Canada
New Brunswick
Sussex: On January 10, the assembly commenced Monday night ministry on pictures of the local assembly, followed by nightly gospel meetings Tuesday-Thursday. These 30- to 35-minute meetings with Murray McCandless were also livestreamed on Zoom and were purposed to run until the end of February, D.V. The assembly was encouraged by a young boy professing salvation on January 9.
Ontario
Orillia: Brian Owen preached the gospel via Zoom for the Dominion assembly on January 30.
York: Toward the end of 2021, the Fairbank assembly was encouraged in the opportunity to distribute gospel calendar literature in the district. In addition, the assembly was pleased to welcome Blair Martin (Scotland) for a number of ministry meetings. He also ministered at various other locations in southern and eastern Ontario.
Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown: In December, the assembly enjoyed a six-night Zoom series with Eugene Higgins titled “The True Meaning of Christmas as Seen in the Christmas Carols.” Several banners were put up on the hall to advertise to passersby. Meetings were also livestreamed on YouTube and can be accessed via their assembly website.
In January, the assembly also enjoyed five nights of ministry with John Meekin via Zoom titled “The Sheltering Wings of the Lord.” The ministry was very timely for the day in which we are living. The YouTube link to the series is also available on the assembly website.
Summerside: Brody Thibodeau preached the gospel via Zoom for the Pope Road assembly on January 30.
U.S.A.
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 the Lord’s Day. Brethren taking part to date include Sandy Higgins (January 8), David Petterson (January 15), Bill Lavery (January 22), and Glen Baker (February 5).
Iowa
Ankeny: The assembly planned two weeks of gospel meetings with John Fitzpatrick and William Skates beginning February 20, D.V.
Cedar Falls: The assembly held a short series of Bible readings January 20, 27, and February 3 titled “Local Assembly Basics” from 1 Corinthians. The intent was to encourage those who were recently saved, to encourage Bible study and participation among those in fellowship, and to promote fellowship between local assemblies.
Marion: The assembly commenced gospel meetings February 6 in person and livestreamed on Facebook and Zoom with Brandon Doll and Larry Perkins. These meetings were planned to run until the end of February, D.V.
Stout: Frank Sona visited the assembly for evening ministry on January 31.
West Liberty: The Marion assembly conducted gospel meetings January 26-February 15 with local brother Ryan Hayes and Shad Kember preaching at the West Liberty Community Center.
Michigan
Jackson: Prayer is appreciated for a series of gospel meetings with Gene Higgins on future events, scheduled to begin on March 13.
Minnesota
Fridley: The assembly held gospel meetings January 12-21 with Brandon Doll. They continued to see interest in the gospel from the series in August and October, and were thankful for a profession of salvation just prior to the series commencing. Please pray for blessing in salvation to God’s glory.
Wisconsin
Brodhead: Gospel meetings with Joel Portman and Brandon Doll concluded January 7.
Mexico
Chihuahua
Chihuahua: The attendance at the children’s meetings in El Porvenir has been increasing of late. This may be partly due to schools remaining closed due to the pandemic.
Sinaloa
Guasave: After having in-person meetings for several months, they were suspended in January once again due to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the city, including several believers and their family members.
San Luis Potosí
El Barril: The assembly rejoiced in January when a young sister was received into fellowship.
Jalisco
Zapopan: The assembly continues meeting in person for the Breaking of Bread, with hopes of resuming gospel meetings in person soon. The wife of one of the believers was recently received into fellowship, bringing joy to the assembly. The weekly teaching meeting on Zoom continues to be well attended by believers from different countries.
State of Mexico
Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl: The assembly suspended in-person meetings once again on January 20 after several believers and their families contracted COVID-19. Thankfully, none had serious cases and they recovered well. For the moment they continue with meetings on Zoom and have appreciated help from David Cadenas and Miguel Mosquera.
Veracruz
Veracruz: During January the assembly continued meeting on Sundays and Thursdays, but at the end of the month meetings were suspended for two weeks due to the number of believers falling ill. A sister has recently been received into assembly fellowship as well.
