New Areas

Cornwall, ON, Canada

Currently, there are seven of us working together to spread the gospel in Cornwall. In the beginning of 2016, we rented a storefront located beside some retail stores. Each week, we have gospel meetings, a moms-and-tots program, a weekly coffee hour, and a gym night for the youth at a rented school. Over the past two years, we have covered the city of Cornwall three times with literature and invitations. God has blessed in the salvation of a few souls. Most recently, we pitched a tent in a parking lot close to downtown and held gospel meetings each night with Peter Ramsay. God has brought along our path many who are struggling with issues. Thankfully, the message of the gospel is the solution to all sin.

Canada

Alberta

Fort McMurray: The Wood Buffalo assembly held their annual conference on the last weekend of August in their new hall for the first time which opened April 2, 2017. They were encouraged with more visitors in attendance than usual. Full-time workers, as well as brethren from other assemblies, shared ministry and the gospel. A week of children’s meetings followed the conference, with a number of new children and adults attending. The following weekend, they held their annual picnic with a good number in attendance. The assembly also began gospel meetings for two weeks with Alan Smith from Scotland on October 1.

British Columbia

Vancouver: Willians Alcala (Australia) gave ministry at Victoria Drive on September 28 and October 4-5. The assembly meeting at the Fourth Street Gospel Hall, 133 East 4th Street, North Vancouver, BC will be closing due to declining numbers. The last meeting of the assembly in this location will be on the Lord’s Day, October 29, 2017. The remaining saints intend to add their support to the assembly meeting in the Deep Cove Gospel Hall, North Vancouver.

New Brunswick

Sussex: Phil Coulson, John Fleck, and David Gilliland joined a good number of preaching brethren from the Maritimes for the 37th annual Sussex Fall conference. Excellent, challenging, and searching prophetic, practical, and devotional ministry was given. Numbers attending were consistent with previous years. The saints enjoyed a time of fellowship and harmony, and the gospel was faithfully preached, with many children in attendance, along with some from the community who responded to invitations.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Gander Bay: On September 4, gospel meetings commenced with Edward Dredge and Eric Fowler. Good interest resulted in a number coming out to hear the gospel, and the assembly covets your prayers that God will bless. On September 19, Edward Dredge had to leave, but Roy Foster helped for four nights. During the fourth week, local brethren opened by telling their testimony, and Eric Fowler closed with a gospel message. A number of adults have expressed concern about salvation, and the saints are looking to the Lord for blessing. The assembly has been having ministry meetings each Lord’s day afternoon followed by a potluck supper. On the third Lord’s day afternoon, they had the joy of witnessing one brother obey the Lord in baptism. A great crowd gathered at the Bay to witness this event, including some of the saints from the nearby assembly in Gander.

Ontario

Barrie: The assembly will be commencing gospel meetings starting November 17, Sunday-Friday, at 7pm. They will be held in the unit where the assembly meets – 80 Bradford St. Unit 140 (Entrance 1). Isaac Bond and Stephen Harper (NI) will be responsible for the preaching. For any known contacts in the area, please E-mail: gospelmessage@rogers.com.

Brampton: Renovations to the gospel hall, which began at the start of the year, have been completed, and the assembly is happy to be meeting again in the building on Beech St. We praise the Lord for His guidance and care throughout the project, and for providing a much more suitable venue for presenting the gospel. “Praise the LORD; for the LORD; is good” (Psa 135:3).

Earlton, Kirkland Lake and Timmins: The believers were encouraged by a number of baptisms in August.

Hamilton: The Nash Road assembly has commended our brother and sister Kory and Rebecca Crawford to the grace of God for the work to which they have been called. A farewell dinner and meeting was held on September 5, and they departed on September 7 to serve the Lord in Costa Rica. Please remember them in prayer as they make the transition to life in Central America.

