Canada

British Columbia

Langley: Stephen Vance was with the assembly for ministry on “The Attributes of God,” from January 14-18.

Port Alberni: David Richards had ministry meetings on Ephesians during the last week of January.

Vancouver: Gordon Williams visited the Fairview, Carleton, Deep Cove, and South Burnaby assemblies in January.

Manitoba

Portage la Prairie: The assembly which has been meeting in the First Street Gospel Hall (formerly Portage Gospel Hall) since 1937, has moved to a new building called the River Road Gospel Hall. Please see Updates for more information.

New Brunswick

Sussex: Numbers were much greater than usual for the annual mid-winter day of meetings. The assembly rented the facilities at the Sussex High School. Several capable brethren gave excellent ministry. The Sunday school treat on Saturday night was also well attended. The Sunday night gospel meeting served as the beginning of a gospel series being held at the Sussex Gospel Hall. Joining Murray McCandless for the first week of the series was James McClelland, followed by John Meekin in the second week, and Joseph Chung for two weeks. The chief burdens in these meetings are the large number of Christians’ children, others related, and a growing interest among some Korean families in the area.

Newfoundland and Labrador

L’Anse au Loup: Eric Fowler was on the coast at the end of November and into December doing door-to-door visitation with calendars with help from local brethren. The assembly held its Sunday school program during the holiday season with a gospel message delivered by Morley Linstead. The English Point assembly also held theirs with Eddie Barney speaking. There were packed halls in both locations. Gospel meetings started Sunday, January 24, with David Hunt and David Hierlihy, with good attendance.

Nova Scotia

Halifax: The saints were encouraged by a young sister obeying the Lord in baptism. This was fruit from the annual summer teen camp and a weekly children’s outreach still ongoing in a community center in Dartmouth.

Ontario

Clinton: The assembly is thankful to God for good attendance and profitable ministry given by six of the Lord’s servants at the annual fall conference in October. The visit by John Clingen in December with ministry and a report on his recent labors was also appreciated. The children’s treat, with the community dinner, was extremely encouraging with over 40 people from the town present. Jim Bergsma ministered the real reason for the season with clarity. In January, the saints were inspired with a report by Eric Fowler on the work in the Ukraine. Please pray for a good number of children coming regularly to Sunday school.

Kirkland Lake: John Meekin had a week of ministry on prophecy that was appreciated by believers in the four area assemblies.

Toronto: In November, the Lansing assembly enjoyed a ministry series with Bruce Rodgers on “Overcoming Conflict in our Relationships,” as well as a series given by Stephen Vance on the “Attributes of God.” The assembly’s ESL outreach, now in its fifth year, continues to be blessed by God with good numbers, many helpers, and some professing faith. Prayer is requested that this good work would continue. Please pray also for planned gospel meetings in April with Gene Higgins. On Saturday, January 16, and Sunday, January 17, the Langstaff assembly in Thornhill had a winter community outreach weekend with supper served both evenings, followed by gospel messages given by local speakers from the assembly. The believers worked hard to get family, friends, work colleagues, and other contacts out to hear the gospel. Invitations were also distributed around the immediate vicinity of the hall. The assembly was encouraged to have more than 25 different visitors in to hear the gospel over the two-night effort, and is continuing to follow up with these contacts. Prayer is being made for the Lord’s blessing in salvation and the building up of assembly testimony.

Mississauga – Applewood Heights Gospel Hall: The Christians enjoyed encouraging visits from Alex Dryburgh, Bryan Joyce, and Jim Bergsma. The second community dinner was held with encouraging numbers and a clear gospel presented. Please pray for God`s hand in this monthly effort.

Prince Edward Island

Crapaud: The assembly enjoyed having David Swan for Sunday, January 24, and anticipate David Weir (Romania) coming for ministry on March 29-31, DV. Each of the homes in the Crapaud area was visited during the calendar distribution in December. A monthly visit to the local nursing home with a hymn sing and gospel message continues. Kid’s Club will be starting in early April for about 10 weeks. Pray for the Lord’s blessing in these efforts.

The saints in the Rosebank and Springfield West assemblies have taken an opportunity to reach out to migrant workers in the area by providing “Improve Your English” classes in a community room. The numbers are small compared to more populated areas, but among the possible contacts are Thai, Mexican, and Filipino workers. Please pray for this effort to provide an effective service and to make contacts among immigrant neighbors.

