January 2013 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

You crown the year with Your goodness,
         And Your paths drip with abundance.  Ps. 65:11

Remember His marvelous works! 

• We successfully distributed all 5000 Samaritan's Purse Christmas boxes.  Along with the shoebox, each child received a New Testament, a colorful booklet entitled "The Greatest Gift on Earth", our church contact info, and a presentation of the gospel along with singing "Silent Night."  Additionally, many children were accompanied by an adult or two who also heard the gospel proclaimed.  Please pray that all these families would look past the gift and long to know the Giver.

• It was a great time of ministry for our fellowship, with everyone participating, young and old (ages 15-60+).  Because the project is so large, we also had the opportunity to work alongside other members of our local community, and this opens the door for Christian follow-up and ministry amongst them as well.  Please pray for our continued ministry amongst unbelieving students.

• We enjoyed good times and opportunities for witnessing as we visited and shared meals together with the B. family, the M. family, the J. family, and the P. family during the holidays, a traditional time for such get-togethers.  Since we usually have people over to our house, it is an extra-special treat to be invited to other homes.  Please pray for our continued ministry and witnessing among these families.

• Christmas Eve (Jan. 6) found us hosting three unexpected visitors from the Ukraine. To be honest, we were a little leery (being contacted out of the blue), and weary (having had an emotionally-exhausting day when Josiah missed his return flight due to an unanticipated 5 hour delay at the border, necessitating working out a new itinerary involving an overnight stay in Frankfurt) at the prospect of hosting guests.  But God's ways are marvelous, for these three young people from a large church in Kiev truly refreshed our souls with their love and enthusiasm for God and His gospel.  We look forward to an ongoing relationship with them and their church this year.    Please pray that God would continue to bear fruit out of this relationship as we admired their church's organized and enthusiastic outreach in their local Ukranian community.

               

Family News:  

• We greatly enjoyed our time with our sons home from university.  The Lord did bless us all with good health for which we are truly thankful.
• Milijana has completed all her applications and supplements for university.  By God's grace, she has received one acceptance letter (so far).  Please continue to pray that God would lead in the way she should go.
• Stan and Milijana anticipate a trip to the US in April in a combined Samaritan's Purse Conference/college check visit.

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support in this great work of God,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro  

Prayer and Praise Bulletin Points:    

• Praise God for another successful Christmas Shoebox project.  Please pray that we would continue to improve in the logistics, but even more importantly, that the families receiving would seek out Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.
• Praise God for the participation by all the members of the fellowship in the outreach, for the knitting of our hearts together.  Pray for those interested-but-still-on-the-periphery souls.
• Praise for the many friendships and  relationships God has given us here.  Pray that we would be wise blessings to all.
• Praise for God's mysterious ways in bringing three brothers and sisters in Christ all the way from the Ukraine for our mutual encouragement and edification.  Please pray that God would lead us in fostering this relationship.
• Praise for God's continued care over us.  Pray for those men in the fellowship seeking stable employment, and for Stan's continuing chronic health concerns.

December 2012 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations;
And all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Is. 52:10

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

• After more than a two year wait, Stan was finally re-granted Montenegrin citizenship (lost after the break-up of the former Yugoslavia).  This is great news because not only does it ease our ability to stay here long term, but it is a positive good in that Stan is a Montenegrin pastor (the only one in Montenegro) and this will be attractive to some.

•  We are expecting to distribute 5000 Christmas Shoeboxes this season.  This is a big job for our small fellowship, and others in the Niksic community help out.  Please pray for Stan and Danijel as they are responsible for the decisions and overseeing the practical logistics (which are many!) as well as for the presentation of the gospel during the program.

• The evangelistic outreaches to students via conversation club, guest lecturers, bible study, camps, and more continue to bear fruit as new students are joining in these activities on their own initiative.  Praise God for His increased activity amongst the high school and university students.

• It has been a busier-than-usual month of pastoral care with the birth of healthy TWINS to the V. family, the loss of a beloved grandma in another family, and the sad tidings of a terminal illness in yet another.  Additionally, we have been blessed to see one woman eagerly coming again to our Sunday meetings after a year-long hiatus.

