Canada
Ontario
Barrie: Bruce Rogers visited here for ministry meetings, January 8-12.
Earlton: Gary Sharp had a week of children’s meetings in November at the community center. Attendance increased nightly and a family of seven, new to the area, is now attending the Sunday School.
U.S.A.
Arizona
Phoenix: During November, there were gospel meetings with Murray McCandless. The Orangewood assembly rejoiced to see blessing both in salvation and restoration. Two young men were baptized on January 5 after the gospel meeting.
Yuma: Tim and Eunice McCalley (Marion), along with 100 other believers, delivered 50,000 texts and invitations (Spanish and English) here, and another 6000 texts in San Luis Rio Colorado (on the Mexican side) from December 26 to 31. John Clingen and John Dennison are preaching in a rented building since January 1 and are encouraged with a few new people out each night to listen. Please pray for this new work.
Iowa
Hampton, Hitesville: These two assemblies purpose to have gospel meetings in February. Please pray for these meetings.
Massachusetts
Saugus: In an effort to maintain contact with children and parents who attended summer Vacation Bible School, an invitation was extended to them to attend a Christmas program where children presented Biblical truths through the recitation of Scripture and singing. A gospel message was given by Joe James, followed by refreshments. The Lord blessed at the recent conference with edifying and challenging ministry. Good attendance with a number of younger men and women was encouraging. Present were M. Cain, M. Derksen, G. Higgins, M. McCandless, D. Petterson, J. Procopio, and F. Sona. Mark Procopio, commended to the work in Brazil, gave a report of the labors in the northeast of that land. D. Zuidema took the Sunday school.
Worcester: In December, the saints enjoyed three nights of encouraging ministry from David Petterson.
Michigan
Deckerville: Bill Metcalf visited in December and gave very uplifting and encouraging ministry which the saints appreciated.
Pennsylvania
Indiana: As the assembly commenced the study of Genesis in the assembly Bible reading, a young brother, Greg Stevens, after extensive study over a number of years, took eight meetings over two weeks to teach Biblical creationism to the assembly and to children in an “open Sunday” format. The Lord gave him great help in holding the attention of the children and strengthening the faith of older believers. The God of creation and salvation was glorified. Even in a small assembly, the Lord assures gift and provides in both ministry and gospel.
Texas
San Juan: Texts and invitations were delivered in this city of about 35,000 in the McAllen area in southern Texas. Brian Array (Pharr, TX) and Shad Sluiter were encouraged to see four unsaved people out on the first night of a gospel series. Please pray for this new work.
Wisconsin
Waukesha: Lord willing, gospel meetings will begin following the conference (late April) with Gary Sharp and Brian Crawford. A number of inner-city teenagers from Milwaukee have been coming to the Sunday night gospel meeting and Thursday night children’s meeting for some time. In the neighborhood surrounding the hall, over 1000 homes have received invitations multiple times to various activities and meetings to which a few have come. Pray that some will be compelled to come to these meetings and that God will richly bless in salvation. Lord willing, Sandy Higgins will be with the assembly for ministry on Friday, March 14 at 7pm and Saturday, March 15 starting at 10am. Subject of the ministry will be “Sonship” depicted in the six occurrences of the phrase, “The Child Grew.”
Mexico
Ciudad del Carmen: About 160 believers from Cancun, Pachuca, Paraíso, Santa Rita, Zapata, Xalapa, the state of Chiapas, and the country of Guatemala gathered with the assembly on this island for a year-end conference, December 28 through January 1. The three Bible readings were on the epistle of Titus. Timothy Stevenson and three other brethren also gave appreciated help in the ministry and the preaching of the gospel. There was much joy among the saints for God’s faithfulness and care. For many of them, it was their first conference.
Guasave: The work in this city continues to progress. Shad Kember and Andrew Zuidema (Midland Park) reconditioned a building that has been rented for a year. The epistle of 1 Timothy was taken up in ministry meetings on December 15. Believers from two villages close by also attended, as well as saints from Hermosillo and Ciudad Obregón, a few hours drive away. Sam Cain and Jairo Gracia (Hermosillo) shared in the gospel in the evening. Please pray for this new work in the state of Sinaloa, on Mexico’s west coast.
Iguala: On December 22, in a venue rented especially for the occasion, Duncan Beckett and Abisai Vieyra preached the gospel to a good company that gathered to also witness the baptism of two brethren and one sister.
