Canada
Alberta
Fort McMurray: John and Linda Fitzpatrick were with the Wood Buffalo assembly January 21-23 and 28. He and local brother William Chapman drove 3.5 hours north on a winter road to Fort Chipewyan for a few gospel meetings January 24-26 (William and local brother Buford Prestley visited there with Bibles and Seed Sowers texts last September).
British Columbia
Terrace: In January, John Fitzpatrick had one week of gospel meetings with help from a young brother from Metro Vancouver. Cold weather did not hinder the meetings and the small assembly was encouraged with 27 people in attendance on the last night.
Vancouver: The Fairview assembly purposes to have a week of ministry meetings with Frank Sona March 17-22 on the subject of “God’s Government and Prophesy,” followed by Dan Rudge (UK) May 6-10 on “The Seven Churches of Asia” (tentatively).
Manitoba
Winnipeg: Jack Gould and John Selesnic (Brampton, ON) held gospel meetings January 29-February 2 at a hotel where many of the arriving Ukrainian refugees are staying.
Prince Edward Island
Rosebank: The assembly held a community supper on January 21 to begin their gospel series with Jon Procopio and Brody Thibodeau. The meetings were also livestreamed via Zoom and YouTube.
Quebec
Shawville: Murray Pratt and Gérard Roy held gospel meetings February 2-9 in a large building located on the Shawville Fairgrounds. The meetings were also livestreamed via Zoom.
U.S.A.
Arizona
Phoenix: The 2024 edition of the Orangewood conference January 12-14 was well attended, with the hall packed to capacity and overflowing. There were four missionary reports, ministry, two Bible readings from the epistle to the Colossians, and various gospel messages. An eight-year-old girl professed faith in the Savior during the final gospel meeting. Preaching brethren included Glen Baker, Tom Baker, Duncan Beckett, John Dennison, Shawn St. Clair, Brody Thibodeau and Tim Woodford.
The 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 Sidney Turkington (Battle Creek, MI, January 6), Kevin Morphet (Waubaushene, ON, January 13), Gaius Goff (January 27) and Brian Kember (February 3).
Connecticut
Terryville: Last summer the assembly enjoyed a weekend of gospel distribution at the local fair. They are thankful for the opportunity to maintain this work over many decades. Earlier this year they enjoyed profitable visits from Dan Shutt and Eugene Higgins for ministry. The assembly greatly appreciates the prayers of the Lord’s people for local brother Steve Morin, who continues to recover from his illness and is looking forward to returning to the assembly meetings.
Iowa
West Liberty: Ryan Hayes and other local brethren from the Marion, IA, assembly held children’s meetings February 11-22.
Massachusetts
Methuen: The assembly appreciated Dale Vitale’s help in the gospel during the first two weeks of December. The value of Christ’s work on the cross was faithfully heralded each night. Please pray for the many Sunday School parents and children that attended the Christmas program and the gospel meetings.
New Jersey
Pennsauken: The annual New Year’s conference was held January 5-7, with John Dennison, Alexander Higgins, Eugene Higgins and Shawn St. Clair taking responsibility. The ministry was practical and edifying. The believers were encouraged to see the large group of young people sitting front and center to hear God’s Word. The conference was heartily supported in every aspect by the believers from Barrington, NJ.
New Mexico
Albuquerque: The assembly commenced a two-week gospel series on January 7 with Joseph Baker (Jackson, MI) and Brandon Doll.
Wisconsin
Jacksonport: Jerry Jennings visited the assembly for a week of ministry meetings January 8-12.
Loganville/Reedsburg: Ken Baker and Brandon Doll held gospel meetings that began February 11 in these two communities (three nights in each location).
Mexico
Sonora
Hermosillo: The local brethren commenced a gospel series mid-January after delivering 2024 calendars in the area around the hall. It has been encouraging to see some people out for the first time.
Jalisco
Ciudad Guzmán: Six brethren from Mexico, Canada and the USA travelled to this city on January 8 and began a gospel series that evening. They distributed 20,000 calendars and then 20,000 Romans 5:8 Seed Sowers texts. The attendance each night varied (7-20 people), with many good conversations after the meetings. Over 80 different people came along to hear the gospel, including some who are believers. The meetings concluded February 4.
