SCOTLAND
Summer Gospel Work
Tent Work: Dan Gillies and Phil Kennedy (Fort William) were encouraged to have unsaved folks present each night when the tent was pitched for two weeks in July at Caol, Fort William (pop 3,500). Two local men attended almost every night. One Roman Catholic woman refused to accept that she was a sinner, choosing rather to trust in her "baptism" as an infant. The few children attending the children’s meetings were very enthusiastic – it was a joy to hear them recite their memory verse each night. Several parents came to the prize giving. The weather was good and over 1,000 doors were knocked, resulting in some good discussions. Believers on holiday gave valuable help and support.
Prior to this, in fellowship with the assembly at Kirkconnel, Dan had a further series of meetings in Thornhill (pop 2,500). One couple in their early twenties attended almost nightly with their three month old baby. They had never heard the gospel before and have since attended the weekly gospel meeting in Kirkconnel. Please pray for their salvation.
The "Summer Week" with the children in Edzell Woods (pop 450) was most encouraging. Despite the daily threat of rain, the weather held, and numbers doubled from last year - over 40 children and teenagers attended with one or two parents. Dan was again helped by some of the Luthermuir believers. We praise God for the preservation of the tent and caravan throughout the summer and for the many who heard the gospel.
Tract Distribution: Over these months many thousands of gospel tracts have been distributed: some handed to passers by, others put into homes in many districts. In addition to regular and systematic distributions from assemblies in their own areas, some believers have taken the opportunity to reach other areas where less of this work is done. Among them, and for continued prayer, are the Island of Arran in the Clyde, west coast communities around Ullapool, and central Scotland/Speyside around Kingussie, Granton on Spey, and further north at Cromdale. We continue to pray that these leaflets will not be discarded but that their message will be heeded and many convicted of their need of Christ as Saviour. Remember, too, the need for tract distribution in the cities and large towns of our land where so many live and die without Christ – hard work and perseverance is needed to bring the gospel to these communities, some of them beset by social problems and addictions difficult to address.
Give thanks too for the protection, help and blessing experienced at the many camps for young people held during July and early August. Several children professed faith in Christ, and young believers were challenged to greater commitment to Christ, some going home and being baptised. Pray also that God will bless His Word brought to many other children in their own localities at Holiday Clubs arranged by assemblies during different weeks of their summer holidays.
During August, Ainslie Paterson had three nights of gospel meetings in the community hall in the village of Burghead, using the theme "Favourite Hymns". The truth contained in the hymns was used as the basis for the gospel message, as well as the testimony of their writers. There was a good response from the villagers, with around two dozen attending over the three nights. One woman requested to be informed of further meetings in the area, and some further contacts were made on the doors. There is no assembly in Burghead but the meetings were well supported by believers from the district. Continue to pray for the Seed sown and also for guidance in relation to future service in the will of God.
N. IRELAND
Co. ANTRIM
Ballyclare: Gospel meetings commenced on 7th September and continue (DV) with M Radcliffe and M McKillen. The believers are exercised about interest and blessing. Please pray.
Ballymoney: Gospel meetings are to commence on 5th October in the Town Hall. J Fleck and W Martin are responsible for the preaching during this important venture. Prayer is greatly valued.
Ballwatermoy: J Martin and W Martin continue in gospel meetings with good attendance and liberty to preach.
Buckna: J Fleck and S Gilfillan continue. Large numbers are attending. There is encouragement through blessing in salvation. Praying for others.
Kells: J Allen had ministry meetings from 15th-19th September. The assembly also had children’s meetings at Woodgreen from 28th July - 1st August, and L Craig had meetings in Moorfields tent from 8th-12th September.
Larne (Craigyhill): The Conference was held from 22nd-26th August. Very large attendance. The Bible readings, ministry, and reports were helpful and instructive. It was good to be there. A time of blessing and fellowship.
Portrush: J Grant had a week of excellent ministry meetings on "The Parables" from 18th-22nd August.
Ballymena (Harryville): A Hull had two nights of ministry, and T McKillen had children’s meetings in Tullygarley Community Centre from 25th-29th August. Very good attendance and attention.
P Coulson is expected for a series of ministry meetings from 24th-28th November.
Ballymena (Cambridge Avenue): J Martin and W Martin are expected (DV) to commence gospel meetings on 2nd November. Prayer appreciated.
Co. ARMAGH
Armagh City: H Wilson (Brazil) and H Milliken had gospel meetings in mid August in brother R Lestor’s home for two weeks. The response from neighbours and locals was poor, but Christians brought family and friends which was very encouraging.
During their short furlough R Watterson and his son Bill (Brazil) had a number of missionary reports in the County which were much appreciated.
Portadown: R McKeown had a week of appreciated ministry with the assembly during the week ending on the 23rd August.
Co. DOWN
Annalong: Gospel meetings in a marquee are being conducted by B Currie and J Palmer and continue into the sixth week at the beginning of September. The attendance has been excellent with local people showing some interest. The preachers are experiencing good help in making the gospel known. Pray that the seed sown will bear much fruit in salvation.
Donacloney: S McBride and T Wright commenced a series in the gospel in the Gospel Hall on 10th August. The assembly is small but the meetings are encouraging in that some local people from the village are attending and showing interest. Please pray for blessing.
Co. LONDONDERRY & Co. DONEGAL
Portstewart: (Pitts Area). J Rogers and S Moore are expected to commence gospel meetings in a portable hall on 7th September. A prayerful interest would be appreciated.
Co. TYRONE
Fintona: Gospel meetings commenced on 17th August with J McCann and S Nelson. Prayer requested for this needy town.
The annual meeting for believers on 13th August was well attended and ministry was given by S McBride, S Ferguson, W J Nesbitt, B Smith, and J Fleck.
Lungs: D McGarvey and S Gilfillan are expected for gospel meetings on 12th October.
Kilmore: The annual meeting for believers on 30th July was addressed by D Ussher, T McNeill, M Radcliffe, S McBride, B Glendinning, W Boyd, and W J Nesbitt.
Co. MONAGHAN
Clones: The annual Conference was large and profitable. The speakers were R McKeown, W J Nesbitt, D Gilliland, S McBride, and M Radcliffe.
BELFAST AREA
Newtownabbey: (1 Doagh Road). Gospel meetings conducted by D Gilliland and A Hull commenced here in a temporary hall on 31st August. Pray for a time of blessing in salvation.
ENGLAND & WALES
Adamsdown, Cardiff: For the eighth year running the assembly organised a Holiday Bible Club. The two-hour daily sessions were very successful and popular. The children spent time at various crafts and then enjoyed a time of lively games and quizzes. They were told a Bible story every day from Luke’s Gospel on the theme "The Best Choice", and were given a memory verse to learn. It was encouraging to see how well they sat and listened. Many children attended all five sessions, and, encouragingly, the numbers attending increased every day.
New contacts were made with families in the area as many of the children did not attend the Sunday school. An aunt of some of the children, and an older sister of others (who used to attend Sunday School herself) also came regularly. The children enjoyed the week, and it is hoped that as a result of these activities, new children will be enrolled into the Sunday school.
That same week, in the evenings, Daniel Voisey held gospel meetings of just thirty minutes duration. Serious, challenging messages were given each night, but although over two thousand leaflets were delivered to the homes in the near vicinity of the hall, there was no response apart from two lads who came every evening. Such is the apathy to the invitation of the gospel. However, we look to the Lord to bless the witness to His name.
