Visiting Ministry at Shannon Hills Bible Chapel, NC

Shannon Hills Bible Chapel, Greensboro, Guilford, NC (OB) 1940-current

Visiting Itinerants

• Henry Armerding 1949
• Mr. & Mrs. Barr 1947
• Mr. Bousfield 1947
• William M. Brown 1947?
  • Asheville, NC
• Lawrence Chambers 1948
• Welcome Detweiler 1947
• Ray Felten 1947
  • Sheboygan, WI
• Edwin Fesche 1949
• R.T. Halliday 1947
• David Kirk 1947
• Walter Munro 1948
• F.W. Nugent 1947, 1949
• Henry Petersen 1947
• George Rainey 1949
• Les Rainey 1947
• Liddon Sheridan 1948
• John Smart 1947
• James F. Spink 1948
• Tom Westwood 1948

News

1940's

1947

• LOI 1947-3: G'boro, NC:
  • "The seventh annual Easter conference will be held April 5-7 in the Forest Avenue Tabernacle. the speakers expected are F.W. Nugent, R.T. Halliday, J. Smart, L. Rainey and D. Kirk. Those coming from a distance, please write Richard Andrews, 622 Forest Ave., Greensboro, NC."
  • Lester Wilson: "Bro. Wilson had a profitable series of gospel meetings in Burlington, N.C., in November and the early part of December. About twenty professed to be saved, which was a great encouragement to the saints. The Sunday School attendance during the meetings reached a new high of 227. On the last Sunday afternoon of the meetings, fifteen were baptized. Bro. W.G. Field, who now resides in Burlington, will follow up the effort in caring for the young lambs and giving them suitable ministry. The entire work in the Piedmont section is growing and there are more open doors than the brethren who labor there are able to enter."
  • "Lester Wilson was in Forest (ON) for a night and gave a very interesting account of the work in North Carolina."

• LOI 1947-4: Harold G. Mackay: "There is much to encourage in the Piedmont at present, in each place there are indications of the Lord's blessing. Here in Greensboro a splendid interest is being maintained in all the meetings. The Sunday School is running from 80-100 over this time last year; and new faces are seen in both the Bible class and the Sunday night gospel service. Another man has professed to be saved through hospital visitation recently. I have been giving a little help in several of the assemblies here this month. Bro. Henry Petersen has been with us this week, ministering in each of the Piedmont assemblies, and his ministry has been very helpful and refreshing. At a recent Young People's Rally in the Tabernacle 250-300 were present and it was a time when we believe many hearts were spoken to. A round-table discussion of problems affecting Christian young people was a popular and helpful feature. Welcome Detweiler gave a hearty searching message."

• LOI 1947-5: Lester Wilson of Greensboro: Durham, NC: "We concluded one of our most successful campaigns on Feb. 16th in Durham, N.C. Thirty-six professed to be saved. One of the unusual features of this series was that the majority were men. Seven young couples were among them. The interest was high to begin with owing to the faithfulness of Bro. Welcome Detweiler, who took charge of the singing during the campaign. Ray Felten of Sheboygan, Wisconsin was a real blessing during the meetings and over the radio. We contemplate starting a campaign on the 2nd of March in Sanford, N.C., which is a new place. The armory engaged for this series will seat 1,000 people. Opposition to our opening this new field was great. This indicates a blessing, no doubt. Pray for us."

• LOI 1947-6: Lester Wilson, G'boro, NC: "A new field has opened up in the Piedmont of North Carolina, in a place called Sanford, about 48 miles southwest of Durham. On March 2nd brother Lester Wilson started meetings in the big armory in this place. The Lord's leading was definite and the enemies' opposition was bitter. After battling difficulty after difficulty, God came in and gave a time of blessing. There was professional prejudice and opposition to his getting a building to begin with, then the weather turned bad and the building was poorly heated, causing many to catch cold, and attend but once. A flu epidemic broke out, adding to the difficult situation and it struck brother Wilson as well, and he was confined to bed four days. The acoustics of the building were terrible, making it difficult to hear anything plainly. After different experiments and adjustments this was overcome. After two weeks of difficulty, the tide was turned and attendance reached over 350. Thirteen professed faith in Christ, and five Christians were contacted and helped. Another series is planned to start the latter part of April, to follow up the interest created by this first campaign. Our brother expects God to do big things for them in this city of ten thousand, with a fine radio station. There is a thickly populated rural section, with twenty-five thousand in a ten mile radius."

• LOI 1947-8: Lester Wilson: "On June 15th, brother Wilson his second series of gospel meetings in Sanford, N.C., which lasted five weeks. The first series was held in the armory and the second in a Tabernacle built out of lumber from two army barracks, bought for the occasion. The Tabernacle has a capacity of 500, but there were seats for only 400. The last night saw the place packed, and some twenty-five professed during the series. Most of those who professed during the first series are going on and were helped during these meetings. Bro. Wilson plans, in the will of God, to return for a third series in a few months, and in the meantime plans a Bible reading one night weekly to hold the interest and the contacts."

