Scotland

Fife

Alistair Young was with the Cowdenbeath assembly for two weeks in November, visiting schools in that area of west Fife as he has done for many years now. He was well received by the senior staff and thanked for his visits. As well as speaking to many classes of receptive children, in the staff rooms he had opportunity to discuss some of the problems teachers face, and one Head Teacher sent a fine letter of appreciation for his visit. There were meetings for local children in the hall for a week, but attendances there were disappointing. However, those children and the few parents who did attended paid great attention to what was said. During his visit Alistair also gave a very encouraging report of his work over the past year.

During the summer the Cowdenbeath believers again visited homes in the town with gospel literature, resulting in a few people requesting a Bible which was taken to them along with simple reading helps.

Lanarkshire

Stephen Grant was with the assembly at Overtown for six days during his second visit this year when eleven primary schools were visited in the surrounding area; a twelfth pulled out at the last minute. He spoke at eight school assemblies and to twelve groups of P6-P7 pupils, in all approximately 1970 pupils and 84 adults. We trust and pray that the seed sown will bear fruit, and that these opportunities to teach God's Word in schools will continue.

Ayrshire

For some years now the assembly at Elim Hall, Kilmarnock, has had the opportunity of having a local primary school into their hall for a Christmas service. They arrange the transport and the whole school, pupils and teachers, come along at the beginning of December. Gordon McCracken takes the service and has perfect freedom to present the gospel through the Christmas story. He has been going into this school on a regular basis, and has built up good rapport with the Head Teacher and pupils.

Inverness and Moray

At the end of November the believers at Culloden arranged a series of four public lectures on the subject of Creation, with Bert Cargill as the speaker. These were well publicised and advertised to take place in a public venue in the centre of Inverness, and it was most encouraging to see around sixty people listening with interest each night. Some believers from other places attended, and some unconverted people were present at each lecture. The Lord gave Bert real help in both speaking with authority on the scientific subjects and in seamlessly bringing in a clear gospel presentation and challenge each night. The final lecture was held in Culloden Gospel Hall, and they were encouraged to see a local man attending through a leaflet delivery in his area. We trust that the Word of God will prove a blessing to both saved and unsaved and look to the Lord for definite and lasting results from this series.

The assembly in Lossiemouth again enjoyed a short visit from Stephen Baker in November. The gospel was faithfully presented and a few local people came along to the Gospel Hall to hear the message. In addition Stephen made repeat visits to the primary and secondary schools in the town, speaking to many of the year groups and getting some of them interested in the gospel.

Aberdeenshire

Graeme Smith has been grateful for prayer on his behalf and believes that this has opened a door into a new school this session where they will start with the Old Testament "Bible Alive" lessons. Many upper primary school pupils will be taught the main points of the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi in four one-hour sessions. Prayer is requested for the commencement of the Good News Clubs in Newmachar (Monday nights) and Inverurie (Tuesday nights) during the winter, and for the recommencement of the Scripture Union in Woodside School, and another private school in Aberdeen where around 60 young children are coming to hear the Word of God. Please also remember a similar group in Dyce Academy which has been meeting for a few weeks now. Some of the pupils are already Christians and others are searching for meaning in life.

N. Ireland & Eire

Co. ANTRIM

Ballintoy Gospel Hall: The assembly had four nights of well-attended Ministry Meetings in November with S Gilfillan on "New Testament assembly gatherings". The word given was most challenging and greatly appreciated by all who were present.

Ballybollan Gospel Hall: S Wells had four nights of Ministry Meetings on 2 Timothy, covering all chapters, from 9th-12th December. The ministry was very helpful and well attended. The hall was packed with support from local assemblies.

Ballymena (Harryville): The assembly had a week of excellent ministry with P Coulson from 25th-29th November. Good numbers attended and the saints enjoyed the informative teaching.

Broughshane Gospel Hall: Ministry Meetings were held from 9th-12th December with D McAllister on "Assembly Truths", which was very helpful and well attended.

Clonkeen: Malcolm Radcliffe had four nights of profitable ministry from selected chapters in the book of Genesis. Local assemblies gave good support, with quite a number of other believers from the area attending, which was encouraging.