Puerto Vallarta: Believers from the three assemblies in the area, as well as saints from Tepic, Santiago, and Zapopan gathered for the Coapinole assembly’s twenty-first annual conference. Paul Thiessen led a Bible reading on the subject of “The Family.” Ricky Sawatsky, David Seed, Ross Vanstone, as well as Carlos Castaño and Jamer Rodriguez (both from Columbia), helped in the ministry and preaching of the gospel. A young sister from the work in Talpa (two hours away) obeyed the Lord in baptism.
Zapopan: Several believers from Zamora, Zapopan, and Puerto Vallarta, and two young men from the Victoria Drive assembly in Vancouver, helped Paul Thiessen and Jonathan Seed with the distribution of 8000 texts and calendars around the areas of the hall in the north and south sides of this large city adjacent to Guadalajara. Our brethren were encouraged with a week of children’s meetings in the south hall, and plan to continue with gospel meetings.
Republic of Ireland
Dublin: The Rathmines assembly appreciated a visit from Josh Jacob (Bicester) in November for the Saturday afternoon special gospel meeting and for Lord’s Day. The annual Thanksgiving meeting was held on Saturday, January 4, with a account of assembly activity and thanksgiving. The gospel was preached to a full hall by Robin McKeown. Please pray for the unsaved who attended.
Longford: The assembly distributed four thousand information packs in December, containing a cover letter, calendar, and tract. The increased numbers in fellowship enabled the assembly to reach out to the neighboring towns and villages. Please pray that the homes contacted will be blessed through this outreach.
N. Ireland
Ballyshiel: J. Rogers and I. Gorgon commenced in the gospel hall in early January.
Bushmills: S. Gilfillan and A. Caldwell commenced gospel meetings in this small town on the North coast in early January.
Coleraine: B. Currie and J. Palmer concluded gospel meetings in late November. One man, a notable character in the area, professed to be saved. He was contacted and encouraged to attend the meetings, resulting in his salvation.
Kilkeel: A. Wilson and N. Fleck concluded gospel meetings after 10 weeks. The saints were encouraged by the meetings and the Lord’s blessing in salvation.
Limavady: D. Gilliland and R. McKeown commenced a gospel series in the gospel hall mid-January.
Moira: E. Fairfield had two weeks of gospel meetings in this village close to Lurgan at the end of November and early December.
Portavogie: A number were saved at recent gospel meetings in the hall, conducted by D. Gilliland and J. Rogers.
Portrush and Ballysally, Coleraine: R. Plant had sevaral weeks of children’s meetings in two venues and expects to return in February to Portrush to follow up on this encouraging work.
The Birches, Portadown: W. Martin and M. Turkington were with the small assembly here for a number of weeks before the end of the year. The gospel was well supported and faithfully preached.
Quite a number of conferences were held over the Christmas and new year holiday period. Bible readings with ministry were held in Belfast and Newtownstewart. The Bible readings were opened and led by B. Currie, J. Hay, and D. McAllister. Other annual conference meetings were held at Cregagh Street (Dec 25); Buckna and Kilkeel (Dec 26). A number of ministry meetings are arranged annually by the assemblies at Ballymena, Bangor, Sandringham, Wallace Ave., Lisburn, Fortwilliam, Belfast, Albertbridge Road, Belfast,and Lurgan. These meetings have been exceptionally well-attended and have proved to be a time of spiritual challenge and refreshment.
Many assemblies hand deliver gospel calendars into homes surrounding their halls, and individual believers distribute them in their own immediate neighborhoods. Each month has a clear gospel verse. For your prayerful interest, 2500 gospel calendars were distributed in the Ardoyne area of Belfast, a Republican estate of note, and over 300,000 calendars in the whole of the Province. Pray for the Lord’s blessing.
Conferences
Jackson, MI
February 14-16, in the Jackson Gospel Hall, 910 Benett Street. Prayer Meeting on Friday, February 14 at 7pm. Saturday: Prayer/Ministry 10am and 2pm. Sunday: Breaking of Bread 9:30am, Sunday school 11:30am, Prayer/Ministry 2pm. Several brethren have responsibility for the conference ministry meetings. Accom: Jason Wielenga, Tel: 519 917-0282; E-mail: jandtwielenga@gmail.com. Corr: R. Douglas Losey, Tel: 517 787-9169; E-mail: rdlosey@juno.com.
Matoaca, VA
March 1-2, in the Matoaca Elementary School (or Matoaca Middle School — we have not yet received definite approval from the School Board at the time of this notice), with Prayer Meeting on Friday, February 28 at 7:30 pm in the Gospel Hall, 6204 River Road, Matoaca. First meeting on Saturday at 10:30am. Contact John Nobles, Tel: 804 265-5455, or E-mail: jnobles6@aol.com.
