Canada
British Columbia
Vancouver: The assemblies in Metro Vancouver once again sponsored a gospel booth at the Pacific National Exhibition from August 18 to September 3, with the main display being a replica Gutenberg printing press. Gospel texts, booklets, and tracts were distributed to visitors who came into the booth. Norman Mellish visited the Fairview, West Richmond, and Victoria Drive assemblies in late August and gave appreciated ministry.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Fogo: David Hunt, helped by Bram Lewis (Sandringham, NL) held a week of open-air gospel meetings during August.
Labrador: The believers enjoyed having Gaius Goff and his wife this summer. He spent July 29 in English Point and followed through the week with ministry. On Sunday, August 5 he was with the Charlottetown assembly and remained for a week of ministry. On August 12, they were with the assembly in Red Bay for the morning and then drove to L’Anse au Loup where he took part during the afternoon ministry meeting and a combined gospel meeting. He remained with the L’Anse au Loup assembly for ministry August 13-14 before returning to visit the island assemblies there. The ministry given was encouraging to the saints.
Sandringham: Gaius and Linda Goff visited the assembly on August 26, and he gave ministry August 27-28. David Hunt also gave ministry on August 30.
West Coast: The assemblies on the West Coast enjoyed Gaius Goff’s visits during the month of August. His ministry was timely and appreciated.
Ontario
Guelph: The assembly enjoyed visits over the summer months from a number of brethren including Bruce Cottrill, Marvin Derksen, Fred Krauss, and Larry Steers. Prayer that the Lord would sustain the testimony according to His will would be appreciated.
Prince Edward Island
O’Leary: The assembly in O’Leary (formerly Springfield West) concluded seven weeks of gospel meetings July-August with Tim Burton (Summerside, PE) and Murray McCandless. Two souls professed salvation, which encouraged the saints. The meetings ended with two men being baptized on the final night. A number from the community attended the meetings. In recent months, a number of children from the community have also been attending Sunday school. Prayer is requested for this work.
U.S.A.
Arkansas
Alpena: The assembly enjoyed a visit from Harrys Rodriguez and his family in early July. The believers were encouraged when he expounded the first five Beatitudes in Matthew 5.
Iowa
Antioch: Jerry Jennings and Roy Weber purposed gospel meetings beginning September 9.
Dunkerton: Gospel meetings with Jerry Jennings and Roy Weber closed on August 26.
Hitesville: Clive Barber was with the assembly on August 26. Clark Logan from Botswana visited the assembly on August 30.
Stout: Clive Barber visited the assembly on August 19.
Waterloo: The assembly appreciated ministry from Clive Barber on August 28.
Massachusetts
Saugus: Dan Shutt was with the assembly in July for five nights of children’s meetings/VBS. There was a fair response to the invitations. A total of 60 children attended and a good number of their parents were present and listened very well. The support from local assemblies was appreciated. The Sunday after the VBS, a dinner was held for all who attended. The gospel was faithfully presented by Daniel Baker. A community dinner was held on Sunday, August 26, followed by the gospel. Timothy Procopio of Byfield faithfully presented “The Gift of God.” Please pray that blessings in salvation will follow as a result of these outreaches.
Michigan
Battle Creek: Venezuela Relief Fund: Economic conditions continue to deteriorate with the currency change, as well as the huge raise in minimum wage. The assembly continues to ship larger quantities to the states where the assemblies are located. Prayer is requested for the continued preservation of the Christians, as well as the food shipments going from the US to Venezuela. The assembly purposes a special “All-Day Meeting” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the current assembly in Battle Creek located at 807 Michigan Ave E. on Sunday October 7, 2018. Beginning with the Lord’s Supper at 9:30am, Bible Reading at 10:30am, Sunday school at noon, and an afternoon meeting 2-5pm, with the last speaker giving a gospel message before supper. Meals will be served at noon and 5pm. RSVP to Kerry Ferguson, 9733 Blue Heron, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827, Email: bigmackf@icloud.com.
Saginaw: Joseph Baker (Jackson, MI) and Matt Smith ably ministered the Word of God and preached the gospel at the August 5 bimonthly meeting. The assembly anticipated a visit from Brian Crawford on September 13. To resolve scheduling conflicts, the October bimonthly ministry meeting will be held, D.V., on October 14 with William Metcalf and Dan Shutt.
Minnesota
Fridley: After realizing her foundation of many years wasn’t firm and that she was on her way to hell, a 37-year-old woman professed faith in Christ on August 12 during the three weeks of meetings with Brandon Doll and Frank Sona.