U.S.A.

Arizona

Phoenix: The 2016 Orangewood conference in January was a time of spiritual refreshment and challenge. Missionary reports were given by Stephen Harper (Malawi) and Timothy Sloan (Ukraine). Bible readings on Ephesus and Philadelphia were led by Larry Steers and John Dennison. A number of other brethren helped make the weekend profitable for all.

Michigan

Deckerville: Bill Metcalf came for a Lord’s Day in late January and gave uplifting and encouraging ministry.

Saginaw: The assembly enjoyed ministry and gospel messages by Bruce Cottrill and Matt Smith at the February 7 bimonthly ministry meeting. The evening gospel meeting was especially suited to international university students from Nepal who have been attending gospel meetings. The saints greatly appreciate the support of ministering brethren.

Wisconsin

Blue River: Robert Orr and Larry Steers plan to commence gospel meetings on March 13 each night at 8pm, DV.

Jacksonport: Jerry Jennings and Roy Weber are having gospel meetings in the gospel hall which began January 27.

Ontario: William Skates gave ministry on “The Person of Christ” in February. Children’s meetings with Dan Shutt at Norwalk, were planned for February 22-26. Pray for gospel meetings Murray McCandless and Scott MacLeod plan to commence on March 6 in the will of the Lord.

Mexico

Quintana Roo

Cancun: The believers are thankful for the Lord’s provision of a hall. The first meeting was held on January 3, and they had a week of prayer and ministry meetings to inaugurate the opening. Jack Gould, David Alves, Jr., and Sidney Turkington (Battle Creek, MI) visited in January, encouraging the saints.

Veracruz

Veracruz: Agapito, an 89-year-old brother living in Cotaxtla, was received into the fellowship of the assembly. There are now several believers from Cotaxtla who drive in to the city on the Lord’s Day for the breaking of bread and other meetings. Three believers (a couple and their son) were baptized on January 24. A good number from their family were present for the gospel meeting. Marcus Cain was with the assembly for two nights of ministry, as well as for the Lord’s Day. He also visited the assembly in Xalapa for three nights.

Campeche

Ciudad del Carmen: The assembly held its third annual conference from December 30 to January 1. Appreciated help in the ministry, gospel, and Bible readings, was given by Jack Gould, David Alves, Jr., Timothy Stevenson, Timothy Turkington, and Chucho Gómez (Zamora, Michoacán). The believers enjoyed Jack and Ruth Gould’s 10-day visit, when he also ministered in Emiliano Zapata and Nicolás Bravo, two outreach works.

Guerrero

Iguala: Jorge and Sulay Gómez (Venezuela) were with the assembly for a couple of weeks in January, visiting their daughter Andrea. Jorge gave helpful teaching on marriage, the family, and the fellowship of the assembly, and also was able to visit the outreach works in Oacalco and San Lucas.

Guanajuato

Irapuato: Ricky and Erika Sawatzky, along with believers from the work here, delivered 4000 tracts during the “Three Kings Day” parade held annually in this city in early January. They have been encouraged to see some new people attending the gospel meeting.

Zacatecas

Zacatecas: Ross Vanstone and Jason Wahls preached nightly in January, following the Seed Sower distribution the end of December. Many people came at least once, with new people in almost every night. God blessed in salvation. Meetings now continue three nights a week.

Sinaloa

Guasave: On January 10, three sisters were baptized after Shad Kember and Andrew Zuidema (Midland Park, NJ) preached the gospel to a large crowd. Please continue to pray for the formation of an assembly in this city.

Chihuahua

Chihuahua: A gospel series commenced on February 2, helped by local brethren. On Mondays, they continue to travel to Ciudad Delicias to preach the gospel. Raquel Reyes and his wife Olga began attending meetings in West Phoenix several years ago after a free medical clinic in the area. God graciously saved both of them and they came into assembly fellowship. A few years ago, they returned to Mexico, and lived in the border town of Puerto Palomas, west of Ciudad Juarez. On January 21, God called Raquel home. Nelson Mendoza and another brother had the opportunity to preach the gospel to more than 150 people gathered for the wake, and again the next day at the burial.

