Scotland

North and East Scotland

In September, Holburn Gospel Hall in Aberdeen hosted the Aberdeenshire Bible Exhibition for a week, as it has done annually over the last 10 years. This year around 330 pupils attended from 8 different primary schools. In addition to the exhibition tour each child was presented with a gift bag containing a copy of John's Gospel, a wrist band watch with some Scripture words, and an invitation to register for the Postal Sunday School; to date four requests have been received. Each group of pupils was accompanied by two or three adults - teachers and classroom assistants - who generally took the exhibition tour along with the pupils. One assistant was heard to say, "I have learned a great deal today". Prizes were awarded for the best three worksheets from each class; this was a copy of Stepping Stones for each of the winners. Please pray with us that these books and Scripture copies will be blessed and that through these means some might come to faith in Christ.

The assembly in Buckie was greatly encouraged by the number of children and parents at a Holiday Club conducted by Richard Smith (Bridge of Weir) during the October school break. More than 100 children attended over the week, and although there were a number of other local attractions, 62 children and 48 adults were at the Friday evening parents' night. Hearing the children repeat Romans 5.8 from memory was an additional source of joy. The wholehearted support from the local assembly believers was greatly appreciated, as was help given from Cullen. As the Sunday School has been very poorly attended it is purposed to have in its place a Wednesday evening children's outreach called "Buckie Investigators". Prayer is valued for the seed sown during the Holiday Club and for this new work.

Ainslie Paterson has been continuing with tracts in towns and villages in the Forres area. Pray that God would bless and use these silent witnesses as well as the interesting conversations he had with some people. A few responses to the tracts have come in lately including one request for a Bible. In September he had a gospel weekend in Burghead and was encouraged to see a few from that village coming along once again, among whom might be some who are not saved.

Dan Gillies had tent meetings in the village of Edzell Woods where some of the Luthermuir brethren shared in the preaching. It was encouraging to see a number of local people attending and also a good number of children. During August and September, helped by the Luthermuir assembly, nearly all the villages in the district were covered with a tract Dan had written about the referendum. This same tract was also distributed by Dan and Gwen in Fort William, Tobermory, and the wider Isle of Mull.

South-west Scotland

Robert Revie along with Tom Jenkinson and Tom Dempsey have visited 10 Agricultural Shows again this year, some quite small but others very large. The display van now has a small generator and a screen on which verses of Scripture on backgrounds of farming scenes are displayed all day. A table in front of the display unit has items which visitors can pick up - many more did this than previously. The weather was mostly very favourable, making conversations with people so much easier. Many bags clearly printed with gospel texts containing items suitable for children were given away - it was so encouraging to see so many of these bags carried everywhere! This work at the Shows has gone on for almost 20 years, and now people come and request bags or leaflets or Bibles - eternity will reveal the result of this sowing of the seed.

Tom Jenkinson was able to attend the Ploughing Championships again in Ireland where 35,000 bags were given out over the three days with 270,000 attending. There were many opportunities to speak to people, mostly of RC background, about the Saviour, and many of all ages showed an interest in spiritual matters. Already there have been 44 requests for Bibles and gospel literature sent to Andrew and Matthew Shanks who have spearheaded this work, supported by believers from different parts of Ireland.

Dumfriesshire and Argyllshire

Alan Smith has continued with door to door work in the villages of Dunscore, New Galloway and Balmaclellan, with many opportunities to speak to people about the gospel. In St John's Town of Dalry the reception was exceptional with younger people in particular showing an interest in eternal and spiritual matters. In August three other brethren joined him for a week to distribute John's Gospels in Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig, Tarbert and Inverary. In that area conversations were more difficult due to previous visits from JWs. Later, there was door to door visitation in New Stevenston (Lanarkshire) followed by 3 weeks of Gospel Meetings in Assembly Hall. Most evenings unsaved folk were present, some who had never heard the gospel before, and God gave gracious help in the preaching.

Work in Schools

Since the schools returned from the summer break, Graeme Paterson has seen a huge uptake for his school lesson on WW1. Over 40 new schools have been in touch, from Wick to Rothesay. This project has been endorsed by North Lanarkshire and Glasgow Councils. Whilst it is a struggle to fit these into the normal schedule, it is a great opportunity to speak of Christ in these establishments. He also had a week with the assembly in Culloden, again including some school visits - the first time such a work had been done in that area and the response was great. One local school requested an after-school Bible Club for a week afterwards. Some extra evening meetings were also held in Kiltarlity where there was a great reception.

N. Ireland & Eire

Co. ANTRIM

Ahoghill Gospel Hall: The assembly held its Annual Conference on 1st November. The large company of believers present were stirred by the much appreciated instructive, challenging and helpful ministry given by A Sinclair, D Radcliffe and I Jackson. A Sinclair gave heart-warming ministry on Lord's Day afternoon from the life of Anna, and I Jackson continued with the assembly until the following Friday evening considering critical days in Old Testament history.

Ahoghill Gospel Hall: Gospel meetings with M Radcliffe and J Rogers concluded on 19th October. Large numbers of unsaved had attended and God was pleased to bless in the salvation of souls. To God alone be all the glory.

Ballinaloob Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings concluded on 31st October with N Emerson (Ardmore).