• LOI 1947-9: Harold G. Mackay: "The Blue Ridge Bible Conference was the largest and best held there, and real blessing was received from the ministry of the Word. Souls were saved and the saints were refreshed. Special services and activities were conducted for children, young people and adults, and many spoke of help received. Back in Greensboro, N.C., again I find things encouraging. Attendance at S.S. during the peak of the vacation period has not dropped below 260; and the Bible Class has remained above 100 each week. Other meetings, including the Gospel service, are well attended weekly. Bro. Bousfield and others are giving help in the meetings and Mr. and Mrs. Barr are holding a DVBS at our branch work in Hallburg.

• LOI 1947-12: Harold G. Mackay: "The work in the Piedmont goes along very nicely, with much to encourage our hearts and cause praise to ascend to our God. Also much to pray about, as there are always problems connected with His service, and many yet to be reached with the Gospel. In Greensboro things go well, and I hear of another one led to the Lord by brother Bousfield, since I came North. At present I am in Canada, teaching at the Toronto Emmaus Bible School, and conducting a series of Gospel meetings in the Swanwick Ave. Hall at night. The work at the school is very splendid; it is a thrilling sight to see almost 170 Christian young people intensely interested in the study of their Bible and eager to learn more of the Lord and His Word and ways. Real wisdom is being manifested by the leaders of this school in assisting these young people and I feel certain the ultimate end will be much blessing to the assembly testimony. The meetings at Swanwick are just in their first week, and there is a fairly good interest. The Lord's people are hearty and happy and seem concerned about the lost. Some unsaved are attending and we look for souls to be saved soon."

1948

• LOI 1948-1: Wm. M. Brown, 35 Longview Rd., Asheville, N.C.: "After much exercise we are now located in the little State of Delaware. There is a great need here as everywhere and brother Ed. Richmond and I expect to work the State together. We are living temporarily in a small three-room furnished apartment with few conveniences, waiting for a new apartment house to be completed in Dover, one apartment of which we are able to get by the fifteenth of December, Lord willing. We can then have our furniture moved down from Asheville, N.C. and get settled and started in some campaigns. The prayers of the Lord's people will be much appreciated for us in this big move. The five years spent in North Carolina were, in a measure, some fruitful years. We spent nine months working in fellowship with brother Lester Wilson in Greensboro in the Forest Avenue Tabernacle. The balance of the time was spent in the mountain section in Asheville, and in Greer and Anderson, S.C. When we went to Asheville first, we found a group of about a dozen sisters and one brother who met to remember their Lord. We were helped of God in getting the Gospel out into that resort town through tracts, tent and radio, and of course the regular meetings in the hall. The Lord has blessed the little assembly by increasing the numbers and now there are around forty in fellowship with two progressive Sunday Schools. The brethren there have just added twelve feet to the front of the hall. Please pray that the State of Delaware may be opened up for the Gospel and that a number of good assemblies will be planted in God's time. This is a pioneer work and the fellowship in prayer of the Lord's people will be appreciated. In time we would like to put on a radio broadcast over the State, if the Lord so guides."

• LOI 1948-3: H.G. Mackay: Greensboro, N.C.: "The Piedmont Easter Conference will be held as usual, Lord willing, over the Easter week-end at the Forest Ave. Tabernacle, Greensboro, N.C. Services commence Sat. March 27 at 3:00pm and continue through Monday the 29th. The Lord's day morning service will be held in the Curry Auditorium at 10:00am. Speakers expected to minister the Word include James F. Spink, Walter Munro and Tom Westwood. A hearty welcome is extended to all the Lord's people to attend this conference. Conference Correspondent: W.B. Andrews Sr.

• LOI 1948-5: H.G. Mackay: 1948-4-6: "The Piedmont Easter Bible Conference was again a time of blessing to saved and unsaved. Held, as in past years, at the Forest Ave. Tabernacle, it proved to be three days of spiritual fellowship and feasting. The attendance was larger than ever before; a very hearty spirit prevailed throughout; and the ministry was of the very finest order. Bre. Walter Munro, Jas. F. Spink, Tom Westwood, Lawrence Chambers and Liddon Sheridan ministered the Word and preached the Gospel. Three professed to be saved. Bro. Spink is remaining in the district for a month ministering in a number of the assemblies."

1949

• LOI 1949-3: "The annual Piedmont Easter Conference will be held, D.V., at the Forest Ave. Tabernacle in Greensboro over the Easter week-end. Services commence on Saturday afternoon and continue through Monday evening. Speakers expected include H. Armerding, George Rainey, Edwin Fesche, F. Nugent and others. Visitors coming from a distance and desiring accommodation are asked to write C.R. Andrews, 205 Wilson St., Greensboro, N.C."