Vermont
Hardwick: The assembly planned a two-week gospel series with Paul Barnhardt to commence September 30 in the hall. Prayer is requested for this effort.
Virginia
Crandon: July 15-August 3, the assembly held three weeks of gospel tent meetings in the town of Pearisburg with Paul Barnhardt and Russ Coleman preaching for the first two weeks. Because of strong interest, the meetings were extended one week, with David Petterson and a few local brethren helping Paul. Attendance was good throughout the entire series even though no one professed to be saved.
Washington
Arlington: The Arlington and Marysville assemblies appreciated all the saints who came to the Labor Day conference. The ministry given in uplifting our risen Savior was encouraging and left all with a desire to serve Him better in the time He has given us. Prayer is requested for ministry October 7-12 with Ian Jackson, and gospel meetings October 14-28 with Brandon Doll and Steve Meyers (Arlington, WA).
Marysville: Larry Perkins and Dan Shutt had tent meetings July 29-August 12 despite the theft of the assembly’s tent and trailer from the hall parking lot a week before the start. The assembly appreciated Ross Vanstone’s offer to use his tent, which was driven to Marysville from Calgary, AB by Tim Hanna. A vacation Bible school was held in the morning during the first week, with the teens invited back late afternoon for games, activities, a message, and supper before the gospel meeting at 7pm. Two young women ages 17 and 18 professed to be saved, one of them after hearing the gospel six times. Prayer is requested for the many that have heard the gospel countless times and are still struggling to put their trust in Christ.
Wisconsin
Beetown: The assembly was encouraged by the baptism on September 9 of a husband and wife who were saved last spring.
Bridgeport: Gospel meetings with William Lavery and William Skates closed August 17.
Ontario: The assembly was encouraged by three young people being baptized September 2.
Mexico
Chihuahua
Parral: Shad Kember visited this city for two weeks in August to preach the gospel. They also had some house meetings in Matamoros, 25 minutes to the south, to share the gospel with relatives of a man who attends gospel meetings in Canada.
Nuevo León
Monterrey: A week of children’s meetings was held early in August with encouraging attendance. On August 20 Anderson Hernández and Miguel Mosquera commenced a series in the gospel, with some unsaved in attendance.
Guerrero
Iguala: The assembly was edified by the visit of A. J. Higgins, who spoke on divine order in the life of the believer, in the assembly, in marriage, and in the rearing of children. Mid-week, he visited the work in Oacalco, where he shared a message on the grace of God. In mid-August, the assembly appreciated a visit from the Thiessen family, when Paul and Joel, along with Ricky Sawatzky shared the responsibilities of teaching and preaching.
Veracruz
Veracruz: The assembly appreciated rich teaching from the Word of God given by Paul Thiessen in August.
Quintana Roo
Cancún: During the month of August, the believers appreciated the teaching and preaching shared by several brethren who were visiting: John Nesbitt, Edgar Roseyón, Jonathan Seed, David Shutt (Jackson, MI), and Tim Woodford.
Northern Ireland
Gospel Tent Meetings
In early summer, a number of tents were erected and series of gospel meetings were held. The weather was exceptional, which greatly helped. J. Fleck and J. Rogers had encouraging meetings in Ballymena, with good numbers attending, especially locals. In Portrush, W. Fenton and A. Steele had a six-week series and were thankful for evidence of blessing in salvation. S. Gilfillan and W. Martin also saw blessing in a tent series at Crosskeys. On the Tandragee Road outside Portadown, D. Gilliland and J. Rogers had a tent erected in a local believer’s garden. Many attended and heard the gospel clearly preached. The assembly at Gortade was encouraged with six-week gospel tent meetings in Maghera with J. Rogers and A. Steele. In Dollingstown village, in connection with the Kilmore assembly, B. Currie and J. Palmer had a series of gospel meetings.
Open-Air Gospel Testimony
Many assemblies continue to reach out to neighbors in their local area through open-air gospel testimony throughout the summer months. Meetings are held in carparks, Housing Estate greens, and street corners. Some areas have one or two weeks of open-air meetings held nightly, while others have their open-air meeting each Lord’s Day afternoon from late spring to the end of the summer. Many people are indifferent to the gospel preached, yet some hear and inquire, and believers can be confident that the “living Word” is being sounded out.
Co. Antrim
Ballywatermoy: T. Armstrong and W. Martin had six weeks in a portable hall situated in Cullybackey, in connection with the Ballywatermoy assembly. Some from the village attended and a young man professed salvation.
Craigyhill: P. Kissock and G. Woods commenced a gospel series in the hall in mid-September. They also had one week’s children’s meetings in a nearby rural village of Raloo with A. Caldwell.
