June 2014 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 
     Guide me in your truth and teach me,  for you are God my Savior,
        and my hope is in you all day long. 
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
     for they are from of old.  Ps. 25:4-6


Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

• Having finished preaching through the book of Nehemiah in our morning services, Stan has begun a new series expounding the book of Philippians,  showing forth the riches to be found even in Paul's greeting. In our evening services, he is continuing through the gospel of Luke, most recently covering Simeon and Anna rejoicing over the Consolation of Israel.

• We're delighted that extended family members of longtime believers continue to come to services, including those of the young businessman mentioned previously.  Most recently, the sister-in-law of another member has been steadily attending our evening services and giving a good report.

•  We've begun the in-house preaching seminar program with the aim of equipping several of the young men of the fellowship to preach the Word and giving them bi-monthly opportunities to preach in the evening service.  Thus far, two of the men have been in the pulpit, and there are two more to come.

• We hosted a short-term American team of four lovely young ladies from Georgia, who reached out to those students met in last month's Missions week, and kept the student outreach momentum going forward to this coming month's evangelistic English Student Camp.

Upcoming Ministry and Family News 

• Our hospitality ministry continues in earnest with friends and short-term missionaries from Denmark and the UK with us for varying lengths of time from now through August.  Mealtimes are always a small glimpse of the heavenly banquet with believers gathered from every tribe and tongue.

• The English Student Camp for university students will be held in Vučje, our local ski center,  from June 30-July 5, with pre- and post-camp activities for several days on either side. Camp slots are filling up, and we are expecting a good-sized group. 

• We are planning to take a short, 6-8 week, furlough this coming late fall/early winter.  Our desire is to be in California in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with all the family, then reconnect with friends and supporters in early December through early January. With all our children stateside now, it makes sense for us to come more often (every year or two, instead of every three or four) for a shorter period of time.  If you would like us to visit, please contact Stan.

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

 

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich

Mission to Montenegro

 

Praise and Prayer Bulletin Points

• Praise God for the freedom to proclaim His Word freely and clearly here in Nikšić and Montenegro, and for Stan's faithful ministry week after week.  Pray that the Lord may be pleased to bring many to hear and receive Words of Life.

• Praise God for the witness local believers are having within their own families, and that some family members have been coming to services.  Pray that our believers would share their faith wisely and winsomely, and that family members would embrace the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

• Praise God for the men He has given to the fellowship and their willingness to preach and improve their preaching.  Pray for Stan as he instructs and encourages, and for Peter, Danijel, Nemanja, and Rade as they prepare and preach, some for the first time.

• Praise God for the growing university Student Ministry, and for all those who make it possible--particularly Danijel and family, and Peter S, as well as the many short- and long-term helpers.  Pray for the upcoming camp, for those attending, for those leading, for good weather (which has been in short supply), and for the blessing of the Holy Spirit on it.

• Praise God for all those who support this work, whether through prayer, finances, encouraging cards, care packages, and more.  Pray that we would neither grow weary with well-doing nor neglect any aspect of this ministry:  preaching, teaching, discipling, evangelizing, and serving.

May 2014 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

What Kind of God? A Great God!

Let Your work appear to your servants,
        And Your glory to their children.
Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
    And establish the work of our hands for us;
          Yes, establish the work of our hands!   Ps. 90:16,17

Blessed be the Lord forevermore! Amen and Amen! 

• God blessed the intensive, high-energy ministry of the Missions Week at the local university.

On campus, main atrium

Meeting Students during the day

Working together, we (the local church) and  EUS+UCCF (Christian Student Groups in Montenegro and UK respectively) maintained a highly-visible 3-day presence on campus, interacting with students during the day, presenting Gospel truths in the evening as Michael Ots discussed his book What Kind of God, and ending the day with social events with students.  We had a huge turnout for all events, and dozens of students indicated an interest in follow-up.  Thus, a second "New Students" bible study has begun as well as  "Fun Friday Lunches" for continued fellowship and relationship building.

 

Presentations in the evening

Fun and Fellowship at night

• Stan, along with Danijel P., were greatly blessed at the Lausanne Conference, held earlier this month in Switzerland.  Celebrating its 40th anniversary as a movement, the Conference continues to encourage pastors to work towards evangelizing via the Whole Church with the Whole Gospel to the Whole World.  Special highlights this year included teaching on presenting the True Jesus to a post-Christian Europe as well as a trip into Geneva.  Our God who orchestrated the Reformation in Calvin's day is mighty to do so today.