Mount Sterling, WI
March 22-23, Bible Reading Conference, with Prayer Meeting, Friday, at 7:30pm in the gospel hall. All other meetings will be at the North Crawford High School, north of Gays Mills. Saturday: First meeting 10am. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 9:30am. Bible Readings are on 2 Peter and Jude. Accom: 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 order of meetings will be sent on request.
Stout, IA
April 12-13, with Prayer meeting on Friday, April 11 at 7:30pm. Saturday: Ministry 10am. Lord’s Day: Bible Reading 9am (Isaiah 52:13-15, 53:1-12), Breaking of Bread 10:30am, Ministry 2pm. All meetings will be held in the gospel hall. Corr: Gary DeGroote, 28073 WestBrook St, New Hartford, IA 50660-8508. Tel: 319 983-2713; Cell: 319 231-4132; E-mail: gdegroote2@msn.com. Hall Tel: 319 346-1153.
East Los Angeles, Panorama City, Montebello, CA (Spanish)
April 11-13 2014. Contact: John Thropay, E-mail: Jthopay@beverlyoncology.com.
Culver City, CA
April 18-20, Easter Conference with prayer meeting on Friday, April 18 at 7:30pm. Saturday: Bible Reading 10-12 noon, Ministry 2-5pm. Sunday: Worship 10:30-12 noon, gospel 2-3pm, ministry 3-5pm. Corr: Martin Baghramian; E-mail: m.baghram@verizon.net.
Toronto, ON
April 18-20, in Le Parc Conference Centre, 8432 Leslie St., Thornhill. Meetings on Friday and Saturday at 10am, 1.30, 3:45 and 7pm. On Lord’s Day, meetings at 2:15, 4 and 7pm. Prayer meeting on Thursday, April 17 at 7:30pm in Langstaff Gospel Hall, 1300 Langstaff Rd. Corr. Ian Margerison, 3 Hill Top Trail, Stouffville, ON, L4A 7X4, Tel: 647 291-8831, E-mail: ijmargerison@gmail.com; or Randy Marisette, 30 Fieldview Cres., Markham, ON L3R 3H7, Tel: 905 475-7919, E-mail: marisettes@hotmail.com.
Cedar Falls/Waterloo
April 19 – 20, with Prayer Meeting on Friday April 18, at 7pm in the Cedar Falls Gospel Hall, 1302 Walnut St. , Cedar Falls . All other meetings are in the Cedar Falls High School , 1015 Division St. Cedar Falls . Saturday: Ministry 10am. Lord’s Day: Bible Reading 9am ( Psalm 69 ), Breaking of Bread 10:15am. Corr: Waterloo – Delmer Stickfort, 317 N. 3rd St. Raymond IA 50667 Tel 319-235-7452; or Cedar Falls – Mike Palmer, 18502 X Ave., Dike IA 50624 Tel 319-989-0869 E-mail mjpalmer89@gmail.com
Waukesha, WI
April 26-27 in the Waukesha Gospel Hall, 2641 Pebble Valley Road, Waukesha, WI. Friday: Prayer 7pm, Saturday: Ministry 10am and 2pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 10:30am, Ministry 2pm. Contacts: John Orr, Tel: 262 642-3093, E-mail: j.c.orr@earthlink.net; or Stephen Moffitt, Tel: 262 650-9190, E-mail: stephenmoffitt@earthlink.net. See www.waukeshagospelhall.org for maps and more information.
Conferences Previously Published:
DeLand, FL – February 7-9
Tampa, FL – March 22-23
Change of Address
Mrs. Sadie (Jack) Noble, Bethany Manor, Unit #255, 23 Second Street, Unionville, ON L3R 2C2.
Change of Address of Correspondent
Turlock, CA: Narendra Singh,1209 Chetwood Dr., Modesto, CA 95358; Tel: 209 526-0910; Cell: 209 499-0519. All correspondence for the assembly to be directed to this address.
Home-calls
Cora MacAleese Procopio of Saugus, MA, on December 1, 2013, age 85, after a lengthy illness. She was predeceased by her husband, Patrick, a valued elder, in December 1984, and a son, David Ford, in August 2006. Our beloved and esteemed sister was born in Moncton, NB, and was led to the Lord through a gospel tract given to her at her place of employment. Her love for the Lord was manifested in her kindness to all, and her home was open in hospitality. She was faithful to the assembly testimony in East Boston, then Saugus for 55 years. She leaves six children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Her eldest son Mark is commended to the Lord’s work in Brazil. The large number at her funeral was a testimony to the respect in which she was held. Her son-in-law, William Calhoun, her sons, Mark and Paul, and her brother Stuart spoke at the service. Her son, Tim, and her brother, Stuart, spoke at the graveside.