Kitchener: The assembly commenced three weeks of gospel meetings on October 22 with Larry Perkins and Ross Vanstone. A recent week of children’s meetings, with local brethren speaking, was encouraging, with good numbers of well-behaved children. Prayer would be greatly valued. Dale Vitale and another brother shared practical ministry on Romans 12 during the well-attended half-day meeting in September. Ongoing community suppers with a gospel focus have been held at the hall to generate an awareness in the community. The seed is being sown.

Mississauga: The Applewood Heights assembly recommenced its community fall dinners for September and appreciated the visit from Jim Bergsma for that weekend. The Bible reading conference the last weekend of September was well attended and proved a great blessing. David Gilliland, John Meekin, and Shawn St. Clair led the sessions on 1 Corinthians 15-16. David Gilliland continued for three nights following, with searching and heartwarming ministry. Conference sessions and ministry are available on the assembly website.

Ottawa: The assembly meeting at 1087 North River Road has moved to temporary quarters in the Hardini Centre, 235 Donald Street (about five minutes from the current hall), while renovations take place. The change is effective September 17, 2017 through January 2018. Access to the rented gym will be through entrance E at the rear of the Hardini Centre. The assembly also began a three-week gospel series with Matthew Cain and Frank Sona. They have many contacts in the community through their youth outreaches, clothing giveaways, and gospel suppers, and are looking to the Lord that some of these will attend.

Pereton: Eric Fowler and Murray Pratt had three weeks of tent meetings in the community (about 1.5 hours from Ottawa) 10 minutes outside of Beachburg, where Murray lives. During the year, several of the brethren from Ottawa help him in the gospel as needed.

Straffordville: In July, a week of children’s meetings was held outside a believer’s home with 21-33 children attending, including a number from the village who would not normally come to the assembly Sunday school. In August, the assembly had a parade float and booth in the annual parade for the Straffordville Watermelon Festival. They were able to give out invitations, tracts, framed texts, fridge magnets, bookmarks, and gospel wristbands, as well as over 1000 helium balloons imprinted with John 3:16. A number have professed salvation in the past few months, including children from a Mennonite background. In September, three young believers obeyed the Lord in baptism. Children’s meetings also recommenced in September with over 60 children attending Pathfinders at the hall, and approximately 100 children at Bible clubs in three public schools.

U.S.A.

Arkansas

Springdale: Harrys Rodríguez, along with local brethren, commenced a gospel series on September 24.

Iowa

Antioch: Gospel meetings with William Lavery and Robert Orr have closed.

Cedar Falls: Clive Barber (Australia) gave ministry at the Cedar Falls assembly on October 3.

Hitesville: Clive Barber visited the assembly for ministry on October 4. Jim Beattie purposes to be with the assembly from November 13-17 to speak on “The Beatitudes.”

Oelwein: Gospel meetings closed on Friday, September 29, after eight weeks.

Waterloo: Clive Barber visited the Western Avenue Gospel Hall for ministry on October 2.

Massachusetts

Methuen: The assembly was afforded the opportunity of a monthly gospel outreach at a local drug rehab center. Please pray for the ongoing effort, and the spiritual growth of two who have professed Christ as Savior.

Michigan

Battle Creek: Tim Turkington (Mexico) visited the assembly and gave encouraging ministry and a report of the work in Cancún. The assembly at Battle Creek is collecting shipments of bulk food, staples and other essential items for the Venezuela Relief Fund, to be shipped to the Venezuelan Christians from Florida (following the recent hurricanes). Please continue to pray for their safe shipment and delivery.

Cass City: The assemblies in Saginaw and Cass City enjoyed a night of timely ministry from Bert Snippe in September.

Saginaw: In September, Bruce Rodgers had five nights of instructive and edifying ministry in the Saginaw, Cass City, and Deckerville assemblies, on the attributes of God. Bill Metcalf and Bruce Cottrill ministered the Word, and spoke in the gospel at their October 1 bimonthly ministry meeting. The saints in Saginaw and surrounding assemblies were blessed.

