SCOTLAND
Highlands and Islands
The believers at Culloden were greatly encouraged by a week-long visit from Graeme Paterson at the end of February, following up his earlier one last September. The Lord opened doors in a wonderful way, ensuring that Graeme was able to take the gospel into various schools in the area. The reception from school staff and pupils was extremely encouraging. An after-school Bible Club in the village of Kiltarlity was well attended, and good contacts were made with local families. Despite prevailing moral, political and social conditions, there is still an open door for school visits, and we thank the Lord for this. We trust that the seed sown during the week will lead to many precious souls ultimately finding Christ. Please remember this work in prayer.
Around Forres, Nairn and Burghead, Ainslie Patterson has been distributing calendars and tracts, finding a few people with whom meaningful conversations have been held, some of them from previous contacts several years ago. Pray that some such contacts may lead to their salvation. Also Sam Matthews continues his long standing work of sending to bereaved families his small booklet Words of Comfort using addresses posted in Obituary columns of daily newspapers. Not many reply to him, but the Word of God in these booklets can bring the light of salvation as well as comforting grace.
In November, Dan and Gwen Gillies were in Shetland for two weeks. They visited villages and crofts around Sellivoe Gospel Hall, distributing calendars and tracts, along with invitations to hear Dan preaching the gospel in the Hall. A few unsaved folk attended, along with some believers not in assembly fellowship. The small assembly in Sellivoe values prayer for blessing on this and their ongoing witness for the Lord.
Central
The Christians in Perth Gospel Hall continue to rejoice in the goodness of God and the encouragement He has given in their regular weekly activities. Whilst challenged to "keep on going on" with the return of the Lord in view, they are pleased to report how God has continued to bless His work. In the latter part of 2014 they had the privilege of baptising three girls whom they had contact with for some years, and a young man who was saved in the summer and is now in assembly fellowship.
They had an exciting week in November when Gordon McCracken brought his B-I-B-L-E exhibition to Perth. Many school groups visited during the day and some visitors in the evening. Local Christians take responsibility for assemblies in many schools in the area, with more concentrated weeks of school visits by others including Stephen Grant, Gordon McCracken and Graeme Paterson; more of this and a children's outreach are planned for the near future.
In December, a Christmas card and 2015 calendar produced by local Christians was distributed in the neighbourhood of the Hall, and many John Ritchie calendars were distributed in Perth and a nearby village. Many attended the Christmas services, and various Care Homes were visited to sing carols and share the Christmas message. Looking ahead, they intend a series of Gospel meetings in the Gospel Hall in late April. A few of the local believers have reduced their hours at work to help more in gospel outreach and to support young Christians and existing contacts. Prayer for them would be appreciated.
Lanarkshire and Ayrshire
During the last four months of 2014 Graeme Patterson had excellent opportunities to present his World War 1 talk in over 120 schools mostly in Lanarkshire but also as far north as Orkney and Wick, as well as Fife, Stirlingshire and Glasgow. This has led to more contacts which Graeme is struggling to include in his busy schedule.
Similarly, Gordon McCracken reached good numbers of 60-70 at Children's Meetings in Whitburn, and 30-40 in New Stevenston, besides many parents at prizegivings. Let's pray for this work reaching many young people, and for help for those who are clearly called and fitted for it.
Alan Smith has been visiting many towns in Ayrshire with tracts and booklets, including Ae (near Dumfries), Muirkirk and Thornhill, and at Galston he had a series of gospel meetings in November with unsaved folk present each night brought along by the local believers. He also pursues local work in the assembly at Kirkconnel, and he requests prayer for help in arranging Gospel Meetings in Village Halls over the summer months to come.
N. IRELAND & EIRE
Co. ANTRIM
Clonkeen: The assembly had four nights of Children's Meetings in Hillstown Orange hall (kindly granted). The Lord gave help each night to brother I McClean. Please pray that the "good seed" sown in young hearts will bring forth fruit to the glory of God.
Clough Gospel Hall: A series of Gospel Meetings commenced on 1st March. Speakers: S Nelson and S Gilfillan.
Kingsmoss Gospel Hall: Jack Hay had a week of well attended meetings from 16th-19th February, following the Annual Conference. Studies were in The Acts: "Things that happened daily".
Kingsmoss Gospel Hall: The Annual Conference was held on 14th February. Speakers: J Hay, D Williamson and T Topley. The Conference was well attended, with helpful and challenging ministry.