• LOI 1949-4: "Bro. Wilson is back in North Carolina after being laid aside for five months with a nervous breakdown. His doctor has advised him not to attempt to preach for another two or three months. This forced period of rest has been hard on our brother. He has labored untiringly in the South for seventeen years."

• LOI 1949-5: Radio Programs: North Carolina:
  • WBBB, Burlington (900 kc.) - Sunday - W.G. Smith
  • WGIV, Charlotte (1600 kc.) - Tuesday and Friday, 7:00am - Godfrey W. Coombs
  • WDNC, Durham (1490 kc.) - Tuesday and Thursday, 1:30pm and Saturday, 11:45pm - H. Welcome Detweiler
  • WSSB, Durham (1490 kc.) - Sunday, 5:30pm - Tom Westwood
  • WBIG, Greensboro (1440 kc.) - Sunday, 9:15am, Sunday Morning Gospel Newscast - Harold Mackay
  • WHHT, Mutual (1590 kc.) - Sunday, 9:30pm

• LOI 1949-6:
  • "Christ the Theme of Easter Conferences", ed. by J.W. Kennedy: ..."'He is Risen' was the unmistakable theme of the Greensboro (N.C.) Conference. Because we have and serve a risen Savior, who through the Holy Spirit, supplies ample power to live for Him, our lives should be godly, Christlike, and should accomplish things for Him. Three professed salvation through the preaching of the gospel..."
  • "Finds Southern Assemblies Flourishing" by P. Daniel Loizeaux: "Being freed from the active management of the Bible Truth Depot in New York, Mrs. Loizeaux and I decided to go South for the winter... we heard that the work in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Siler City is also very encouraging. To God be all the praise."

• LOI 1949-7:
  • H.G. Mackay: "I am preaching the gospel and having ministry meetings in four assemblies each week during this month, so it keeps me on the move. It is a wonderful pleasure and privilege to minister to the many hungry converts in Durham where the Lord has done remarkable things. The Sunday School alone has increased from about 300 to over 600 in a 12 month period; half of these are adults. Many have been wondrously saved and are hungry for the Word. Then I have a rather interesting class of colored preachers in Winston-Salem each Monday night and am giving them studies on the church. We would like to see colored assemblies raised up in the Piedmont and this may be the beginning. I baptized six recently in Greensboro and am also having ministry meetings in Raleigh."
  • The King's College, Newcastle, Delaware: William Jelley III:

"At 10 a.m. each Lord's Day, members of the faculty and student body of this school who are from various assemblies meet to remember the Lord in one of the classrooms, one hour before the preaching service in the college chapel.  Attendance varies from 10 to 33, depending on the number of students remaining on the campus. In fellowship are young people from assemblies in: St. Louis, MO; Philadelphia, Curley Hills, PA; Elizabeth, NJ; Staten Island, NY; Greensboro, NC and Florida.  Some believers from the neighborhood also come.  The meetings started at the beginning of the school year last September. A hearty welcome is extended to any of the Lord's people who are in the vicinity on the Lord's Day.  

1950's

• LOI 1950-3: G'boro, NC: "The annual Easter conference will be held at Greensboro, NC, April 8-10. We will have plenty of room this year, having obtained the Senior High School auditorium and cafeteria. The Forest Avenue Tabernacle has become too small, so now with the new setup we welcome all who care to attend. Meals are free but rooms are to be paid for by the Christians engaging them. We are able to get reservations for quite a few in advance. Any wishing these accommodations will please write to the undersigned. The Saturday meeting is to be in Forest Avenue Tabernacle at 7:30pm; Sunday and Monday meetings at the high school. Sunday meetings are: worship 9:30am, ministry 11am and 2:30pm, gospel 7:30pm. Monday: ministry 10am and 2:30pm, gospel 7:30pm. W.B. Andrews, 622 Forest Ave., Greensboro, NC."

1960's

• LOI 1960-2: Bill Anderson: "The 1960 Southeastern Workers' Conference is to be held on Wed. and Thu., Feb. 24-25, in the Forest Avenue Tabernacle, Greensboro, N.C. The first session will begin at 1:00pm on Wednesday. This year we hope to discuss the subject of the worker himself. We have therefore been occupied with methods of work, but while "the Church is looking for better methods, God is looking for better men". We hope to take up the worker as a soulwinner, student, speaker, shepherd, etc. This should be of interest to more than those who have left secular occupation to devote their time to the ministry of the Word. All who have a concern for the furtherance of the work should profit from the studies. All who are interested in taking any part in the work of the Lord should find much help in the conference. We request the prayers of the Christians that these two days may make a great spiritual impact on all who attend. Further information will be forthcoming."

Sources

• Letters of Interest (LOI), 1947:3-6,8-9,12; 1948:1,3,5; 1949:3-7; 1950-3; 1960-2