Stan enjoying the Lausanne Conference

Upcoming Ministry and Family News

 

•  Desiring the church to be established for generations to come and fulfilling our goal of raising up new leaders in the church, Stan will be conducting in-house preaching seminars over the next months for four of the young men in our fellowship in order to better equip them to preach.  Each will have the opportunity to preach one sermon approximately every two months, giving them the chance to develop their gifts and freeing Stan for other pastoral ministries. 

• The hospitality ministry is taking off this month as we begin welcoming ministry teams, as well as old and new friends, right through til the end of summer.  Along with dozens of guests, we are looking forward to spending some time with two of our children, Josiah and Milijana, home for summer.

• Reminder: We are planning to take a short, 6-8 week, furlough this coming late fall/early winter.  Our desire is to be in California in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with all the family, then reconnect with friends and supporters in early December through early January.   If you would like us to visit, please contact Stan ASAP as we are beginning to cement dates on our calendar.

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 successful-beyond-all-our-expectations Missions Week outreach at the local university.  Pray for all who heard the words of life and especially for those who signed up to be contacted.  Pray for us as we are few in number and the needs are great. 

• Praise God for the refreshing, encouraging time Stan had in Lausanne.  Pray that God would once again have mercy and ignite global reformation.  May it begin with us.

• Praise God for men willing and able to teach and preach His Word carefully and faithfully.  Pray for Stan as he begins these preaching seminars and for the four who will begin to test and develop their preaching gifts.  May God raise up many preachers to go forth here in Montenegro and establish His people for generations.

• Praise God for the many believers who support the work here, whether materially or prayerfully, in person or not.  Pray that we would continue wisely in "doing a great work" (Neh. 6:3) balancing all parts of the ministry:  preaching, teaching, discipling, evangelizing, and serving.

• Last but not least:  PLEASE PRAY for our brethren and neighbors in Bosnia and Serbia who are experiencing devastating floods and landslides.  Pray that God would use His (world-wide and local) Church to minister both practically and spiritually to those in need.  Also, please consider donating for the relief of those afflicted. 

April 2014 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us:
      He has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and 

Testify that the Father has sent his Son

      To be the Savior of the world.   I John 4: 13, 14

 The darkness is passing, the true light is already shining.

Highlights of ministry the past month include:

•  By amazing providence, Stan was invited to represent and speak on Evangelicalism to a university sociology class here in Nikšić.  The meeting was voluntary and the professor told us to expect 10 students.  Stan spoke at our worship facilities and 20(!) students came.  All heard a clear exposition of the history of Protestantism and evangelicalism, and students left knowing basic truths about:  1. The Authority of Scripture, 2. Salvation in Christ, and 3. A Vibrant Christian Life.  The follow-up Q & A time was lively, and Danijel P. outlined our current evangelical student ministries.

•  We just finished hosting a small group from LIFE ministries, here to oversee preparations for the Camp Monty summer sports outreach. Over the years solid relationships have been built with various people and businesses (eg., the interpreter, the printer, the soccer coach, facility directors) to put this camp on; it is a joy to see growing glimmers of understanding that the Christian life is a joy-filled life, not merely a "religious" thing to do on Sundays.

• The Children's Outreach continues, though a bit hampered by illness and bad weather.  Please continue to pray for Jelena V. and the children.

Upcoming Ministry and Family News

• This coming week we will be involved with the first-ever Missions Week outreach at our local university.  Evangelist Michael Ots and a team of twelve from the UK will engage students via sports, British Corner, outings, and most particularly, a series of talks on "What Kind of God?" which answers 10 questions people have about God.  Posters and flyers have been put up and handed out.  We are looking forward to an intense week of ministry.

• We've welcomed back Peter G. who spent a month and half here last summer.  He is currently staying with us and prayerfully considering making Nikšić a "home base" and seeking to see how he can best serve the Lord with his time and talents here.

• Reminder: We are planning to take a short, 6-8 week, furlough this coming late fall/early winter.  Our desire is to be in California in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with all the family, then reconnect with friends and supporters in early December through early January.   If you would like us to visit, please contact Stan.

