Canada
British Columbia
Vancouver: Elton Fairfield gave ministry on September 15 at the Fairview assembly.
New Brunswick
Sussex: Alan Summers gave ministry October 6-9 that was also livestreamed on Zoom.
Ontario
Welland: In September, the assembly appreciated Brian Crawford, Bruce Cottrill and Lorne Langfeld speaking in the gospel with local brethren through Zoom. They have resumed the Breaking of Bread and their Wednesday night prayer/Bible reading in the hall.
Quebec
Venosta: Murray Pratt held drive-in gospel meetings September 13-24 in this small predominantly Irish Catholic town. Twenty different visitors from the area came to hear the gospel one or more times. Please pray that the seed sown will bear fruit for eternity.
U.S.A.
Arkansas
Alpena: The Lord blessed the assembly with another uplifting, in-person conference in September. Despite slightly smaller attendance, six assemblies were represented. On hand to give help with the Bible reading (Hebrews 2), ministry, gospel meeting and Sunday School were Paul Barnhardt, Jerry Jennings, William Lavery and William Skates. The subjects all appeared to focus on the lovely Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our continued access to Him and the Father. A very warm note of thanks is extended to all who came and gave support.
Arizona
Phoenix: The Orangewood assembly continues their series of short Saturday night devotionals via Zoom on the Person and Work of our Lord Jesus Christ to help believers prepare for worship on Lord’s Day. Brethren taking part recently include Larry Perkins (Sept 11), Kevin Flett (Sept 18), Shad Kember (Sept 25), and Gary Sharp (Oct 2).
California
Chico: The assembly has sold their building but there are a number of saints still gathering to remember the Lord. They would love to have any other saints stop in for a visit if in the area or passing through.
Iowa
Hampton: The assembly held an afternoon ministry meeting on September 26 with Al Christopherson and Murray McCandless.
Stout: Frank Sona was with the assembly for afternoon ministry on the Lord’s Day, September 12. Murray McCandless also gave a word of evening ministry on September 23.
Michigan
Battle Creek: VRF update: The situation in Venezuela continues to be critical. The COVID-19 pandemic has continued unabated even as different efforts by the authorities to contain the disease have yet to prove successful. Medical needs now make up about half of the expenditures in the relief efforts being made through the VRF. Sixty tons of non-perishable food has been shipped from Miami, FL, this year, as well as 100 boxes of diverse items, such as clothing, hygiene products and over-the-counter medications. These shipments supplement the crops and food that are being grown locally with the help of the VRF.
Livonia: The Stark Road assembly commenced in-person gospel meetings October 3-24, also livestreamed, with Joseph Baker (Jackson, MI) and Jonathan Seed. Prayer is requested for these meetings.
Saginaw: The Saginaw and surrounding assemblies appreciated ministry from Paul Mason (Albuquerque, NM) and Stuart Thompson at the restart of their in-person bi-monthly ministry meetings. Both the gospel message and the ministry of the Word encouraged the believers amidst this COVID-19 era.
Virginia
Matoaca: Two weeks of tent meetings were held with Paul Barnhardt and local brethren in September. There was a very good interest, with unsaved friends and family of the believers coming out and a few visitors. The meetings closed with interest in salvation. Please pray that God will continue to deal with these precious souls.
Wisconsin
Brodhead: Joel Portman visited the assembly for ministry September 26-29.
Mexico
Nuevo León
Monterrey: Anderson and Mariú Hernández, along with their two young children, have been living in this city since the beginning of the work in 2016. They have seen God’s hand guiding them regarding a new work in the city of Mérida, located in the state of Yucatán. They left Monterrey at the end of September. Miguel and Ruth Mosquera remain in Monterrey and appreciate prayers for the furtherance of the work here. Prayers for the beginning of a new work in Mérida are also much appreciated.
Chihuahua
Chihuahua: Don Federico came to his first gospel meeting in El Valle de la Madrid on July 18, attending faithfully. On September 5, after the gospel meeting, he said he wanted to be saved, but was unable to read. After hearing several verses read to him, he came to understand the precious truth that “Christ died for me.”
Sandy Higgins was with the assembly for five nights of teaching at the end of September, taking up The Footsteps of Our Father Abraham, with Paul Thiessen translating. Not only was it a time of blessing and encouragement to the local believers, but several new contacts from the area attended also. Believers from other areas were able to benefit from the teaching through Zoom and Facebook.
