To download the prayer letter in a printable PDF format with picture and graphics, please click HERE

“…thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.“

~ Matthew 1:21 ~

This year, probably more than any other, has made us thankful for the stability and hope that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.  As we reflect on this Christmas season and the unspeakable gift of our Saviour, we also want to thank each one of you who have faithfully upheld us in prayer and financial support.  This year has been wrought with uncertainty in many areas, and from our family, we want to simply say “Thank You” for your sacrifice in giving and supporting us and the ministry here in Newfoundland.

As we entered the Christmas season this year, we were encouraged with the fact that, although there would have to be some limitations due to COVID-19, we would still be able to present a Christmas program at our churches.  Although we were not able to have choir numbers for the music, we were able to do the dramatic reading and present the songs through a multimedia presentation.

On Sunday, December 13, we presented the program at New Hope Baptist in Stephenville and the following Saturday and Sunday, December 19-20, at Grace Baptist in Corner Brook.  Because of a COVID scare in Stephenville the day before the program, we only had three people attend the service, but we were encouraged with the fact that the Gospel was presented clearly to those who did attend.  In Corner Brook, we had two visitors in addition to all of our church regulars.

While it was a huge blessing to have church people at Grace Baptist do the speaking parts in the program (as opposed to us missionaries doing it), the biggest blessing came after the program at New Hope in Stephenville. 

The Tuesday after we had presented the Christmas program at New Hope (December 15), we watched the cantata from our sending church for family devotions that night.  In both our Christmas program here, and in the one from our sending church (two different programs), the story revolved around someone who had grown up in church, who knew the facts about salvation, but had never personally trusted Christ as his Saviour.  That night, after the kids had gone to bed, Elliot called out and said that he couldn’t sleep because it felt like someone was “squeezing his heart.”  Praying for wisdom, I asked him about his salvation, and after talking for a bit, he admitted that the Holy Spirit was convicting him because he wasn’t saved.  That night, through many tears and much brokenness, Elliot trusted Christ as his personal Saviour!  What a thrill it was to see God work in his heart and answer prayer!  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!

Ministry Updates

Our building search for New Hope in Stephenville has hit some snags recently.  The building that we were looking at on Main Street turned out to have some major structural problems which would prevent us from using it as a meeting place.  While it seems like a bit of a set-back, we are praising the Lord that this was uncovered now, instead of later.  Thankfully, the curling club where we are meeting has been very gracious to us, and we can continue to meet there while we continue the search.  We are praying about two other possible options — both with pros and cons.  Please pray with us as we continue to seek God’s will for a meeting place for New Hope Baptist Church.

Grace Baptist Church in Corner Brook has continued to grow, in spite of the pandemic and restrictions.  As we mentioned in the last letter, the families who started attending in the summer have remained faithful and it has been encouraging to see us grow as a body of believers.  We consistently have 20-25 people in the service each Sunday!  Because of the diverse backgrounds of many of the believers who are attending, the Lord has led me and Bro. O’Brien to begin a series of messages teaching and preaching on what constitutes a local, New Testament church with the goal of officially chartering and organizing as a church sometime after the new year.  Everyone is excited about how God has been and is continuing to work through our church.  Please pray with us for wisdom and God’s guidance as we continue to teach and lead towards establishing this local church in Corner Brook. 

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support. We are truly blessed to be His servants and your representatives to the people of Newfoundland.

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To download the prayer letter in a printable PDF format with picture and graphics, please click HERE