Who Will Help The Cause In Jacksonville, N. C.?
From August 2 to the 16 it was my pleasure to he associated with the church in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in a gospel meeting. This was an unusual meeting in several respects. It was conducted under a tent in a rural community about seven miles from town. The people of this community were denominational people who had not heard the true gospel. Some of them had heard Brother Hyde on the radio, but they had never met him or heard a series of sermons on vital points of difference between denominationalism and the church of our Lord.
The interest and attendance during this meeting surpassed all expectations. Crowds each night averaged at least 100, with as many as 150 present some nights. Of this number, only about 40 were members of the church, the rest being families of the community who had been reared in error, but who were willing to hear the truth. Seven were baptized, five former Baptists, and two former Presbyterians.
This is but a brief picture of what might be found in scores of communities within a twenty-five mile radius of Jacksonville. Brother Joe S. Hyde, the local preacher, has more work than time will allow him to do. In addition to personal work, in which he is experienced and capable, Brother Hyde conducts a weekly radio program over the local station each Sunday morning. This program is receiving many favorable comments from people who never darken the doors of the church building. The cost of this broadcast is a little more than eight dollars per week. For approximately one hundred dollars per month this program could be heard five days each week.
Not only is the opportunity great among the rural communities of that area, but there is a vast field of work among the Marines and their families who are stationed at Camp LeJuene, five miles from Jacksonville. The Newsweek of July 27th carried an article in the religious section of the work of these servicemen to erect a building for the New Testament church there. Literally thousands of souls are there who have never heard the gospel, but who, like all others around the world, need the Lord.
At present the greatest need for this work is finances. Brother Hyde is working in a service station to keep the radio broadcast on the air. Most of his support, which is not nearly enough, comes from outside help. The church there is new and small, and local contributions are far from sufficient to keep the work going. If Brother Hyde were free to devote his full time to the work without the worry of financial burdens, much more could be accomplished. Personal work in the community in which this meeting was conducted is now needed badly, to water the seed that was sown, and to strengthen these new converts.
In my association with Brother Hyde, I found him to be sound in the faith and full of zeal. I do not know a preacher more devoted to the Lord. Will not some one help in this work by sending financial aid, whether great or small? I shall be happy to answer any question regarding the work. Write me at the address given above. Brother Hyde's address is Joe S. Hyde, P. O. Box 576, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Please give this work your attention and prayers, and send whatever you can, either to Brother Hyde or to the church there.