Co. Fermanagh
Enniskillen: In June, D. Strahan had four weeks of gospel meetings in a rented room in the Killyhevlin Hotel just on the outskirts of the town. A number from the area attended.
Co. Londonderry
Portstewart: The assembly arranged gospel meetings at Cromore Halt Guest Inn at the end of September with D. McGarvey preaching.
Co. Down
Dromore: A portable hall was erected outside the town, with A. Steele and P. Tinsley commencing a gospel series on September 9.
Ballymagarrick: The assembly purposes a week of special gospel meetings with D. Gilliland and J. Procopio September 30-October 5 to re-open their hall after the extensive fire damage earlier this year.
Republic of Ireland
Co. Cork
Cork: Paul Kissick conducted a gospel series in fellowship with the assembly.
Co. Dublin
Rathmines: The assembly appreciated visits during the past three months by Clive Barber (Australia), David Wilson (Brazil), and Andrew Steele. In August, Leslie Craig conducted a week of children’s meetings that were well attended by both children and parents.
Co. Louth
Drogheda: Paul Kissick and Malcolm Radcliffe had a gospel series in this town with no local assembly.
Co. Donegal
Bridgetown: The assembly was greatly encouraged by the number of saints that attended the weekend of ministry in August, those who stayed over for the four subsequent nights of ministry, and also by the support of other assemblies. The ministry was conducted by Jonathan Black, Jack Hay, Michael Penfold, and Mark Sweetnam.
Co. Sligo
Collooney: Josh Jacob was expected for ministry on September 22.
Conferences
Manchester, IA
October 6-7, with prayer meeting on Friday, October 5 at 7:30pm in the Manchester Gospel Hall, 1308 N 3rd St. All other meetings are at the Gathering Place, 1711 North 2nd St. Saturday: Ministry 10am, Children’s meeting 1pm, Ministry 3pm. Testimony 6pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Sunday: Bible Reading 9am (Revelation 1), Worship 10:30am, Children’s meeting 1pm, Ministry 1:45pm, Gospel 4pm. Accom: Luke Roling, Tel: 563-608-2920; Email: lukeroling82@gmail.com.
Vancouver, BC
October 6-7, Thanksgiving conference in the Burnaby South Secondary School, 5455 Rumble Street, Burnaby. Prayer meeting Friday 7:30pm in the Victoria Drive Gospel Hall, 4659 Victoria Dr. Saturday: Sessions at 10am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 7pm, 9pm (hymn sing & ministry). Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 9:30 am (Gospel Hall), Ministry 2:30pm, Gospel 7pm, 8:30pm (hymn sing & ministry). Expected speakers are John See (Malaysia), Frank Sona, Andrew Ussher, and David Vallance. Corr: Phil Broadhead, Email: pabroad@gmail.com. For accommodations in advance, please contact Eddie Wong, Tel: 604-777-7017; Email: eddie@alumni.sfu.ca.
Chatham, ON
October 20-21, the second annual Healing and Hope Conference in the Chatham Christian School, 475 Keil Drive South, Chatham. The speakers are Jim McMaster and Stephen Vance. The subjects will be Spiritual Casualties, Parenting Digital Natives, Guilt and Shame, The Smartphone: Your Idol, and Grieving. More information regarding session times and other details can be found at http://www.chathamgospelhall.com, on our Facebook page or by emailing oversight@chathamgospelhall.com.
Livonia, MI
October 27-28, with prayer meeting on Friday, October 26 at 7:30pm. All meetings are held in the Stark Road Gospel Hall, 9280 Stark Road. Saturday: Ministry 10am and 2pm, Gospel 7pm, Hymn Sing 8:30pm. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 10am, Sunday school 12:45pm, Ministry 2pm, Gospel 7pm. Invited Speakers: Stephen Grant, Michael Penfold, David Petterson, and Jonathan Procopio. Correspondent: David Vallance, 21600 Currie Road, Northville, MI 48167; Tel: 248-446-9346; Email: davidvallance@sbcglobal.net. Gospel Hall Tel: 734-425-4910, http://www.starkrdgospelhall.com. Accom: Tim Fouts, Tel: 734-673-7442; Email: srghconference@gmail.com.
London, ON
November 3-4, in the gospel hall, 1196 Highbury Ave. Friday: Prayer Meeting 8pm. Saturday: Ministry 10am, 2pm, and 7pm. Sunday: Breaking of Bread 9:30am, Ministry 2:30pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Corr: Philip Lampkin, 98 Moraine Court, London, ON, N6G 4Z1; Tel: 226-374-6585; Email: felipe.lampkin@gmail.com.
