Canada
British Columbia
Maple Ridge: Four local brethren from the Victoria Drive assembly in Vancouver rented a room and held gospel meetings on weeknights January 8-19 in a local elementary school as a follow-up to tent meetings last summer.
Nova Scotia
Tatamagouche: The assembly held a day’s meeting on December 31 with brethren Marcus Cain, David Hierlihy, David Hunt and Gary Oakes (Oshawa, ON).
Ontario
Brampton: The assembly is planning a day of teaching on the various meetings of the assembly with brethren Jim Jarvis, Frank Sona and Larry Steers. Meetings will be held at the gospel hall, 6 Beech Street, on Saturday, February 24, starting at 10am. For more information, please see our website https://bramptongospelhall.com, or call John Selesnic, Tel: 905-793-5450.
Mississauga: Amidst the challenges of traffic congestion, distances and COVID-19, the two weeks of gospel meetings at the Applewood Heights assembly that closed December 8 with Marvin Derksen saw unsaved attending nightly in person and via Zoom. The gospel was preached with warmth and weight, and the Lord was honored. As a result, the assembly was encouraged and blessed.
Oshawa: The Albert Street assembly requests prayer for the Durham College/Ontario Tech University work every Thursday that began January 18 and is to continue for ten weeks, D.V. A brother will speak for approximately 20 minutes, followed by mingling and conversations about the Bible over coffee and Timbits. The theme is “What Does the Bible Say?”
Prince Edward Island
Rosebank: The assembly purposed gospel meetings with Jon Procopio and Brody Thibodeau in late January.
Summerside: The Pope Road assembly commenced their Saturday evening virtual winter Bible readings on January 6. The Bible studies will focus on some of the royal Psalms and will be opened by Scott MacLeod, John Meekin and Brody Thibodeau. For more information, please visit https://poperoadgospelhall.ca/2024-winter-bible-studies/.
Saskatchewan
Taylorside: William Skates used his chart to give excellent and much appreciated teaching on “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” December 3-10. He also spoke to the children during the annual Sunday School program.
U.S.A.
Alaska
Anchorage: The assembly enjoyed a weekend visit from Sandy Higgins in early December. It was like a mini conference and the ministry on the Second Coming was greatly appreciated. The Valley assembly joined them, and the fellowship was sweet.
Arkansas
Alpena: Gospel meetings that began December 4 with Jerry Jennings and Melvin Mendez closed on December 15.
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 Gordon Armstrong (Tampa, FL, December 9), Mark Quitadamo (Methuen, MA, December 16), Paul Thiessen (December 23) and Shawn St. Clair (December 30).
Iowa
Ankeny: The assembly held a Spanish gospel meeting December 18 at the East Side Library in Des Moines, IA, with Ryan Hayes (West Liberty, IA) and Cristhian Torres (Hampton, IA). Attendance was good. Prayer is requested for this ongoing effort. The assembly convened a day’s meeting with A.J. Higgins on January 13. The topic was “Themes in the Book of Joshua.”
Hitesville: Gospel meetings that began November 12 with Brandon Doll and Brody Thibodeau closed on December 22 with blessing in salvation.
New Jersey
Pennsauken: The assembly appreciated the help of local brother Tim Curran at the Christmas time Sunday School Treat on December 17. Daniel Vargas (Midland Park, NJ) gave help for a Spanish gospel meeting followed by dinner on Christmas Eve.
Wisconsin
Blue River: Gospel meetings with Gerard Roy and Frank Sona that began November 12 closed on December 13.
Mexico
Nuevo León
Juárez: The assembly was encouraged by the attendance at the Sunday School treat on December 10, with several parents in the hall for the first time. Approximately 3,000 calendars with invitations to the regular assembly meetings were delivered in the area surrounding the hall.
Sonora
Hermosillo: The assembly appreciated a visit from Marcus Cain at the beginning of December. Recently, the believers rejoiced at the baptism of a young sister as well as the reception into fellowship of a married couple. On December 2 the last children’s meeting was held in the Laura Alicia Frías neighborhood. For the last ten years, Eleonor Mosquera and sisters from the assembly have had the opportunity to share the Scriptures with children and their families in this needy area. Please pray that the Seed sown will bear fruit. A gospel series was planned in the hall commencing in mid-January, D.V.
San Luis Potosí: On September 18, local believers along with several visitors celebrated the Lord’s Supper for the first time as a new assembly. Following this meeting, one sister was baptized. It was a memorable and encouraging occasion.
Baja California
Tijuana: Since June 2022, regular meetings (usually once a month) are held for both children and adults in this large and needy city.
Guerrero
Iguala: The believers enjoyed a visit from Timothy and Amy Turkington in which he shared ministry from James and gave a report on the work in Cancún. The annual Sunday School Treat was held on December 9 with good attendance.
Morelos
Oacalco: Duncan Beckett continues helping with the regular meetings in the hall. Timothy Turkington helped in the gospel and in ministry at the end of November.
Mexico State
Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl: On December 3, the Sunday School students quoted verses from Proverbs in the annual Sunday School Treat. Timothy Turkington then gave a message to all present, including many family members of the students.
