News
December 18. 1953 The Armed Forces church of Seoul continues to be active in the Lord's work. Our primary mission is to provide an opportunity for English-speaking Christians, both military and civilian, to worship God in the assembly on the Lord's Day. Our plans are laid for permanency. We expect Americans to be in the Seoul area for many years, either as members of the Armed Forces, or as business representatives. Our meeting place is the Seoul City Command Chapel, located just north of the South Korean Capital Building. We meet at 5:30 p.m. each Lord's Day. We will appreciate having the names and addresses of those you may know who should be attending these assemblies.
Another purpose in our existence as a group is to preach the gospel to the Koreans. This work is carried out in two principal ways. First of all, three of our members teach Bible classes to English-speaking Korean teenagers three nights weekly. These groups average about 25, and they meet in the SCC Chapel. Army Lieutenant George Ware of Newport, Arkansas, Army Warrant Officer John McCormick of North Platte, Nebraska, and Airman Bill Ramsey of Massachusetts, are the teachers. This work is seven or eight months old. Few of the young people are members of the Lord's church. A second way we are trying to teach the Word is through the support of Korean preachers. At the present time we are partially supporting five preachers in the Seoul area. The total amount provided is $75.00 monthly. We have received $95.00 from former members who have rotated home, to aid us in this work. We have also spent more than $100.00 for building materials to winterize a tent that is used for a meeting house and as quarters for one preacher with a family, and one preacher without a family (his family is in North Korea).
A third phase of our work is the distribution of clothing to the needy that is sent to us from the United States. By the end of December we will have distributed more than 100 boxes over a four month period. I wish that each family receiving clothing could write a letter to the giver. Even if they could write in English, they could not express in words the joy and thanksgiving that is in their hearts. This clothing, while it is far from enough, will mean the difference in living and dying to many of the Seoul Christians. I have been in China, Japan, and many destitute places in the United States but never have I beheld such suffering from lack of food, clothing, and medical care, as I have seen here in the Seoul area. All packages are distributed through the Korean churches, and in the name of Christ. Precautions are taken to insure that those receiving clothing are actually in need and that none of it is resold on the black market.
All our work is carried on independently from, but in cooperation with, the work done with funds and clothing sent through the 16th Street church in Washington, D. C. to Brother Choong Mo Dong. A recent letter from Brother S. K. Dong, who works under the direction of the Washington church, states that he and Brother Dale Richeson will leave San Francisco in January. We are very glad to know of this. Brother Richeson's work will be difficult. We ask your prayers on his behalf.
As a matter of convenience, we ask that funds and clothing be sent to our treasurer, Lt. George Ware, 38th Med Det, 52nd Med Bn, APO 971, c/o PM, San Francisco, California. However, any Christian you may know here will be very glad to receive and receipt for any funds or clothing you may desire to send to him direct.
/s/ ELVIS E. BOZARTH T/Sgt. USMC Hq Bn 1st Marine Division FMF, c/o FPO
San Francisco, California Ernest A. Finley, 250 N. Millwood Ave., Wichita 12, Kansas, Dec. 29: "We have reaped a wonderful harvest since the meeting with Brother A. Hugh Clark which closed three weeks ago. Ten have been added to the congregation. Two of this number were by placing of membership, the others were restorations and baptisms. Brother Clark gave us some wonderful lessons and the church was greatly strengthened. We were happy to have Brother Clark in our home throughout the meeting. I have begun my fourth year with the West Douglas congregation."
M. C. Cuthbertson, P. O. Box 6343, Tucson, Arizona, Dec. 28: "Our meeting the first week of December, with Brother Floyd Thompson, of Santa Ana, California, was well attended. The preaching was the very best and two people were baptized. The Country Club Road Church was well pleased with Brother Thompson's work. Two people, a man and his wife, were baptized yesterday, and a young lady was baptized last Wednesday evening. Our audiences yesterday were very fine, and interest in every way good."
Church Of Christ
520 E. Morton St. Porterville, California December 14, 1953
Dear Brethren:
The following is written to give information concerning a recent "mission meeting" held by Frank Mullins, Sr., of Dallas, Texas in the city of Porterville, California. It is hoped that this will clarify the issue and help correct some conceptions.
This meeting was not endorsed by the elders of the church meeting at 520 E. Morton Street, Porterville, California. Frank Mullins, Sr., came to Porterville at the instigation of a woman who was (and still is) in rebellion to the elders. There was no fellowship nor cooperation given Frank Mullins by this congregation. This woman had been approached by the elders of the church but she steadfastly refused to change her course of action.
The proper disciplinary action as set forth in God's Word has been taken and the woman is now withdrawn from the fellowship of the church.
Sincerely, Elders of the Church
/s/ James Collier
/s/ Chester Green
/s/ Owen P. Humphrey
/s/ Fred McGuire