Canada
British Columbia
Langley: The assembly held an online “Christianity 101” series of nightly gospel presentations with Stephen Vance January 3–February 7.
Vancouver: The Victoria Drive assembly appreciated hearing Gaius Goff’s testimony via Zoom on January 10. Frank Sona also shared his testimony to the online adult Bible class outreach on January 26. Jack Gould gave helpful ministry via Zoom on January 28.
New Brunswick
Sussex: The assembly held in-person and livestreamed gospel meetings that began January 12 with Murray McCandless.
Nova Scotia
Pugwash Junction: The assembly commenced in-person gospel meetings on January 24 with David Hunt and John Meekin.
Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown: The very practical ministry from John Meekin January 11–15 via Zoom on Rule, Recovery and Revivals of Five Kings of Judah is still available to view on YouTube. The links can be found on their assembly website http://www.charlottetowngospelhall.com. The assembly also purposed a series in the gospel on Zoom with Peter Ramsay beginning February 14. Please pray for a number of the believers’ children and some family connections they are burdened about. A link to the meetings can also be found on their website.
U.S.A.
Iowa
Stout: The assembly rescheduled in-person gospel meetings with Brandon Doll and William Skates to commence on January 31.
Washington
Marysville: The assembly commenced an online gospel series on January 17 with Gaius Goff.
Mexico
Nuevo León
Monterrey: Early in January, Anderson and Mariú Hernández commenced a weekly Bible class for children on Zoom each Saturday afternoon. It has been encouraging to see a good number connecting, not only from Monterrey and other parts of Mexico but also from other countries. The assembly has not been able to meet together yet this year due to the pandemic.
Chihuahua
Chihuahua: After several weeks of not meeting together, the believers were happy to remember the Lord again in person on January 24. Other meetings are held online. Despite the cold, the children’s meeting in the hall in El Porvenir recommenced late in January as well.
San Luis Potosí
El Barril: The assembly rejoiced to receive a sister into fellowship recently. They were also encouraged to see some new faces at the meetings of late.
Jalisco
Guadalajara: The assembly in the south of the city enjoyed two weeks of ministry meetings on figures of Christ from the Hebrews epistle, given by Jonathan Seed, who was visiting with his family for the month of January. The believers have been preaching the gospel in two homes on alternate weekends, in Teotihuacán and Tlaquepaque.
Hidalgo
Pachuca: The assembly in Matilde has only been able to meet virtually during the pandemic due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in the central part of the country. Several believers and their family members have been infected, including those not saved. Prayers are appreciated that this will be a voice from God to awaken them to their need of salvation.
Mexico State
Nezahualcóyotl: Meetings are once again being held virtually. Arnold Peraza attended for eight months, giving testimony of his conversion to Christ, but recently was called home as a result of COVID-19.
Quintana Roo
Cancún: The assembly was formed on January 19, 2020, and the believers are thankful for God’s preserving care upon the testimony. On January 24 they enjoyed a visit from Joe and Amanda Baker (Jackson, MI), and Andrew and Anna Baker (Marion, IA). Both brothers gave appreciated help in the teaching and preaching of the Word.
Sonora
Hermosillo: After meeting in person since September, meetings were halted by the government in mid-January. A sister who was saved several years ago, but unable to attend very often due to the opposition of her husband, was left a widow with four children when her 39-year-old husband died as a result of COVID-19 in January. Both she and her daughter (who was saved last fall) were able to pray and share the Word of God with him while he was very ill. Prayers for Guadalupe and her family are appreciated.
Costa Rica
In February, Kory Crawford and Ross Vanstone began a gospel series in a new area of San José, the capital city of Costa Rica. They plan to continue through the month of February. They have been holding ESL classes and children’s meetings in this area in January with a good response.
Conferences
Clarksville, IA
April 4, 2021, convened by the Antioch Gospel Hall (canceled)
Toronto, ON
April 2–3, online. Easter Missionary Conference hosted by the Lansing and Langstaff assemblies. Morning sessions only beginning at 10am ET. Expected speakers: Dale Vitale (Hutterite Communities in Montana), Enris Nase (Italy), Pablo Seguel (Chile), and Phil Barnes (MSC Canada). For more information including login information, please visit http://www.lansinggospelhall.com or http://langstaffgospelhall.com.
Toronto, ON
April 2–4, the annual Easter conference will be held online. Details may be found at https://www.highfieldgospelhall.ca/toronto-easter-conference.html.
