SCOTLAND
Dundee: Michael Cordiner continues with others to go out four times a week with the soup kitchen. Conversations have been encouraging but challenging. Wullie, a young man who came along recently, struggles with issues of forgiveness. He is angry at the behaviour of those who have abused women and children but takes his anger out on whoever happens to be there. He was in tears as he fought to control himself. He is aware of the gospel but says, "That’s OK for you but not for me". A weekly visit to the Salvation Army Hostel includes a short Bible talk, and recently there was an opportunity to speak with a man who used to travel the world as a director of a media company but now has lost everything. He says he will not read the Bible because it gave him problems with his mental health last time! Pray that his confusion may be lifted and his eyes opened. Donald trusted the Lord as his Saviour while in prison. His life has changed a lot since as God is working - please pray that the weekly meetings with him may help to overcome his recent difficulties. Billy, who trusted the Lord three years ago, was back recently and witnessed to the guys who come to the soup kitchen. As a result three of them are beginning to open their eyes and hearts to the gospel.
Lanarkshire: Blair Martin and Roy Marshall have concluded two weeks’ Gospel Meetings in the small assembly at Salsburgh, accompanied by Graeme Paterson who conducted the children’s meetings. Almost every evening there were unsaved people from the village, with others brought by believers from surrounding assemblies, some coming more than once. The visitation was most encouraging. One mother whose children came consistently said that she and her husband speak about spiritual things until the early hours of the morning. The husband came one night, but late work hours prevented them coming more often. About 20 children and 8 parents came to the Parents’ Night. There is now a monthly meeting every first Friday for children and adults, and we hope to see the work continuing and a harvest reaped.
Livingston: Following recent Gospel Meetings at Livingston Joe Baxter reports that one man who attended has subsequently trusted the Saviour. Pray that he may make progress in his new found Christian faith. Others who previously attended are now coming to special Gospel Meetings in the nearby Dedridge assembly.
Lockerbie: Gospel Meetings commenced on Lord’s Day, 4th September in Ebenezer Hall, Bridge Street, Lockerbie. Speakers: J Ritchie, T Jenkinson. Every Lord’s Day at 3.00pm and every Wednesday at 7.30pm. The meetings are to continue until further notice. Prayer would be valued.
Postal Bible School: Christine Pollard (Perth) and her helpers are encouraged that the work with these postal lessons continues to grow, with 12 new younger pupils in July. Also a lady from Mull has requested the "Gleaners" lessons. It is good to see young and old still studying the Word of God and it is a privilege to be encouraging it.
Wick: Jack Hay and Paul McCauley were in Wick for three weeks’ Gospel Meetings at the end of August. Around 30 children attended the children’s meetings and gave good attention. Between 9 and 15 adults from the town were at the Gospel Meetings - prayer would be valued for the Lord to follow the preaching with salvation.
N. IRELAND
Co. ANTRIM
Ballintoy Gospel Hall: Special Ministry Meetings with N Mellish were held from 12th-16th September on the subject of "The Seven Dispensations of Scripture" (illustrated by a chart).
Ballybollan: Special Gospel Meetings commenced on 11th September in McClellandstown Hall (near Portglenone). Speakers: J Fleck and G Logan. Prayer and interest appreciated. Lord’s Days at 3.30pm, Monday to Friday at 8.00pm.
Ballycastle Lammas Fair: Open Air Gospel Meetings were held during the Lammas Fair on Monday, 29th and Tuesday, 30th August. Many people heard the gospel and received gospel literature. Help was appreciated from R Plant, A Colgan, B Glendinning, and other local brethren.
Ballycastle Gospel Hall: Ministry Meetings were held from 19th-23rd September with Gary Woods.
Ballymena (Harryville): A week of children’s meetings were held in Tullygarley Community Centre (kindly granted) from 22nd-26th August. Mr S Baker was responsible. Good attendance and attention.