Hidalgo
Matilde: Three believers were baptized on December 17 and the attendance was excellent, including several family members for the first time.
Veracruz
Veracruz: The assembly held its annual conference in November and enjoyed ministry from Duncan Beckett, Samuel Chesney, Miguel Mosquera, Timothy Stevenson and Timothy Turkington. The theme was “The Seven Churches of Asia Minor” and the teaching was very profitable. A young believer also obeyed the Lord in baptism during the conference.
Coscomatepec: A gospel series commenced December 24, with Angel Báez (Veracruz), Samuel Chesney and Timothy Stevenson sharing the responsibility of preaching. More than 10,000 calendars and invitations were delivered in the town beforehand, and the brethren were able to procure a rented property in a central location.
Quintana Roo
Cancún: A gospel series concluded on November 12, and that evening five believers were baptized. A Seed Sowers distribution took place December 24-28 in the city, with believers from Mexico, Canada and the United States helping in this evangelization effort. Approximately 78,000 texts were delivered. Another gospel series commenced on January 1.
Special Report
Uganda
Clive Barber writes: Uganda is registered as a “Christian” country, causing opportunities in the gospel to abound. Paul Jenkinson and Stephen Baker (UK) have visited in recent years, with Paul erecting gospel billboards (https://www.hopebytheroadside.com) and Stephen involved in gospel and radio work and seeing some assemblies planted. During November-December 2023, the door opened to visit these companies of the Lord’s people and attend the annual conference in the assembly in Mbale. The people sat willingly for hours, attentive to the Word of God. Their national anthem states it’s a land of freedom with fertile soil. Pray that this would indeed be the case in the spread of the Good Seed. Pray also for Paul and Stephen as they visit again in January 2024.
Conferences
Ottawa, ON
February 17-18, at the MIFO Centre, 6600 Carrière St, Orléans, ON, K1C 1J4. The topic is “Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life.” This conference is especially focused on youth, but everyone is very welcome. The speakers will be Matthew Cain and David Petterson. Saturday: Ministry 10am and 1:30pm, Hymn Sing 7:30pm; Lord’s Day: Breaking of Bread 9:30 am, Ministry and Sunday School 11:15am, Ministry 2 pm, Gospel Meeting 4:30 pm, Hymn Sing 7:30 pm. The venue has limited space, so everyone who would like to attend is asked to please RSVP by visiting https://www.ottawagospelhall.com.
Matoaca, VA
March 2-3, with prayer meeting on Friday, March 1, at 7:30pm in the gospel hall, 6204 River Road. First meeting on Saturday is at 10:30am. For information, contact John Nobles, Tel: 804-265-5455; Email: jnobles6@aol.com. We are looking to God for His help.
Toronto, ON
March 28-30, the 136th Toronto Easter Conference, with prayer meeting on Thursday, March 28, at 7:30pm in the Rexdale Gospel Hall, 72 Bergamot Avenue, Etobicoke, ON, M9W 1V9. The conference meetings will be held Friday, March 29, from 10am to 8pm, and Saturday, March 30, from 10am to 5pm in the auditorium at the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church, 1600 Neilson Rd, Scarborough, ON, M1X 1S3. Speakers for the conference are Sandy Higgins, Dan Shutt, Alan Summers and David Weir. Lunch and supper are provided on Friday in addition to lunch on Saturday. Please register in advance for meals at https://bit.ly/2024TEC. Livestreaming and online recordings are available at http://www.youtube.com/@TorontoEasterConference.
Conferences Previously Published:
Bicester, UK – February 16-18
Jackson, MI – February 17-18
Bicester, UK – March 30-April 1
Ottawa, ON – May 18-19
Updates
Change of Address
Ankeny Gospel Hall: Email: ankenygospelhall@gmail.com
Brian & Debbie Crawford: 16 Silver Maple Lane, North Bay, ON, P1C 0B5
Larry Steers: Email: larrygj1937@icloud.com
Change of Correspondent
Newmarket, ON: Peter Lansing, 95 Burling Place, Newmarket, ON, L3Y 5W3; Email: prlansing@gmail.com
Homecalls
Hannah Morton (née Frith) of Burnaby, BC, on October 22, 2023, age 96. She was saved at the age of 19, and she and her husband Ralph were founding members of the South Burnaby (formerly Woodland Drive) assembly. Hannah loved the gospel and showed hospitality to the saints. She was predeceased by her husband Ralph, as well as seven brothers and sisters, and is survived by three sons and a daughter, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service and graveside prayer were held Thursday, November 13, at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home. A reception followed at the South Burnaby Gospel Hall.
Doris Lorraine Scott of Kansas City, MO, on November 4, 2023, age 71. She was born in Kansas City, KS, in 1951, and born again in November 1972. Doris enjoyed baking, sewing, crocheting and knitting. She was very creative. Doris is survived by two sisters, one brother, two children, four grandchildren, and other relatives and close friends. Doris was a faithful sister in the assembly that met in the Kansas City Gospel Hall for over 51 years. Gary Toombs, David Williams and Leroy Scott all took part during her large funeral which bore testimony to the faithfulness and kindness she manifested during her life.
