News
T. G. Savage, Lewisville, Texas, June 21: "Harry Pickup, Jr., closed a good meeting here last night. He is able, courageous, fearless and proclaims the unsearchable riches of God's word forcibly, yet in a spirit of love; his lessons are based on TRUTH, not OPINION; he is sincere in his convictions; he is a deep student and should be kept busy in meeting work. The church was encouraged and strengthened and three were added to our number; two by baptism. Brother W. W. Otey very ably expressed my feelings regarding the 'Special Issue' of the Guardian. I had thought of writing a note of commendation, however, he has expressed it so much better than I that I will just say 'Amen.' A statement coming from an old soldier of the cross such as he gives it much more emphasis anyway. Brother Pickup can be numbered among that group of young preachers, sound in the faith, of which he spoke words of commendation. May God's richest blessings rest upon all of them and us as we strive to teach and practice what we preach in God's own appointed way and may the number increase.
"Brother Ralph R. Givens, who served our congregation for some nineteen months, has recently moved with his family to Oceanside, California, to work with the small band of Christians there and since they are few in number and are not self-supporting, we have agreed to have a small part toward the support of the work. We are assisting in the work at Owen Sound, Canada; New Bern, North Carolina, and now in Oceanside. In each case, we are sending directly to the church. We are looking forward to a profitable and pleasant labor together with Brother R. Ervin Driskill of Birmingham, Alabama, who is moving to Lewisville with his family on June 25th. When passing our way, worship with us."
Along The Northern Front
Guy Southern, Jr., St. Paul, Minnesota Operations for the Lord's mighty cause were spearheaded in the great metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota twelve years ago. The supply line for this operation was the Polytechnic church in Fort Worth, Texas. The strength of the force in the field was only 15 souls in the Twin Cities area of one million people, one-third of the state's population. The veteran preacher sent was Harvey A. Childress with a co-worker, Guy Southern, Jr. Childress has been here all of this time, while Southern has moved out into the state for new movements, then back to the Twin Cities again.
From the beginning, the forces have spread to ten other points in the state. There are two churches in Minneapolis-St. Paul and nine others in the state. There are six buildings owned by the churches and six full time gospel preachers: Childress, Southern, Arthur Francis, Don Kern, Harry Johnson and Dale Lemon. Cities where Christians meet but do not have a full time preacher are Duluth, Park Rapids, Hibbing, Pine City (owns a building), Winona and Elmore, Minnesota. Preachers who have labored in the state and moved away are Wayne Mickey, Leslie Diestelkamp and Loren Dabbs. It is impossible to give a report on each work, so this is left to each church as it should be. However, congregations wishing to support work in this area may contact Harvey Childress, 1310 E. Minnehaha Pkwy., Minneapolis 17, Minn., or Guy Southern, Jr. 10 S. Grotto St., St. Paul 5, Minn. They will put churches in direct contact with Minnesota brethren needing help.
The Preston Road church, Dallas, Texas, is helping the St. Paul church where Southern is now preaching. A new class room annex has been completed for this church at a cost of about $15,000. The local church has assumed $10,000 of this cost. The balance is being contributed by other churches and individuals. The completion of this new project brings the total property assets to approximately $50,000. The local group is carrying a new mortgage of $20,000 on the property. Interested churches and individuals have helped generously in the St. Paul work.
Southern reports there are 54 members in the St. Paul church and about 50 percent of this number are converts of this area. Three meetings are planned each year for the advancement of the cause. Last year, Melvin J. Wise, Preston Road church, Dallas, Don Kern, Rochester, Minn., and Monroe Hawley, Milwaukee, Wis., conducted meetings for the church. Gordon J. Pennock, Rockford, Ill., conducted a fine meeting for the church in May of this year.
The Minneapolis church has about 95 members, is self-supporting and is planning a second congregation in the near future. Brother Dale Lemon of Chickasha, Okla., moved to Minneapolis June 15 as evangelist for the church. We welcome new men into this field.
Opportunities are unlimited in the Lord's work along the Northern front. We urge more gospel preachers to check into possibilities of moving to this vast area. You can be just as happy, if not happier, here as in the South or elsewhere preaching for larger and more settled churches. You can find a church that will support you adequately if you will first have a fervent desire to do this type of work for the Lord. The Lord has not forsaken one gospel preacher that has moved up here. Preachers, come up and see the work in the North Central States. We believe you will like what you see and the opportunities here. May the Lord bless you in every decision in keeping with His divine will.
Howard E. Wilson, Manhattan, Kansas, July 3: "L. S. Maynard of Flint, Michigan held a Gospel Meeting here June 11-21. Two were baptized. The church here has just purchased the dwelling next to its meeting house to furnish added classroom space and a house for the evangelist."
William O. Hall, Box 701, Olney, Texas, July 3: "I was with the Floral Heights church in Wichita Falls in May. In June Virgil Trout was with us in our meeting. Five were baptized."