Harryville Gospel Hall: The assembly conducted their Annual Open Air Meetings during May and June in and around local housing areas. The gospel was faithfully preached by local brethren.
Ballymoney: The assembly plans (DV) to have special Gospel Meetings for the month of October in Ballymoney Town Hall (kindly granted). Speakers: A Colgan and T Meekin. Prayer appreciated for this special effort. We are very thankful that Mr Meekin has recovered and is able to be present.
Ballywatermoy Gospel Hall: from 6th-9th September R Revie gave a report on the Lord’s Work in Ethiopia, and ministry on "The Feasts of Jehovah".
Broughshane: Gospel Meetings with J Fleck and Marvin Derkson (Canada) continued for 4 weeks. Large numbers came to the Community Centre (kindly granted). Some nights the centre was packed to capacity and there was much blessing in salvation. The Christians were encouraged.
Carnlough: The assembly had Open Air Meetings during the summer months and were helped by various visiting speakers.
Kells: The assembly conducted a week of well attended children’s meetings at Woodgreen with A Caldwell. Also the annual tent at Moorfields for special children’s meetings was held from 12th-16th September with T Armstrong.
Kells: Ministry Meetings were held from 19th-23rd September with J Allen on the subject of "Christ in the Hebrew Letter".
Larne (Craigyhill): The Annual Conference and Bible Readings were held in Larne Leisure Centre and were very well attended – at times over 600 people were present. The helpful Bible Readings and Ministry were enjoyed.
Portrush Gospel Hall: Ministry Meetings with P Coulson on the subject of "Kept, Safely Kept" were very well attended and appreciated.
"If the Lord will…"
Ballymena Gospel Hall (Cambridge Avenue): Gospel Meetings are expected to commence (DV) on 16th October in a portable hall on a site in Galgorm (kindly granted) adjacent to Wrightbus. J Rogers and M Radcliffe are responsible.
Co. ARMAGH
Lurgan: Gospel Meetings continue in a large tent with many attending, including quite a number of strangers from the town. There has been blessing in salvation. Speakers: J Smith and D Gilliland.
Milford: M Campbell and C Law are to conduct a short spell of Gospel Meetings in a barn starting early in September.
Markethill Gospel Hall: J Wishart and R Pickering are commencing Gospel Meetings at the beginning of September.
Co. CAVAN
Stonewall Gospel Hall: A gospel effort is expected to commence in October with H Milligan and T Francey. Prayer valued for all these meetings.
Co. LONDONDERRY & Co. DONEGAL
Limavady: S Gilfillan and A Steele are in their second week of meetings in a portable hall (end of August). The hall is very well situated in the town and a number of people from the locality are attending.
Moneydig: J Martin and W Martin are in their fourth week of meetings in the townland of Aghadowey (end of August). The meetings are being held in a portable hall erected in the yard of J McIlrath. Encouraging numbers of the believers’ children are attending and several have professed to be saved.
BELFAST
Bloomfield Gospel Hall: On 18th September the assembly at Bloomfield commenced a 5 week series of Gospel Meetings in a portable hall in Dixon Park, Grand Parade. Speakers: David McGarvey and David Williamson. A mailshot to almost 15,000 homes will be followed up by door to door visitation. Meetings have been held on this site on four occasions over the past few years and the Lord has been pleased to bless in salvation. Prayer valued for this effort both for the preservation of the Hall, and the blessing of all who will attend - some long prayed for.
"If the Lord will…"
Fortwilliam Gospel Hall: Special Gospel Meetings are commencing on Lord’s Day, 6th November (DV) and continuing for a few weeks with P McCauley (Belfast). Sunday at 7.00pm, Monday-Friday at 7.45pm.
Windsor Gospel Hall: Ian Jackson is expected to commence Gospel Meetings on Lord’s Day 9th October and continuing. Your presence and prayers will be appreciated.
