Jay H. Graham

7715 Quarterhorse Cr.

Flagstaff, AZ 86004

928-526-5745

cell- 928-380-8243

voice from the canyon

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Greetings once again in the Lord’s name. As the year 2016 comes to a close and 2017 begins, I thought I would give you a summary of my work. Perhaps this will give you a little different perspective as it will be somewhat different format than my usual report.

2016 saw some continuing positive changes with regard to the Williams congregation. I write “continuing” for these developments have been ongoing for several years now. The biggest positive change has been in the various brothers learning to take the teaching and leading responsibilities of the congregation.

Larry Brice has been teaching the Wednesday evening class on the Life of Jesus. He took over last Spring and will probably continue until this coming April, which will give him a year at this assignment. He admits it has bene challenging for him, for he had never done this before. Many of the brothers and sisters have noted his growth throughout this past year. Of course you already are aware of Peter Espitia, as he has continued teaching the Lord’s day morning class, and his growth is obvious as well.

This past year has also been a blessing with the addition of Fred Phillips. He is a young brother who moved to the area. He works for the Park Service. He has been actively participating in the assemblies when he is not out of town working. He has such a great spirit that wants to and is willing to work at growing!

The congregation has also been blessed to have Gary and Eileen Brackett and their son, Andrew. They live in Colorado, but they have been in the area visiting and helping their other son for many months now. Gary helps in song leading and has brought a few lessons to the body.

Also, Curtis and Kelly Stone have been added to the congregation this past year. They are a young couple who moved to the area recently. Our family was blessed to have them over for a meal to get to know them better. Curtis also works for the Forest Service.

These are just a few examples of how the congregation has prospered this past year.

The Pima congregation has been blessed in 2016 as well. Betty Jean Padilla was immersed into the Lord last January. (She is a neice to Dick Eighmie who is also a member.) Betty Jean’s health is not very good, but she attends when she can. The brothers and sisters are very appreciative when she can attend. Also added to the congregation was Bryan Cooper. Bryan moved to Arizona last August from the Lakewood, CO congregation and has since settled in the Safford/Thatcher/Pima area. He is a great addition to the brothers as they take the teaching responsibilities of the congregation.

Though this is not new information, it is worth repeating. The congregation numbers “only” 11 members, and of that number they have 5 brothers who share in the teaching of the congregation! What a blessing!

The congregation at Huachuca City has also been blessed in 2016. While Levi Couillard has been away at college in Texas and Jeff Geoffrion’s health has not been good at all, and this has not helped the congregation. some others have taken up the slack. Dennis Richter continues to grow. CJ Blair has been willing to help when he can. (I might add CJ and his wife, Kim, had a baby this past Spring and they are expecting another next year! New babies are always good for a smaller congregation.) Tom & Jane Lorens have been added to the congregation this past year, and Tom has taken a leadership role within the congregation in many aspects including teaching.

The congregation at White Rock, NM continues to see good growth among the brothers. However, one new thing that has been very good in 2016 (from my perspective) has been their desire I also help another congregation in Chama, New Mexico. They asked me if I would be willing to regularly visit and work with Chama in addition to my continuing to work with them. I appreciate their desire for several reasons—

1) It shows they have confidence I would have a positive impact. 2) This tells me they appreciate my working with them as well as Chama. They are willing to help pay my expenses as I work with both congregations. They also provide a speaker once each month. It is a good thing for a congregation to support work that they do not benefit directly from as many of you also do. That says a lot about them. 3) It is a good way for them to see and participate with in regard to the work of an evangelist as it is taught in the New Testament.

As far as the congregation at Chama goes—They also have seen some good numerical growth over the past few months. Richard and Ashley (father and daughter) were immersed last month as a result of studying with Bryan and Gaylia Pride who seem to be pillars in the congregation. They are a small group numbering about 7 with an attendance of around 10-12 in addition to many visitors traveling through the area. Among other things this is giving me an opportunity to present the principle of mutual edification to many brethren who may have never heard of it. Including both New Mexico congregations I will be planning to go to NM 8 times this year.

The congregation at Union Hills continues in faith. They have decided to cancel the monthly studies we have been having, for the attendance has not been what it has been in the past. However, I will continue to be with them every 3 months or so throughout the new year. I will also continue the monthly studies with John & Cathy Vincent as well.

Throughout 2016 we had a number of visitors. I have already written of Dan & Robin Huff and their family as Dan came to visit each of the AZ congregations that I am working with. He generally comes each Spring. I was blessed to have Louis Garbi as well in the area this past Fall. He also was able to visit with each of the AZ congregations as well as spend some time in Flagstaff with me.

I also had Neal Ross of the Excelsior Springs, MO congregation visit for just over a week this past Fall. He wanted to get my perspective on evangelism and see first-hand what my work involved. We spent the time visiting with each of the AZ congregations in addition to studying various topics on evangelism and evangelists. I appreciate that he was willing to take his own vacation time for such a trip and experience. I hope it was useful to him!

I also need to add a brief summary of my trip the the Midwest this past September. I was blessed to visit the congregations at Eldon, MO, Excelsior Springs, MO, Brookfield, MO, Old Lamine, MO and Smart Rd in Greenwood, MO.

It was great to see these brothers and sisters, and it is especially a blessing to stay with many of them. I also was able to visit with the Long Beach, CA congregation twice this Fall including an opportunity to speak at their Thanksgiving weekend meeting.

As you can see the Lord continues to bless us tremendously in many ways. Much of it due to your labors of love and faith as you continue to support the work I am involved in here in America’s Great Southwest. May the Lord continue to bless you for it in many ways. May He also continue to grant us strength and grace to continue these labors throughout this new year!

Love, Jay

Acts 11:22

The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

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