Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
June 25, 1970
NUMBER 8, PAGE 10-12

Gospel Guardian Tell-Al- Gram

William E. Wallace — News Editor

Reporter — Robert A. Bolton Preaching The Word:

California: FLOYD THOMPSON, of Fairview in Garden Grove, at El Cerrito, May 4-10 and at Red Bluff, July 6-12 OSBY WEAVER, of Canoga Park, at Oakridge, Oregon, May 20-27 STANLEY J. LOVETT, of San Antonio, Texas, at Brawley, June 15-21 A Gospel Meeting was conducted at Wilmington, May 24-31, with the following speakers: GLEN W. LOVELADY, FLOYD THOMPSON, JOHN C. COFFMAN, TED BEEVER, TOM BAKER, R. J. STEVENS, CHUCK LIMBURG, and R. G. LOVE-LADY Vacation Bible Schools are scheduled for Brawley, June 15-19 and Fairview in Garden Grove, June 22-26.

Datelines:

Pearl City, Hawaii — April 25, 1970: "In looking back over the last seven and a half years of our work here, we feel a great deal has been accomplished. The congregation has experienced considerable growth and has solved its biggest problem in securing land and erecting an adequate meeting house. The membership has steadily grown from the 16 which made up the church at the beginning until we now have 77 Over the years the congregation has gradually assumed more and more of my support so that now it is providing $500 per month of it During 1969, nine souls were baptized into Christ and six unfaithful members were restored.

"Because our contributions have held up so well, the church is probably able to assume even more of my support now, but we are thinking about purchasing a home for the preacher to live in If we go ahead with this, we will have to cut back to our barest necessities for awhile and the church will not be able to assume any more of my support until we can recover. Yet, I expect that another $50.00 of my support could be assumed by the church here at the end of 1970 if necessary. In the long run, in buying this house, we would be reducing what a preacher here would have to have to live on by as much as $100 per month.

Hopefully, unless the growth we have experienced in the last year or so does not continue, we could be very near to self-supporting by the time I would be leaving here in June of 1971.

"All of these things being considered, together with the fact that we still have not located anyone to take my place here this summer, have influenced me to decide to stay on another year — until the summer of 1971 — but with a definite decision to leave the work here at that time. With this in mind I would like to plan to come back to the mainland sometime early next Spring to hold a few meetings.This would give me an opportunity to come in closer contact with churches which might be needing a preacher, and if by then we still have not located a man to come here and take my place, I will be able to talk to some in an effort to interest someone in coming to Hawaii. Also, the income from the meetings would help with my moving expenses back to the mainland. If there are any congregations planning a Spring meeting in 1971, but who have not scheduled anyone to do the preaching as yet, I would appreciate your consideration of me for that work, and in this way, you could be a great deal of help to me as well. If so, I would like to hear from you soon." — BEN M. SHORPSHIRE, Post Office Box 322, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782.

Bellflower, California — May 1, 1970: "I am happy to report the progress of the work at Rose Avenue in Bellflower. This congregation works with three capable men as elders and eight deacons. I have been with the work here for five years (this summer). For some six years this church has supported L. L. STOUT to work with small churches in building them up spiritually and numerically. At present he is working in Oxnard. About three years ago we began supporting GEORGE GARRISON on a similar basis. He is working in the Stockton-Lodi area.

"On June 1st we will add our fourth man to our work. DENNIS KILGO will move to Bellflower to work with us in our home class and personal work program. This will give us two preachers here and we anticipate excellent results from this work.

"This year I have preached in meetings in Lake Hills, where JIM PUTERBAUGH preaches, and the Silver Lake church in Everett, where GEORGE SOUTHARD preaches, both in the Seattle, Washington area. Both meetings were well-attended. On Saturday, April 18, I gave four lectures at the Kirkland church where LOWELL WILLIAMS preaches. I was much encouraged by the good work being done in the Seattle area by a number of fine brethren. I predict much growth in this area in the next few years. Their solid teaching programs will do much good.

"In August I will be at North Las Vegas, Nevada with JACK FREEMAN and in Redwood City, California with KEN STAMPER. With brother KILGO'S working with us, I hope to be able to work in more meetings in the future." — FORREST D. MOYER, 17903 Ibbetson, Bellflower, California 90706.

Bakersfield, California — May 7, 1970: "1 began work with the church on Pioneer Drive the first Sunday in May. As you may know the church here is not quite self-supporting, and until some growth can be achieved, I am in need of at least $25 a week to sustain me. Any church interested in supplying some support can write me for any further particulars in this matter." — JAMES M. LYNCH, 616 Water Street, Bakersfield, California 93305.

Dixon, California — May 18, 1970: "I was recently discharged from the Air Force, after eight years and nine months, in order that I might preach the Word of the Lord. I began work with the congregation meeting at 198 North First Street, Dixon, California, the first of May. The congregation formerly met in a building at the Dixon Fairgrounds. We invite those traveling in northern California to worship with us. I would appreciate being placed on the mailing list of congregations who mail bulletins." — HILTON C. LANGFORD, 650 South Almond, Dixon, California 95620.

