SCOTLAND

West Scotland

For several years the assembly in Bridge of Weir has used the village gala week as a means of reaching the town with the gospel. Many hundreds of visitors came to the stand again this June and received gospel literature and an invitation to attend a family night in the Village Hall. This was a children’s meeting with a message for children and adults. More than 80 local people came, most for the first time, and heard a clear presentation of the gospel.

During the summer months, the assembly in Gourock moves its gospel service to the public park where there is a bandstand with plenty of seating available. Some sit in the adjoining gardens, some bring their children into the play area within the bandstand, and some saunter by - all hearing the gospel. Some helpful conversations have been held. So far this summer the weather has caused only one cancellation. In addition, door to door visitation takes place throughout the town and in the neighbouring village of Inverkip. Tracts were also distributed at the local Highland Games, and this year at the European Pipe Band Competition. George Forbes and Ian Mathers continue visitation work over a wider area, including the villages around, across to the Island of Bute, and in the Cowal peninsula. Prayer fellowship would be much appreciated.

Tayside

In the village of Inchture, midway between Dundee and Perth, Dan Gillies and Stuart McGahie of the Tayport assembly held gospel meetings in the Gospel Tent for two weeks at the end of June. The response was very encouraging, with 25 children regularly at the children’s meetings along with some parents, and local unsaved folks at all the adult meetings - around ten on certain evenings. Prayer is requested for blessing on this effort, the first in the area for about twenty-five years. Pray especially for two teenage girls who came every night and showed a deeper than usual interest.

N. IRELAND

Co. ANTRIM

Ahoghill: Gospel Hall. Gospel meetings are expected to commence on 4th October with W Fenton and D McGarvey.

Ballybollan: The Annual Conference was held on 13th July. Very large numbers attended and appreciated helpful ministry from D Gilliland, J Hay, J McClelland, W J Nesbitt, and D Williamson.

Ballycastle: The annual Open Air meetings were held during the traditional Lamas Fair and also on the promenade each Lord’s Day evening during July and August.

Ballymoney: Gospel Meetings in the town hall, conducted by J Fleck and W Martin, are to commence in mid September and run for 4 weeks. Prayer would be appreciated for this important effort.

Bushmills: Bible readings (1 Thessalonians 4.7 - 2 Thessalonians 1.10) conducted by R McKeown were enjoyed with the Lord’s help and presence. Very large numbers attended and benefited from sound teaching. There was also blessing in salvation during the meetings. To God be the glory.

Carnlough: The assembly conducted annual Open Air services at the harbour during July.

Clonkeen: Children’s Meetings are expected to be held in Randalstown Gospel Hall for one week from 14th September with L Craig.

Clough: Gospel Meetings commenced on 9th August with D McGarvey and M Radcliffe. Prayer appreciated.

Gospel Meetings are commencing in the Gospel Hall in mid September with T Meekin and J Rogers. Interest and prayer support will be welcome.

Co. ARMAGH

Bleary: The conference was considered to be a very profitable meeting with most helpful and timely ministry from the following speakers: B Currie, R McKeown, S Wells, D Gilliland, J Flanigan, and J Hutchinson. Numbers were large.

Co. DOWN

Ballymagarrick: For a third year the assembly had an outreach to the children convened in the Primary School at Carryduff and were much encouraged with numbers of up to 150 in attendance. Gary Davidson was the speaker. His father Charles has had good access to this school over a number of years on a regular basis, taking the school assembly. The good seed of the Word of God has been faithfully sown.

The Annual Meeting for believers was held on 14th July. The large hall was filled to capacity for both sessions. The ministry, which was profitable, searching, and challenging, was given by M Radcliffe, D Gilliland, I Lewis, C Hutchison, S Jennings, and J G Hutchinson.

Ballynahinch: Gospel tent meetings commenced here on 26th July with B Currie and J Palmer. A prayerful interest would be appreciated.

Bangor: The assembly at Central Avenue has been convening Open Air meetings on the sea front for many decades. The meetings this year were conducted by R Pickering for two weeks from 1st July. The Word was faithfully proclaimed and many gospel tracts distributed.

Newcastle (Northfield): The Annual Meetings for two weeks were held in the 1,000 seater tent from 12th July. Bible teaching each morning was given by L Price (USA) during the first week. The evening meetings for two weeks for the preaching of the gospel were conducted by J Reece (Canada) for twelve evenings, and by P Brandon (London) on the last three evenings. The tent was well filled on most occasions with an overflow into the prayer tent on some occasions. Many unsaved people who rarely attend meetings were present each evening and heard the gospel faithfully declared. A number were known to have professed faith in Christ. Meetings for children were conducted by C Sheldon in two of the large caravan parks daily and many heard the gospel in simple terms. There was blessing amongst the young people. Open air meetings after the evening tent meetings were held in the town centre with help from a team of young people who worked hard in visitation and tract distribution. The coming day will declare what God hath wrought.

Belfast: The assembly at Bloomfield have arranged for gospel meetings in a portable hall in Dixon Park (Grand Parade) commencing (God willing) on 6th September. They are to be conducted by D Gilliland and D Oliver. This venue has proved to be very suitable on previous occasions.

Co. LONDONDERRY & Co. DONEGAL

Bellaghy: J McClelland and A Colgan are in their second week of gospel meetings at the end of July in a tent in the Hillhead district of Castledawson.

Bridgetown: J Fleck and S Gilfillan have finished six weeks of gospel meetings in a portable hall. The assembly has been greatly encouraged, not only by the preaching but also by the fact that six of those who attended the meetings have made it known that they have put their trust in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. S Gilfillan has been invited to give ministry from 26th-30th October.

Co. TYRONE

Dunmullan: The Annual Conference was held on 11th July in a canvas tent. A good number attended and heard profitable ministry from W J Nesbitt, M Radcliffe, W Martin, S McBride, L Craig, and A Davidson.

Kilmore: The Annual Conference was held on 30th July. The hall was full and ministry was given by R Gault, U Ussher, D Gilliland, A Davidson, W Boyd, and B Glendinning.

Kingsmills Gospel Hall: S Gilfillan and G Woods are expected for gospel meetings commencing (God willing) on 30th August. Please pray for blessing. The assembly here had their Annual Believer’s meeting on 13th July and were encouraged by the large number present filling the tent. Helpful ministry was given by D Ussher, B Stapley, S Wells, B Glendinning, J Martin, and G Woods.

Victoria Bridge: B Glendinning and N Coulter commenced gospel meetings here on 9th August. Prayer appreciated.

ENGLAND & WALES

During the months of April, May, and June, Saturday evening ministry meetings were held at Wylam, on one Saturday of each month, the responsibility taken by our brethren Blair Martin, John Campbell, and David Gilliland respectively. The ministry was both encouraging and challenging and was appreciated by the local assembly and by those assemblies who supported from the surrounding area. The meetings were well attended, with the hall well filled on each occasion.

WEST MIDLANDS

Broadwas on Teme: P Coulson and I Jackson gave valuable help at this year’s Annual Conference. The assembly appreciated support from saints who came from a significant distance away. Mr Coulson also stayed on for two evenings of ministry.