SCOTLAND

MID-SCOTLAND

In September, Gordon McCracken completed his second 6 day visit for this year to eleven Primary Schools in the area around Overtown Gospel Hall in Lanarkshire, as he has done for a number of years now. He is received well by the pupils and teachers alike. He addressed eleven school assemblies and nine groups of P6 and P7 classes. In November, Stephen Grant made his identical repeat visit to the same schools. During these visits they each spoke to approximately 2,000 children and to 95 adults and we do trust the Seed sown will bear fruit. Please pray that those doors will remain open to the good Word of God.

For two weeks in October, Martin Hunter and Joe Baxter were again with the small assembly at Bannockburn and had a much better response this year from the local people. A few men and women attended the meetings, most of them following conversations at their doors or in a local coffee shop. One lady was brought by her son who had been saved and baptised three years ago in Glasgow. Another man had been influenced by a previous contact with a believer in a colliery in Lanarkshire.

Alistair Young has been coming into the Cowdenbeath area in west Fife for over 25 years, visiting the schools for two weeks each year. He did it again in November, and although there had been a big turnover of Headteachers in the schools, he was still very cordially received by the new staff. Some schools were not able to accept a visit, but on the other hand one school accepted him for the first time in all these years. Good conversations were also held in the staff rooms and hundreds of children heard the Word. During the second week a few children came to meetings in Union Hall. They were well behaved, memorising verses and remembering the messages given. The local believers appreciated the fellowship of the Lord's servant during his visit.

On the streets of Dundee, Mike Cordiner and his team from "Eagles' Wings" continue to meet a need among the homeless and those released from prison or trying to escape addictions. Their "Drop-in" centre is used by around 30 people in the middle of the day, a safe haven for them with food provided, and serious opportunity to get help for their problems, physical and spiritual, including a regular Bible study time. In addition the team sets up a purpose made Soup Kitchen truck which takes up a regular stance in the evenings in a good location in the city centre, providing hot meals and some clothing and bedding for those who sleep rough on these cold nights, with gospel literature also available. Without these services, life would be unbearable for many whose lives have fallen apart.

N. IRELAND & EIRE

Co. ANTRIM

Ahoghill: The assembly held its Annual Conference on 7th November. The large company of believers present were stirred by the much appreciated ministry on the Church of God, the Word of God and the Christ of God given by D McAllister, D Williamson and J Hay. J Hay continued in ministry and gospel on Lord's Day and from Monday to Thursday evenings considering important chapters from 1 Corinthians. All present were encouraged and challenged by the word spoken.

Ballinaloob: Gospel Meetings were held during November with W Fenton and I McClean. Nightly gospel presentation by both speakers was sincere, solemn and simple. There was good steady attendance throughout with quite a number of visitors present. One little girl confessed Christ as her Saviour. The clarity of the preaching and the earnestness of both speakers was refreshing and an encouragement to the saints. Prayer is requested for further blessing.

Ballymena (Cambridge Avenue): M Penfold had Ministry Meetings at the beginning of November dealing with basic principles of the Bible. Large numbers attended each night and the saints were encouraged and challenged.

Ballywatermoy: P McClarty was with the assembly for two nights in mid November with interesting and most challenging ministry from the Sermon on the Mount. M Turkington also ministered for two nights from the Song of Solomon with refreshing and devotional thoughts to warm the hearts of all. Both speakers were much appreciated by the assembly.

Kingsmoss: The assembly enjoyed an afternoon of Bible teaching on 10th October when Ian Jackson gave ministry on "Dispensational Truth". The assembly was encouraged by the large number of visitors. The afternoon also marked the opening of an extension to the Gospel Hall.

Co. ARMAGH

Bleary: The assembly had 3 nights of ministry with A Colgan.

Clonroot: A Colgan had 5 nights of ministry with support from other assemblies.

Portadown: Gospel Meetings are planned for the end of January with J Fleck and D Strahan in a portable hall on the Brownstown Road.

Co. MONAGHAN

Erryroe: Gospel Meetings continued in a portable hall into the 7th week. A number of people from the area attended. Speakers: J Fleck and D Strahan.

Co. TYRONE

Aughavey Gospel Hall: Ministry Meetings were held from 2nd-5th November conducted by J Hay.

Cookstown Gospel Hall: M Radcliffe had a week of very much appreciated and well attended Ministry Meetings on the subject of "Elijah". The brethren were encouraged.

Killycurragh Gospel Hall: For 3 weeks in November B Glendinning held Gospel Meetings in an Orange Hall in the Orritor area. Good numbers attended including a number of locals, some of whom heard the gospel for the first time.

Lungs Gospel Hall: During November, Gospel Meetings meeting were held in a room in Corrick House Hotel with S Gilfillan. Numbers attending were very encouraging, including a good number of locals, two of whom professed salvation.

Omagh Gospel Hall: Gospel Meetings on the Bankmore Road in a large portable hall are continuing at the end of November with L Craig and D McAllister. While good numbers have attended with excellent support from local assemblies, it is disappointing that there have been very few locals, despite extensive visitation in the area.

Co. DOWN

Ballyhay: A Davidson was with the assembly from 23rd-27th November in very helpful and well attended Ministry on the subject of "The Ark of the Covenant".

Ballymagarrick: The assembly put very much effort into trying to bring family and friends to the Gospel Meetings conducted by J Rogers and A Steele. Over 3,500 invitations were given out and quite a few showed interest. Those who have professed salvation have brought much joy to the believers.

Banbridge: The Gospel Meetings conducted in a portable hall in Drumnahaire by W Martin and D Gilliland concluded with very good numbers attending the meetings, and the Lord being pleased to give blessing in salvation. For the last few weeks W Martin conducted the meetings on his own due to the illness of D Gilliland.

Cardy: S Baker conducted five nights of ministry with the assembly on the subject of current topical matters that affect believers. The meetings were challenging and most helpful.

ENGLAND & WALES

Alan Barber had a week's children's meetings in Bicester in November, with consistent attendance and good attention.

At Wallingford Daniel Rudge had a week of ministry in November on "The Fruit of the Spirit" with a good interest.

Michael Penfold had a week of ministry in November at Osborne Road, Northampton. He spoke on "Future Events" with the help of a chart. There was encouraging interest especially from the young people.

At Bexleyheath Jonathan Black had a week of children's meetings in November with good numbers of children and parents attending.

The assembly at Rugby held a children's Holiday Bible Club during the October school half term break. An average of 18 children attended each day, with a good attendance of parents on the last day for the prize-giving. The believers are encouraged by the fact that the majority of these children continue to attend the regular Good News Club held each Friday, and they would greatly appreciate prayer as they look into other ways of reaching out to children in the locality ahead of next year's event, in the will of the Lord. A recent Harvest Thanksgiving service with tea provided saw double the normal Gospel Meeting attendance present. Many who came were thought to be unsaved and listened well as the gospel message was clearly presented. Items of food were also donated to the local food-bank for needy people in the town.  The assembly is thankful for these opportunities to reach others, and looks to the Lord for blessing.