October, 2024
Dear Faithful Friends,
We have been writing letters for 41 years to report on the ministry here in the Fort to so many faithful Pastors and God’s people. Some have gone on to be with the Lord and some are still so faithful. How can we say thank you enough for going through all of our trials, personally with health issues over the years and in the ministry with church issues of growing pains as it was established and trials that come along the way. The Lord has been so faithful to meet our needs and the church and ministry needs and to keep us on in his service.
September 29th marked 39 years in Fort McMurray, the cold north of Canada, with beautiful winter lights (aurora borealis). We have seen many, many people saved, serving the Lord, coming and going, loving us and turning on us. But how could we think people would treat us any different from the way they treated the Lord.
From time to time people will ask me the question: So when are you going to retire? That’s a good question. So here is my answer: As long as I have clarity of mind and speech, I plan on going on until the Lord tells me otherwise. I am enjoying preaching and teaching more now than at any other time in my life. I am not saying that I am a good preacher, but I love to preach, teach and to witness every opportunity I have. It would be good to say there is someone here that would be able to take over, but there is no one. I do pray the Lord will send a good man.
We are enjoying our Teen Bible Study and Activity times every other Friday evening. We have food, study and fellowship.
We average 18 a night not including the chaperones and helpers.
Since our last letter there have been 28 visitors, 6 saved, 6 baptized and 6 join the church.
Our summer months were not good again this year as there were forest fires all around us. Gayle left town once and went to our daughters in the city until they got the closest one under control. They had evacuated 4 areas of our town. At one point the only two roads out of town were closed at the same time due to fire and smoke. Jasper National Park north of us sustained severe damage to over 40% of the town. Now fall is upon us and the threat has passed.
Gayle is still living with daily health issues due to diabetes, but she continues on. What a blessing she is to the ministry and to our Lord. We both had an illness the beginning of summer. Gayle had a horrible cough but thankfully we both recovered.
Love from the Fort, Dennis & Gayle
Romans 8:37
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31