Upcoming Ministry and Family News:

• The Christmas season is always exceptionally busy for us because we have two Christmases, two birthdays, two Slavas (Saints Days), and New Year's (the big holiday here--this is when presents are exchanged) to celebrate PLUS distributing the Christmas packages and spending time with family, neighbors, and friends.  Many families here celebrate their family's saint day (Slava) which varies and is an automatic day off work/school--that is how central they are to the local culture. It is always an honor and opportunity to be asked, so we go when invited.

• Our sons Josiah and Christian, both university students, will be joining us for two-three weeks while on Christmas break.  Sadly, our daughters Anna Marie and Amy are not able to come because of work/cost/time.  Please pray for them especially, and for us all that we would cherish the good things the Lord has done for us as we remember Him this Christmastide.

• Our daughter, Milijana, is finishing up the last of her university applications; however, the prayer continues for the Lord's hand in directing where she will be studying next fall, Deo Volente.

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support in this great work of God,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro  
PS.  Thanks to all the dear Ladies who send us birthday and other note cards.  It would be great if an email contact could also be included in them because then we could thank you immediately.

Prayer and Praise Bulletin Points:      

• Praise God for the granting of Stan's citizenship.  Pray that this privilege will be used to further the gospel even more.
• Praise God for the kind generousity of our fellow saints in providing these Christmas Shoeboxes.  Pray for the families that receive them, that they would long to know the God who is the giver of all blessings.
• Praise God for the growing work amongst university and high school students.  Pray that they would take to heart the Truth and turn from darkness to light.
• Praise for the safe arrival and good health of mother and sons in the V. family.   Pray for those who have recently lost and expect to lose loved ones.
•  Praise for Christmas vacations and sons returning home!  Pray that we would all stay in good health and enjoy our limited time to the max.

Note:  If you would like to receive this newsletter update directly, please subscribe at:  http://christianitymontenegro.blogspot.com/    

November Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Eph 3: 20, 21

Oh, how great is Your goodness! 

We have had a very blessed month in the Lord with so many good things to share:

• We reached an agreement with the landlord for an acceptable sign which was not at all a certainty.  Rejoice with us!  For the time being, the landlord has decided to sit on his decision to sell or not to sell until at least after the new year.   We now realize that getting a place of our own (whether this or another) would be a very good next step for our growing fellowship.       

• Peter Williams, a Christian philosopher and debater, spoke at the university on the topic of "Morality and the New Atheism."  By God's providence, the Philosophy Department helped promote this event amongst the students and many attended; the best part is that several students left contact information for follow-up purposes.                  

• Three new families have moved to Montenegro as missionaries desiring to see new churches raised up.   They are currently in the capital city of Podgorica learning the language.  We feel a close kinship with one family in particular because the husband (Jesse) first came to Niksic on a college mission trip about six years ago and spent a week+ with us.  He left with the desire to return one day, and now that day has come.  Praise the Lord!       

Upcoming Ministry and Family News       

•  We have begun planning for the Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoebox distribution.  One of our own, Jelena V.,  has gone to a mini-conference on effective follow-up after the giving of the boxes.  Jelena has also written a brief drama outlining the Christmas story to accompany our presentation.         

• Our daughter, Milijana, is in the process of applying to university for Fall 2013.  She has finished taking all her required SAT, SAT II tests for which we are very grateful as we have to travel out of country to accomplish this.

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support in this great work of God,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro

Prayer and Praise Bulletin Points:

• Praise God for the agreement reached with our landlord.  Pray for the means to purchase a place of our own.

• Praise God for the contact with new and unbelieving students.  Pray for ongoing relationships to be built and for the student bible study and outreach activities.

• Praise for the sending of new missionaries here to Montenegro.  With currently only 4 registered churches in the whole country, this is proportionately a great increase!   Pray for our brethren as they work hard to learn the language (grammatically challenging!) and for the Lord to direct them to their place of ministry.  