Larry Amero of Weaver Settlement, NS, on December 5, age 59. Larry was only 13 when the gospel came to this area, although he did not get saved until later in life. On the last night of a tent series in 1993, Larry trusted Christ as Savior through the truth of Romans 5:9-10. Larry drove a log truck until a severe heart attack prevented him from doing so. Larry was received into fellowship in the Weaver Settlement assembly where he proved to be a great help, especially in Bible readings, and served as an overseer. Even with much sickness, he always wore a smile, and in his last hours on earth he desired to share the gospel with others. The large funeral was shared by Eric Fowler and James McClelland, with Bruce Barkhouse speaking at the graveside. Larry leaves his wife Judy, who is in fellowship, and also a daughter who is not yet saved.
J. Roy Beckett of St. Thomas, ON, December 15, age 86. He was predeceased by his first wife Anna (Goodfellow) and son Charles. He is survived by his wife Muriel (Sercombe), daughter Eunice, and sons Douglas, David, and William. He was born in Tillsonburg, ON and saved at 10 years of age through the truth of John 3:16 during the last night of a gospel series held by Tom Wilkie. He came into the assembly in his teens and was in fellowship in St. Thomas until his death. After retirement, for approximately 10 years, he along with several others made framed texts and freely distributed them at the weekly flea market in Aylmer. God’s Word was precious to him and his love for the assembly was evident all of his years. The funeral at the gospel hall was taken by John McCandless, with a couple of family tributes, Frank Sona in the gospel, and Bert Snippe at the graveside.
Lucille Johnson of Ontario, WI, on December 16, age 96. She trusted Christ during gospel meetings held by Oliver Smith and Paul Elliott in November of 1953. She was among the original 19 believers that formed the assembly in 1955. She was a faithful sister, residing in a nursing home the past several years. She is survived by two sons and two daughters and their families. Prayer is requested for some in the family as to their spiritual needs. Her husband, a son, and a daughter preceded her in death. Brandon Doll, Kent Hendrickson, and Robert Orr shared in the funeral service.
H. Harold Warnock of Langley, BC, on December 20, age 90. Harold was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and born again on February 17, 1947 through the words of John 6:37. He was in assembly fellowship at the Bloomfield Gospel Hall until his marriage to Margaret Elizabeth (Betty) Miller in 1955, at which time they were in fellowship with the Ormeau Road assembly. As a family, they emigrated to Canada in 1956 and lived in Montreal for 15 months, where they were in fellowship in Ogilvy Avenue Gospel Hall before moving to Winnipeg. More than 26 happy years were spent in fellowship in the West End Gospel Hall where he was a respected elder. Upon retirement in 1984, the family moved to B.C. and were in fellowship in Fleetwood, Woodland Drive, and Langley Gospel Halls. They were noted for their hospitality, liberality, and care for the believers. He was predeceased by his wife Betty in 2001. His last seven years were spent at Hilltop Manor in Langley where he was lovingly cared for by the staff. Harold was a real Bible student and capably shared his thoughts in assembly gatherings until the end. He leaves to mourn his daughter, Cathie (Grant) Thomas (PEI), son Colin (London, ON), four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The memorial service was shared by Bill Adams and Cameron Cox with the graveside service taken by Bill Adams.
Doris McCandless of St. Thomas, ON, on December 25, 2013, age 90. Doris was saved June 9, 1936 as a girl of 13. She was in fellowship in Highfield Road assembly in Toronto until her marriage to Lyle in 1948. For 65 years they served the Lord together in the St. Thomas assembly. She was fondly known as “Auntie Do” to most, and to her family as a loving, caring mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She was a lover of hospitality, and had the heart of an evangelist with her work among children in Sunday school and gathering children for children’s meetings. She was known for her compassion and faithfulness to the assembly, serving as a godly wife of an elder until her home-call. She leaves her husband, Lyle, four sons, two daughters, 20 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren who will miss her greatly. The large funeral service was taken by Shawn St. Clair and another grandson-in-law, sharing tributes from family and friends; Murray McCandless spoke in the gospel and Steve Kember spoke at the graveside.
