Canada
Alberta
Calgary: The West Hillhurst assembly appreciated a visit on December 8 from Marcus Cain who gave a word of ministry and spoke in the gospel.
Edmonton: Marcus Cain was with the assembly for ministry on December 5.
British Columbia
Vancouver: The Victoria Drive assembly held gospel meetings with Eric Fowler and Scott MacLeod that began November 10 and concluded December 6. A good number of Sunday School contacts and Christians’ children attended nightly.
Manitoba
Portage La Prairie: Gospel meetings with Al Christopherson and Gary Sharp that began October 20 closed on November 8 with blessing in the salvation of believers’ children.
Ontario
Kapuskasing: A week of children’s meetings with Lorne Langfeld in November resulted in good attendance nightly, with several parents and grandparents attending the final pizza/prize night.
Kitchener: Gospel meetings with Jon Procopio and Frank Sona closed on November 15 after two weeks.
Oshawa: The conference in November was well attended, and five of the Lord’s servants gave timely ministry. In the fall, the assembly rejoiced to see a young woman put her trust in the Savior after attending gospel meetings a year ago and subsequently coming to regular Sunday night meetings. The assembly also had the joy of baptizing a young couple that were saved in Iran and left Islam by coming to Canada. Growth can be seen in their desire to live for God. Prayer is requested for them as they are paying a price for their faith.
Despite stormy weather, the hall was filled for the annual Sunday School dinner. Allan Kember of the Highfield assembly spoke to those attending. The assembly is expecting David Booth for their first upcoming Saturday night ministry meeting, D.V.
Parry Sound: The assembly had a float in the annual Christmas Parade on November 30 and handed out over 1,000 pencils and 640 tracts to parade-goers along the parade route. They have also had a large number of children coming out to the bimonthly gym nights where a brief message is shared. Some of those children attending the gym nights have begun attending Sunday School, which has been encouraging.
Rexdale: The assembly enjoyed one week of meetings on the Tabernacle with Larry Steers who used a chart and a model to assist. The ministry was very profitable, and they also appreciated the support from other assemblies.
U.S.A.
Arizona
Phoenix: The Orangewood assembly was privileged to host a series during the November 16-17 weekend on God’s Assembly, with John Dennison and Tim Woodford leading the sessions. Some of the topics covered were Fellowship, Stewardship, Leadership and Headship. The weekend series was well attended and tremendously profitable for young and old alike. By the time this note is published, all the messages will be posted and available for listening on their website at http://orangewoodgospelhall.com.
Hawaii
Waianae: The assembly appreciated a two-week visit in November from Jim Jarvis and Robert Curry (Laurel, ON) for gospel meetings. Over 3,000 invitations were given and the assembly was encouraged by a good response from the community. A number of unsaved family members also attended the open house for the new hall. The assembly is looking for blessing in salvation and praying the Lord will add such as should be saved.
Michigan
Battle Creek: VRF: Food shipments are expected to resume in January to the Christians in Venezuela where medical assistance continues to be needed and is ongoing in several different ways, including providing medication and supporting those needing surgery. Please continue to pray for the grave situation in Venezuela, and for the Christians and workers there. The assembly also enjoyed a visit and encouraging ministry from Jonathan Seed in December.
Jackson: During the November gospel series with Jonathan Seed and local brother Joseph Baker, the assembly was thankful for a good number of visitors attending and for the Lord blessing in salvation.
Saginaw: Snow and ice hindered attendance at their December 1 bimonthly ministry meeting. Bert Snippe and Stu Thompson challenged the saints with ministry on the lives of Peter and Abraham, respectively. The gospel was faithfully presented with older Sunday School students and parents present. Bert Snippe had appreciated ministry meetings December 2-4 in both the Saginaw and Cass City assemblies.
New Jersey
Pennsauken: The assembly enjoyed helpful visits from Andy Mullan (UK) and Shad Kember in October, and John Nesbitt and Russ Coleman in November. On November 17 a baptism was held following the gospel meeting. A man in his 40s obeyed the Lord in baptism. Between 60 and 70 unsaved were in attendance for this meeting.
Mexico
Nuevo León
Monterrey: Cleidney García da Cruz, a brother from Brazil, arrived on November 26 to help in the preaching of the gospel and the ministry of the Word for several days.