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

Stan and Vicki Surbtovich
Mission to Montenegro

Prayer and Praise Bulletin Points

•  Praise God for the good rapport we have in the community, and the fact that Stan was asked to speak on Protestantism/Evangelism (and not the JWs!).  Pray for the students and the professor who heard the Gospel clearly presented (Stan gave a mini-demo on a sermon preached directly from Scripture as part of his talk), and who were interested in learning more.
• Praise God for the good reputation Camp Monty has in this town and for the many, many people who make it happen each year.  Pray for those with whom we have continuing contact and relationships:  particularly the coach and his family, as well as the interpreter as they have become increasingly sympathetic to the gospel.
• Praise God and thank Him for the children He is bringing to Himself.  This past week it was very heartwarming to hear the "Amin!" of one young boy at our mid-week prayer meeting.  Pray for good health and strength for all as it has been a month of illness for many including us.
• Praise God for this upcoming Missions Week outreach and the favor shown us to actually host some events on the campus itself.  This is a big answer to prayer, especially in light of recent changes in administration at the university.  Pray that students would come, engage, wrestle with the big questions, and see that true answers are found only in Christ.
• Praise God for putting Nikšić on the heart of Peter G. (and others) to come back and encourage both believers and unbelievers. Pray that God would be pleased to use the words of life shared and the love shown to bring sinners to salvation.
• Praise for God's faithfulness in providing for our needs, but we do want to bring one new item to your attention.  With three children attending university our financial needs have increased, particularly due to the additional cost of transatlantic flights at Christmas and summer.  Please pray and consider donating frequent flyer miles or in other ways.  If interested, please contact us at stan.surbatovich@gmail.com for more details of how you might help in this practical manner. Thank you so much.

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

March 2014 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

My soul magnifies the Lord,  
     My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
       And holy is His name.  Luke 1: 49, 50


God had made them rejoice with great joy!

 We are so pleased to share the following good things the Lord has accomplished since we last wrote:

• We are much encouraged by the good fruit of our dedicated weekly efforts to go out and visit unchurched people, especially working adults, families, and pensioners.  Several have since attended church (for the first time!) and others are increasingly committed to either attending church or keeping up contact with us personally.

• Children are continuing to attend the 12 week outreach course which began in early February.  As can be expected, this is a small but dedicated core group, and some are already asking about what will be next.  So, this may very well lead into the start of an expanded Children's Ministry.

• We recently enjoyed a mini gathering of the leaders from the various churches/outreaches here in Montenegro at a dinner sponsored by some Albanian Christians from Tirane.  Because of the paucity of evangelical believers in Montenegro and the Balkans in general, many of us appreciate and want to see increased cooperation and mutual encouragement of believers across borders and cultures.  Albania is actually a close neighbor, and we are looking forward to a mutually edifying relationship with at least one group of believers in Albania.

Upcoming Ministry and Family News 

• For everything there is a season, and we are now in the season of gearing up for conferences, camps, and short-term teams and visitors.  In April, we are expecting organizers of Camp Monty as well as a British group for a week-long outreach to University students.  In May, Stan will be away at the Lausanne Conference in Geneva, and we will welcome back our college-aged children.  June, July, and August are filled with camp outreaches:  the teen camp, the Student Outreach English camp, and the Camp Monty sports camp, as well as the activities of short-term missionaries like our Danish friends, Tanja and Rebekka.  In September or October, we will be hosting the All-Montenegro Believer's Meeting here in Niksic, and  in November, we hope to head for the States.

• We are planning to take a short, 6-8 week, furlough this coming late fall/early winter.  Our desire is to be in California in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with all the family, then reconnect with friends and supporters in early December through early January. With all our children stateside now, it makes sense for us to come more often (every year or two, instead of every three or four) for a shorter period of time.  If you would like us to visit, please contact Stan.

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 several older people who have visited the church for the first time and heard the Word of God preached and His name praised.  Pray for them to return and continue to hear the Words of Life.  Pray for us that as the demands of hosting and hospitality increase with the coming season, we would still find the time and energy to go "out into the world."
•  Praise God for the children who are coming every week to learn about Jesus, for their respectful eagerness, for Jelena V. who is faithfully preparing and meeting with them each week.  Pray for the children's understanding and love of the Savior to grow, for Jelena who has many demands on her time, and for a clear leading as to future ministry amongst unchurched children.
• Praise God for the love of the Brethren, the family of God united in Christ throughout the world and throughout the ages.  Pray for our newfound relationship with concerned and caring believers in Albania, that we might mutually encourage one another to love and good works.
•  Praise God for the many opportunities and helpers as "camp" season approaches.  These events involve people of many ages, nationalities, and talents working together, and they do, in themselves, give unbelievers a glimpse of the mighty works of God.  But please pray that God would use all these outreaches to add to our number those who are being saved.
• Praise God for all those who contribute to the ministry here, whether with presents, presence, or prayers.  Pray for our upcoming furlough, for the arranging of the details, for the opportunity to present in-depth the lives and hearts that are being touched by Mission to Montenegro. 

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

February 2014 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
   Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
  Great is Your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3: 22-23


The Lord is good to those who wait for Him...

Highlights of God's good work amongst us:

Debora and Karen

• We've much enjoyed the fellowship and ministry of the Brazilians, Karen and Debora, who've been with us for the past month.  We will be sorry to see them leave this week.  They've kept busy reaching out to university students, hosting a Brazilian night, leading a young women's Bible study, and treating us to some delicious Brazilian food. 

