Cheltenham
The assembly at Cheltenham had their Annual missionary Conference on 16th January which was a tremendous challenge and encouragement with many aspects of the Lord's work reported on.
Brian Howden (Angola), who visits as often as possible to take support in a practical and a spiritual sense to the assemblies there, reported on the efforts to build up the saints and give help in many ways.
Martin Baker (Eastern Europe) spoke of his frequent and recent visits to Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Serbia and other Eastern European Countries ministering the word and preaching the gospel, with salvation and baptisms following.
Harry Reid (Brazil) spoke of his visits to The South of Ireland working among Brazilians in one or two towns as well as his visits to Santarem in Brazil and in and along the Amazon with fellow believers there.
The Conference closed with a stirring report from Wesley Downs (Manchester) and his work among the disadvantaged, trying to reach them for Christ and engaging with them in practical ways seeking to show another side of life to those who are addicted to various substances incuding alcohol.
The Conference was so full of matters that sought our support in prayer and in practical ways as well and will be a springboard for the assembly as it engages with the work of spreading the Gospel around the Hesters Way Estate and further afield in Cheltenham.
The Lord was honoured and magnified by the way His servants reported on their labours for Him.
Reports
The assembly in Tayport had the Bible Exhibition in their recently extended and refurbished hall at the beginning of September and it proved to be a very profitable week.
The small assembly in Stornoway on the island of Lewis must be one of the most isolated in the UK, and does not get many visitors.
4 weeks of Tent meetings on a School playing field in Bicester with Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen in August saw over 70 unsaved in attendance and one young girl professing to be saved.The children's meetings in the mornings of the first week, conducted by local brethren, saw new contacts being made.
Alan Barber writes about the Tall Ships opportunity in Hartllepool
The small assembly in Stromness again used the occasion of the annual July “shopping week” to reach out with the gospel.
Outreach and Encouragement
Here are a number of reports for Co. Antrim and also notice of some forthcoming meetings D.V.
Belmont Hall, Harrow, held its 21st Annual Holiday Bible Club for 3 hours every afternoon from 26th-30th July. The theme for the week was the “I am” sayings of Christ. About 45 attended each day. The assembly was very encouraged that over half of the children were new contacts, with some very keen to join the Sunday School and mid-week children’s meeting when they resume in September.
The assembly at Chappell Street invited Stephen Grant to conduct a series of gospel meetings in June. There was good support from other assemblies in Renfrewshire.The assembly was encouraged by the attendance of some from the town who must have been challenged by the powerful messages delivered each night. The gospel was also brought before the town in the many invitations distributed before and during the meetings. We pray that we shall yet see fruit from the seed sown.
Tent meetings began in late July. Good response in the morning children's meetings and help to preach in the evenings for Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen (Canada).
Nitish and Elen Patel write in their newsletter;
Gospel meetings with Roland Pickering.
Alan Barber reports from Hartlepool.
Various Reports from NI at end June
Various meetings to be held D.V. for your prayerful interest and support.
J Rogers was with this small assembly for the four weeks of June. 10,000 invitations were distributed. Good numbers attended, some local, others from neighbouring assemblies. M Radcliffe helped for the first 2 weeks and W Fenton for the last 2 weeks. There was help to preach and the Christians were encouraged. Prayer appreciated for this needy area.