Chihuahua
Chihuahua: During the first week of November a gospel series was held in the hall in El Valle de la Madrid. The following week the gospel was preached nightly in the rented hall in Ciudad Delicias, 60 miles from the city of Chihuahua. The attendance was encouraging, including several who came for the first time.
Sonora
San Luis Río Colorado: The assembly had the solemn responsibility of burying an infant and her grandmother; Esperanza was only two months old, and a month later her grandmother Ofelia was called home after a time of much pain and suffering. Prayers are appreciated for the salvation of family members as a result of hearing this voice from God.
The believers continue preaching regularly in Ejido Guanajuato, a village close to Mexicali, where several show genuine interest in the gospel.
Sinaloa
Guasave: The assembly appreciated the visit of Tim Boddy (New Creek, WV) when he helped in both the gospel and ministry. Later in the month John Dennison visited for a weekend, giving ministry on the family as well as on relationships between believers.
Guanajuato
La Purísima: The assembly was encouraged when a young woman named Abigail from the city of Irapuato who had been attending the meetings professed to be saved recently. While listening to a gospel message based on John 5:24, the Lord saved her.
Mexico State
Nezahualcóyotl: On November 23 and 26, eight thousand Bible texts were delivered in areas near the hall in this large city. A gospel series was held November 23-30.
Veracruz
Xalapa: The assembly greatly enjoyed the visit of Sandy Higgins (Barrington, NJ) for three nights of ministry in November. Despite the cold outside, the attendance was encouraging and the ministry heart warming. Paul Thiessen’s help in translation was much appreciated.
Veracruz: The believers were blessed spiritually during a visit November 14-17 from Sandy Higgins. Paul Thiessen not only helped in the translation but also gave appreciated ministry and shared in the gospel.
Quintana Roo
Cancún: David Cadenas and Timothy Turkington continue with ministry on local church principles. The attendance at the gospel meetings continues to be very encouraging as well.
Conferences
Jackson, MI
February 14-16, with Prayer Meeting on Friday, February 14, at 7pm in the gospel hall, 910 Bennett Street. Saturday and Lord’s Day meetings will be held at East Jackson High School, 1404 N. Sutton Road. Saturday: Prayer and Ministry 10am and 2pm, Gospel 6:45pm. Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 10am, Sunday School 11:30am, Prayer and Ministry 2pm, Gospel 4:30pm. Sandy Higgins, Alan Summers, Andrew Ussher and Dale Vitale have responsibility for the conference ministry meetings. Accom: Jason Wielenga, Tel: 517-914-1275; Email: jandtwielenga@gmail.com. Corr: Douglas Losey, Tel: 517 787-9169; Email: rdlosey@juno.com. Assembly website https://areyousaved.com.
Conferences Previously Published:
Pennsauken, NJ – January 10-12 (NEW date)
DeLand, FL – February 7-9
Updates
Change of Address of Correspondent
Ottawa, ON (North River Road Gospel Hall): Ken Kember, 874 Clearcrest Crescent, Orléans, ON K4A 3E6; Tel: 613-863-9457; Email: kkember@gmail.com
Homecalls
Benjamin van Noppen of Deer Lake, ON, on September 23, 2019, age 84. Benjamin was born in Tutrecht, Holland, just at the start of WWII, the fourth child of Adriaan and Marianne van Noppen, followed by four more siblings. He was born again as a boy. Benjamin immigrated to Canada as a young man; his wife-to-be, Engelina, followed, and they were married in 1957. They had five children, 33 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren! He was self-employed as a carpenter and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Benjamin loved the Lord and was faithful in children’s outreach, Beacon Bible Camp, and prison ministry. He was a great help in the Deer Lake assembly in Port Sydney for 23 years, before his and Lina’s failing health made it necessary to move to his daughter’s home in Oakwood. Lorne Langfeld shared the gospel message at the large funeral.
Clarence Black of Nipissing Junction, North Bay, ON, age 83. After years of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, a stroke took him peacefully home to the Lord, October 16, 2019. At age 19, he came to Christ sitting at the kitchen table of his uncle’s home in Toronto. Those who knew Clarence saw a man who loved his Lord, lost souls and the Lord’s people. He was both an effective gospel preacher and teaching shepherd in his home assembly (and elsewhere) which he, with others, had seen planted in younger years. Clarence is survived by his wife, Joyce Black, three daughters and spouses, seven grandchildren (some married) and nine great-granddaughters. The funeral was shared by Brian Crawford; sons-in-law, Gord Brock and Stu Thompson; the seven grandchildren; and son-in-law, Mike LaChance, who spoke at the interment two days later. A memorial lunch with the Nipissing Junction assembly followed.
