Archives: Authors

Hugh Kerr Downie was born August 9, 1883, in Irvine, Scotland. He was saved at age thirteen, and as a young man served the Lord in the United Kingdom. In 1934, he crossed the Atlantic to preach the Word in Canada and the United States. A Bible school teacher and author, he contributed frequently to many evangelical magazines, evidencing a facile pen and incisive grasp of the Scriptures.

Arthur Farstad, before his death in 1998, was recognized as an able and eloquent defender of the Majority Text of the Greek New Testament. He taught New Testament Greek at Dallas Theological Seminary and was General Editor of the New King James Translation. He also worked closely with Mr. MacDonald as editor of The Believer’s Bible Commentary.

Madge Beckon sailed for China in April of 1947, with her late husband, Gifford, and infant daughter Ruth. While they were serving in Kweiyang, Kweichow, their daughter, Esther, was born. In 1949, because of Communist activity in China, they were evacuated to Hong Kong. While waiting to enter Japan, the family settled for six months in Taiwan and then sailed for Japan. In 1951, their third daughter, Eunice, joined the family shortly after they moved to Takasaki, Gunma Ken, which was their home as long as they were in Japan (a total of 38 years for Madge). Gifford and Madge worked as a team until the Lord took him Home in 1974. Madge continued in Japan until 1987, when she retired to the Denver, Colorado, area. She is involved in Bible classes for Japanese women and students.

Hamilton Smith (1862-1943) lived to demonstrate the idea that right doctrine should have a practical effect. A self-effacing man who shunned the cult of personality, he often signed his writings with just the initials H.S. Much of his life was spent with Christians who met simply in New Testament fashion. He was strictly orthodox on fundamental doctrines, and while his preaching left a solemn impress, he was a man who thrilled in the sweet things of the Word of God.

Derick Bingham, a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, lives in Newcastle, County Down in the heart of the Mourne country. Having taught English language and literature for a few years, he is currently the editor of Think Magazine and has recently served in evangelism in the British Isles, North America and France.

Joel Portman grew up in the southern United States, but now makes his home in Cedar Rapids, IA. He fellowships with the assembly in Marion, IA. He was raised by Christian parents in assembly fellowship and trusted Christ at an early age. In 1978 he began full-time service for the Lord, being commended from the assembly in Garnavillo, IA. He has been entrusted with the privilege of preaching the gospel in the U.S. and Canada, and also has given help to assemblies in Mexico. A few of his titles include: The Holy Spirit, with You and in You and Local Assembly Characteristics in 1 Corinthians.

As is now well known, Peter Fleming was one of five intrepid young missionaries who laid down their lives on January 8, 1956, in an attempt to reach the savage Auca Indians with the good news of salvation. He was 27 years old.

Brought up in a Christian home and saved in his mid-teens, Willie McVey was employed in early life in the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. Since 1950, he has been engaged in missionary service, mainly among Chinese, in Malaysia and Hong Kong, with a varied ministry, both written and oral. He and his wife are now residents in Queensland, Australia, where their son and daughter, both married, are also active in the Lord’s service.

Betty McMullen was saved in 1947 and shortly afterwards came into fellowship with the Christians at Moncton Gospel Hall. After more than 50 years, she is still a part of that assembly today. Betty is the widow of Burton McMullen whose many memories and stories provoked in her a deep interest in the history of the assembly work in New Brunswick. She is the mother of five children and twelve grandchildren.

Doug Kazen is a successful business executive who owns and operates Aseptico, Inc. which designs, manufactures and distributes dental equipment throughout the world. Doug is also a Bible student, teacher and preacher, traveling extensively to minister the Word of God to the Lord’s people. In his spare time, he writes articles for different Christian magazines and publications. Doug and his wife Edith have a grown family; they reside in Kirkland, Washington, USA.