US Chapel Workers and Elders Conference
Contents
Story and Structure
Mr. T. B. Gilbert first encouraged other workers to come together for a time of prayer and encouragement in 1933. However, the first regular Workers Conference began in 1938 in St. Louis. Mr. Gilbert was very active in starting this and in its continuance until his death in 1972. The conference has been continued every year except during World War II because of gas rationing.
Letters of Interest: 1949-11 advertised: "Notes covering ten years of the annual Workers' Conference have been published in book form with the help of brother E.W. Wallace of Los Angeles. Copies of the book will be available at the conference or can be had through Henry Peterson, 2739 Cloverdale Ave., Los Angeles 16, Calif. Cost is to be about 50 cents."
A committee made up of workers and elders from the United States and Canada meets annually to plan future conferences. New men are invited to join this committee if they show an interest and are compatible. The conference usually alternates between the Midwest and the East.
Daily, devotional, Bible teaching is given as well as messages and seminars on various topics. Prayer is a vital part of the day's schedule and there are warm times of fellowship over meals and refreshments.
The conference is conservative in nature and is committed to New Testament principles for the assemblies. However, there is no attempt to legislate or dictate to assemblies or workers. It is hoped that these times together will be informative in nature and will deepen the love of all who attend for our blessed Lord and for His people.
History
1930's
- 1933: Chapel Workers Conference: Knox, Indiana Gospel Meeting House
- 1938: Chapel Workers Conference: St. Louis, MO St. Louis Bible Hall
- 1939: Chapel Workers Conference: Grand Rapids, MI
1940's
The board for the workers conference in 1946-1947 was comprised of: H.K. Downie (Toronto, ON), Frank Faulkner (Chicago, IL), T.B. Gilbert (Tucson, AZ), James Green (Des Moines, IA), Charles S. Howard (Chicago, IL), Elmer Kebbel (St. Louis, MO), W.G. McCartney (Chicago, IL), William Murray (Waterloo, ON), J.P. Patterson (Omaha, NE), William J. Pell (Grand Rapids, MI), Henry Peterson (Milwaukee, WI) & Arthur B. Rodgers (Omaha, NE), as per Assembly Annals: 1947-1.
- 1941: Chicago, IL
- 1944: Grand Rapids, MI
- 1946: Nov. 5-7: Des Moines, IA @ Central Gospel Chapel
- 1948: Christian Workers Conference: San Francisco, CA @ Parkside Gospel Chapel
- 1949: Christian Workers Conference: Philadelphia, PA @ Central Gospel Hall Mission
- Letters of Interest: 1949-6 indicated that in addition to conferences held in cities mentioned, previous locations include Plainfield, N.J., & Minneapolis, MN.
1950's
- 1950: Chapel Workers Conference: Champaign, IL @ Prospect Ave. Bible Chapel
- 1951: Chapel Workers Conference: Los Angeles, CA @ La Brea Gospel Chapel
- 1953: Chapel Workers Conference: Chicago, IL @ Norwood Gospel Chapel
- 1957: Seattle, WA
1960's
- 1960: Chapel Workers Conference: San Diego, CA @ Laurel Bible Chapel
- 1961: Chapel Workers Conference: St. Louis, MO @ Southside Bible Chapel
- 1962: Chapel Workers Conference: Des Moines, IA @ Central Gospel Chapel
- 1963: Chapel Workers Conference: Arlington, VA @ Cherrydale Bible Church
- 1964: Chapel Workers Conference: Winston-Salem, NC @ Winston-Salem GC
- 1965: Chapel Workers Conference: Baltimore, MD @ Loch Hill Chapel
- 1966: Chapel Workers Conference: Flint Hill, MI
- 1967: Chapel Workers Conference: Cleveland Heights, OH @ Gracemount Gospel Chapel
- 1968: Chapel Workers Conference: New Brighton, MN @ Sunnyside Bible Chapel
- 1969: Chapel Workers Conference: Fanwood, NJ @ Woodside Chapel
1970's
- 1970: Chapel Workers Conference: Houston, TX @ Braeburn Bible Chapel
- 1971: Chapel Workers Conference: Oak Lawn, IL @ Oak Lawn Bible Chapel
- 1972: Chapel Workers Conference: Lexington, MA @ Countryside Bible Chapel
- 1973: Chapel Workers Conference: Des Moines, IA @ Central Gospel Chapel
- 1974: Chapel Workers Conference: Denver, CO @ Southwest Bible Chapel
- 1975: Chapel Workers Conference: St. Louis, MO Maplewood Bible Chapel