Saskatoon, SK
November 3-4, in the Lawson Heights Gospel Hall, 131 La Ronge Road, Prayer/Ministry on Friday, November 2, at 7:30pm. Saturday: Ministry 10:15am, 1:30pm, Gospel 7pm. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 9:30am, Ministry 11:15am, 1:30pm, Gospel 7pm. Inquiries: Murray Buckingham, Tel: 306-291-5684; Email: buckinghamm@sasktel.net, Gospel Hall, Tel: 306-249-5044.
Oshawa, ON
November 10, in the gospel hall, 150 Albert St. Ministry 2pm and 7pm, with supper served between. The Lord’s servants walking and teaching in the old paths are welcome to speak as the Spirit leads. Corr: Ken Nicholson, Tel: 905-579-7540; Email: kencnicholson@live.com.
Blues Mills/Cape Breton, NS
November 10-11, in the gospel hall, 34 Mountain Rd. Saturday: Ministry 10am and 1:45pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 10am, Ministry 2:30pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Corr: John Bain, Tel: 902-625-2409; Email: john@thegospel.ca. See http://www.thegospel.ca.
Bryn Mawr/Hatboro, PA
November 10-11, with prayer meeting on Friday, November 9 at 7:30pm at the Hatboro Gospel Hall, 23 W. Moreland Ave., Hatboro, PA. Other meetings at Christ’s Home Community Center, 800 York Road, Warminster, PA (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION). Saturday: Ministry 10:30am and 2pm, Gospel 6pm. Sunday: Breaking of Bread 10am, Sunday school 11:45am, Ministry 2pm, Gospel 4:30pm. Brethren expected are Tom Baker, David Petterson, Shawn St. Clair, and Timothy Stevenson. Accom: Alan Oliver, Tel: 610-399-3199; Email: adoliver535@gmail.com, or Jack Coleman, Tel: 215-675-7523; Email: JackColeman125@aol.com.
Brampton, ON
November 17-18, please note the NEW LOCATION: All meetings will be held in the gospel hall, 6 Beech St. Prayer meeting on Friday, November 16 at 7:30pm. Meetings begin on Saturday at 10:00am. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 9:30am, Ministry 2:45pm, Gospel 6:30pm. This year’s conference is open to the Lord’s servants to take part as the Spirit guides. Corr: John Selesnic, Tel: 905-793-5450; Email: john.mar.slsnc@sympatico.ca
Phoenix, AZ
November 23-25, in the gospel hall, 1246 E. Garfield St., with prayer on Wednesday, November 21 at 7:30pm. Friday: Bible Reading 1pm, Ministry 3:30pm, Gospel 7pm. Saturday: Bible Reading 10am, Ministry 2:30pm, Gospel 7pm. Lord’s Day: Sunday school 9:30am, Breaking of Bread 10:30am, Ministry 2:30pm, Gospel 7pm. Corr:Clarence Van Der Hart, 8525 W. Northern Ave., Glendale, AZ 85305; Tel: 602-818-4190.
Maberly, ON
November 24, at Wheeler’s Pancake House and Sugar Camp. Meetings are at 2:30pm and 7pm. Directions: Hwy 7 to Maberly, take Maberly-Elphin Rd. north to McDonald’s Corners, turn right and follow the signs to Wheeler’s Pancake House. Lord’s Day (at the gospel hall): Breaking of Bread 9:30am, Sunday school 11:15am, Ministry after lunch. Corr: Gordon McLeod, Tel: 613-268-2616.
Saugus, MA
December 1-2 with prayer meeting Friday, November 30 at 7:30pm. Saturday: Ministry 10:30am and 2pm, Gospel 4:30pm. Sunday: Remembrance 10am, Sunday school 11:45am, Ministry 2pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Accom: Shad Brook, Tel: 617-285-4677; Email: shad.brook@yahoo.com. Corr: Tony Grillo, Tel: 781-248-8900; Email: tonygrillo109@gmail. com.
Conferences Previously Published
St. Thomas, ON – October 6-7
Sydney Mines (Cape Breton), NS – October 6-7
Brandon, MB – October 8
L’Anse au Loup, NF – October 12-14
Blue River, WI – October 13-14
Edmonton, AB – October 13-14
Terryville, CT – October 19-21
Huntsville, ON – October 20
Lindsay, ON – October 21
La Crosse, WI – October 27-28
Newington, CT – November 3-4
Oil Springs, ON – November 10-11
Updates
Change of Correspondent
Pennsauken, NJ: Peter Higgins, 1208 Sequoia Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, Tel: 609-605-0698; Email: PAPeteHiggins@aol.com
Home-calls
Mary Ferguson of Bryn Mawr, PA on March 25, 2018, age 83. She was saved in December 1955, during gospel meetings held by Hector Alves and Oswald MacLeod; other members of the family were saved at that time as well. Mary was part of the Bryn Mawr assembly for many years. She was always very pleasant and loved to hear the gospel. Sadly, she was incapacitated for the last few years of her life. She leaves behind members of the family who need the prayers of the Lord’s people. Services at the funeral home and grave were shared by Alan Oliver and Michael Wenke.
