SCOTLAND
Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire: Roy Marshall and George Meikle have continued most of the months this year with systematic door to door visitation in the village of Bishopton. The response has been very poor with only two villagers who showed any real interest and who were willing to receive a return visit for further literature.
Roy will be engaged in visitation of homes again this year with the Lanarkshire Gospel Work. There will be, DV, five Saturday rallies for open air preaching and one week of visitation at Uddingston and then Greengairs. Roy has also been visiting in Chapelhall and his own village of Shieldhill.
North Lanarkshire: Graeme Paterson has been busy in April and May with many school visits in North Lanarkshire. One area that was very encouraging was the lessons on John Harper and the Titanic. Graeme was able to speak to over 25 classes in different schools on this topic. He would ask particularly that we remember in prayer the work in Caldervale High School where all of S1 and S2 attended these talks and gave very good feedback.
Graeme has also been holding meetings on his bus around his own locality. He held a week of meetings in Glenmavis and had a great response. Over 25 children attended and were very keen to continue for a second week. After this he took the bus to Shawhead, an area of Coatbridge. There has not been much done in the gospel here so it really felt like pioneering work as the children had no idea about the gospel message. Prayer would be valued for all those who heard the Word.
Gospel Meetings
Joe Baxter and Martin Hunter had a series of Gospel Meetings with the assembly at Livingston during May and into early June. Up to 50 were attending at the end, many unsaved folk among them, one man coming on 10 occasions. In the meetings a very good spirit has been felt with good support from surrounding assemblies. There were also encouraging contacts on the doors with some responding. A boy of 9 trusted the Saviour on the second Thursday night, then a lady at the end, and before that an older man expressed a desire to be baptized, although he is very ill. Prayer would be appreciated for further blessing at this time.
In the middle of May, Dan Gillies hired a portacabin for meetings in the village of Edzell, 7 miles from Luthermuir. The assembly there have been busy knocking doors, and one woman came the first Sunday along with other long term contacts. Three months ago a young married woman from Edzell was wonderfully saved, and was baptized in May along with the grandson of Dan and Gwen. Pray for the husband of this lady that he also will come to know the Saviour.
The assembly in Peterhead had special meetings with Roland Pickering from Dromore, which concluded on 13th May. Local believers worked hard to bring in unsaved folk over three weeks of meetings. More were present in the hall than for many years, some attending regularly, and we pray that seed has fallen into good ground to bring forth fruit. It was also gratifying to have Christians from other gatherings in the town, and some who attended well in former years, as well as support from neighbouring assemblies. The warm and sincere preaching was greatly appreciated and the assembly has been helped and encouraged. A large number of Diamond Jubilee Bibles (Trinitarian Bible Society) have been distributed in local schools where they have been well received by teachers and pupils. We pray that they will be treasured and read.
Children’s Work
Graeme Smith has been encouraged by the interest shown by many school pupils over the last few months. He has been able to provide books, DVDs and posters to help schools deliver "Christianity" in the new Curriculum for Excellence. A lovely letter of thanks was received from a head teacher to say that the resources have been much appreciated by both pupils and staff and will be used again in the future. Three thousand New Testaments to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee have been purchased and offered to every pupil and teacher with whom Graeme is in contact. We trust that these will be taken into homes and that they also will act as good seed sown towards a mighty harvest.
Summer Camps
July and August are the main months for camps with children and teenagers in different locations ranging from Swansea for the Fife Camp, through Faskally House, Pitlochry for the Ayrshire, Tayside and North-east Camps, to their site near Sumburgh Airport for the Shetland Camps. Do pray that these will be effective as a means of reaching many precious young people with the gospel, and also as a means of challenging and encouraging young believers to go in for spiritual and eternal things in an increasingly hostile world. Pray that all will be kept safe, and that those responsible for all the organization and for the Bible teaching will truly know God’s guidance and help in all that is done.
"If the Lord will…"
Brother Dan Gillies intends, Lord willing, to conduct a series of Gospel Tent Meetings in Fort William from 21st July to 3rd August. Following these meetings Dan purposes pitching the tent in Newtongrange for another fortnight in the Gospel commencing on 11th August. Prayer is greatly valued.
