SCOTLAND

North-east

The assembly at Lossiemouth was much encouraged during Gospel Meetings in mid-February with Blair Martin, and Gareth Edwards of Perth sharing in the preaching and visitation during the first week. There was good support from neighbouring assemblies throughout the two weeks of meetings. Many friends and neighbours accepted invitations to the meetings and the Lord’s servants were generally well received on the doors so that unsaved folks were present every night, reaching double figures once in the second week. Pray for Barry who came some evenings and is clearly open to the gospel message. Access to Lossiemouth High School during the second week gave Blair the opportunity to take first and second year Religious and Moral Education classes, and worthwhile contact was made with some local teachers and pupils. Remember the local assembly as they seek to build on the work undertaken by both Blair and Gareth.

Douglas Mowat conducted three special Gospel Meetings with the Cullen assembly during the last weekend in February. A neutral venue was used and the advertised theme was "Conversations with Christ". The gospel was clearly and powerfully presented based on the encounters of the Lord Jesus with Nicodemus, the woman of Samaria, and Pontius Pilate. Believers from other assemblies gave much appreciated support and unbelievers were present at each meeting. Please pray that the Lord will bless His Word to their salvation.

Orkney

A detailed report from Stewart Moar tells of his extensive visitation work in those Orkney islands where there is no local assembly witness: North Ronaldsay, Sanday, Stronsay and Eday in the north, also Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre nearer at hand, and to the south Hoy, Flotta and Graemsay. Where gospel meetings are unknown and where there is little visitation of this kind, recently around 1,000 items such as gospel calendars, tracts, and bookmarks have gone into many homes. Children’s calendars are left at schools, the teacher or secretary being quite willing to give them out. Some islands take two days to cover, but the people are mostly friendly and an overnight stay isn’t a problem.

The type of people spoken to varies across a wide spectrum, from godly souls with a love and a longing for the Word to those who despise and refuse. It is gratifying to see how some attitudes change between visits - from being "not interested" and flatly refusing, to accepting the calendars with a smile. Many are "incomers" bringing their own troubled and confused thinking with them - atheists, witches, humanists, pagans, non-religionists, and the ever increasing number with different religious tags are all here, including monks on Stronsay. Others are traditional Orcadians who remember former years of effective gospel witness in their islands and even long for it again. On Eday there used to be an assembly but it ceased to exist some years ago when some of the believers moved into Kirkwall. Also on Sanday at one time there was a movement of the Spirit of God when souls were saved and a number of baptisms took place, but this work ceased years ago and has never been revived. On Rousay a "kirk" service is advertised from time to time but only a handful of people attend, except perhaps for a carol service around Christmas which might attract a few. On the windswept island of North Ronaldsay where the population continues to dwindle, the only feasible transport is by plane. One elderly man on the island who has been all over the world in war service likes to show off his medals - he appreciates prayer, usually removing his bonnet and giving a hearty amen at the end. On the large island of Hoy there are some true believers, some saved only recently. Most of the people are very friendly and hospitable, and accept the calendars gladly. In Harray, the Gospel Hall has existed for 150 years and used to be filled to capacity for a gospel meeting, but no longer. There are about 300 houses in the parish which are also visited regularly but little interest in the gospel is found.

Stewart concludes his report by saying, "I would emphasise that this report only concerns my own little corner. Others have been engaged in a similar exercise in different parts of Orkney where hundreds of gospel calendars, tracts, invitations to meetings and such items have been given out. We leave the results with Him who is able to deliver."

"If the Lord will…"

God loves Ayrshire intend (D.V.) to distribute gospel literature in Dunlop and Lugton. For further information email:godlovesayrshire@live.co.uk or call 07827 966798.

N. IRELAND & EIRE

Co. ANTRIM

Buckna Gospel Hall: At the beginning of March, J Fleck and J Rogers are commencing their 6th week of Gospel Meetings. There is good Interest, with blessing in salvation. Many unsaved loved ones are attending together with neighbours from the surrounding area. We are waiting for God to bless further in salvation.

Kingsmoss: L Craig and R Moore commenced special Gospel Meetings on 25th February; Monday-Friday in a portable hall (kindly granted) at Ballynure, Lord’s Day in the Gospel Hall. Christians from the neighbouring assemblies are giving good support and some have come in from the community. Generally speaking the invitations are well received around the doors and in the countryside.

Kingsmoss Gospel Hall: The Conference was held on 16th February. It was well attended with very encouraging ministry from D Radcliffe, D Williamson and P McCaulay.

Co. TYRONE

Cookstown: L Craig had well attended children’s meetings in the Gospel Hall and visited a large school for assembly with 400 pupils and staff.

Cookstown: L Craig gave ministry from 11th-15th February on the Epistle of James.

Fintona Gospel Hall: In mid February the assembly enjoyed three nights of ministry meetings with Mr James Armstrong (Brazil).

Newtownstewart Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings commenced at the end of January with D McGarvey and M Radcliffe. During the first week, Mr Radcliffe took ill, and for a short period his place was taken by several local speakers. Mr D McAllister then joined Mr McGarvey up to the present date.

Co. DOWN

Ballykeel, Lough Road: W Martin and E Fairfield continue in the gospel, with good numbers attending and blessing in salvation.