State Of Mexico
Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl: The believers had to continue with virtual meetings throughout September, with hopes of returning to the hall in early October. On August 31, Raúl Rivero passed away at almost 95 years of age. He was saved out of the Roman Catholic system in 2004, becoming both a fervent reader of the Scriptures and a prayer warrior. Raúl never missed an opportunity to share the good news with others.
Veracruz
Veracruz: After several months of being only able to meet virtually, in-person meetings resumed on October 3.
Other Fields
Northern Ireland
Conference Updates:
Due to the restrictions during the summer, the Bleary, Ballybollen, and Kingsmills conferences were held as drive-in ministry meetings instead. These meetings were very well attended and the ministry brought comfort and challenge to all in these somewhat more difficult days.
Craigyhill held their annual conference and Bible readings in the large indoor Larne Leisure Centre venue. The opportunity to sit down together indoors, around the Word of God, to enjoy His presence and the fellowship of saints was a time of great encouragement and spiritual blessing to all. S. Gilfillan, D. Gilliland, J. Hay and C. Munro shared the responsibility of opening the Bible readings from Judges 6-9 on the Life of Gideon.
Co. Londonderry
The Pitts: During August, W. Fenton and W. Martin held drive-in gospel meetings each evening on the North Coast at this locally known area between Portrush and Portstewart. Quite a number come to this area for their holidays and many unsaved heard the gospel faithfully preached.
Limavady: D. Gilliland had a number of weeks of drive-in gospel meetings that commenced August 29 in a large parking lot in the centre of town.
Co. Fermanagh
Lisbellaw: P. Kissock and G. Woods held drive-in gospel meetings that commenced August 22.
Co. Antrim
Buckna: Beginning August 15, three weeks of gospel drive-in meetings in the gospel hall parking lot were extended to five weeks, with S. Fleck and R. Kirkpatrick preaching. News of salvation brought great encouragement when a young man, the subject of much prayer, professed to be saved.
Ballyclare: D. Strahan was with the assembly for two weeks of drive-in gospel meetings September 5-17 in the gospel hall parking lot.
Kells: T. Armstrong and J. Rogers held drive-in gospel meetings August 15-29 at the junction of the Chapeltown Road and Eskylane Road in connection with the Kells assembly.
Larne: The Craigyhill assembly rented the large Kilwaughter Village Hall in the middle of this rural community on September 19 for in-person gospel meetings. In the first two weeks, a number of locals attended, along with those connected to the believers, to hear R. Kirkpatrick and D. Strahan preaching nightly.
Ballymena: W. Fenton and W. Martin held drive-in gospel meetings in a large parking lot on Woodside Road. Quite a few came out to listen to the gospel.
Glengormley: The assembly commenced drive-in gospel meetings September 5 in their parking lot with J. Fleck and S. Gilfillan preaching. The hall is situated close to many homes.
Co. Armagh
Armagh: J. Rogers commenced drive-in gospel meetings on September 5, in the Armagh Business Centre parking lot, in connection with the assembly.
Co. Down
Newtownards: C. Munro had two weeks of in-person gospel meetings in connection with the James Street assembly in a vacant office building. Encouraging numbers attended.
Dundrum: D. Gilliland and T.W. Wright shared in two weeks of drive-in gospel meetings in connection with the Castlewellan assembly.
Kilkeel: J. Davison and N. Fleck commenced in-person gospel meetings in the hall at the end of August.
Conferences
Bryn Mawr/Hatboro, PA
November 13-14 (cancelled)
Oil Springs, ON
November 13-14 (cancelled)
Phoenix, AZ
November 26-28, in the gospel hall, 1246 E. Garfield St. Friday: Prayer Meeting 7:30pm. Saturday: Bible Reading 10am (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58), Ministry 1-3pm, Gospel 4pm. Lord’s Day: Sunday School 9:30am, Breaking of Bread 10:30am, Ministry 1pm, Gospel 4pm. Lunch will be served both days. Corr. Clarence Van Der Hart, 8525 W. Northern Ave., Glendale, AZ 85305; Tel. 602-818-4190; Email: clarencevanderhart@hotmail.com.