N. IRELAND & EIRE
Co. ANTRIM
Ballinaloob: In connection with this assembly, W Boyd and R McKeown commenced tent meetings on 3rd June at Logan’s Fashions, Frocess Road and (DV) will continue for four weeks.
Ballintoy Gospel Hall: The "Belmont Bible Exhibition" was recently on display for four and a half days in the hall. The saints were encouraged to see a large number of neighbours from all walks of life visit the exhibition. All were given a guided tour and heard the gospel explained by Bobbie Eadie and Sammy Maze.
Ballyclare: Ministry Meetings were held from 14th-18th May. These meetings were taken by David Gilliland who had a great concern for the need of the assembly and for the subject he was constrained to take up, which was "Satanic Strategies from the Scriptures". The hall was well filled each evening with a number of saints attending from surrounding assembles and from the town. All felt the seriousness of the messages and were made to review their position in the Christian warfare against the forces of evil. Pray for the preservation of brother Gilliland and the assembly.
Broughshane Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings in a portable hall on the Ballygarvey Road (site kindly granted by Mr U Davison) concluded on 3rd June. Speakers: E Fairfield and W Martin. Large numbers attended, and blessing was enjoyed during final week.
Broughshane: The Annual Open Air Meetings week commenced on 4th June.
Clonkeen Gospel Hall: Special Gospel Meetings commenced on 6th May and are continuing at 5th June with L Craig and T Topley.
Harryville Gospel Hall: Open air meetings took place in the surrounding housing estates over a two and a half week period in May. This annual event included calling at each home with gospel leaflets.
Kingsmoss Gospel Hall: M Radcliffe and P McCauley commenced a series of Gospel Meetings on 3rd June.
Co. ARMAGH
Lurgan Gospel Hall: The conference this year was held from 1st-5th June and included two days of Bible Readings, about 800 people attending each meeting. There was also a large number for the ministry of God’s Word. The meetings were all considered to be very profitable. Those responsible for the readings were D West, B Currie, J Baker, and D Gilliland.
Co. DOWN
Ballymacashon: The Annual Conference was held on 26th May and helpful ministry was given from S McBride, R Pickering, David Williamson, L Craig, and P McCauley.
Drumlough Gospel Hall: A good number of believers gathered at the Annual Conference held on 16th May. Practical and helpful ministry was given by B Glendinning, D Gilliland, S McBride, W J Nesbitt, T McNeill, and S Nelson.
Mullaghfernaghan: D Radcliffe and S Thompson were with the assembly on 12th May. D Radcliffe continued for three further nights on the "Buts" in the book of Daniel.
Newry: Open Air meetings are expected to be held on 18th-22nd June. J Rogers will be helping local brethren.
Co. FERMANAGH
Ballinamallard: The saints enjoyed four helpful and well-attended ministry meetings by David Gilliland on "Encounters with the Risen Lord". Encouraging support from many other assemblies was appreciated.
Co. TYRONE
Strabane Gospel Hall: In connection with this assembly, a series of gospel meetings was held in the district of Bready for four weeks commencing in mid May. The speakers were S Gilfillan and D McAllister. Attendance was reasonable, but although many tracts and invitations were distributed to the local people, the response was disappointing.
BELFAST
Cregagh Street: The assembly at Cregagh Street was greatly encouraged during four weeks of gospel meetings with J Rogers and P McCauley. They saw many unbelievers in to hear the gospel and had the joy of hearing of some professing faith in Christ. There was much thanksgiving and rejoicing when God answered prayers for loved ones. There was good support from other assemblies which was very much appreciated. To God be all the glory.
Ballyduff Gospel Hall: The Annual Conference brought great encouragement to the assembly and the ministry was excellent and much appreciated. The Report meeting on the Saturday night saw the hall and balcony filled to capacity and for the rest of the meetings on Lord’s Day and Monday, attendance was also good. We appreciate the support of so many believers from other assemblies and trust that God will bless His Word to all who heard.
