- We thank God that from no known evangelical believers in Nikšić, through His kindness and grace, dozens of people have been saved and together established the church, Biblijska Hrišćanska Zajednica, Nikšić. Truly, God has done wondrous things in bringing us all here in the fullness of time. To God be the glory!
- We thank God that the church has expanded to reach all generations: From our family in 1996—ages 5 months to 36 years old— to our most recent worship service where the youngest was 4 months and the oldest 82 years. To God be the glory!
- We thank God for the unity we have with fellow believers in other churches and cities here in Montenegro. After the disruption of Covid, some brethren in Podgorica, (the capital city), started a monthly prayer meeting for all the evangelical churches to pray together for God’s working throughout all Montenegro. More recently, the pastors of the evangelical churches have worked out (over many months) a Statement of Faith that marks a minimum for recognition as an evangelical church and for mutual fellowship. To God be the glory!
- We thank God for the people He has added to expand gospel outreach in Nikšić : Peter Stonelake (co-elder since 2022); Danijel P and Jelena V (leaders of EUS (Student Ministry)); the Henegars and the Kremers (recent missionary families with long-term visions for MNE); plus the *many* teams and individuals from all over the world these past 30 years. To God by the glory!
- We thank God that He has kept us here. This is not a blessing to be taken lightly as we’ve seen many wonderful Christians come with a desire to serve long-term but not able to for a variety of reasons: health, family issues, elderly parent issues, team issues, financial issues. We thank God that He has preserved us through various trials: opposition from the Orthodox church, sanctions, a car fire bombing, hospitalizations (kids), the Kosovo war, economical uncertainties, recent health issues, and more. To God be the glory!
- We thank God for You all, our faithful supporters—some who have been part of this work for more than thirty years and some for just weeks. Together with you—your prayers, your presence, your generosity—Biblijska Hrišćanska Zajednica, Nikšić is a light shining in this dark land. To God be the glory.
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We have a good start, but there is much more to pray for and work towards for we are confident that He who has begun a good work... will go on to perfect it in preparation for the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).
But today, let us together praise the name of God with a song,
And magnify Him with thanksgiving. Ps. 69:30
Soli Deo Gloria!
In closing, we want to say once again how truly blessed we are to be co-laborers with you all in seeing God establish His church here in Nikšić. We truly could not be doing what we are doing without you.
We appreciate your earnest prayers, your sacrificial support, your quick notes and cards, and the blessing of working together for God to be exalted here in Montenegro.
One with you in Christ,
Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Vicki's Snapshot: Vision of God's Working
Many, many years ago we hosted a Christian band from Serbia as part of an outreach in our local community. They not only gave a fantastic performance but also greatly encouraged the young church with their personal testimonies.
Aliteja Band
All the young men stayed in our home during their time in Nikšić. (The young women stayed elsewhere as we were cramming an extra four guys into our 700 square foot home along with the seven of us. It was cozy!)
As is so often the case when meeting fellow believers, I asked how they came to know the Lord. I expected to hear that they learned of Christ and His gospel through a friend or because of an outreach. I was completely amazed to hear that they were believers because they grew up in evangelical Christian families learning of the gospel from their parents.
One young fellow continued on and said that not only was he a believer, his father a believer, but even his grandfather and great-grandfather. And that is as far back as it went.
Why was I so amazed? Because no local in Nikšić at that time could make such a claim--not even to the 'believing father' generation.
Why the great heritage of faith to the great-grandfather but no further back? Because it was in that generation that missionaries came into the north part of Serbia, shared the gospel, and made disciples.
I began to see a Big-Picture view of God's working. Thirty-plus years ago, God brought the first evangelical missionaries to Podgorica. Thirty years ago He brought us to Nikšić. Now there are eight registered evangelical churches in the country. And *dozens* of young people are growing up, able to claim "my father is a believer."
Oh, may the Lord God continue to build His Kingdom through many generations sharing the gospel and making disciples here in Montenegro.
To God be the glory!