Larne, Craigyhill: R McKeown had a week of well-attended and instructive ministry in November on local assembly matters.

"If the Lord will…"

Bushmills Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings are expected to commence in early January, with S Gilfillan and A Caldwell.

Co. TYRONE

Ardstraw: D McGarvey and G Woods have concluded another encouraging spell of Gospel Meetings in this needy part of West Tyrone. During the meetings, 2 local stalwarts of the area, Jack Walls from the Ardstraw assembly and Bobby Patton from the Sion Mills assembly, were called Home. In spite of this loss the meetings continued and were well supported by the Christians from the neighbouring assemblies, and unbelievers were present each night. The saints were refreshed by the gospel faithfully and warmly preached, and it is hoped that blessing to sinners will yet result.

Cookstown: D McGarvey preached the gospel faithfully for 4 weeks during October. Christians from the other local assemblies and their families gave good support, and blessing in salvation was experienced.

Cookstown: P Coulson had well-attended and instructive Ministry Meetings from 2nd-5th December on "Recovery" from the book of Ezra.

Sion Mills: Ministry meetings were held from 2nd-6th December with D Gilliland.

Co. LONDONDERRY

Aughrim: N Emerson had three weeks of Gospel Meetings in the Gospel Hall. All the messages were preached from the book of Hebrews and were appropriate for unbelievers and believers alike. The assembly was encouraged, not only by the attendance, but also by the fact that several believers were restored to the Lord. A lady who had been saved just prior to the commencement of the meetings was confirmed in her faith.

Coleraine: B Currie and J Palmer have concluded seven weeks of gospel meetings (end November). There was good support from neighbouring assemblies, but relatively few responded to the many invitations distributed in the town and surrounding area. However, one man in his early 60s began to attend regularly and eventually told that he had trusted Christ as his Saviour. This was a great encouragement to the assembly and also to the preachers.

Tivaconavey: D McGarvey and R O'Neill commenced Gospel Meetings in the Gospel Hall on 1st December.

Co. ARMAGH

Birches Gospel Hall: The Gospel Meetings have finished (end November). This very small assembly was encouraged with the number of local people who came to hear the gospel. Support from other assemblies was much appreciated. The speakers were W Martin and M Turkington.

Drumacanver: The assembly was greatly encouraged in November by the excellent attendance, including young believers, when R McKeown gave searching and helpful ministry on local assembly principles.

Co. FERMANAGH

Enniskillen: R Eadie and S Maze brought the Belmont Bible Exhibition to Enniskillen Gospel Hall for a week in October, and the saints were encouraged to have around 300 from the locality responding to their invitation to attend. The assembly also enjoyed four evenings of well-attended Ministry Meetings in November, conducted by D Radcliffe.

BELFAST

Glenburn Gospel Hall: The saints were refreshed and challenged by a week of ministry with R McKeown in October.

Co. DOWN

Banbridge: W Boyd was with the assembly for two weeks of encouraging and instructive ministry on the subject of "Egypt to Canaan".

Bangor, Ebenezer: L Craig and P McCauley continue in the gospel. Quite a few local people have attended and one man shows much interest.

Cardy: C Davidson and G Davidson had three weeks of Gospel Meetings in their home assembly. A very encouraging number of young people attended, one of whom professed salvation at the close of the meetings.

Dromore: The Gospel Meetings conducted by C Beresford and M Hunter have concluded. Good numbers attended including many local people. The professing of salvation by a lady brought much encouragement to the assembly.

Kilkeel: N Fleck and A Wilson continue in the gospel with encouraging local interest.

Portavogie (New Road): D Gilliland and J Rogers concluded 8 weeks of meetings at the end of November. God granted much help, with many unsaved attending consistently. Large numbers came right up to the end of the meetings. There was a united effort with the saints working very hard in the district, and their efforts bore fruit in seeing quite a few local people who had not attended meetings for many years coming into the hall. God was pleased to save souls. To God alone be all the glory.

