SCOTLAND
Cullen, Banffshire
For three weeks in March, Jack Hay preached the gospel in Cullen. A public hall was chosen as the venue. Some who are not yet saved came to hear the gospel very clearly preached, including those who have been the subject of prayer for many years. Exceptionally favourable weather enabled the entire town of Cullen to be visited door to door; also the surrounding villages received gospel literature along with an invitation to the meetings. At the time of writing, as far as is known, no one has trusted the Lord Jesus as a consequence of these meetings. The assembly appreciated and was encouraged by the consistent support of believers from the local area and thanks all who remembered this effort before the Throne of Grace. They covet continued prayer that the good seed of the Word, faithfully sown, will yet bear fruit.
Schools visits
Alastair Young continues to take as many school assemblies as ever in Ayrshire. However, at the end of February he spent a week in west Fife to take school assemblies there. The assembly at Blairhall had arranged another busy program involving visits to several schools in the area where the reception is consistently welcoming. This year's effort marked around 25 years of annual visits by Alastair to bring the gospel to these children in that part of Fife. In addition to this work, the Real-Life correspondence courses continue to go out to around 120 children each month.
Gordon McCracken visited ten Primary Schools in the area around the Overtown Gospel Hall in Lanarkshire, up to the end of March. He addressed nine school assemblies and eleven groups of P6 and P7 classes. During this time he spoke to approximately 1,940 children and 100 adults and we do trust the seed sown will have fallen into good ground. Gordon has been visiting these schools for a number of years now and he is well received by the teachers and pupils alike. Please pray that doors will remain open for the good Word of God to get into those schools.
St. Margaret's Hope, Orkney
Following an increased interest in the village over recent months, through some meetings in a local hall as well as calendar distribution, the assembly hired the village hall for a week of gospel meetings. Ainslie Paterson preached the gospel each night through various stories from Orkney's history. We trust that the gospel truth that was attached to these historic events and characters may be used by the Spirit to the saving of precious souls. It was a real encouragement to see a good number from the village and district over the week, with some of these attending for the first time. Do pray for the ongoing work of the assembly in this community.
"If the Lord will…"
God loves Ayrshire intend (D.V.) to distribute gospel literature in Troon on 10th May. For further information call 07827 966798.
N. IRELAND & EIRE
Co. ANTRIM
Ballywatermoy Gospel Hall: The gospel effort continues with W Fenton and S Gilfillan. Large numbers are attending and there has been much blessing which is most encouraging and a cause for thanksgiving.
Broughshane Gospel Hall: The ministry with E Fairfield from 24th-28th March was much appreciated and the numbers were encouraging.
Harryville Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings with A Steele and D Williamson concluded on 21st March. Large numbers attended with many visiting Ballee Community Centre, and there was encouragement with blessing. The support was much appreciated.
Randalstown Gospel Hall: The believers from Clonkeen had a most encouraging week with the Bible Exhibition Scotland. Over four hundred attended from a total of twelve schools. Please pray that the "Good Seed" sown in these young minds and hearts will result in many seeking salvation and experiencing eternal blessing.
Co. ARMAGH
Armagh Gospel Hall: A week of much appreciated ministry was given by D Gilliland and enjoyed by many with good support from other assemblies.
Lurgan Gospel Hall: M Turkington and C Beresford continue in the gospel. Some strangers from the area are attending.
Monaghan: The Conference held on 17th March was large and profitable. The speakers were R McKeown, S Wells, G Woods, E Fairfield and S Nelson.
Co. LONDONDERRY & Co. DONEGAL
Aughrim: The Annual Conference was thought to be a good conference when helpful teaching was given by J Parkinson and R Pickering.
Lisachrin: S Wells was with the small assembly for four nights of well attended Ministry Meetings based on "Assembly Principles".
Magheracorran: The Annual Conference was well attended and profitable ministry was given by S Patterson, D Gilliland, T McNeill and G Woods.
Moneydig: G Woods and D McAllister have completed two weeks of gospel meetings in the Gospel Hall.