Saugus, MA
December 4-5 (cancelled)
Conferences Previously Published:
Blues Mills/Cape Breton, NS – November 13-14 (tentative local)
Updates
Change of Address
Gary and Bonnie Sharp, 3516 Town Line, Oro-Medonte, ON, L3V 0K4
Change of Correspondent
Chico, CA: Stephen Hoath, Tel: 530-865-3918; Email: asaphoath@gmail.com
Homecalls
Dorothy “Dot” Robidas of North Bay, ON, on May 25, 2021, age 79. She was saved on August 6, 1974, at age 32 while walking in the pouring rain. Likening the rain to the blood of her Savior, Dot understood that the shedding of His blood was for her. She always appreciated the words of 1 John 1:7. Married for 62 years to John Robidas, they were in happy fellowship in the Nipissing Junction assembly for many years. Due to poor health, they resided lately at Waters Edge Care Community. She was the dear mother of Victor (Shannon), Roger (Martha Peters), Reg, and Nicole (Bruce) Coghill. Nana Dorothy will be fondly remembered by her 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Cindy Robidas. Dorothy was predeceased by her son Peter, and her brothers Jim and Richard Cain. Glenn Pratt spoke comforting words at the graveside.
John Fleming of Oil Springs, ON, on May 30, 2021, age 86. He was raised by a godly mother who read the Bible every day to her family. After hearing the gospel in Oil Springs at age 27, John asked his mother if he should be concerned about salvation. She shared how she was saved as a young girl many years before, and quoted Romans 10:17, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” He put salvation first and was soon saved. In 1968, he married Janette Nicol from Saginaw, MI, and served the Lord faithfully in the Oil Springs assembly for 51 years. In their latter years, they loved to travel and spread God’s Word. John was predeceased by Janette in March 2020. He will be greatly missed by his two sons and daughter, their families, some of which are not saved, and by the local saints.
Mae (Isaac) Fleming of Strongville, ON, on August 15, 2021, age 95. She grew up on the family farm in the Midland area and was saved as a young girl. After talking with her father at the kitchen table about the burden of her sin, Mae put her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She married Aubrey Fleming in 1957, and God blessed them with six children. Mae was a devoted wife and mother, and a faithful sister in the Strongville assembly for over 50 years. She was characterized by a consistent and quiet testimony right up to her homecall. Mae is survived by her children Ann (Joe) Dufton, Grace (Murray) Poidevin, Peter (Brenda) Fleming, Lois (Rob) Niessl, Ruth (Adam) Milling, Joan (Jacques) Ouellette, 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The funeral service was livestreamed and shared by her son and three of her sons-in-law.
Dorothy Hatten of Burlington, ON, on August 27, 2021, age 88. She was saved at age 12 through the truth of Isaiah 53:5, discovering that the Lord Jesus died for her sins. She was baptized and received into fellowship in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Following marriage, Lionel and Dorothy settled in Toronto, ON, and were in fellowship at Highfield, Birchcliffe, and Unionville before moving to Hamilton, ON. She was faithful to the Lord and to His assembly, attending meetings until health prevented her. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband in 2019. She leaves behind three children. Paul Robinson spoke at the funeral home and Eric Kalbach spoke at the graveside service.
Rose (nee Rannelli) Smith of Livingston, NJ, on August 30, 2021. She was born on October 26, 1927, and born again on June 19, 1940, through the preaching of the late Frank Pizzulli. Shortly thereafter, she was baptized and received into the Italian assembly in Orange, NJ. She married Bill Smith in 1950. Their home was always open to the Lord’s people and to visiting missionaries and preachers. Rose loved the gospel and the assembly meetings in East Orange (and later, Livingston). She was part of a generation of believers who centered their life around the assembly and she rarely missed gathering with the Lord’s people. She was predeceased by her husband in 2011, and is survived by her sons Timothy (Laurie) and Andrew (Efrilyn), numerous grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
James Christiano of Livingston, NJ, on September 2, 2021, age 79. He was born September 15, 1941, and was saved on October 7, 1979, during a Bible study with his sister and brother-in-law, and Jim Pizzulli. He was in fellowship in the Livingston assembly (and previously in Midland Park, NJ). From his conversion, he displayed a love of the Scriptures and was marked by a deep conviction to obey and honor the Lord. Jim is survived by his wife (Janet), and three sisters. A warm-hearted, gracious believer, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