England & Wales

Ian and Rebecca Rees at Narberth, Pembrokeshire, convened a youth weekend in September. Although previously the largest attendance was around 70, this time over 90 turned up, a huge number to cater for, but thrilling to see so many keen to come together to study the Word and enjoy Christian company. It is over 22 months since Ian began meetings at Tenby on Sunday evenings and now on average around 27 people gather in the community centre. He is seeking guidance about starting to teach them local church truth after having gone through the book of Genesis, or to start on another book. There has been a very evident change in the lives of several unbelievers during the last few months, and although they have not yet publicly confessed faith in Christ the change in attitude shows a work of God has begun in them. Rebecca is involved in helping a number of the ladies who have health issues and is able to take them to hospital appointments and such like. They are praying about starting a Sunday School in Tenby as the community centre is now available for hire all day on Sundays, and are wondering about starting an evening meeting during the week. Ian has also been asked to preach in Haverfordwest on a weekly basis. They would value prayer for wisdom regarding the next steps in each of these aspects of their work.

At Swindon (Park North), A Colgan and D Williamson held two weeks of gospel meetings in October and some fresh contacts were made. The assembly was encouraged to see a few new people in the hall to hear the Word.

Reaching the homeless and addicts

Our brethren who give themselves to work on the streets of our large towns and cities deserve a place in our prayers especially as they go out during these critical wintry months when so many are at risk. As reported recently in the magazine, there are numerous difficult cases to cope with and try to support, and also some who have been truly changed by the grace of God in salvation.

Remember Jim McMaster's work on Tyneside. His end of year news about blessing in the assembly at Bensham is encouraging, including the salvation of a man contacted through the soup kitchen work. He came to the Wednesday drop-in Bible study where it soon became clear that he had trusted the Lord after being at the previous Carol Service. He has since been baptised and received into fellowship and is going on well along with others. On the other hand, it is tragic to learn of more than 15 of Jim's contacts who have died over the past year due to their addictions, and some presently at risk of an early death without Christ.

Wesley Downs reports similar situations in Stockport. A young man, N, came to them in September having had his home repossessed. It was a joy to see him responding to fellowship and Bible teaching. Some days he was low because his wife and daughter had left him, but he started to help at the Mill, showing a love for the Lord and other people. He worked diligently, testing and cleaning appliances so that they looked like new. He said that he did it as unto the Lord! A former employer has taken him on again and he has now found believers he knew from the past and enjoys their fellowship. Last Saturday he was out in the local town preaching on the streets. What a restoration! To God be the glory! A different story is about P, a bad alcoholic who has been living under the railway arches in Manchester city centre for 13 months. Before this he had been taken to different Christian rehab centres but ended up leaving and going back to his drinking. He was due to come to the Mill but his need to detox safely from his high level of drinking has changed his mind and he is still out there.

In addition to these and others in England, remember similar work in Scotland done by Mike Cordiner and colleagues in the city of Dundee, and by Ian Robertson and his colleagues in Ayrshire.

NORTH EAST

Wylam assembly held their conference over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Douglas Mowat gave ministry from Romans and Ian Steele from The Song of Solomon.

The North East Missionary Conference Weekend was held from 20th-23rd September with visiting brethren Jonathan Singleton, Stephen Harper and Robert Armstrong. Reports were given which encouraged and gave much material for prayer.

The monthly Tyneside Bible Study Conferences recommenced on 5th October. The readings to be considered in this series are chapters 13-17 of John's Gospel. Colin Lacey gave an overview and outlined 13.1-17. In the evening he ministered on verses in John 1. On 2nd November Jack Hay led the reading from 13.8-14.7 and ministered from Luke 9.18-27 in the evening.

Sunderland. Pallion held its Annual Conference on 12th October with John Grant and Tom Wilson. John Grant gave ministry on Luke 23 and 1 Peter 1. Tom Wilson spoke on "John the Baptist: the Forgotten Prophet" and Daniel 10 "The Despised Prophet". John Grant continued Monday to Thursday each evening in chapters from 1 Peter.

A holiday club was held at Pallion during October half term. The children did crafts and learned about the "I ams" in John's Gospel. Several new contacts were made in the locality of the hall. The Coffee Break continues to attract visitors - both regular and occasional. Some have attended the Gospel Meeting as a result.