Missouri

Kansas City: The annual Labor Day conference was a blessing, with much needed ministry given by Allan Christopherson, Jesse Fitch, Jerry Jennings, Eric McCullough, Joel Portman, William Skates, Peter Smith, and Roy Weber. Joel Portman was responsible for the excellent Bible reading on Sunday. The gospel was shared by William Skates and Peter Smith on Saturday and Allan Christopherson on Sunday. Some young people who came out to hear the gospel on Sunday listened well.

Oregon

Salem: Gospel meetings with Jerry Jennings and Roy Weber began on September 24.

Mexico

Chihuahua

Chihuahua: The annual conference was held in September, with believers coming from several assemblies and other fields of labor in the Republic. Marcus Cain, John Dennison, Shad Kember, and Harrys Rodríguez shared in the ministry and gospel. The following Lord’s Day, a sister in her 60s was baptized, and several unsaved family members heard the gospel on this occasion.

Santa Bárbara de Tutuaca: This town was visited in the Sierra Madre, and the gospel was preached in the home of Esther Mendoza, a sister from the Las Vegas assembly. Esther and her husband Ramón are from this town, and spend significant time here. Several unsaved neighbors and friends heard the gospel.

Nuevo Leon

Monterrey: On September 10, two young sisters were baptized. The believers are now meeting in a different area, and are encouraged to see a good number of children coming to the Sunday school.

San Luis Potosi

El Barril: The believers are encouraged to see progress on the construction of the new hall.

Nayarit

San Juan de Abajo: Late in September, the believers held a conference and appreciated the help of Paul Thiessen in the ministry of the Word.

Jalisco

Puerto Vallarta: The assembly in El Coapinole enjoyed Paul Thiessen’s five-day visit when he gave teaching on the stewardship of the believer’s time, money, body, soul, and spirit.

Sonora

Hermosillo: Early last December, two young men (sons of two couples in the assembly) were baptized, and a young sister was added to the fellowship. Four weeks of gospel meetings in a new rented hall in the north of the city concluded. Abisai and Carmen Vieyra are encouraged with consistent attendance of several unsaved, some personal contacts, and others who come as a result of invitations delivered in August. The gospel is preached three times a week.

Mexico State

Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl: The assembly received Henry and Yesenia Carvajal into fellowship. They have relocated from an assembly in Caracas, Venezuela. Anderson Hernández visited for a weekend in September, when he gave ministry on the way believers should appreciate the local church. Although the earthquakes in September were strong and caused extensive damage in the city, the believers were not directly affected.

Veracruz

Veracruz: The believers held special meetings for the inauguration of the new hall in late September. John Nesbitt, Timothy Stevenson, and Paul Thiessen shared in the gospel on Saturday night. God blessed in salvation.

Dominica

From Ken Taylor: This island experienced a devastating blow from hurricane Maria, resulting in widespread destruction to homes and buildings, roads torn up, streets blocked by fallen trees and debris, water and electrical services extensively damaged, and communications services disrupted. We have learned that, in the Lord’s mercies, none of the Christians or their families lost their lives. Many of the believers’ homes had roof and structural damage. Some small wooden houses collapsed, and three of the gospel halls lost roofing. Efforts are underway to recover roofs and restore living quarters. We value your prayers for the Lord’s gracious support in the lives of His people, direction in the recovery and rebuilding process, and for the awakening and salvation of precious souls.

Republic of Ireland

Collooney: D. McKillen was expected for ministry of the Word in the gospel hall on Saturday, October 28, 6-7pm.

Conferences

Oil Springs, ON

November 11-12. Addendum for Saturday: Bible Reading topic is “The Judgment Seat of Christ.”

Phoenix, AZ

November 24-26, in the gospel hall, 1246 E. Garfield St. Wednesday: Prayer 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.

Chatham, ON

December 2-3, 2017 in the Chatham Christian School, 475 Keil Drive South, Chatham. The subjects to be considered pertain to “Healing and Hope,” specifically, the Emotions of God, Pornography and the Yearning of the Human Soul, Intimacy by Design, Finding Hope in the Darkness of Depression, and Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Schedule and accommodation information is posted on our website at http://www.chathamgospelhall.com. Please E-mail info@chathamgospelhall.com for more information and to RSVP. PLEASE NOTE: Because this is our first conference, it would be incredibly helpful if you could RSVP to help us predict turnout.