Northern Ireland
Update on Conferences/Ministry Meetings:
Over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, a number of ministry meetings were held in lieu of conferences. Local restrictions prohibited some of the larger indoor gatherings. The Belfast Christmas Conference was cancelled.
Co. Tyrone
Fintona: The assembly commenced a gospel series in the hall on January 9 with Raymond Kirkpatrick and David Strahan.
Newtownstewart: The assembly held a drive-in ministry meeting on January 1 in the local Livestock Market Yard with John Fleck and Wesley Martin.
Co. Antrim
Ballyclare: On January 16, the assembly commenced a gospel series in the hall and broadcast to the parking lot, with Elton Fairfield and John Rogers preaching.
Ballymena: The Harryville assembly hosted a well-attended drive-in ministry meeting on December 31. John Fleck and Raymond Kirkpatrick gave helpful ministry.
Broughshane: On January 16, Stephen Gilfillan and Andrew Steele commenced gospel meetings in the hall.
Buckna: On December 27, the assembly held a ministry meeting in the hall. David Gilliland and Alan Summers gave very encouraging and practical ministry.
Burnside: The assembly commenced a gospel series in the hall on January 16 with Noel Fleck and Stan Wells.
Carrickfergus: The Sandringham assembly held their usual year-end ministry meeting in a local school auditorium, filled to capacity. Elton Fairfield and Andrew Steele spoke encouragingly and challengingly from the Scriptures.
Derriaghy: In mid-January, Tom Armstrong and Malcolm Radcliffe commenced a gospel series in the hall.
Co. Down
Ballymagarrick: The assembly held a drive-in ministry meeting in the hall parking lot on the evening of January 1 with David Gilliland.
Co. Londonderry
Moneymore: This is the second year that the Quilly assembly hosted a drive-in ministry meeting on January 1 in a large parking lot on the Moneymore Road. Jonathan Black, David Gilliland and Mark Turkington gave helpful ministry.
Conferences
Waterloo/Cedar Falls, IA
April 15-17, with prayer meeting on Friday, April 15, at 7pm in the Cedar Falls Gospel Hall, 1302 Walnut Street. All other meetings are in the Cedar Falls High School, 1015 S. Division Street. Saturday: Ministry 10am and 2pm, Testimony 6pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Lord’s Day: Bible Reading 9am (Psalm 22), Breaking of Bread 10:15am, Ministry 2pm, Gospel 4:30pm. Lunch and Supper will be served both days. Corr. Mike Palmer, Email: mjpalmer89@gmail.com; Cell: 319-215-9200.
Conferences Previously Published:
Stout, IA – April 8-10
Homecalls
R.A. (Sandy) Clark of Sault Ste. Marie, ON, on August 18, 2021, age 98. Sandy was saved in his early teens and fellowshipped with the believers in the Sault for over 80 years. He was a respected overseer who, along with his late wife Ruby (2005), entertained many of the Lord’s people and the Lord’s servants in their home. Sandy spent his working life in the auto business during which time he was able to reach some souls for the Lord. He retired at age 77, and in later years lived in a retirement home and then in a long-term care home. In both places, he faithfully distributed tracts to both residents and staff. He is survived by six children: Robert (Ann), Graham (Grace), Heather (late Wayne) Rodgers, Bonnie (Gary) Sharp, Murray (Deb), Jil (Tom), and their families. The funeral service was conducted by his son-in-law Gary Sharp.
Jean Johnson of Grand Bend, ON, on September 30, 2021, age 86. She was predeceased by her husband Mervin of 63 years on September 1, 2019. Jean was saved in October 1948. At the time of her passing, she had been in fellowship at the Grand Bend assembly for 65 years. Many people were blessed by her hospitality in her home. Jean was a loving, smiling, caring, warm and fun-loving person who was loved by all. She will be greatly missed by her family, community and the assembly. Jean is survived by one daughter, one son, and their families. The funeral was taken by Glenn Pratt.