Delores Dunn of Edmonton, AB on June 20, 2018, age 99 years. She was the daughter of Fred Dunn who was a highly respected and long-time elder in the West Hillhurst Gospel Hall in Calgary, AB. Delores was saved in 1930 at age 12 through Acts 16:31. In 1933, she was baptized and received into fellowship where she was engaged in both Sunday school teaching and a missionary sewing class for many years. At age 93, she moved to Edmonton and faithfully attended the Connors Hill Gospel Hall where she was also involved in the women’s missionary work, the results of this service still ongoing. She is remembered for her faithfulness and hospitality by those who knew her. Family that stayed with her in Calgary for their education saw her care for the saints demonstrated in a practical way. Prayer is requested for her unsaved family members.
Marion Bain of Arnstein, ON on July 1, 2018, age 85. She was born on May 23, 1933 and was saved at the Arnstein Conference when she was 11 years old. Marion and her husband Ernest lived in Arnstein, then in North Bay, and then moved back to Arnstein following his retirement. Marion loved the assembly and entertaining. She was a quiet, godly woman, a faithful sister, and a loving wife. Moreover, she was a kind and loving mother to her three children Darlene, Pam, and Darcy and their spouses, and a dear grandmother to her six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. As her health failed, she found it difficult to give up entertaining. Over their 67 years of marriage, Marion and her husband were very hospitable to many of the Lord’s servants. At the funeral, David Booth faithfully preached the gospel to a large gathering that included many unsaved.
James Cesare Illuminati of Bryn Mawr, PA on July 3, 2018, age 67. He was born on January 5, 1951 and was saved just after a gospel meeting at the Olney Gospel Hall on the Memorial Day weekend conference in 1961. He was thinking of John 3:16 and the significance of “that grand word ‘Whosoever,’” when he realized that it included him. Some of his last words to his wife and sons were, “I know ’tis meant for sinners; I know ’tis meant for me.” Throughout his lengthy battle with cancer, he displayed a quiet trust in the Lord. He leaves a wife (Suzanne), two sons (Nick and Matt), two brothers and a sister. Greatly loved by the believers in the Bryn Mawr assembly, he will be greatly missed.
Lyle McCandless of St. Thomas, ON on July 7, 2018, age 97. He was saved on February 22, 1932, baptized in 1936, and received into the St. Thomas assembly in 1938 where he served faithfully as an elder for 70 years. He was a quiet, caring shepherd who loved the assembly and God’s people. Lyle consistently worshiped publicly until two weeks before his homecall. “He will be missed because his seat will be empty” (1Sam 20:18). Lyle and his wife Doris were known by all for their hospitality. He was a testimony in the care home where he lived and was loved by all there. His last words to nursing staff and family were, “Calvary Covers it All.” He is survived by four sons, two daughters, 20 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren. Stephen McCandless, Shawn St. Clair, and another grandson-in-law took part at the funeral, along with Steve Kember who faithfully preached the gospel. Stephen McCandless spoke at the graveside.
Mina Oakes of Oshawa, ON on July 12, 2018, age 89. In 1944, brethren Fred Nuggent and Robert Booth were having meetings and God began to work in the Cockburn family. Mina was saved at age 15 and later baptized and received into assembly fellowship. She eventually married Robert Oakes from PEI and they were blessed with three children: Nancy, Wayne, and Gary. Mina was both a faithful wife and mother who loved God’s assembly. Her life was the assembly and Sunday school work. She was a sister given to hospitality and entertaining God’s servants. Because of her poor health in later years, it was a blessing for her to be called home. The funeral was taken by her son Gary, and Ken Nicholson.
Betty Conrad of Manchester, IA on August 2, 2018, age 92. Saved in her late teens, she was faithful to the Lord, to the assembly, and to her family. “Henceforth there is laid up for her a crown of righteousness.” Preceded in death by her husband and one daughter, she is survived by 2 sons, 2 grandsons, and 3 great-grandchildren. The large funeral service, which was a tribute to her life’s testimony in the Manchester community, was shared by Robert Orr and Russ Nesbit.