N. Ireland

Co. Antrim

Belfast: In the Parkgate Avenue Gospel Hall, Paul McCauley and David Williamson commenced in the gospel on January 17.
Larne: On January 24, Wesley Martin and Tom Armstrong commenced gospel meetings in the recently renovated Market Yard Auction House, a local landmark central to the town with parking and easy access.

Glengormley: Gospel meetings are planned to commence on February 21 in the hall, with John Rogers and Andrew Steele.

Co. Armagh

Drumncanver: Mark Campbell and Nathan Agnew are having gospel meetings in an old school house in Milford, in fellowship with the assembly here.

Portadown: John Fleck and David Strahan have commenced gospel meetings in the hall.

Co. Down

Ballywalter: John Rogers and Andrew Steele commenced a gospel series on January 10. The meetings are being held in a portable hall.

Newtownards: Samuel Nelson and Noel Fleck are preaching the gospel nightly in the James Street Gospel Hall.

Co. Londonderry

Killykergan: Brian Currie and Jack Palmer commenced gospel meetings on January 10 in the hall.

Limavady: The assembly has rented the town hall for two weeks where Robin McKeown is preaching the gospel.

Conferences

Matoaca, VA

March 5-6, the 25th annual conference, with Prayer Meeting on Friday, March 4 at 7:30pm in the Gospel Hall, 6204 River Road, Matoaca, Virginia. Meetings on Saturday and Sunday are at the Matoaca Elementary School, 6627 River Road (two blocks west of the Gospel Hall). The first meeting on Saturday starts at 10:30am. Corr: John Nobles, E-mail: JNobles6@aol.com.

Mount Sterling, WI

March 18-19, with Prayer Meeting, Friday, at 7:30 pm at the gospel hall. All other meetings at the North Crawford High School north of Gays Mills. First meeting on Saturday: 10am. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 9:30am. Bible Readings on “The Humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ” in Luke 2, Philippians 2, Hebrews 2, and Leviticus 2. 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 and order of meetings will be sent on request.

Toronto, ON

March 19, in the West Hill Gospel Hall, for the young and young at heart. A day of “Ministry in the Word” with Blair Martin from Scotland on “Lessons from the Lives of OT saints, Joseph and Joshua.” Three afternoon sessions are planned DV at 2:30, 4 and 6:30pm. Refreshments and supper are provided. Corr: Ray Conroy, E-mail: ray.conroy@yahoo.ca; Tel: 647 525-8183.

Culver City, California

March 25-27, in the Culver City Gospel Hall 11138 Venice Bl. Culver City, CA 90230. Fri. night Prayer meeting 7:30 pm. Saturday Bible reading at 10am on Acts 2 opened by Sandy Higgins. Ministry 2pm. Lord’s Day Breaking of Bread 10:30am, Children’s meeting 1:30pm, Gospel 2pm, Ministry 2:30pm. Corr. David Singleton 818-515-0477, Email singletonlaw@gmail.com.

Toronto, ON

March 25-27, in Le Parc Conference Centre, 8432 Leslie St., Thornhill. Meetings on Friday and Saturday at 10am, 1.30, 3:45 and 7pm. Lord’s Day: meetings at 2:15, 4 and 7pm. Prayer meeting on Thursday, April 2 at 7:30pm in Langstaff Gospel Hall, 1300 Langstaff Rd. Expected speakers: Jack Hay, Bryan Joyce, Peter Ramsay, David Vallance, David Weir, and Gordon Williams. Discount rates have been arranged at the Sheraton and Best Western hotels across the street. Call 1-800-668-0101 or E-mail resmgr@sheratonparkway.com indicating you are with the “Toronto Easter Conference.” Corr: Ian Margerison, Tel: 647 291-8831, E-mail: ijmargerison@gmail.com; or Randy Marisette, Tel: 905 475-7919, E-mail: marisettes@hotmail.com.

Vancouver, BC

March 25-27, with prayer on Thursday, March 24 at 8pm at the South Main Gospel Hall. All other meetings in the South Burnaby Secondary School, 7373 MacPherson Ave., Burnaby. Missionary reports in the morning sessions on Friday and Saturday (10:30 a.m.), followed by ministry. Gospel meeting all three nights. Bible studies on Malachi at West Richmond Gospel Hall on March 29 to April 1. Visitors welcome. Contact Earl Ritchie at earlrit@aol.com for more information.