- 1976: Chapel Workers Conference: Arlington, VA Cherrydale Bible Church
- 1977: Chapel Workers Conference: New Brighton, MN @ Sunnyside Bible Chapel
- 1978: Chapel Workers Conference: Fanwood, NJ @ Woodside Chapel
- 1979: Chapel Workers Conference: Chicago, IL @ Palos Hills Christian Assembly
1980's
- 1980: Chapel Workers Conference: Toronto, ON @ Bendale Bible Chapel
- 1981: Chapel Workers Conference: Des Moines, IA @ Central Gospel Chapel
- 1982: Chapel Workers Conference: Cleveland, OH @ Gracemount Bible Chapel
- 1983: Chapel Workers Conference: Lexington, MA @ Countryside Bible Chapel
- 1984: Chapel Workers Conference: St. Louis, MO @ Southside Bible Chapel
- 1985: Chapel Workers Conference: Toronto, ON @ Don Valley Bible Chapel
- 1986: Chapel Workers Conference: Plymouth, MN @ Plymouth Bible Chapel
- 1987: Chapel Workers Conference: Berkeley Heights, NJ @ Mountain Ridge Bible Chapel
- 1988: Chapel Workers Conference: Dubuque, IA @ Asbury Road Bible Chapel
- 1989: Chapel Workers Conference: Windsor, ON @ Oakwood Bible Chapel
1990's
- 1990: Chapel Workers Conference: St. Louis, MO @ Southside Bible Chapel
- 1991: Chapel Workers Conference: Fanwood, New Jersey @ Terrill Road Bible Chapel
- 1992: Chapel Workers Conference: Plymouth, MN @ Plymouth Bible Chapel
- 1993: Chapel Workers Conference: Toronto, ON @ Markham Bible Chapel
- 1994: Chapel Workers Conference: Wichita, KS @ South Emporia Bible Chapel
- 1995: Chapel Workers Conference: Kenilworth, NJ @ Kenilworth Gospel Chapel
- 1996: Chapel Workers Conference: Chicago, IL @ Palos Hills Christian Assembly
- 1997: Chapel Workers Conference: Buffalo, NY @ Blasdell Gospel Chapel
- 1998: Chapel Workers Conference: Wichita, KS @ Westside Bible Chapel
- 1999: Chapel Workers Conference: Hamden, CT @ West Woods Bible Chapel
2000's
- 2000: A Vision for Growth: Lawrence, KS @ Lawrence Bible Chapel
- 2001: A Holy God, A Holy People: Morgantown, WV @ Bethany Bible Chapel
- 2002: Taking the Shield of Faith: Cedar Falls, IA @ Bethany Bible Chapel
- 2003: A Showcase of God's Grace: Perry Hall, MD @ Forge Road Bible Chapel
- 2004: Glory and Splendor of Christ: Omaha, NE @ Keystone Bible Chapel
- 2005: Walk as He Walked: Hollywood, FL @ Hollywood Bible Chapel
- 2006: Stewards of the Grace of God: Wichita, KS @ Westside Bible Chapel
- 2007: Shepherding the Flock of God: Fanwood, NJ @ Terrill Road Bible Chapel
- 2008: Rekindling the Pioneer Spirit: Lawrence, KS @ Lawrence Bible Chapel
- 2009: The Fellowship of God's Son: Waterbury, CT @ Waterbury Christian Fellowship
2010's
- 2010: The Lost Art of Shepherding: Cedar Falls, IA @ Bethany Bible Chapel
- 2011: Watch and Pray: Raleigh, NC @ North Ridge Bible Chapel
- titles 2010 & 2011 switched?
- 2012: Passing the Baton: Shawnee, KS @ Bible Chapel of Shawnee
- 2013: God's Servant Equippers: Colorado Springs, CO @ Northeast Bible Chapel
- 2014: The Role of the Church in Revival: Hollywood, FL @ Hollywood Bible Chapel
- 2015: The Believer's Warfare: York, PA @ North York Gospel Chapel
- 2016: A Christ Centered Church Facing a World in Crisis: Cedar Falls, IA @ Bethany Bible Chapel
- 2017: Encouragement for Pilgrims from 1st Peter: Raleigh, NC @ North Ridge Bible Chapel
- 2018: What Difference Does the Fear of the Lord Make: Lawrence, KS
- 2019: Philippians: Waterbury, CT
2020's
- 2021: Manvel Bible Chapel, Pearland, TX
- YouTube primary sessions
- J.B. Nicholson, Jr.: Devotionals: "Knowing the Times", "Knowing Our God", & "Knowing Our Father"
- George Farber: "Wanted! New Testament Koinonia"
- Dr. John "Jack" Fish III: "The Beauty of God-given Roles"
- Warren Henderson: "The Value of a Thankful Spirit in Suffering"
- Dave Bosworth: "Shaping Leadership Positions through Abiding in Christ"
- Jim Fleming: "A Biblical Approach to Inter-Assembly Cooperation"
- Rich Brown: "Bearing Fruit through an Empowered Testimony"
- YouTube primary sessions
- Oct. 11-13, 2022: Fairhaven Bible Chapel, San Leandro, CA
- see WE's website
Sources
- Workers Elders history
- Donald LeRoy Norbie archive
- Assembly Annals: 1953
- Light and Liberty: 1938