road Gospel Hall held by John Meridew. She was later baptized and received into fellowship. In 1962 she and her husband Tom moved to Lindsay assembly. He predeceased her in 1984. Ruby was faithful in attendance at the meetings until health problems hindered her in recent months. She is survived by one son Don (Betty) and three daughters, Alberta (Ken), Margaret Anne, and Mary, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Many relatives heard the gospel plainly presented by Fred Krauss at the Lindsay Gospel Hall.
Catherine (Kay) Melton of Orillia, ON, went home to be with the Lord on May 18, age 85. Saved as a young woman, she was in fellowship with her husband at Dominion Gospel Hall for over 40 years. She had spent the last few years not able to attend meetings due to weakness and failing health. The funeral was taken by Doug Stubbs with Andrew Adams at the graveside. The gospel was faithfully preached at the funeral and prayer is requested for her two sons, a widowed daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren who are not yet saved.
