Canada
Manitoba
Brandon: During the week of February 1-5, the assembly had well-attended children’s meetings with Mike Knox. The meetings were particularly encouraging as a good number of teens, as well as adults, were present.
Newfoundland and Labrador
L’Anse au Loup: Four weeks of gospel meetings with David Hunt and David Hierlihy ended on Sunday, February 21. Attendance was good, and large numbers were out each Sunday. Continue to pray for many family members of the believers who need salvation.
Nova Scotia
Weaver Settlement: In March, the saints enjoyed a week of Bible readings with John Meekin on “Ships in the New Testament.” The meetings were well supported by nearby assemblies and a number of young believers were present.
Ontario
Arnstein: Gospel meetings started on March 27 with Eric Fowler and Ross Vanstone.
Brampton: Lord willing, gospel meetings will be held April 3 – 24 with brethren Jim Jarvis and Brody Thibodeau. Meetings on Lord’s Day will be at 6:30pm; Monday to Friday at 7:30pm. There will be no meeting on Saturday. Please pray that the Lord’s hand will be seen in blessing.
Earlton: Lorne Langfeld had a week of ministry on assembly truth in February. Alvin Cook continues to work in the area. Several have been saved in various house meetings and a teenage girl was added to the assembly.
Kirkland Lake: The assembly expects Gaius Goff and Tom Hoy for gospel meetings on April 3, Lord willing.
Picton: Please pray for a weekly children’s outreach from mid-March to May in the Shannonville area. This is the sixth year the assembly has used the school there.
Thunder Bay: Gary Sharp was present the first week of March for the annual Sunday school children’s program, followed by one week of children’s meetings. Gary also spoke at the monthly “Good News Breakfast” with about 30 people from outside the assembly in attendance.
Windsor: Larry Perkins and Dan Shutt had three weeks of well-attended gospel meetings. The first week was in the Student Centre at the University of Windsor, followed by two weeks in the gospel hall. Light refreshments served after each meeting afforded opportunity for some interesting and helpful conversations. The Word was faithfully preached, and the Lord blessed in salvation. One saved was a young woman with assembly and Sunday school connections who had been the subject of earnest prayer for many years. Two others are University students who attend the weekly ESL classes. Interest continues, with good attendance at the Sunday evening gospel meetings.
U.S.A.
Arkansas
Alpena: A visit from Melvin Mendez in February was appreciated, both in Alpena and Springdale. Brother Melvin was instrumental in introducing to the Alpena assembly a visiting sister from Zambia, who is currently a student. Also, a young lady (Haylee) contacted during a short gospel series in November 2015, still attends Sunday school regularly. Please continue praying for her salvation.
Iowa
Marion: Paul Barnhardt and Stu Thompson finished four weeks of faithful gospel preaching at the end of February.
Postville: Joel Portman and Jeffrey Saword closed gospel meetings on February 19. They were encouraged with the attendance of some old, as well as new, contacts.
Massachusetts
Byfield: Please pray for a gospel series starting on Sunday, April 3, 2016 with Larry Perkins and Paul Barnhardt. The assembly has several unsaved loved ones that have been regularly attending the weekly gospel meeting. Your prayers are valued for their salvation. The assembly has started to make some necessary repairs, and some other minor mandated safety enhancements to the gospel hall. Therefore, the usual conference on Memorial Day weekend has been postponed until 2017, Lord willing.
Saugus: During the week of April 24, Lord willing, John Meekin will minister on the book of Nehemiah, and its application to today’s testimony.
Minnesota
Fridley: Bill Lavery visited for two weeks in January with solid, profitable teaching with his chart on “Egypt to Canaan,” showing practical New Testament parallels.
North Carolina
Hickory: The assembly enjoyed two weeks of gospel meetings with Gene Higgins. There was good interest from several families whose children attend the Sunday school. Several of the children of the believers demonstrated concern. Please pray for the salvation of souls here.
Washington
Arlington: The annual Youth Conference was held February 13-14 with record numbers attending. Lindsay Parks and Dan Shutt led the sessions on “The Whole Armor of God” from Ephesians 6.