Portstewart Gospel Hall: I Jackson was with the assembly for 4 nights of much appreciated ministry.
Co. DOWN
Banbridge: J Palmer was with the assembly for a well attended and helpful week of ministry in Drumnahair on "Lessons from Nehemiah".
Bangor: The Ebenezer Assembly enjoyed a very profitable and challenging week of ministry with R McKeown considering "The Judgment Seat of Christ".
Craigavad: Commencing on 29th March, B Martin was with the assembly for very helpful ministry on the subject of "Lessons from Certain Disciples".
Granshaw: The Annual Conference on 29th March was well attended with excellent ministry from J Wishart, T McNeill, R McKeown and J Lennox.
Growell: S Grant gave challenging ministry over three nights on the subject of "Sin in the Believer's Life".
Newry: The assembly hosted the Bible Exhibition Scotland in the Gospel Hall. The response was most encouraging with approximately 600 children from 19 schools visiting the exhibition.
BELFAST
Bloomfield Gospel Hall: J Hay had a week of Ministry Meetings during the 1st week in April.
Glenburn Gospel Hall: J Rogers and T Armstrong are continuing in Gospel Meetings with good numbers attending and sustained interest.
ENGLAND & WALES
Jarrow. The autumn/winter series of Bible Readings at Jarrow concluded in 1st March. Throughout the series the Readings were in John 13-17 led by Colin Lacey, Jack Hay, John Riddle, Robert Miller, Bill Stevely and Colin Hutchison. Each session was highly profitable with excellent help and good participation. The sessions included ministry each evening according to the individual exercise of the brethren and topics included Looking at Christ, Challenge and Discipleship, Evangelisation, Colossians 1 and Communicating, Resting, and Feeding with Christ.
North Shields. The Home Workers Conference took place at North Shields on 22nd February. Mr Jonathan Black of London ministered on readings from 1 Corinthians 3 & 15 and gave an excellent report of his work for the Lord. A good number of believers attended and heard much that called for thanksgiving and prayers.
Pallion Sunderland. The weekly coffee break gives much encouragement to the believers with a number who attend regularly and some who have come to other services. One is a lifelong acquaintance who attended the Gospel Hall when at college over 40 years ago. One keeps in regular touch with the believers seeking help and support. It was a great encouragement and answer to prayer when he attended the Gospel meeting recently and professed faith in the Lord Jesus. The February Holiday Club saw about 20 children daily learning lessons from the life of Moses. Two children who had not attended Sunday School for some time came and have since returned to Sunday School. Following a visit to a care home at Christmas the believers have recently been asked to visit on a regular basis for hymn singing. The assembly would value prayer for all these activities.
Bicester
In March, John Stubbs had five Ministry Meetings on the subject of "The High Priest's Garments". Good interest was shown by the believers, especially by the younger people in the audiences.
Wales
Penarth
John Baker reflects on the activities of the past year in his annual newsletter. Witnessing three baptisms in the assembly was very encouraging, one a Portuguese young lady that John had led to the Saviour. Four schools in the area are still open for visits and the children listen so well. In one school over 400 children are assembled together and they give undivided attention.
Twelve months ago there was an exercise to reach out to the many people speaking different languages who either reside in the area or visit it. Near the assembly hall where five roads intersect there is a wide pavement beside a "Tesco Extra". Every Tuesday a small group sets up a table there with over 40 booklets in different languages on display. When passersby notice something in their language they come over to see what it is all about. John took French and Spanish at school, lived in Germany for four years and can sing and quote in Ukrainian and Russian so this is very useful. It is also helpful to be able to say thank you, or greet people, in 15 different languages. A young African man asked if there was nothing in his language and John greeted him with "Ek-a-Le" then with John 3.16. He was given two booklets in Yoruba and went away so pleased. A brother from a distance offered John a Bible in Tibetan and it was amazing that though they had never had any Tibetans coming their way before, the very next week two Tibetans came to the table and were delighted to be given the Bible in their own language. Pray for John as he visits Senior Citizen's Homes and hospitals, and contacts people with the gospel in the "highways and byways".