David L. Novak, of Highland, WI, on October 22, 2021, age 82. David was saved on June 8, 1955, during a gospel series conducted by George Baldwin and Albert Klabunda. He was baptized and received into the Blue River assembly where he rarely missed a meeting, and remained until his homecall. David was faithful to his Lord, the assembly, his family and the farm to the end. He is survived by his beloved wife Lois of 58 years, his four children Kelly (Mark) Wenger, Jennifer Thomas, Tom (Stacie), and Bruce (Sarah), and their families. His testimony was both well known and respected in the assembly, within his family, and in his lifelong hometown. His large funeral was shared by his son Tom and Brandon Doll, with Mike Wenger speaking at the grave. Many unsaved family, friends and business contacts heard the gospel faithfully preached. He is greatly missed.
Joya S. McClendon of Adelanto, CA, on December 4, 2021, age 73. Born March 23, 1948, in St Louis, MO, she moved to California in 1982 with her four children in search of a better life and began attending the Culver City Gospel Hall meetings regularly. In time, after the brethren were satisfied with her story of conversion and baptism, she was received into assembly fellowship. Joya became a shining example of faithfulness to the meetings, and her care for the believers in Culver City was a constant for almost 40 years. Despite working night shifts as a nurse, she always managed to find her place at the Breaking of Bread after the shift. Her funeral was well attended, and the gospel was faithfully preached by Martin Baghramian, with many unsaved present. She is survived by her children Amar, Michael, Vonnetta (in fellowship), Marceline and Veronica, and six grandchildren.
Robert Dickson of Picton, ON, on December 24, 2021, age 85, after a brief battle with cancer. Saved in Ireland, he emigrated to Canada in his late teens, and later married Esther Brown in Toronto where they resided for many years. In 1972, the family moved to Picton where Robert and Esther were later received into fellowship. Blessed with a good singing voice, Robert led the singing for many years for the Picton assembly. He and Esther enjoyed entertaining the Christians, visiting preachers and missionaries, and often held get-togethers and hymn sings in their home following gospel meetings. Robert was predeceased by his son Kevin, and is survived by his wife Esther, daughter Colleen (Owen) Miller, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The funeral, on January 3, 2022, was shared by Eugene Badgley and Peter Lansing. A gracious, warm-hearted believer, Robert will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Harvey Pratt of Charlton, ON, on January 1, 2022, age 96. He was born September 16, 1925. He experienced the hardships of the Great Depression and the dangers of war while serving in the Royal Canadian Navy. But Harvey’s greatest influence was his Savior, in whom he had put his trust as a young teenager. Harvey married Iris Rodgers in 1949. Together for over 72 years, they were in active assembly fellowship wherever they resided – Kirkland Lake, Charlton and Earlton. For 59 years their home was their farm near Charlton, where they raised their family and lived out their faith in the community. Harvey is survived by his wife Iris, and a large family – physical and spiritual – in which he invested much personal care and prayer. His nephews Ivan Pratt and Bruce Rodgers, and his son Murray Pratt, shared the funeral service.
Barbara A. Sarlo, of Jackson, MI, on January 1, 2022, age 92. She was born again May 2, 1941. She and her husband Nicholas (predeceased 2004) were in fellowship in the Jackson assembly for over 60 years. They were very active in personal gospel work, entertaining, holding fun gatherings for young and old, and in correspondence. She wrote true stories about people and life events, weaving the gospel throughout. These stories were shared in letters and Christmas cards (the family remembers 600 sent one year) to family and friends. She sought to encourage spiritually in her writings. Barbara was bedridden for her last eight years on earth but was a continuing encouragement to others. Her prayers will be greatly missed. Barbara is survived by her son Philip (Diane), her daughter Ruth Ann, four grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The funeral/graveside services were taken by Joel Fisher and Doug Losey.
William H. (Bill) Coleman of Hatboro, PA, went to be with Christ on January 25, 2022, age 89, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 24, 1932, he trusted Christ on Palm Sunday, March 21, 1948, while considering the truth of Romans 10:9. For decades, Bill was a respected elder in the Hatboro assembly. His love of the gospel and interest in others caused him to be instrumental in a number of people hearing the gospel and trusting Christ. Preceded in death by his beloved wife Emy in 2021, Bill is survived by his four children Carole (Joe) Turso, Bill (Sandy), Jean (Tim) Procopio, and Joy (Michael) Hughes, as well as ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Loved by all who knew him, he will be sorely missed.