Thelma Kember (Jarvis) of Oil Springs, ON, on October 24, 2019, age 89. She was saved as a young mother of six children after attending just one tent meeting in the Chapman Valley area in the summer of 1964. The Two Roads and Two Destinies chart hanging at the front spoke loudly to her, and the Spirit of God brought her under conviction of sin. The next day she trusted Christ as her Savior through Romans 10:9. Her husband Neal was saved a few months later. After his death at age 49, Thelma married Dave Kember and spent many years laboring with him in the gospel in New Brunswick before moving back to Ontario. Jim Jarvis and Murray McCandless spoke at the funeral, with Max McLean sharing a word at the graveside. The gospel was faithfully spoken, fulfilling her wishes that all the glory be directed to her Savior.
Olive Morrison of Peterborough, ON, on September 21, 2019, age 98. Our sister was the daughter of Joe and Florence Morrison who were saved in the early 1900s when the gospel came to the farming community of Lang. Olive was one of six children and was saved as a young girl. She had a good testimony in the Lang area for over 80 years. As a young woman she came into the assembly and continued faithfully until she was taken home. She always rejoiced in that she was ready, and it was her concern for others who needed to be saved. She never married but was like a second mother to George and Joe Patton. She will be greatly missed by the assembly and all who knew her. The large funeral was taken by Ken Nicholson and the graveside by Allen Hayle of the Peterborough assembly.
John Edward (Ted) Joyce of Unionville, ON, on November 2, 2019, age 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior after a brief struggle with cancer. Ted was born into a Christian family attending the Pape Avenue Gospel Hall and was saved in his late teens. He married Carole and they took their young family to Unionville Gospel Hall from its inception, and Ted was received into fellowship there. After retiring from Xerox of Canada, Ted and his wife Carole moved to Midland, ON, and fellowshipped at Waubaushene Gospel Hall where he was an elder for many years. Ted also served on the Board of Directors for Elim Homes in Waubaushene for 18 years. Ted is survived by his wife Carole, daughters Christine and Lori, and son James.
Helen Kerr of Hamilton, ON, on November 3, 2019, age 92. Helen was born into a family of 15 children and remembered her father gathering the family around the kitchen table. He told them that they were sinners and in need of a Saviour. At age 7, Helen accepted this for herself and put her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. She went on to teach Sunday School and was part of the Kensington Avenue/Nash Road Gospel Hall for 69 years. She and her husband Martin (predeceased in 2011) were a consistent and faithful example to their children, and their help in the assembly was appreciated. Her cheerful disposition will be missed by all. She leaves behind John and Joan, Jane and Brian, Rob and Sue, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Paul Glenney spoke words of comfort and a clear message in the gospel at the well-attended funeral.
Jean Taylor of Taylorside, SK, on November 7, 2019, age 87. She was born in Arborfield, SK, on March 3,1932, and was saved at the age of 12. Jean married Lloyd Taylor of Taylorside in 1954 and they enjoyed 65 years of happy marriage. She was part of the assembly at Taylorside all her married life and was noted for her hospitality, generosity, and involvement in missionary sewing. Predeceased by an infant daughter, Jean is survived by her loving husband Lloyd, three children and their spouses, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Her grandson Riley Taylor faithfully proclaimed the gospel at the funeral service and her nephew Blair Seale spoke comforting words of hope at the graveside. Jean will be greatly missed.
Herman Bland of Kansas City, MO, on November 17, age 75. Herman was born April 21, 1944, in Carlisle, AR, and saved on January 8, 1974, through 1 John 5:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:3. He continued faithfully serving his Lord and Savior for the rest of his life. Herman went home to be with the Lord while he was remembering Him – no better way to go. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister. Herman attended Mechanic School in Little Rock, AR, and later moved to Kansas City where he became the owner and operator of Metro Transmission for 45 years. He was well known and loved by many. He will always be in our hearts and memories. He leaves cherished memories with his wife of 53 years, Shirley, son Eric (DeAnna) Bland, and daughters Yolanda Bland and Rebekah (Delwan) Bradford.