Cedar Falls/Waterloo, IA

April 16-17, with Prayer Meeting on Friday, April 15, at 7:30pm 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 (Philippians 2:5-11), 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.The following Bible Studies on Acts 2-4 will be shared jointly with the Stout, Cedar Falls & Waterloo assemblies between their conference weekends at 7pm nightly: Cedar Falls Gospel Hall – April 11 (Acts 2:1–28) and April 12 (Acts 2: 29–47). Stout Gospel Hall – April 13 (Acts 3) and April 14 (Acts 4).

Newmarket, ON

May 1, in the Newmarket Gospel Hall. Breaking of Bread 9:30am, Bible Study 11:30am, Ministry 2pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Topic for the Bible study is “The Priesthood of All Believers” with 1 Peter 2:5-12 as the core passage, led by Bruce Rodgers. For directions contact Tim Scheer, Tel: 905 898-4369, or E-mail: tescheer@netzero.com.

Conferences Previously Published:

Turlock, CA – February 20-21

Cambridge, ON – March 5-6

Tampa, FL – March 12-13

Manchester, CT – March 19-20

Kapuskasing, ON – March 25-27

Clarksville, IA – April 3

Stout, IA – April 9-10

Updates

Change of Assembly Address

Portage la Prairie, MB: River Road Gospel Hall (formerly Portage Gospel Hall), 350 River Road, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3V6. Mailing address: Box 1231. E-mail: welcome@riverroadgospelhall.com. Corr: David Vanstone. E-mail: vanstones@gmail.com. All regular meeting times remain the same.

Change of Correspondent

Sudbury, ON: Don Carlyle, 545 Bonin Street, Azilda, ON, P0M 1B0. Tel: 705-983-2428; E-mail: donmarg.carlyle8@gmail.com.

Change in Meeting Times

Parry Sound, ON: Meetings on Sundays are now as follows: Breaking of Bread 10am, Sunday school/Adult Bible Study 11:30am, Gospel Prayer Meeting 6pm, Gospel 6:30pm.

Home-calls

Florence Shebest of Hatboro, PA, on September 8, 2015, age 96. Florie attended religious services as a child, but first heard the gospel through her future son-in-law, Jim Coleman. During meetings held by Walter Gustafson and Bert Granger, she understood her need to be saved, and trusted Christ on November 30, 1973 at age 54. Her husband, Joe, was saved during the same series. The funeral was shared by Larry and Jim Coleman and her grandsons, Ryan and Russell Coleman. Jack and Larry Coleman participated at the graveside. She is survived by her daughter, Christine (Jim), three grandsons,and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, and her son, Gregory. Before being afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, Florie was faithful to all of the assembly meetings and a willing helper in practical concerns. She was known for encouraging others with greeting cards, notes, and home visits.

Stanley Brooks of Loring, ON, on November 5, 2015, age 97. Our dear brother was saved in 1945 through Exodus 12:13. Stanley was a great encourager and was always ready to talk about his Savior. He continued in happy fellowship in the Arnstein assembly until he lost his second leg due to over 50 years of living with diabetes. Stanley and his wife would have celebrated their 78th anniversary on November 24. The majority of his last days were spent singing and waiting for the “shout.” He will be greatly missed by his wife, Ena, son Halliet (Juanita), Joan Brooks, and several grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren. The large funeral was taken by David Booth.

Elizabeth (Gourley) Batterton of Terryville, CT/West Springfield, MA, on December 12, 2015, age 93. Betty was saved in August, 1934 while listening to the gospel being preached at a campground at Old Orchard Beach, ME. She was in the assembly in Springfield, MA until 1953 when she married Bill Batterton and then met with the Christians in the Waterbury, CT (now Terryville, CT) assembly. After her husband’s death in 2005, she moved back to the West Springfield, MA assembly. She is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Hanley and Trudy Westfort. Bill Hanley and David Hanley took the funeral service. Steve Morin and Paul Barnhardt took part at the graveside.