Ballyclare Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings commenced in the new Gospel Hall on Lord's Day, 2nd November and continue. J Fleck and D Gilliland are responsible. Interest would be appreciated.

Ballymoney: The assembly had an exercise to continue with special meetings in the Town Hall during October, and P McCauley and D Williamson preached the gospel clearly and powerfully. Each night there were people present from the town and surrounding area, some hearing the gospel presented for the first time. The assembly was greatly encouraged by learning of blessing in the salvation of souls.

Kingsmoss Gospel Hall: D Gilliland held a Bible Teaching Day on 25th October. The hall was packed and it was a most interesting afternoon.

Larne (Craigyhill): Gospel Meetings with S Gilfillen and T Wright commenced on 5th October in a portable hall erected in Millbrook, a small residential community on the outskirts of Larne. A good number from the area have come to hear the gospel, some only once and others consistently, and a number have professed salvation.

Co. TYRONE

Donemana Gospel Hall: The Annual Conference was held on 16th October. Good ministry was given by J Wishart, S Harper, B Glendinning, D Morgan and R Pickering.

Fintona Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings are continuing with J Palmer and B Currie.

Lungs Gospel Hall: The Annual Conference was held in this rural assembly on October 4th. Speakers were B Currie, M Radcliffe, W Martin and E Fairfield.

Omagh Gospel Hall: A large company of believers gathered for the Annual Conference which was held on 1st November. The speakers were S McBride, B Glendinning, G Woods, D Gilliland and T McNeill.

BELFAST

Cregagh Street Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings were held during the month of October, conducted by our brethren S Nelson and G Woods from Omagh who presented the gospel faithfully each evening. A small number of unsaved were present each night, but despite 3,000 invitations given out by the assembly and the two speakers, who also made many home visits, the response from the area was generally disappointing. Prayer would be appreciated that, even yet, blessing may be seen among those unsaved who did come. Support from some outlying assemblies was very encouraging to the small assembly.

Glenburn Gospel Hall: D Gilliland had a week of ministry which commenced on 27th October on the subject: "Arithmetic of the Ancient Tabernacle". The meetings were very well attended and the ministry was much appreciated.

Newtownbreda Gospel Hall: The assembly enjoyed a week of ministry meetings conducted by E Fairfield on the subject of "The Rivers of Scripture". The ministry was very interesting and very challenging as it was from his heart and touched our hearts.

Parkgate Avenue Gospel Hall: E Fairfield and J Rogers commenced Gospel Meetings on 9th November.

Sandringham Gospel Hall: The assembly conducts weekly children's meetings which commenced in September in the hall in Eden village. We have been encouraged by a consistent attendance, which, although not huge, has seen quite a number of local children learn the Scriptures by heart and retain vital truths from God's Word. I Shanks (Glengormley) was responsible for the first four Fridays and R Plant for the following two. T Hair (Ballyclare) expects to be with us for four Fridays in November (DV). Some local parents have not only brought their children but stayed with them for the meeting. Prayer would be valued.

Co. ARMAGH

Newtownhamilton Gospel Hall: J Fleck had a week of very searching and encouraging teaching on the Epistle to the Philippians. There was good support from local assemblies.

Co. LONDONDERRY

Limavady: J Hay was with the assembly for four nights of much appreciated teaching. M Howe gave a report on the Friday night on recent visits to Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Magherafelt: W Fenton and A Colgan commenced Gospel Meetings in the Gospel Hall on 26th October.

Co. DOWN

Ballymagarrick: J Grant was with the assembly from 6th-9th October for much appreciated ministry on the subject of "Scaling the Heights in Ephesians".

Bangor, Ebenezer: From 20th-24th October, S Harper gave ministry on the subject of "Priceless Principles from some less appreciated portions", drawing helpful lessons from some of the Kings of Judah in 2 Chronicles.

Castlewellan: D Gilliland and W Martin held three weeks of Gospel Meetings in rented premises in the town. The response from the locality was most encouraging.

Shanaghan: The well-attended Annual Conference heard helpful ministry from S McBride, S Harper, G Woods, T McNeill, B Smith, W Martin and B Glendinning.

England & Wales

Birmingham

Throughout August, Andrew Mullan had five literature stands around the city centre and these gave good opportunities for discussions. In spite of frustrating times it was a joy to stand with an open Bible discussing eternal truths. A young African lady was shown that Philippians 2.10 is a quotation from Isaiah 45.23 - she hadn't seen this before and we pray it may be used to bring her to Christ. Another earnest young man was shown that the "Alpha and Omega", "The First and the Last", refer to Jesus as well as Jehovah. A week of open air tracting was held at King's Heath, with only a very few good conversations, but the Word of God was clearly presented. They have got to know Fiaz well over the last 18 months. Last year he got married and in July they had their first daughter. He continues to show interest but is really struggling with events in the Middle East. Recently he sent a text message asking for prayer as he has to go for a brain scan - we pray he finds solace and the answers he is looking for in the love of Christ. A week at Northfield was encouraging - out in the shopping area in the morning and door to door work in the afternoons. In conversation with a pagan who confessed he had no hope it was a real joy to be able to testify to the hope of eternal life found in Jesus Christ. Many heard the gospel as they preached across from the bus shelters - there was a captive audience for 5-10 minutes at a time. David Williamson had a long profitable conversation with Gary, an atheist we have spoken of before.