Quintana Roo
Cancún: The gospel series that commenced on January 1 after the Seed Sowers distribution concluded on February 1. God graciously blessed in the salvation of several souls, and the attendance was an encouragement to the believers as well. Those who shared in the responsibility of preaching were David Cadenas, Shad Kember, Miguel Mosquera and Timothy Turkington.
Northern Ireland
Co Down:
Ballykeel (Mourne): Clifford Law visited a number of schools in the Mournes in November and December. The gospel was clearly presented in the school assemblies. Please pray that the Lord will bless both staff and students. The believers are encouraged to see local people attending the gospel meeting with drive-in facilities and the weekly prayer meeting/Bible reading with a real desire for the sincere milk of the Word. Please continue to remember these labors.
Conferences
Nineveh, NS
March 30-31, with prayer meeting on Friday, March 29, at 7pm (preceded by supper served at 5pm). PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE: All meetings for the conference will be held at Hebbville Academy, 16147 Trunk 3, Hebbville, NS. Meetings commence on Saturday and Sunday at 10am. Corr. Clark Hubley, Tel: 902-527-7490; Email: hubley.clark@gmail.com. Accom: Brad Kaulback, Tel: 902-521-3839.
Waterloo/Cedar Falls, IA
April 19-21, with prayer meeting on Friday, April 19, 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, Children’s Meeting 1pm, Testimony 6pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Lord’s Day: Bible Reading (Psalm 69) 9am, Breaking of Bread 10:15am, Children’s Meeting 1pm, Ministry 2pm, Gospel 4:30pm. We will be using the original Believers Hymn Book. Corr. Don Harbough (Waterloo), Tel: 319-404-0373; Mike Palmer (Cedar Falls), Email: mjpalmer89@gmail.com; Cell: 319-215-9200.
Saugus, MA
April 27-28, Bible Reading conference with prayer and ministry meeting, Friday, April 26, at 7:30pm. Conference topic is “1 John: Walking As He Walked in Life, Light and Love.” Saturday: Bible Readings 10am and 2pm, Gospel 4:45pm. Sunday: Remembrance 10am, Sunday School 11:45am, Bible Reading 2pm, Summary 4:30pm, Gospel 6:30pm. Lunch and dinner will be served. Expected speakers: Matthew Cain, Mark Sweetnam and David Vallance. A hearty invitation is extended to all, and we would seek your prayers that our time together will result in God being glorified, the Lord’s people exhorted and encouraged, and precious souls saved. Accom: Shad Brook, Tel: 617-285-4677; Email: shad.brook@gmail.com. Contact: Jon Shutt, Tel: 781-307-8044; Email: shuttjon@gmail.com.
Springdale, AR
May 25-26, in the Centro Evangélico Springdale, 408 E. Meadow Ave. Saturday: Prayer/Ministry 10am and 2pm, Gospel 6pm. Sunday: Breaking of Bread 10am, Prayer/Ministry 2pm, Sunday School 4pm, Ministry/Gospel 5pm. Meetings will be in Spanish and in English.
Conferences Previously Published:
Matoaca, VA – March 2-3
Toronto, ON – March 28-30
Bicester, UK – March 30-April 1
Ottawa, ON – May 18-19
Updates
Change of Address of Correspondent
Newmarket, ON: Peter Lansing, Tel: 416-557-7853
Homecalls
Muriel Lewis of Cascumpec, PE, on August 21, 2023, age 86. She was saved during gospel meetings held in Northport, PE, by Robert McIlwaine and Albert Ramsay in 1963. Muriel and her husband, Lester, who was saved a short time later, were among the first to be gathered to the Lord’s name at Rosebank, PE. Her faithfulness to her Savior and to the assembly testimony marked her as one we can rise up and call blessed. She will be missed. Her funeral service was shared by Brody Thibodeau and David Hierlihy.
Robert “Lee” Conley of Windsor, ON, on September 27, 2023, age 81. Born in Stirling, ON, in August 1942, Lee had a sense of humour that was evident in his daily life, bringing joy and laughter to anyone who met him. Amidst hardship, he was always able to look on the positive side and maintain his pleasant demeanour. Lee was faithfully devoted to his Lord, family and friends. Saved on August 14, 1950, he was hospitable, quiet, consistent and a student of God’s Word who anxiously awaited the Lord’s return. He served in assemblies in Calgary, AB, and Milton, ON, as a teacher, deacon and elder. He is survived by his wife Eunice of 56 years, three daughters, twelve grandchildren (two predeceased), seven great-grandchildren, sister Faye and brother Richard. The gospel was faithfully preached by Andrew Coenraad during his funeral at Malden Road Gospel Hall and Nathan Pratt at the graveside.