Co. TYRONE
Cookstown: The Gospel Meetings which commenced in a tent on 24th July concluded at the end of August. Speakers: S Maze and G Maze. The area was well visited and a large number of tracts and invitations were distributed. Response from the general public was slow at the start. During these meetings the Word of God was faithfully preached.
Dunmullan Gospel Hall: A company of believers gathered each evening from August 8th-12th in this rural Gospel Hall for ministry by M Radcliffe on the subject of "The Prophet Elijah".
Fintona: On 10th August a large number of believers gathered for the Annual Conference. Ministry was given by W J Nesbitt, S McBride, J Smith, B Currie, T Meekin, and G Woods.
Martray: The Conference was held on 11th June. A large company of believers gathered to enjoy ministry by W J Nesbitt, G Woods, I McKee, B Glendinning, and B Smith.
Martray: A series of Gospel Meetings in connection with Martray Gospel Hall commenced on 14th August in a portable hall situated on the old Ballygawley - Dungannon Road. Speakers: S Nelson and N Fleck. Prayer requested.
Co. DOWN
Banbridge Gospel Hall: A special week of children’s meetings were held with T McKillen from 26th-30th September.
Drumlough: B Currie and J Palmer continue in tent meetings with encouraging attendance.
Growell Gospel Hall: On 20th August the assembly opened their hall to the public during the Harry Ferguson Homestead event connected with the Harry Ferguson Homestead Memorial Garden located close to the hall, and welcomed a good number of visitors. Members of the assembly also gave good support to a week of children’s meetings in Hillsborough conducted by G Davidson.
Newry: J Rogers, supported by local brethren, held Open Air Meetings in several housing estates in the town.
ENGLAND & WALES
Cheltenham: The assembly at Hesters Way united in the Holiday Bible Club 2011 in August with Philip Dean leading the team. There was a good response the first morning to the many invitations given out, and before the end of the week attendance was doubled and maintained. The sisters led an hour of crafts before the hour of Bible Club. The theme of the week, which was the story of Joseph, centred on the Lord Jesus and His coming into the world to save sinners. The children were brilliant with their memory verses and answers to quizzes. The week ended with a prizegiving on the Friday evening which was a pack out, and then a Special HBC Service on Sunday with another full hall. The gospel was presented by Philip Dean and Jonathan Luker of North Leigh. Please pray that this effort will add to the good impressions being made in Cheltenham by the Gospel Hall, and also for the Bible Exhibition to be presented at the end of September.
Wales
The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Show was held in Haverfordwest during August, involving Ian Rees for the first time since he moved to west Wales. A stand and marquee were used for an exhibition focusing on the Lord’s Prayer – a passage of Scripture known to many. The exhibition consisted of some twenty panels which present the gospel through such words as, "Our Father which art in heaven" and "Forgive us our trespasses". In addition there were five panels telling the story of Mary Jones and her Bible and four on the history of the AV. Posters, bookmarks and tracts were given to those who called and distributed to passers-by. A minister who came in took two posters to display in his own tent at the show, and a local MP who said he was a born again believer also took two posters. As there are no Gospel Halls in that part of the county it was thrilling to hear a lady from Eglywsyryw, and some others, say on the very first morning, "This is just what we need for our village. Book the village hall and I will tell the minister and we will all come to see the exhibition".
On the first day a young lad asked to speak to Ian as he stood outside the marquee. "Tell me how I can get my sins forgiven when I am 18 and no longer subject to my parents", he said. He was told he could get forgiveness before he was 18 and was directed to the two panels on "Forgive us our trespasses" which pointed him to the cross. He was obviously burdened and it was suggested that he go home and pray for the Lord to forgive him, but he said he wished to pray there and then. Ian did not want him to feel pressured but he insisted he wanted peace before he left. In a corner of the marquee, after further conversation, he prayed with the tears running down his cheeks that the Lord would forgive him for he was a sinner. Pray for the follow up opportunities through this work.