• Praise for the yearly blessing and opportunities associated with the Christmas package distribution.  Pray for us as it is a major project, and for the Christmas drama directed by Jelena V. as many children here know absolutely nothing about Jesus's birth, life, or reason for coming to earth.

• Praise for Milijana's success with required testing and the wonderful ability to submit college applications online! Please pray that God would guide and give us all wisdom as she seeks "next steps" after her graduation this coming spring.              

• Please pray for all the regular ministries of the church:  preaching of the Word, prayer meetings, student Bible Study, Ladies' Coffee fellowship, and individual mentoring.   

•  Please pray for Randi and Anton, to continue to be effective in their witness and ministry as they increase their contacts and opportunities amongst university and high school students.            

Note:  If you would like to receive this newsletter update directly, please subscribe at:  http://christianitymontenegro.blogspot.com/   

October 2012 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
     And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul, 
     And fills the hungry soul with goodness. Ps. 107:8,9

Declare His works with rejoicing!

The busyness of summer evangelistic camps has given way to the autumn rhythm of weekly meetings, coffee fellowships, Student Bible studies, and more.  Some recent highlights include:

•  We were blessed with the recent visit of Pastor and Evangelist Dr. Michael Green, Oxford, England who gave an encouraging and practical talk to our fellowship on sharing the love and good news of Jesus Christ to family and friends.  He also unabashedly shared that love and good news at our sponsored Student outreach at the Atrium Cafe in downtown Niksic.  Please pray for the students (N., in particular) and the staff who heard the Words of Life.

• A week ago, we had another drop-in visitor, T. a man in his mid-30s, who came to our morning service because he saw our church sign.  This last week, the weather was poor and he didn't come.  Please pray that he would continue to join with us, hear God's Word, and grow in love, knowledge, and faith.

• Landlord Concerns continue: Given that the sign announcing our services, detailing days and times, is being noticed by the public at large, it is disappointing that our landlord, after a month of silence, has decreed that we must take down our sign this week.  He is still willing to negotiate (possibly) a smaller sign as well as selling the premises outright.  Please pray for continued wisdom as we navigate these opportunities.

• Pray for all the young believers in unbelieving (and usually dysfunctional) families.  Along with the dreariness of gray and grim weather outside, they face a spiritual darkness and battle within their family circles.  The Christian camps and summer teams of the past few months have been (as always) a great encouragement, but now they need to battle on with the Lord's help. Please lift these "pioneering " brethren before the Lord, that they would know His sweet mercies and Presence and be helped to actively love their families for Christ's sake.

Upcoming Ministry and Family News:

 

•  Stan is expecting to finish up his preaching through the book of Daniel in our morning services and is in the process of choosing another book for exposition.  In the evening services, he is currently preaching from I John 2.  Please pray for Stan, for physical strength and health and that he would continue in his faithful teaching and preaching and right handling of God's Word: in the pulpit, in counseling, in everyday conversations.

• Our daughter, Milijana, is in the process of applying to university for Fall 2013.  Please pray that God would guide and give us all wisdom as she seeks "next steps" after her graduation this coming spring. 

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support in this great work of God,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro

Prayer Bulletin Points:

• For the students, cafe staff, casual Sunday visitors, family members, and friends who have been loved by our sharing the Word of God, the truth and claims of Jesus Christ, and their great need of a Savior; that they would turn to Him who is the true lover of souls.

•  For our church meeting location and landlord, that we would be able to have a suitable sign and building for worshipping the Lord as a growing body of believers.

• For young believers in unbelieving families, that they would find their sustenance in the One who is nearer and dearer than a brother, father, or mother. 

• For Randi and Anton, to be effective in their witness and ministry as they increase their contacts and opportunities amongst university and high school students.

• For all the regular ministries of the church:  preaching of the Word, prayer meetings, student Bible Study, Ladies' Coffee fellowship, and individual mentoring.   

• For God's leading as Milijana applies to US universities.

Note:  If you would like to receive this newsletter update directly, please subscribe at:  http://christianitymontenegro.blogspot.com/ 

September 2012 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,  and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.   Rev. 1: 4b-5a

Make known His deeds among the peoples! 
 