Danny Lee DeFreece, Sr., of Snohomish, WA, on December 19, 2015, age 74. Dan was born December 16, 1941 and was born again on December 25, 1955. He was a faithful servant of his Lord, caring for God’s people with a shepherd’s heart and serving for many years as an elder in the assembly where God had placed him. Dan was a friend to all he met and had a special burden for reaching the lost. His funeral was well attended, including many unsaved acquaintances, to whom the gospel was faithfully preached. Dan is survived by his wife Eunice, their three children and spouses, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Dan will be greatly missed by all, and the saints are asked to remember his family in prayer.

Marjorie Ruth (Alves) Thompson of Burnaby, BC, on December 22, 2015, age 92. Our dear sister was born on January 2, 1923, the second daughter of Hector and Eunice Alves. She was saved at the age of 15, and later baptized and received into the Cedar Cottage assembly. In 1945, she married Joseph Thompson and together they raised four daughters, living in Washington state for 20 years before relocating to Vancouver, BC where they attended the Woodland Drive Gospel Hall. For the last 23 years, she was a happy and valued member of the Fourth Street assembly in North Vancouver, always attending the meetings until shortly before her homecall. Marjorie had a great interest in missionaries and their work, was a historian with a wonderful memory, had a love for devotional poetry, and was a student of God’s Word. Predeceased by her husband in 1999, she leaves four daughters, two sisters, a brother, and grandchildren. Family members and local brethren shared in the service.

Roland James Shelleau of Sault Ste. Marie, ON, on December 23, 2015, at the age of 92. Rollie was saved in the fall of 1975 during meetings conducted by Fred Krauss and Dick Robertson. Soon after, he was baptized and received into the assembly in Sault Ste. Marie where he continued in happy and steadfast fellowship until his health declined and he was no longer able to attend the meetings. Please remember in prayer his devoted wife, Julie, of 68 years, two saved daughters, and unsaved family members.

Donald R. Clark of Livonia, MI, on January 5, 2016, after a lingering illness. He was born May 17, 1927 in Sault Ste. Marie, ON and brought up under the sound of the gospel, trusting Christ as Savior at age 13 through Isaiah 53:5. He was soon baptized and received into assembly fellowship in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Donald moved to Detroit in 1950 and married Alice Postif in July 1952. Together, they served the Lord and His people in the Schoolcraft and Stark Rd. assemblies. Donald and Alice had three children: Jerry (Kathy), Jim (Phyllis) and Mary Jane, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Alice went to be with the Lord in October of 2009. At his funeral, family members gave honoring tributes to their dad and grandpa; a testimony of his life as a true Christian gentleman. Dan Shutt faithfully preached the gospel from Isaiah 53:5 to the large funeral gathering. Dr. Joe Dennison spoke comforting words at the grave.

Floy E. Klein of Arlington, WA, on January 7, 2016, age 88. Floy was a pillar in the community and the assembly in Arlington for 60 years with her husband John A. until his home-call in 2007. Shortly after being saved as a teenager, she was baptized and received into fellowship in Okanogan, WA. Later, they settled in Arlington on the dairy farm where they raised six boys and four girls, seeing each of them saved. They hosted meetings in their home on Thursday evenings, and their hospitality to others was well known and the gospel was faithfully shared. Floy taught Sunday school for many years. Many people remarked that she was “an angel among us.” No unkind words were in her vocabulary to, or about, others. She could have been the poster child for the Proverbs 31 woman and will be missed immensely. Almost all of her children, in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, 113 in all, have professed faith in Christ and desire to please Him. Over 450 came to the memorial service where her six sons shared the gospel and wonderful memories. Steven Meyers encouraged the family at the graveside service.

Eileen Agnew of Hamilton, ON, on January 24, 2016, age 96. Our sister was born February 2, 1920 and as a girl of six started attending the Kensington Ave. Gospel Hall Sunday school. Saved at the age of 13 through the words of Isaiah 53:5, she was baptized and received into fellowship in 1934. She continued in happy fellowship until the assembly relocated in 2009 and thereafter at Nash Road (82 years in all), until her home-call. Her husband, having suffered a stroke in 1963, was bedridden in the hospital until his home-call in 1975. She faithfully visited him daily. She was also predeceased by her oldest son in 1995, having also suffered a stroke. In all of life’s trials, and through to the end, she said, “I am still learning to trust.” She leaves two sons, their families, and a large extended family. The number that attended the memorial service was a tribute to the esteem in which she was held. Paul Glenney spoke at the memorial service.