Wisconsin
Blue River: Continue to pray for gospel meetings which Robert Orr and Larry Steers commenced on March 13.
Mt. Sterling: The Bible Reading conference was held March 19-20. The topics were “The Humanity of Christ” from Luke 2, Hebrews 2, and Leviticus 2. Discussion leaders were Murray McCandless, William Skates, Scott MacLeod, and John Meekin.
Ontario: Pray for gospel meetings Scott MacLeod and Murray McCandless commenced on March 6.
Prairie du Chien: Richard Dudgeon and Wayne Granzow hold weekly prison meetings on Tuesdays for two hours, averaging six men a night. For a few weeks, Saturday evening gospel meetings have been held.
Mexico
Chihuahua
Chihuahua: A gospel series commenced on February 1 in the Valle de la Madrid hall. After two weeks they were interrupted by the homecall of a sister in her early 70’s. Her family requested that the gospel be preached for several days.
Nezahualcoyotl: The assembly very much enjoyed a weekend visit from Harry Rodriguez when he gave ministry, focusing on the service of the saints in the assembly. At the same time a young sister was received into the fellowship.
Guanajuato
Irapuato: The work of delivering tracts and invitations in the neighborhoods close to the hall continued in February, including 2000 tracts with the theme of the love of God. Ricky and Erika Sawatsky are encouraged by the attendance of several new people recently.
Michoacan
Zamora: A two-week series of gospel meetings was held in February after calendars and invitations were delivered. The assembly was encouraged by the attendance of several new contacts.
Guerrero
Iguala: The assembly has seen the blessing of God in salvation recently. The annual “Feria de la Bandera,” or “Flag Fair,” was an opportunity for the believers to deliver 4000 calendars as well as Via magazines.
Jalisco
Puerto Vallarta: Marcus Cain visited the Coapinole assembly the middle of February and gave teaching on Hebrews 11. The believers in the area are also enjoying an extended visit from Harry and Becky Rodriguez. A two-week series of gospel meetings in El Palmar de Ixtapa commenced on February 28, which was to be followed by two weeks in Coapinole, helped by Jonathan Seed.
Morelos
Oacalco: Meetings continue twice a week in this town near Cuernavaca. Duncan Beckett and Abisai Vieyra have also commenced visiting Tlayacapan, about 25 minutes away, to preach the gospel to new contacts as a result of the work in Oacalco.
Sonora
San Luis Rio Colorado: At the beginning of February two young believers obeyed the Lord in baptism, and were later received into the fellowship.
Nacozari de García: Tim Woodford and Jairo Gracia (Hermosillo) returned in February for the third visit to this mining town. The attendance of close to a dozen adults was encouraging.
Hermosillo: A lady saved in a gospel series in 2015 and a young man saved shortly before, were baptized in February. The following week was the Sunday school treat when the children quoted verses, telling the story of David and Goliath.
Veracruz
Cotaxtla: Believers from the work here, and several from the assembly in the port of Veracruz, heard the gospel preached on the riverbank prior to the baptism of a sister from Cotaxtla.
Veracruz: A family of three, baptized in January, was received into fellowship in February. The believers continue to preach in the open air in a few well-trafficked areas of town, handing out tracts and invitations as well.
El Hatito: The first meeting in this town of 1200 people was held on February 14 with preaching to contacts of the family recently received into the fellowship in Veracruz. The plan is to preach every Sunday.
Tuxpan: John Nesbitt and his family have been traveling to this city since last summer to preach the gospel. This past month Timothy Stevenson made his first visit. The distance from either Xalapa (where the Stevensons live) or Veracruz (home of the Nesbitts) is close to 180 miles.
Yucatan
Paraiso: Timothy and Amy Turkington continue to visit this rural town on a monthly basis for a children’s meeting and gospel meeting.
Conferences
McKeesport, PA
April 22–24, with Prayer meeting on Friday, April 22 at 7pm at the McKeesport Gospel Hall, 1301 Prescott Street, White Oak, PA. The rest of the conference meetings will be held at the Francis McClure Intermediate School, 500 Longvue Drive, White Oak, PA. Saturday: Meetings start at 10am, with refreshments. Sunday: Breaking of Bread 10am. The expected speakers this year are Dan McDonald, Gary Toombs, and Dale Vitale.