Change of Address of Correspondent
Hardwick, VT: Bill Scott, 16 Cyr Road, Littleton, NH 03561; Tel: 603-575-5415
O’Leary, PE: Darrell Raynor, 12806 Route 11, Enmore, PE C0B 1J0; Email: darrellraynor73@gmail.com
Homecalls
Ernest Barrett of Richmond Hill, ON, on November 9, 2020, age 93. Born in Bishop’s Cove, Newfoundland, Ernie immigrated to Canada and served in Korea with the Canadian Armed Forces PPCLI in 1950. He fought at Kap Yong, was critically wounded and subsequently decorated for extraordinary heroism. Returning to Toronto, he was met by Barbara Smith and rekindled a love begun when they were 12. After marrying in August 1952, Barbara encouraged Ernie to think about spiritual things. On November 14, 1957 he trusted Christ. They faithfully served Him together, and were known for their hospitality, the sharing of the gospel, and opening their home to missionaries, preachers, friends and strangers. Together they worshipped at Pape and Newmarket Gospel Halls, and from 1970 onwards at Lansing Gospel Hall where eventually Ernie served as a beloved elder, counsellor and confidant. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Barbara, in 2017.
Mary Ruth Pike of Joliet, IL, on Monday, November 9, 2020, age 97. Ruth was born on August 8, 1923, in Philadelphia, PA. In 1933, she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She was married to Robert Pike in 1947. Bob and Ruth were a godly Christian couple and had influence on many people. Ruth attended the Spring Creek Gospel Hall, formerly the Joliet and the New Lenox Gospel Hall, since 1947. She was known for her kindness, hospitality, a cheerful spirit, and love for her Savior. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2000, and is survived by her children Karen, Jack (Linda), Sarah (James) Ludos, and Lois; and her grandchildren John (Holly), Leah, Rebekah and Abigail. Prayer is requested for her unsaved brother, Ben Stahl of Joliet. The funeral and graveside services were taken by Kerwin Brandt, Al Christopherson and Larry Perkins.
Lorne Plecash of Kamloops, BC, on December 11, 2020, age 89. Our beloved brother and esteemed elder passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord from his bed in a care home in Kamloops. Lorne was saved just after his wife Jean came to know the Lord in November 1977. Jean brought the gospel into their home and Lorne was saved soon after. The couple were baptized and received into the assembly in Kamloops where they both were true servants of the assembly. Lorne was a steady and vibrant example to saints young and old. His valued contribution to the assembly will be greatly missed. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the only service held was at the graveside with ten people present. Dave Richards spoke at the burial. He leaves behind one son, Guy, who is a believer and would value prayer in his time of loss.
Virginia Wardell of Mason City, IA, on January 12, 2021, age 94. Seeing a severely burned young lady lying on the floor in pain singing hymns in the house where teenaged Virginia worked opened Virginia to the gospel. She was saved through John 5:24 from the condemnation that she had never heard about growing up. Everyone in her hometown knew “Jenny” had a “crazy religion.” When Raymond Wardell, a WW2 returned veteran, asked her about it, he found peace in Christ also. They were married in 1946 and gathered with the newly-formed assembly meeting in the gospel hall in West Union, IA. After retiring from farming, Virginia and Raymond moved and were received in the Hampton, IA, assembly. Virginia remained there for the last 25 years, until she entered a nursing home. She passed peacefully into His presence, and is remembered for her zeal for the gospel.
Ann Weber of Stout, IA, on January 14, 2021, age 91. Ann was saved at age seven through a lesson on Matthew 11:28 from her Sunday school teacher on December 26, 1937. On August 8, 1949, she married Roy Weber and began farming near Stout where they raised six children, who all professed salvation. They were in the Stout fellowship over 70 years where Ann showed her deep devotion to family and saints. In 1980 they were commended together to Nebraska in the work of the gospel. An assembly was planted at Burwell where Ann in early days provided the daily needs of many workers. She is survived by five sons: Marlyn (Susan), Laverne (Jan), Bernard (Rhonda), Steve (Michelle), and Joel (Dawn); one daughter: JoAnn (Mark) Haan; 18 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. The service was shared by Dustin Hayes, Eric Stickfort, and Al Christopherson who preached the gospel.
Ed Chambers of Midland Park, NJ, on January 25, 2021, age 98. He was born on July 19, 1922. In 1926, the family moved from Northern Ireland to the US, settling in Morristown, NJ. In 1938, he was saved while looking through a box of gospel papers and soon after was received into the Morristown assembly. After marrying Ruth Batterton in 1951, they joined the Midland Park assembly in 1957. Their home was open to the Lord’s people and for having gospel meetings. Ed faithfully served as the correspondent and treasurer of the assembly for 20 years. For many years he was also the treasurer for the Gospel Hall Home for the Aged in Longport, NJ. He is survived by his wife Ruth; two sons, Ted and Mark (Marsha); five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. All who knew him saw that Ed’s life was marked by faithfulness, consistency and godliness.