Conferences Previously Published:

Alpena, AR – November 4-5

London, ON – November 4-5

Newington, CT – November 4-5

Saskatoon, SK – November 4-5

Bryn Mawr/Hatboro, PA – November 11-12

Oil Springs, ON – November 11-12

Oshawa, ON – November 11

Blues Mills, NS – November 11-12

Brampton, ON – November 18-19

Maberly, ON – November 25

Saugus, MA – December 2-3

Pennsauken, NJ – January 6-7, 2018

Updates

Change of Address

Ottawa Gospel Hall, 235 Donald Street, Ottawa, ON – effective September 17, 2017 through January 2018.

Ernie Moore: 112-29th Avenue Dr. NW #114, Hickory, NC 28601 USA.

Home-Calls

Carol Short of Methuen, MA on August 10, 2017 after a very lengthy illness. Saved in a local gospel series many years ago, she was received into the Byfield assembly. In recent years, she and her husband Bob, who predeceased her, were in fellowship in the Methuen assembly. Her funeral was attended by a number of relatives and local believers, which was a tribute to her kindness and care shown to many. She leaves three sons, Rob, Barry, and Jay, as well as grandchildren, and daughters-in-law. Please remember the family in your prayers.

William Hogg of Burlington, ON on August 27, 2017, age 91. Bill was born is Scotland and, as a young man, was pointed to Christ by his mother following a family Bible reading. From the moment of salvation, Bill displayed an interest in spiritual things, with an interest in preaching the gospel and being a help to the Lord’s people. In 1957, he immigrated to Canada to marry Ethel Allen of Pugwash, NS, and settled in Toronto, Ontario. He eventually moved to Burlington, ON. For the past number of years, he was in fellowship in the Nash Road Gospel Hall where he proved to be a blessing to the Lord’s people. Following the funeral in Ontario, a memorial service was held in Pugwash where his body was laid to rest. Please remember in prayer his wife, daughter, and son, their spouses, and families.

Bethann Amadio of Barrington, NJ on September 19, 2017, age 84. She was saved during a remarkable series of meetings in 1963, held by Lorne McBain and Eric McCullough. It was through the truth of John 3:16 that she realized she was among the “whosoever.” Her husband, Albert, predeceased her by two years. She leaves behind four children, Don, Bob, Linda (Mike), and Steven (Monica), all of whom know her Savior. She was tenderly cared for by her daughter Linda, through her declining years. She maintained a pleasant manner, despite physical weakness and a failing memory. She and her husband were in fellowship briefly in the Longport, NJ assembly, but she was associated with the Barrington assembly for most of her life. The funeral service was conducted by Dan Shutt, with Paul Barnhardt speaking at the grave.

Dorothy Christie of Richmond, BC on September 26, 2017, age 90. She was born again in 1948 during meetings conducted by Douglas Howard and Frank Pearcey, through the truth of Romans 1:17. Dorothy was actively engaged in Sunday school work in the greater Vancouver area for over 40 years, and latterly enjoyed working with Postal Bible Studies. She was in fellowship at the West Richmond assembly.

Robert John Rea, Sr. of Hatboro, PA on September 27, 2017. Born in Doylestown, PA on February 21, 1927, Bob was the second son of Samuel and Elizabeth Rea. He was saved in 1944 through Romans 10:9. Raised by parents who actively served the Lord, Bob developed a deep love for the gospel and for the Lord’s people. He was a true shepherd with a warm heart. He is survived by his beloved wife, Doris (“Dodie”), son, Robert John Rea, Jr., daughters, Sharon Lee Weimer, Judith Ann Aspenson, and Laurie Lynn Mitchell, 19 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his older brother Sam, his younger sister Margaret, and one grandchild (Candice Aspenson). The large attendance at his funeral displayed the affection and esteem in which he was held. A number of speakers took part in the service held at the Hatboro Gospel Hall.