Livingston, NJ
May 6-8, Prayer meeting will be on Friday, May 6 at 7:30pm. Saturday: Ministry 10:30am and 2:30pm, Gospel 6pm. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 10am, Ministry 2:30pm, Gospel 5pm. Meals and accommodations provided. All meetings in the Livingston Gospel Hall, 405 E. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ; Tel: 973 535-1485 Directions at www.livingstongospelhall.org. Contact Allan Valvano, Tel: 973 377-7839 or 201 404-5611, E-mail: allanval@msn.com; or David Valvano, Tel: 973 884-2484, E-mail: dvalvano@optonline.net, for assistance or accommodations.
Toronto, ON
May 13-15, Langstaff Missionary Conference. Speakers expected are Charles Davidson (Nepal & Gangtok, India), Stephen Grant (Indonesia), Sandy Higgins (Interpersonal relationships on the mission field), Brian Howden (Angola), Shawn Markle (Zambia), and Jim McMaster (England). Accommodations: Irving Payne, Tel: 905 773-3822; E-mail: sheryl.p@sympatico.ca. For more information visit http://www.langstaffgospelhall.com/missionary-conference-2016.
Ottawa, ON
May 20-22, in the Richelieu -Vanier Community Centre, 300 Des Pères-Blancs, Ottawa (250 seat capacity); Tel: 613 580-2424. Friday: Prayer meeting at the Gospel Hall, Friday, May 20 at 7:30pm. Saturday: Prayer/Ministry 10am and 2pm, Gospel 7pm. Lord’s Day: Bible reading 9am (Psalm 103), Breaking of Bread 10:30am; Open Sunday School 1pm, Prayer/Ministry 2:30pm; Gospel 7pm. If possible, please give advance notice to help with meals and accommodations, to Colin Meaklim. Tel: 613 730-7410; E-mail: meaklim@primus.ca.
Prince Edward Island
May 21-22, annual Island Conference will be held at the Bluefield High School in Hampshire. Saturday: Prayer and Ministry 10am and 2pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Sunday: Bible Study 8:30am, Breaking of Bread 10am, Sunday school 1pm, Prayer & Ministry 2pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Accom: Neil Thompson, Tel: 902 892-7216, E-Mail: neilthompson@pei.sympatico.ca. Corr: Glen McKenna, Tel: 902 888-8849; or Brian MacDonald, Tel: 902 566-3831.
Byfield, MA
Conference has been postponed until Memorial Day weekend 2017, DV, due to hall renovations.
Hickory/Denver, NC
May 27-29, in the Hickory Gospel Hall, 253 17th Ave NE. Friday: Prayer/Ministry 7:30pm, Saturday: First meeting at 10:30am. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 9:30am. Meals will be served between meetings. For information or accommodations: Philip Moore, Tel: 828 244-8329, E-mail: pemchile@charter.net; or David Turnbull, Tel: 828 459-9711, E-mail: dpturnbu@charter.net.
Welland, ON
May 27-29, Spanish Conference. Friday: Prayer/Ministry 7:30pm (English). Saturday: Prayer/Ministry 10am, Bible Reading 1:45pm, Ministry 3:15pm, Gospel 7pm. Sunday: Breaking of Bread 9:30am (English), Sunday school 11:35am (English), Ministry 2pm, Gospel. 7pm. The expected speakers are Shawn St. Clair, Pablo Seguel, Raul Aguirre, and Ross Vanstone. For further information and accommodations please contact Fernando Rodriguez, E-mail: fernando.rodriguez149@yahoo.com.
Bancroft, ON
June 4, with Bible Reading at 10am, Ministry 2 and 7pm. All meetings in the Lakeview Gospel Hall, 644 Maxwell Settlement Rd. Corr: Mark Freymond, Tel: 613 332-4317.