Glengormley Gospel Hall: We were pleased to have our brother Jim Baker with us again during the last week of May for four nights of ministry. He took up practical lessons for the believer today from the book of Nehemiah. The truths presented were both encouraging and challenging. Following our meetings he was going on to help in the Lurgan Conference. We appreciated his visit very much.
Ebenezer Gospel Hall: Paul Andrews and David Williamson had several weeks of special gospel meetings. The gospel was clearly preached and it was encouraging to see some response from the district, and many came to hear. We trust that God will yet grant a day of reaping following the sowing of the good seed once more.
Bloomfield Gospel Hall: David West was with the assembly here for some ministry meetings on the book of Ecclesiastes. The ministry was of a high standard and proved most instructive and encouraging to the saints. Attendance was good and his visit was much appreciated by the saints. Robin McKeown was also with us for ministry in April and we likewise enjoyed his visit. He took up practical lessons from the book of Psalms and these were presented in a warm and challenging manner.
Co. LONDONDERRY & Co. DONEGAL
Bellaghy: D Gilliland was present for one week of teaching on "Lessons for Life in the Book of Exodus". There was a full hall each night and the teaching was instructive and helpful. S Maze and A Colgan are expected for Gospel Meetings in a tent at Hillhead near Castledawson, commencing on 22nd July.
Limavady: D McGarvey and C Law are in their second week of Gospel Meetings. These are being conducted in a portable hall in the neighbouring village of Ballykelly.
Portstewart: R Plant and S Moore have finished six weeks of Gospel Meetings in the Gospel Hall. Approximately six thousand homes were visited with invitations and gospel tracts. Loudspeaker announcements were also made around the town and yet the response proved to be disappointing. However, the Word of God has been left in each home and most nights there were unbelievers present in the hall listening to the clear preaching of the gospel.
ENGLAND AND WALES
Manchester
Wesley Downs continues in the Mill work seeking to help those from difficult backgrounds of addiction, lack of education, prison, homelessness, and long term unemployment. Some have professed faith in Christ and the Mill is a compassionate way to respond to their needs both practically and spiritually. It is open 5 days a week, and the Word of God is taught as well as practical skills. Another outreach work is the city centre drop-in, where the good news of the gospel is preached to the homeless and needy in Manchester. Prayer would be valued for a place to establish this work in the city.
North-East
Alan Barbour, based in Stockton-on-Tees, is heavily involved with many school visits to make the gospel known. Requests from the website for Bibles also keep coming in - recently a mother asked for Bibles for her two teenage children, and also requested regular reading material, so it is hoped they will start the Postal Bible School lessons. Alan and his wife Pauline are prayerfully considering setting up a centre in Teesside for Emmaus Correspondence Courses which could be made available through the website.
The monthly Tyneside Bible Readings continued from December to March with helpful ministry from Ian Jackson, John Riddle, Jim Baker, and William Stevely. At the Annual Homeworkers Conference in January, Graeme Paterson ministered from Colossians about the salvation, service, and supplication of Epaphras, and gave a report of his own ministry in schools with the Bible Exhibition, and his recent acquisition of a bus for children’s work. At the Easter Conference helpful ministry was given by John Grant from Philippians and Hebrews, and Stuart MacDonald from Ephesians and the Psalms. All who were able to attend received a blessing.
Narberth, Pembrokeshire
Ian Rees tells of 40 young people staying for the annual Berean May Bank Holiday weekend - 23 boys, 13 girls, and 4 adults. The boys were able to sleep in their dorms, even though the renovation work was not quite finished. The theme was "Discipleship Today", and the discussion groups went very well. It was also a thrill to have the help of two believers who have started attending "The Pulpit" in Tenby where Ian has now been preaching for nine consecutive Sunday evenings. The community centre is hired on an hourly basis and is ideal. An average of 10 people have come during each of 4 Sundays - last week there were 8 unbelievers and 8 believers. In addition to this, about 30 of our YP came along to fill the hall. Please pray for this work, that it may result in a new assembly of believers gathering to the name of the Lord in Tenby. A stand has again been booked for the Pembrokeshire Show from 14th-16th August. Ian had good contacts there with a significant number of people last year, and hopes for more this year.