Fontana, California — June 1, 1970: "Effective Sunday, May 31, 1970, the following five men were appointed to serve as deacons, under the oversight of the elders: THOMAS ASHTON, LES CROSS, GEORGE MARTIN, GLEN RICE, and LOWELL ROBERTS I was in a meeting with the church in Mira Loma, May 17-23, where JOHN TROKEY preaches. Five were baptized and three restored." — CALVIN C. ESSARY, 9132 Sierra Avenue, Fontana, California 92335.

Robert Spencer;

"It has been a pleasure for me to receive the paper and I want it to continue coming every week!" — Reynosa, Tamps., Mexico.

Spring Branch In Houston:

"Herbert Thornton has been with the Spring Branch church of Christ in Houston seven (7) months as of June 6. There have been 7 baptisms, 8 restorations and 16 to place membership. Robert Welch held us a good meeting April 5 — 10 in which there were two restorations. Attendance and interest were good throughout the meeting. The Spring Branch congregation is presently helping in the support of Reuben Amador who is working among the Spanish brethren in Houston and they will begin helping in the support of Donald Collins when he moves to Joplin, Mo., around June 20. Thus for this year the contributions have increased almost $100.00 a week over last year and the attendance has increased considerably. For this increase we give God the thanks and glory. When in the Houston area; why not worship with us at 1706 Bingle Road in Spring Branch. Schedule of services is 9:00 A.M. Bible Study and 9:50 A.M. the regular worship hour on Sunday morning and 6:00 P.M. on Sunday evening."

H. L. Bruce To Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado is the 8th largest state and the 38th to join the union, with an area of 66,718,080 acres or 104,247 square miles. The population was 1,325,089 in 1950; 1,718,947 in 1960; an increase of 32% which made Colorado the 8th fastest growing state during the ten year period. Estimated population on January 1, 1970 was over 2.1 million.

There are only four "conservative" congregations in this great state. If calculations are accurate, there are less than 250 conservative brethren in Colorado.

The U. S. Census reports the Colorado Springs Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) increased in population from 74,523 in 1950 to 143,742 in 1960, an increase of 92%. This increase was the seventh greatest of SMSA's in the United States with a population of more than 100,000.

1960-1970: The Colorado Springs SMSA increased in population to an estimated 255,000 as of January 1, 1970, an increase of 77%.

If my information is accurate, there are less than 25 loyal "conservative" brethren in this area. There is a tremendous challenge in Colorado Springs and El Paso County, Colorado. That is the reason that in deciding to move I decided on Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The congregation with which I will be working is both new and small. In April, 1969, a small group of brethren began to meet in the Holiday Inn. Brother Ron Houchen, Hoyt's son has been doing their preaching since their beginning. Ron is a fine preacher and does a splendid job, but he is secularly employed and plans to move to California later this year. Here is where I fit in: Ron contacted me some time back and interested me in the work there. I boarded a plane in Dallas, on Wednesday, April the first and flew to Colorado Springs for some first hand information. I stopped over and spent some time in Denver and talked with brother Hoyt Houchen who gave me much helpful information.

My support was to be raised. It came within a short time. Several fine congregations are having fellowship with me in the work in Colorado Springs. Living expense there is high. That is a resort area in which the cost of living is much higher than in east Texas. — H. L. BRUCE

Leon Odom, To Midland, Texas

"After seven years of pleasant and fruitful work with the West Avenue congregation in San Antonio, Texas, I am moving to Midland, Texas to work with the Cuthbert Street church of that city. While in Midland, the West Avenue church will be providing half my support, as I labor with that small church. The church in San Antonio is one of the finest anywhere in the country. They have nearly 300 members, with an $800.00 per week budget, which they are meeting with ease. Three fine men are serving this church as overseers, and ten men serve as deacons. There has been an avenge of one response per Sunday at this church, for the last seven years. God has indeed blessed their efforts. Brother James Rodgers of McAllen, Texas has been invited to move here, and will begin his work about July the 1st. He will have working with him, one of the best of our younger preachers to be found anywhere, brother Darwin Chandler. I will miss both these good brethren and the association with Darwin. To all who may be concerned, please note my new mailing address, and make your change." — Leon Odom, 3223 Dengar, Midland, Texas 79701.

Mrs. Juanita D. Glowski

"My husband had been a subscriber to the Guardian for many years, he looked forward to each paper and enjoyed the views expressed therein. In fact it has been a must in our home. I have also appreciated it very much and it has been a tremendous help to me in understanding some of the issues more fully.

"Mr. Glowski departed this life suddenly on November 6, 1969, at the age of 52 years, with a heart attack. He was converted from Catholicism in Sept. 1952 and remained a working faithful Christian, and loved nothing better than to study and discuss the word of God." — Mountain View, California

Muskogee, Oklahoma

"The church here in Muskogee is planning a Gospel Meeting the last week this month. June 24 thru 28, 7:30 each evening. Bro. Duddley Ross Spears of the 10th and Francis Church in Oklahoma City will be doing the preaohing." — Donald M. Jones

Lufkin, Texas

Loop 287 church of Christ will have a Gospel Meeting the week of July 6th through 12th; 7:30 each evening. Speaker will be Elmer Moore, Jr. Local preacher is Jim McDonald.