Saugus, MA
June 4-5, Bible Reading Conference, with prayer and ministry, Friday, June 3, at 7:30pm. The study will be “What the Bible Teaches – Courtship, Marriage, and Family Life.” Andrew Ussher, John Dennison, and Lindsay Parks will be responsible for the readings. Saturday: Readings 10am and 2pm, Gospel 4:45pm. Sunday: Remembrance Meeting 10am, Sunday school 12 noon, Reading 2pm, Summary 4:30pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Meals will be served. Study outline will be posted at www.walnutstreetgospelhall.com. Accom: David Lusk, Tel: 781 942-7006, E-mail: luskdanda@yahoo.com. Corr: Tony Grillo, 46 Grey Lane, Lynnfield MA 01940; Tel: 781 248-8900. E-mail: tonygrillo@netzero.net.
North Bay, ON
June 11-12, in Nipissing Junction Gospel Hall, 1340 Lakeshore Drive. Prayer Meeting, Friday, June 10 at 7:30pm. Saturday: Bible Reading 10am (Christ’s Millennial Reign), Gospel 7pm. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 9:30am, Bible Reading 11:30am (God’s Throne), Gospel 4:30pm. Contact: Glenn Pratt, E-mail: pratt144@hotail.com, Tel: 705 474-9473. Accom: Terry Hurd, E-mail: terlis@sympatico.ca, Tel: 705 752-2058.
Staffordville, ON
June 25-26. Saturday: Ministry and Mission reports 10am and 2pm, BBQ supper 5:30pm (at Dave and Yvonne Patten’s) with youth activities and hymn sing to follow. Sunday: Breaking of Bread 9:30am, with Gospel, Sunday School, and Ministry to follow. Meals provided for all. Expected speakers are Ross Vanstone, Jim McMaster, and Stephen Harper. For information or accommodation please contact Andrew Patten at 519 866-5929.
Conferences Previously Published:
Clarksville, IA – April 3
Stout, IA – April 9-10
Cedar Falls/Waterloo, IA – April 16-17
Newmarket, ON – May 1
Updates
Change of Contact Information
William and Ethna Skates: New home phone number is 608 396-6533.
Home-Calls
William “Bill” Storey of North Bay, ON, on February 6, age 92. Bill was born on May 1, 1924 in Northern Ireland, and born again October 21, 1946 in Toronto. He served in the Canadian Army during WWII, and often reflected that God was good to him and preserved his life while overseas. He was saved shortly after his return home. Bill was a kind man, who often quoted Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another … .” Bill was loved by neighbor and friend alike, and will be greatly missed by the assembly. The funeral was taken by Terry Hurd, with Glenn Pratt speaking in the gospel. Mike Trahan spoke a brief word at the graveside.
Carmen Gross of Clinton, ON, on February 20, 2016, age 87. Born in June 1928, he lived his whole life farming in the Auburn, ON area. He is survived by his dear wife Christena, of 57 years, five children, all saved, and seven grandchildren. A quiet, gentle, devoted family man, his first contact with the assembly in Clinton came as a result of his children being invited to a Sunday school treat in the early ‘70’s. He and his wife were saved, baptized, and added to the assembly on Joseph St. in Clinton, attending faithfully, until last year when his poor eyesight made life more difficult for him. Family members shared fitting remarks at the funeral, and the gospel was faithfully presented by Marvin Derksen. Please remember the family in prayer.
Christine Key of Hamilton, ON, on March 1, 2016, in her 89th year. She was born on June 7, 1927 in India where she lived until immigrating to England at the age of 21. Our dear sister was saved as a girl in her teens while talking to her father, the late Dr. Wm. A. Beer. In the early 1960’s, Ron & Christine along with their children moved to Canada and for the last 45 years had been associated with the Kensington/Nash Road assembly. Her last days were spent in the Long Term Care Home, the place where her late husband conducted a monthly hymn sing and preached the gospel. She was predeceased by her husband in 1997 and a son in 2015. Please remember in prayer her three daughters and their families. Our dear sister will be missed as she had an interest in “others.” Paul Glenney and John Harvey shared the funeral service.