Margaret (Peggy) Ruth (nee McCullough) Clark of McKeesport, PA, on November 12, 2023, age 82. She was born on October 29, 1941, and trusted Christ as a young girl. Marked by warmth, kindness and generosity, she and her husband Tom were “given to hospitality” and opened their home to all the Lord’s people. They divided their residence between McKeesport and Tampa, FL, and were a great help in both assemblies. Besides her husband Tom, Peggy is survived by four children, Thomas Jr. (MaryEllen), Barbara (Michael) Sulava, Joseph (Penelope) and Rebecca (Robert) Oliver; 23 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The large number of people attending her funeral evidenced the high esteem in which she was held. She will be greatly missed by her family and a wide circle of believers. The separation is just for “a little while,” and then “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Heb 10:37).
Darlene Hanson of Ontario, WI, on December 3, 2023, age 86. Darlene was saved March 20, 1954, resting on the truth of John 3:16. She had been attending gospel meetings held by Paul Elliott, Oliver Smith and Chauncey Yost. Darlene was baptized soon afterward and was one of the original 19 local believers who first broke bread at the commencement of the Ontario assembly later in 1954. She was the last of these 19 to be called home to heaven. Darlene continued steadfastly in fellowship until health problems restricted her ability to attend in recent years. Even then, she enjoyed nearly every assembly meeting via Zoom until one week before her death. Brandon Doll spoke a faithful gospel message to a large funeral audience, which included many unsaved relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed.
Ilma Rose Bonner of Mississauga, ON, on December 13, 2023. She was saved in August 1965 during a gospel series in the Treadways Gospel Hall, Jamaica, and subsequently received into fellowship. Afterwards, Ilma immigrated to Montreal, QC, where she enjoyed consistent fellowship in the Ogilvy Avenue Gospel Hall, and later the Grace Gospel Hall. In February 1990, she was received into the Mimico assembly in Toronto, ON, remaining in happy fellowship with fellow Christians who later relocated and became the Applewood Heights assembly in Mississauga. Ilma had a great memory for the Scriptures and a fondness for people that the Lord put across her path. She had a passionate love for children, her large family, and those underserved. Ilma loved the Lord, the Lord’s assembly and the Lord’s people. Her help was integral in sending many parcels overseas to Zambia, Ukraine and Sri Lanka. “Whose faith follow” (Heb 13:7).
Jim Agnew of Annalong, Newry, N. Ireland, on December 15, 2023, age 98. He was married March 1, 1949, and blessed with six sons and three daughters. In 1950, Jim heard the gospel, acknowledged his sin, and accepted Christ as his personal Savior. Four years later, he was baptized and received into the Annalong assembly. Jim faithfully attended all assembly meetings. He was also a Sunday School teacher, an elder, and a treasurer for many years. Jim loved and supported the gospel. He also helped with Bible in Ballykeel. Jim was predeceased by four siblings, and his wife Emily in 1999. In the latter part of his life, he had three great trials: losing sons Jim and Richard and daughter Linda. The funeral was conducted by D. Williamson, R. Pickering, J. Bingham and I. Harris. Please pray for his family – Colin, Alan, Nigel, Wendy, Peter, Rosemary and their families.
Donelda Montean of Welland, ON, on January 13, 2024, age 91. Having been born into a Christian family with parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents assured of eternal life, she was not converted until January 30, 1952, at 19 years of age. She realized she was truly lost when an acquaintance of hers, a total outsider to the gospel, professed to be saved after hearing her father preach the gospel several times, shedding light on the truth of salvation. They were both baptized and received into the assembly. That man was Bill Montean, who married her later that year and eventually became a stalwart elder in the Welland assembly. Left to await the shout of reunion are her children Brian (Carol), Larry (Janice), Debbie (Dan) Harding, John (Brenda), and Linda Clarke, 14 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. She passed onward and upward, a life lived for her God.