God has been busy amongst us this past month; we will have to hit the highlights of the highlights!

• R., the older woman who had visited twice when we wrote last time, has continued to come faithfully to our Sunday morning worship service, and even to a midweek prayer meeting once.  She is now hopeful that her husband might begin to come to service as well.  Please pray for him to come and hear God's Words of life.

• Two Danish young people are now with us:  Randi (young woman, for the next 9 months) and Anton (young man, for the next 3 months).  They are here to reach out and minister to both university students and high schoolers.  Please pray for them as they settle in, adjust to Montenegrin life, attempt to learn the language, and most importantly, for opportunities and boldness in sharing their faith.

• Wedding in Belgrade.  Earlier this month, Stan was honored to preside over the wedding ceremony of S. and B.  B. grew up in the church here, was one of the first to be baptized, and is very dear to our hearts.  It is a joy to have witnessed in the past year three weddings of Christian young people who are establishing new points of light in their communities, extended families, and work places.  Praise be to God!

• Landlord Concerns  The Landlord for the church is very concerned about the church sign as he believes it makes the building a target of attack and is considering what to do about it.  His fears are not unfounded:  we did have 3 men hanging around the sign/door one evening after a service and they were very hostile to the idea of a "sect" in the area. (Note:  This occurred while Stan was away.  Danijel ended up speaking with these guys and witnessing to them and ending everything on pleasant terms (though they still couldn't understand why we just weren't Serbian Orthodox)).   One EXCITING possibility that the landlord mentioned was selling the entire building/land at cost to us, because then it would be our problem, not his.  Please pray that we would consider this offer wisely, taking ALL possibilities into account.

Upcoming Ministry  and Family News

• Resuming "Normal" Ministries.  With school now started, the weekly student bible studies, teen meetings, one-on-one Bible Study, and Ladies' Coffee Times are all back in action.  Please pray for the unbelievers to be challenged to come to Christ, for all to be encouraged.

• Stan and Josiah had a whirlwind two week trip getting Josiah outfitted for his new life as a university student:  driver's license, bank accounts opened, cell phone stuff, school books bought, and more. Josiah is now settled in at the Rochester Institute of Technology, NY, in the Physician Assistant Program and starting his third week of classes.  Please pray that he would find a good church home.

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support in this great work of God,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro
 
Prayer Bulletin Points 

• For R's husband, to come to church, hear the Word of God, and be saved.
• For Randi and Anton, to be effective in their witness and ministry.
• For S+B, that their marriage would grow in love and maturity, and they would glorify God through their union.
• For our church meeting location and landlord, that we would be able to have a sign and building suitable for worshipping the Lord as a growing body of believers.
• For all the regular ministries of the church:  preaching of the Word, prayer meetings, student Bible Study, Ladies' Coffee fellowship, and individual mentoring.
• For all our children:  Anna, Amy, Christian (3rd year university student), Josiah (1st year university student), and Milijana (high school senior): to grow in favor with God and man.

Note:  If you would like to receive this newsletter update directly, please subscribe at:  http://christianitymontenegro.blogspot.com/

August 2012 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you.  2 Thess. 3:1

I will tell of all Your marvelous works...

We just finished a very busy month, wrapping up a full season of camp evangelistic outreaches.  Some highlights of the past month include:

• Camp Monty is a sports-oriented evangelistic camp targeted for youth, ages 8-20.  This year's turnout was larger than ever, with more than 200+ children participating in the various programs.  This camp is sponsored by Life Impact for Eternity who organized the 35+ adult volunteers leading the activities.  Our work, as a fellowship, is to follow-up with the young people who gave contact information and want to know more about Christ and His Word.  Please pray for the Bible studies that are being started for these interested youth and for their salvation.

• Saying Good-bye to our short-term summer missionaries, Tanja and Rebekka.  They helped out with several camps, leading Girls' Bible Study, and being general encouragers to the fellowship. Deo volente, we will be seeing them in 2013! 

