Mission to Montenegro newsletter
Blog entry for 18 December 2017
December 2017 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. I Tim 1:15, 17
Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!
This past month has been a month of quiet progress. Here are a few highlights:
- We’ve had several repeat visitors to our Sunday services as well as our mid-week prayer meeting. We see this as a direct answer to prayer as well as confirmation that our recent addition of “get out into the community” activities is a step in the right direction; we’ve had a number of good conversations naturally touching on spiritual truths with new acquaintances.
- Stan continues preaching from Luke, having just wrapped up Ch. 19 covering Jesus and the cleansing of the temple with a particular look at what the the temple was meant to be doing instead of being a "marketplace and den of thieves” and what that tells us about God and about us, the church, as His Temple today. In the evenings, along with preaching through specific psalms, Stan looked as Jesus Christ, the perfect Psalm Singer, who sings over us, for us, to us, with us.
- The children’s Sunday school continues on despite various challenges due to sick children and stressful schedules. Our good beginning *is* just a beginning, so please keep praying for Martina as she prepares each week, for the children to listen attentively, for the Holy Spirit to touch hearts, and for the right person/couple called to oversee this important ministry to join us soon!
Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests:
- Here in Niksic we will be receiving approximately 2000 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to distribute before Orthodox (Jan 7) Christmas. This is an huge undertaking for a small number of volunteers, mainly through EUS-CG (Evangelical University Student group). An extra challenge this year is that the theatre we had use of in previous years has been sold and renovated as a pub, so there are numerous logistical problems to solve at present. Please pray that each box handed out would testify to the children and their families the Good News of Jesus Christ.
- During the holiday season, we have several cultural (secular but rooted in religion) days coming up: two Saint Days (St. Nikola, John the Baptist) plus Christmas (Jan 7). Christmas this year falls on a Sunday which means that people who might not ordinarily go to church on Christmas Day will. Also, we are privileged to be invited to a number of family Slavas (celebrations of the aforementioned Saint Days) which includes enjoying a special meal together. Please pray for meaningful discourse and for a packed church room on Christmas Day. Soli Deo Gloria!
With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support in this great work of God,
Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro
We are extremely grateful for those individuals and churches who support this work through prayer, encouragement, and material giving. If you'd like to join our team of financial supporters or adjust the gift you already give, here’s how:
If you live in the U.S., you may mail checks made out to: Mission to Montenegro with appropriate memo and addressed to:
Faith Community Church
Attn: Mission to Montenegro
723 South D Street
Oxnard, CA 93030
website: Faith Community Church
If you live outside the U.S. do get in touch (stan.surbatovich@gmail.com) and we will give you bank transfer information.
Thank you for your support! To God be the glory!