Ballykeel, Kilkeel: W Boyd was with the Assembly for two weeks’ ministry on the subject, "From Egypt to Canaan". The very profitable meetings were well attended, with a very good number of local believers coming regularly.

Ballymacashon Gospel Hall: The Belmont Bible Exhibition visited the hall for four and a half days in October. The assembly was greatly encouraged by the attendance of over 400 people which included 160 children and teenagers. Bobbie Eadie and Sammy Maze gave tours of the 66 display panels and models leaving the unsaved in no doubt of God’s way of salvation. The assembly deeply appreciated their help, and are looking to God for future blessing."To God be the glory".

Ballymacashon: L Craig had children’s meetings from 18th-22nd February.

Bangor, Ebenezer: The assembly had a week of most encouraging ministry with R McKeown on the subject, "Lessons from a Letter to a Young Church" (1 Thessalonians).

Cardy: J Grant gave one week of most helpful ministry on the subject, "Lessons from the Life of Christ".

Dunmurry: B Currie was with the assembly for one week of very encouraging ministry on the subject of "Women of the Word".

Craigavad: The assembly had one week of very encouraging and challenging ministry with J Hay on "Practical Christian Living" from the book of Ephesians.

Growell: B Glendinning and H Milligan have commenced Gospel meetings in Dromara Orange Hall. Prayer earnestly requested.

Mullaghfernaghan: T Wallace and R Pickering continue in Gospel Meetings in a portable hall in Ashfield.

Newry: L Craig had a week of ministry on the "Person and work of the Holy Spirit".

Newtownards (James St): J Palmer had much appreciated ministry from 4th-8th February, drawing practical lessons from the birth and times of Isaac, Moses, Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist.

BELFAST

Glengormley Gospel Hall: P McCauley and P McClarty are expected for gospel meetings commencing the week after Easter. It is hoped that ground will be available for a portable hall in the New Mossley area. Our two brethren have previously had a series of meetings in the Gospel Hall in recent times and it is hoped that some of those contacted at that time can be encouraged to come again. Prayer valued.

Co. ARMAGH

Keady Gospel Hall: T Wright and N Fleck continue gospel meetings which are now into their 7th week. One girl has professed salvation.

Tullyroan: Gospel Meetings in a portable hall at Annaghmore are ongoing into a 5th week. The speakers are D Gilliland and M Campbell. Encouraging numbers nightly.

Co. LONDONDERRY & Co. DONEGAL

Bellaghy: Please note that there will be no conference this year; instead, there will be ministry meetings from 1st -3rd May by S.Maze.

Gortade: A series of gospel meetings is to commence on 4th March in "The Linenmill", which is situated in the neighbouring village of Upperlands. The gospel will be preached each evening by brethren from the Gortade assembly.

ENGLAND & WALES

Hartlepool Area

Alan Barber continues to find many open doors working among children with different year groups in classes. Subjects such as the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son, and the life of Moses have been covered in assemblies for some months. Answers given by the children in the quiz are encouraging. This time of the year enables the death, burial and resurrection of our blessed Lord to be spoken of - it is always great to see the amazement on their faces when they are pointed to the Scriptures and shown the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Most children following Islam show a good interest and respect and ask questions. Children from six different schools come to the "Adventurers" in the Hall. As spring arrives open-air meetings are planned for lunch time on Thursdays, the market day in Hartlepool, and also at Easter in gospel outreach. We believe in the power of the Word of God. Sowing that good seed is a great privilege as well as a responsibility.

Cambridge

During the February school half-term, Roseford Chapel held a children’s holiday Bible club for 5-11 year olds each morning from Monday to Thursday. The local schools accepted the literature and delivered the invitations. In spite of bitterly cold weather, attendance averaged 20 each day. Every morning began and ended with a time of prayer for the workers. The theme for the week, "Jesus the life changer", included the parable of the Lost Sheep, the resurrection of Lazarus, and the cross and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Some mothers stayed each day and helped their children to learn memory verses and several expressed an interest in the Sunday School and regular children’s work. Some 22 children and 13 parents attended the Thursday evening prize-giving session. Please pray that the Lord will bless the work and that contact will be maintained with all those who attended and that on-going relationships will be developed with parents.

London

John and Janice Frost continue the faithful outreach ministry of the Brook Street Chapel assembly in Tottenham through the "Free Breakfasts" on Tuesday mornings and the "Drop In" on Thursday mornings (apart from the summer months). Visitors are from various nationalities, but include many Polish people needing both practical and spiritual help. Martin Baker shares regularly in this ministry, bringing the gospel to them through literature and personal conversation. Before each breakfast John gives a short gospel message in English, and Martin follows with a message in Polish. Martin also has fellowship with a group of Polish believers who live and work in North London, occasionally visiting them for gospel preaching and ministry of the Word. Prayer is valued for the Lord’s blessing on these aspects of gospel outreach.

Midlands

The assembly at Spencer Bridge Road, Northampton, enjoyed their missionary conference in January with N McMeekin, S Baker, J Black and W Webb giving reports. They are currently running their biennial "Bible Exhibition" for 2 weeks. Numerous schools are coming through the Hall and hearing the gospel. A Ussher from Toronto was with the assembly in Bicester for a series of ministry meetings in February. The series was crowned with the conversion of a university student from Oxford.