Co. TYRONE
Cookstown Gospel Hall: The series of Gospel Meetings conducted by L Craig and D McAllister have concluded. It was difficult to get local people in to hear the gospel.
Fintona Gospel Hall: A Davidson had week of direct and challenging ministry meetings from 16th-20th February. Attendance was very good.
Lungs Gospel Hall: G Woods had a week of ministry meetings from 9th-13th February. His special subject was "New Testament Church Principles".
BELFAST
Ballyduff Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings commenced on 1st March with W Fenton and M Campbell. From the first night attendance has been excellent and growing nightly. The preaching has been clear and challenging and the assembly members have been greatly encouraged. Prayer valued for blessing in salvation. The good support from neighbouring assemblies is much appreciated.
Cregagh Street: The assembly was encouraged by ministry given by B Currie during the last week of February. His subject, "Assembly Principles and Responsibilities", was very informative for young believers and most encouraging to those who seek to uphold a faithful witness. The small assembly appreciated the support of a number of visitors who came from local assemblies.
Glengormley Gospel Hall: J Hay had a week of well attended ministry during the last week of February. Subject: "Beautifying the House of God" (Ezra 7-8).
Sandringham Gospel Hall: The assembly enjoyed two weeks of ministry on the subject of "The Tabernacle" by M Radcliffe in January. To those in attendance who were acquainted in some way with the subject, the ministry was a delightful refresher course, and to young believers hearing the subject for the first time it was an excellent grounding in typical teaching of the highest order. The support from other assemblies was much appreciated. Our brother was also with us for the two Lord's Days and the gospel was clearly preached from truths related to the Tabernacle.
Co. ARMAGH
Armagh Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings are now in their 8th week. It has been very encouraging to see so many strangers attending with a definite interest shown by some who had not frequented the Gospel Hall before. The believers appreciate the support of many surrounding assemblies. One young man has professed faith in Christ. Speakers: D Gilliland and J Rogers.
Drumacanver: The Belmont Bible Exhibition was displayed in the City Hotel, Armagh from March 16th-21st in conjunction with not only Drumacanver, but also with the support of the assembly in Armagh. Prayer appreciated.
Kilmore Gospel Hall: T Wright and N Fleck continue with the gospel into an 8th week with some blessing. Support from local assemblies has been appreciated and a number of local people have also attended.
Co. DOWN
Bangor (Ebenezer): The assembly had one week of encouraging and elevating ministry with W Boyd on "The Epistle to the Colossians".
Dromore: P Coulson was with the assembly for a week of very well supported and uplifting ministry on the subject of "The Tabernacle".
Shanaghan: The Gospel Meetings conducted by T Armstrong and A Steele continue with encouraging local interest.
Special Gospel Meetings which took place in a portable hall near Millisle with P McCauley and D Williamson, and which were supported by the Ballywalter, Ballyhay and Cardy assemblies, have concluded. Local interest was encouraging, and prayer is requested for blessing in salvation.
ENGLAND & WALES
In Barrow-in-Furness Gordon McCracken's B-I-B-L-E exhibition was set up. Hundreds of school children and their teachers visited during the day, and others in the evening, with good opportunities for discussion. One lady trusted Christ for salvation after her visit.
In November, the assembly at Harehills Gospel Hall, Leeds had an unusual invitation to be included with a range of local organisations at a Muslim sponsored exhibition at a fair in the Hamara Centre. Alongside many different civic and religious groups they set up a stall which was visited by school groups and individuals, with a focus on Creation and the Cross. Some of those attending were dismissive, but others showed an interest and took away helpful and challenging items about the Christian gospel including a DVD and a "Million Pounds" tract.
Over a period of 14 days in December, a team from Spencer Bridge Gospel Hall, Northampton took assemblies in more than 55 schools, highlighting the meaning of the Christmas story. Before this they also used a World War 1 presentation which has been well received by staff and pupils. Pray that here, as throughout the UK, such ways of reaching young people with the gospel message will be truly blessed.
Easter Opportunities
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus was an integral part of the preaching of the apostles, and surely should feature prominently in our preaching of the gospel at every season of the year. However, Easter weekend, still a well-recognised public landmark, gives a specific opportunity to call attention to the true significance of the empty tomb and a living Saviour. Many excellent tracts based on this theme are available, and invitations to "Easter Services" often bring some extra people to hear the gospel. May we be motivated to use opportunities like this when they are given.
