Northern Ireland

CO ANTRIM

Ballinaloob: J Rogers had three weeks of very well-attended Gospel Meetings, and the Hall was filled nightly. The assembly visited the district and were able to encourage quite a good number of local people to attend. Prayer is requested that those without Christ who attended will soon find the Saviour.

Ballymena (Cambridge Avenue): Gospel Meetings have commenced in a tent on the Old Park Road and continue until 30th June, DV, with J Rogers and A Steele. Prayer would be appreciated.

Ballymoney: The very large company at the evening of Bible teaching in Ballymoney Town Hall enjoyed profitable and challenging ministry from J Black and J Fleck.

Derriaghy: The assembly held a Saturday afternoon ministry meeting on the 13th May with D Gilliland and M Penfold. A large number of saints from all over the Province attended, and the ministry was very much appreciated. Mr Penfold continued until Wednesday of the following week, giving Christ-exalting and enriching ministry. The assembly was greatly encouraged by the support of the Lord’s people.

Sandringham: W Boyd was with the assembly from 1st to 4th May for ministry on the subject of ‘The Principal Themes of the Four Gospels’. The ministry was very uplifting, and it was encouraging to the saints who all appreciated it. Praying that the Lord will bless all servants who labour in the work, proclaiming the Gospel in all of its fulness.

CO TYRONE

Martray: S Nelson and B Smith have commenced Gospel Meetings in association with the Martray assembly in the area of Cabragh, which lies between Ballygawley and Dungannon. The venue is a building which was formerly a garden centre. Earnest prayer is requested that the message of the Gospel will bear fruit in this most difficult area.

CO ARMAGH

Ballyshiel: Gospel Hall. D Gilliland had five nights of Bible teaching which were well supported by local assemblies. The teaching was considered to be very profitable.

Lurgan: The conference this year was very large with much to profit. Speakers at various meetings were M Sweetnam, T Wilson, C Munro, D Gilliland, J Fleck, B Currie and J Rogers.

Portadown: Gospel Hall. Gospel Meetings continue into their third week with blessing. Speakers are W Martin and M Turkington.

CO DOWN

Ballyhay: B Currie was with the assembly for one week of much-appreciated ministry.

Banbridge: Gospel Meetings with D Callaghan and G Woods continue. Prayer is requested for blessing in salvation.

Bangor (Ebenezer): The assembly had two nights of very encouraging ministry from W Skates.

Cardy: The assembly hosted the Ayrshire Bible Exhibition from 8th to 12th May. Some 600 children from 16 schools attended during the week, whilst in the evenings there was a very positive response from the area. The assembly was much encouraged by a spirit of unity and by several letters of appreciation from teachers who had accompanied the children.

Comber: I McKee was with the assembly for two nights of ministry on the prophecy of Haggai, with good interest and attendance.

Drumlough: The annual conference was well attended, and encouraging ministry was given by B Glendinning, G Woods, B Currie, T Meekin and A Davidson.

Kilkeel: Gospel Meetings that were conducted by N Fleck and T Wright have concluded. Prayer is requested for further blessing.

Portavogie (New Road): J Hay conducted a week of ministry after the conference on the 29th April on the subjects of ‘The Christian and the World’, ‘The Assembly’, ‘The Gatherings’, and ‘Our Responsibilities’. The teaching was most helpful, encouraging, instructive and very challenging, and we really enjoyed the privilege of having the Word expounded so faithfully. Attendance was very encouraging with good support from local assemblies.

CO LONDONDERRY

Limavady: The May Annual Conference was well attended with helpful teaching. J Hay conducted a very profitable Bible Reading on Isaiah 53, and ministry was given by L Craig, A Davidson, J Hay and J Wishart. At the close, B Eadie gave a report on preaching and teaching with the Bible Exhibition. The assembly also enjoyed two evenings of ministry by D Strahan on ‘Worship and Service’.

Straid: The assembly enjoyed five evenings of profitable ministry with A Colgan at Derryshrier, Dungiven, on the Lord’s Coming and the Judgment Seat.

During the first week in May, Graeme Paterson was in Shetland and, in addition to school visits, he had four Gospel Meetings in hired halls in the more remote areas of Yell, Vidlin, Walls and Cunningsburgh, where a few locals attended. An excellent website (www.gospelforshetland.com) backed up this work, in fellowship with believers from the Shetland assemblies. For the rest of the month, the ‘Bible Experience’ was in Ebenezer Hall Wishaw, Linwood Gospel Hall, and Elim Hall Kilmarnock. Stephen Grant also made one of his biannual visits to schools in the Overtown area of Lanarkshire at the beginning of the month.

The assembly at Wick had three weeks of Gospel Meetings in a Community Centre at the beginning of May, with Paul McCauley and David Williamson. There was evident help in the meetings, and many visitors came, including at least 20 people who as far as we know were unsaved. Two or three showed sustained interest, with one lady appearing to be very close to salvation; please pray that she and others do not miss it.

For the first time in Fife, a Gospel Drive-In Service was held on Sunday evening 14th May in the large car park of Halbeath Park and Ride facility near Dunfermline, with the permission of the owners. Many cars did drive in, and for 30 minutes a clear Gospel message was given by Craig Munro, who had announced as his subject ‘What is Life’s Purpose?’ Bus passengers using the interchange heard at least some of the message, and further services like this have been planned for the month of June. Following this, Craig spent four evenings preaching the Gospel in a portable hall sited in Whithorn, Galloway; an area in the south-west of Scotland with sparse Gospel witness. Good attendance followed invitations which had been mailed across the district, and one evening a young man professed salvation.

Another week of outreach at St Andrews is planned during 19th - 26th August with Gareth Edwards and Graeme Paterson. Anyone interested in joining them for a week of fellowship in the Gospel should contact garethedwards442@hotmail.com or gjpaterson@btinternet.com. Accommodation in one of the University Halls is available at a very reasonable cost.

Please remember the Summer Camps arranged for children and teenagers during July and early August. Do pray that these will be effective as a means of reaching many young people with the Gospel, and will also challenge and encourage young believers to go in for spiritual and eternal things in an increasingly godless and hostile world. Pray, too, for safety in travels and in every activity, for guidance in all the organisation and back-up, and for the effectiveness of the Bible teaching each morning and evening. Locations include Faskally House, Pitlochry for the Ayrshire, Tayside and North-East Camps, and the recently enlarged Shetland campsite near Sumburgh Airport.