Hutchinson Gospel Chapel, Hutchinson, Reno, KS (OB) 1944-2025+
- Hutchinson Bible Hall

Itinerants

Joseph Balsan 1947
Fred Hillis 1949
M.J. Kennedy 1945
George D. Leest 1949
Leonard Lindsted 1945 & 1947
F.W. Schwartz 1948

Ministry Reports

1940's

1945

LOI 1945-9: Leonard Lindsted, Goessel, KS:

"Brother M.J. Kennedy and I finished three weeks of gospel meetings in a tent July 1st in Hutchinson, Kansas. While crowds were not large except on weekends, there were a few Christian families who seemed to be helped, and are showing some exercise of heart as to coming into fellowship with the little meeting in Hutchinson. The last week of meetings, God came in and saved one young man, who had been subject of much prayer for his salvation. On July 8th we had an all day meeting, and in the afternoon, four obeyed the Lord in baptism.

We have many dear Christians whose conception of scriptural fellowship is limited to merely attending one or two meetings a week. Fellowship is partnership, a joint sharing with one another of like mind in the things of God. In assembly fellowship there is a sharing of the responsibilities as well as the privileges, the burdens as well as the blessings, the travail as well as the triumph, and the tears as well as the cheers.

Each individual saint, if he is truly in fellowship, will be found seeking before God to find that place where he may best function for the upbuilding of the assembly, the edification of his brethren, care of the lambs, compassion for the lost, and the ultimate goal and outcome, the glory of God. How many of us today in the assembly are anxiously, earnestly beseeching God how we may better serve Him in the assembly? I believe there are two things that saints need to be warned of. First, of more and more giving to God that which costs us nothing. Second, of passing time with little or no exercise of heart.

In the tent, a young sailor saved but a few weeks came every night to the meeting. His wife dressed two rebellious children nightly and came also. Sometimes she had to leave the children. But she came every night. They gave to God that which cost them something. Brethren, we have some who will give ten dollars but not ten minutes. Some will enable others to labor, but never labor themselves. This sailor came from the naval base right to the meeting, tired and hungry. At ten o'clock he had his supper. What a lesson to us. Brethren, would you come to prayer meeting if it meant your supper after a hard day's work? Let's be careful not to offer God things that cost us nothing.

Brother Kennedy has gone to Oklahoma City where I believe he and brother John Elliott of Springfield, Missouri, are to continue meetings in a tent. Brother T.R. McCullagh is coming to Goessel where we expect, the Lord willing, to pitch our tent the first week in August. We are looking forward for blessing and desire earnest prayer for these meetings."

1947

L&L 1947-7: Joseph Balsan, Copper City, MI: "Am leaving soon to work with Leonard Lindsted with a gospel campaign in a tent at Hutchinson, Kansas. We will value your prayers for God's blessing upon this effort."

1948

LOI 1948-8: F.W. Schwartz, Detroit, MI:

"During the last number of weeks I have been circulating in the South, attempting with the Lord's good help, to bring a little help and cheer to His people in little assemblies here and there. Am glad to say that in some of the places visited, definite progress appears to have been made within the last few years.

In Asheville, N.C., the hall has been added to, and there is a good and growing Sunday School work and Gospel effort. In New Orleans, nice contacts are being made through the Center and the work extended. In Lafayette, La., there is a little company appreciative of the Word of God and desirous of lengthening its cords.

In the Houston vicinity three weeks were spent: in the Houston vicinity three weeks were spent: in Houston itself, Manvel, Melrose and South. Melrose has a comparatively new hall and a consistent effort is being made to reach the people of the community. In South Houston a new hall is planned in the near future, with the likelihood of an encouraging start in it, following upon Gospel activity already carried on.

After touching Fort Worth, I called at Oklahoma City, and Wichita. In each of these places new meeting-places have been erected within the last few years, in Wichita quite recently. There seems to be a desire to go on in the ways of the Lord, and an appreciation of ministry given.

Here in Hutchison [sic] the Lord has helped in ministry and it is a joy to see His people going on happily for Him and with each other. But if there is progress, it is still true that 'there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed'. Workers in some of these fields are not plentiful and much prayer should be going up to God on behalf of those who labor in them, that they may be sustained and encouraged."

1949

1949-2 LOI: Fred Hillis, 1951 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia, Los Angeles, CA:

"We returned home to California two weeks ago, after a stay of about three months in Kansas and Oklahoma. Had meetings in Wichita, Hutchinson, Elm Springs, and Abilene, all in Kansas. Spent three weeks in Oklahoma City and paid a brief visit to Tulsa and Guthrie. I hope to get back to Waco, Texas, soon after new year.

Waco is about one hundred miles south of Forth Worth (sic). Brother J. Lane and his wife live there and remember the Lord in the Fort Worth assembly. They are faithful in speaking the gospel and the Lord has blessed their efforts. Some day they hope to see an assembly gathered in His worthy name in Waco.

The assembly at Hutchinson, Kansas, has spent time repairing and enlarging a hall they have moved into on the east side. Brother Burson is kept quite busy with the work around Hutchinson andat present has interesting Bible readings at Newton, Kansas."

1949-8 LOI: Richard Burson, Hutch., KS: "Last week a young man named Innes Koehn and I finished our Daily Vacation Bible School. We had an enrollment of 94 with an average attendance of 74. For some months past I have gone each week to two towns (one is 32 miles from Hutchinson and one is 20 miles away) where I hold Bible Classes in homes. In one of these towns I also have an afternoon children’s class. We plan to have a children’s Bible camp as in previous years, July 25 to 30. We lease a campground 50 miles from Hutchinson. Each Thursday for some months I have gone over to Elm Springs assembly in an attempt to be helpful to the Lord's people there."

1949-10 LOI: Richard Burson: "We have just concluded a week of children's meetings with George Leest of Redlands, California. We had from 80 to 106 in the hall each night. It was most encouraging."

1950's

1950

1950-11 LOI: Assembly Building Activity: "Hutchinson, Kansas, Bible Hall is making improvements for convenience and to add to its Sunday school capacity."

1960's

1962

1962-1 L&L: Richard Burson, Rt. 3, Hutchinson, KS: "It looks perhaps that in the future a new highway development may take our chapel in Hutchinson. Quite likely a move would be made into a new housing area. It is good to see assemblies spreading out and reaching into new areas."

1964

1964-9 L&L: Burlington, Colo.: "Our sixteenth Bible conference of Christians gathered in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be held (D.V.) on October 9, 10, and 11, preceded by a prayer meeting on October 8 at 8 p.m. The conference will be held in the Burlington Gospel Chapel at 314 12th St. Speakers expected are Robert A. Crawford, Malvern, Pa., Abe Hartsema, Muskegon, Mich., and Harold Kesler, Riverside, Calif. Richard Burson, Hutchinson, Kansas, and Leslie Sanberg, Pueblo, Colo., will be in charge of the children's meetings. For further information please address correspondence to Sam Morrow, Kanorado, Kansas."

Sources

Letters of Interest (LOI)
- 1945-9; 1948-8; 1950-11
Light & Liberty (L&L)
- 1947-7; 1949-2; 1962-1; 1964-9

Visiting Ministry at Hutchinson Gospel Chapel, KS

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