Mission to Montenegro newsletter
Blog entry for 16 June 2017
June 2017 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter
God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light,
whom no one has seen or can see.
To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
I Tim. 6:15-16
Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!
Greetings once again from Nikšić, Montenegro! Our return trip was remarkably uneventful: All flights on time and all baggage arrived—miraculously, because one bag bore zero (zip, nada) luggage tags—not a scan barcode at all—and two others had shredded tags. Thank you, Lord!
- Stan is glad to be back in the pulpit, continuing on in Luke 16 for our morning services. He finished the parable of the rich man and Lazarus with a sobering look at the reality of hell which highlights the joyous good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. In our evening services, Stan preached from I Tim 6: 14ff, with the theme Theology Leads to Doxology: The more we know God—He who is Immortal, Invisible, in Light Inaccessible, most Blessed, most Glorious, Almighty, Victorious*— the more we will love, praise, and obey Him.
- Earlier this month we attended the annual All-Montenegro Believer's Meeting (a chance for all 150+ believers in country to get together for mutual encouragement and edification--it is rather like a family reunion) which was hosted, for the first-time ever, by the Roma (Gypsy) Believers in Podgorica. We know the organizers were nervous (but eager) and everybody was thrilled with their more-than-respectable first effort! These gatherings are always a foretaste of heaven, when we will join the heavenly hosts from all tribes, nations, and tongues.
Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests
- The regular ministry continues on with preaching and teaching, ongoing mentoring, our midweek prayer meeting and fellowship, an active hospitality ministry, and our visitations (particularly to the elderly and infirm). Please pray for all these good works, but particularly for Stan as he plans and prepares to proclaim God's Word faithfully week after week.
- We are once again entering in our busy season of camps and teams. Coming up at the end of this month we will be busy with the Student English Camp (with British UCCF team), followed by the 11th annual Camp Monty sports camp. Additionally this summer, we are expecting other guests for varying lengths of time--some coming to visit, some coming to celebrate the July wedding of one of our young people, some coming to get situated before moving into a permanent residence. Please pray for the volunteers who are coming, that they might shine with God's love and speak winsomely by the power of the Holy Spirit and for the hearts of the young people who will meet and speak with them.
With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support in this great work of God,
Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro
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*Lyrics from hymn by Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908)