• New Church Sign is noticed! Not once, but twice.  One older women, R, noticed our sign and has been coming to morning services for the past two weeks.  She had contact with an evangelical church while living in Bosnia but just found out about us.  Later that same week, Stan had a police officer contact him, stating that he noticed the church sign, and wanted to meet with Stan as our location is in his precinct.  Stan spent a pleasant hour with him, and we rejoice in the good relationships we have with city officials. Rejoice with us and may the Lord be pleased to bring many more souls to our doors.

Upcoming Ministry

• Guest Preachers  Stan is gone for the remainder of August, equipping our son Josiah with all he needs to begin his university studies.  So, we will have two guest preachers for our morning worship services, and Danijel (involved in student ministries) will lead our evening services.  Please pray for these men as they bring the Word of the Lord before us, and for our sweet fellowship as our numbers will be down all month.

• Welcoming a New Student Helper  Next week we are anticipating the arrival of Randi, a young Danish woman, who will be in Niksic for the next nine months with a mission to participate in  student evangelism and discipleship.  We are thrilled for "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few," especially in light of the much needed follow-up of  young people reached through the summer camps.

With great love and appreciation for all your prayers and ongoing support in this work the Lord has for us,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro

Prayer Points:

• Follow-up for the young people reached through camps: by personal visitation, bible studies, social events.
• For our newest visitor, R, that we would get to know her and welcome her into God's family here in Niksic. 
• For Stan and Josiah's travels and packed schedule, plus Josiah's acclimation to life in the US as a univsersity student (aka "culture shock"), that he would find his place and  a good church home.
• For our Sunday services while two key leaders are gone (Stan and Peter Stonelake), and for Danijel who is in charge in their absence.
• For Randi's safe arrival and settling in, that she would find her calling quickly.

Note:  If you would like to receive this newsletter update directly, please subscribe at:  http://christianitymontenegro.blogspot.com/

July 2012 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

       
For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,  and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.      Heb.4:12

Many, O LORD my God, are your wonderful works...

We invite you to rejoice and give thanks with us for all the Lord is doing here in Niksic and in Montenegro.

• Ministry of the Word  Stan has been preaching through the book of Daniel in the morning services, emphasizing the truths of God's sovereignty over the nations,  the certainty of God's prophecies, and His ultimate Kingdom victory. In our evening services, Stan is preaching from  I John 2, encouraging us in recognizing and overcoming the love of the world and knowing with assurance that we have eternal life.

• English Student Camp  We've just wrapped up another successful English Student camp, an evangelistic camp targeted for university students.  For the past few weeks, we hosted a great UCCF team from England who led the actual camp, leading the Bible studies and discussion groups from the book of Luke, planning the events and social activities, and generally witnessing as they engaged with the students.  Please pray for continuing fruit from this outreach. 

Upcoming Ministry

• Teen Camp and Camp Monty  These will take place the last week of July.  The teen camp is hosted directly by the church in Podgorica while Camp Monty is a sports-outreach camp right here in Niksic.  We have supporting roles in each but are not the main organizers.

• One-on-One Bible Study  Vicki is starting a one-on-one Bible Study with one of the young ladies in the fellowship, for mutual encouragement and discipleship.  Please pray that we would dig deeply and rightly into the Word of Life.

With great love and appreciation for your ongoing prayers and support in this great work of God,

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Prayer Points:

• For the conversions and further sanctification of the students at the English Camp, particularly A, J, D (males), and A, J, M (females).

• For the Teen and Sports Camp being held at the end of this month.  Many unbelievers will be attending, just for the fun of the activities, but God's Word is a powerful two-edged sword, so pray that God's Word would be boldly proclaimed and that hearts would respond. 

• In God's wonderful providence, a number of young people who've visited in the past are interested in returning for longer periods of time.  Right now, we are in the process of attempting to get a one-year visa for a young Danish woman who would like to come in September and stay for a year.  Please pray that we will be able to smoothly get her a visa through our registration as a local church.

• For our family, as we prepare for Josiah to go off to university next month.  In fact, next time I write, Stan and Josiah will be off to the US to take care of necessities before classes start...