Brazilian Night Outreach

•  In the ministry of the Word, Stan is continuing to preach through Nehemiah in the morning service, and has begun a new book series in the evening, covering the Gospel of Luke.  One recent message from Nehemiah explored the glorious truth: "The joy of the Lord is our strength."  Neh. 8:10

• The first of the twelve week Children's Outreach program took place this last Lord's Day!  The children who came were eager and interested.  Please continue to pray for this ministry, for Jelena V. and helpers as she plans lessons for the children whose abilities range from early elementary to junior high.

Upcoming Ministry and Family News

• Along with the joy of seeing the congregation slowly growing (along with V's extended family, we've recently seen the steady attendance of two men who are relatively new to the faith and church life, having become believers through a Christian rehab center in Croatia), come new challenges:  more counseling, more teaching, more visitations, more relationships to develop.

• We are planning to take a short furlough this coming late fall/early winter.  With all our children stateside now, it makes sense for us to come more often (every year or two, instead of every three or four) for a shorter period of time.  If you would like us to visit, please contact Stan.

• We celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary this month.  May the Lord grant us another three decades together!

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 for the encouraging work of Karen and Debora amongst the young people here. Please pray for all the ongoing ministries:  the weekly worship services, mid-week prayer meeting, college Bible study, new children's ministry, and one-on-one mentoring.  May God give the increase.
• Praise for the new people who are regularly attending. Please pray that each would grow in their faith, love, and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  And pray for us who are further in our pilgrimage that we would warmly and wisely welcome these new believers into our church family.
• Praise for God's material goodness to us all and our current good health.  Even so, please pray for those (men especially) who are seeking steady employment in order to provide for their families.  The economic outlook in Nikšič continues to be quite bleak.
• Praise for all the upcoming events:  conferences in the spring, the evangelistic outreach camps in summer, our furlough in fall, and visitors throughout the year.  Please pray for us that we might rightly spend our time, energy, and financial resources on these opportunities.

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

Jan 2014 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

 
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
    who was and is and is to come! Rev. 4:8b


Worthy are you, our Lord and God!  

January is always such an exciting month: a new year, new plans, new projects.  But our aim remains the same:

 Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they existed and were created.  

Rev. 4:11

 Highlights since our last newsletter include:

• We finished the last of our Christmas Shoebox distribution between a small-scale presentation at our own meeting facilities and visiting families with children too ill to come.  We now have 20+ children signed up for a 12 week series beginning in February to learn more about Jesus and the Christian life.

•  Stan prepared and preached several Christmas sermons in the weeks before January 7th, and we were encouraged with the good attendance including some first time visitors.

•  It is a special joy that we now regularly see the extended family of one of our regulars (V., a young Christian businessman) at our services whether V. is in town or not.  They've been coming for several months, so not just for the Christmas goodies, and show earnest interest and participation.

Upcoming Ministry and Family News 

• The children's outreach will begin in February, and we will be greatly aided by Jelena V., a young woman in the fellowship gifted in working with children. This is our first attempt at a long-term (12 weeks vs. one week VBS) outreach.

• We are expecting a couple of Brazilian Christian students at the end of this week.  They are currently in Serbia as part of an international Christian Student exchange program and will be spending the next month with us here in Montenegro. 

• We enjoyed a restful and springlike, not white, Christmas with three (the college students!) of our five children home for the holidays. 

Also, we would like to thank you all for your prayers, support, birthday wishes, encouraging cards, and care packages now and throughout the year.  Truly, we are all in this great work together.

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro                          

 

Prayer and Praise Bulletin Points: 

• Praise for the relatively smooth and effective Christmas Shoebox distribution.  Pray for all the children who received packages, but especially those children who signed up for the 12 week follow-up course, that neither weather, nor illness, nor family pressure would prevent them from coming to learn more about Jesus.
• Praise for the good Christmas turnout even with many families away for the holidays.  Pray that those who heard would come back to learn more from the Bible.
• Praise to God for all the people who make up our fellowship--truly we are one body united in Christ.  Pray especially for V. and his family members, that all would could to a saving knowledge and living relationship with Jesus Christ.  And pray for Jelena V. as she gives of her time and energy to ministry to the children for the next few months.
• Praise for the children's safe (even if somewhat delayed) arrivals, for our good family times, and good health while all were here.  Stan has been ill for the past week plus and is now mending slowly, but it appears that Vicki may have gotten the bug and is trying to fight it off.  Please pray for our quick recovery and that our college kids may be spared.

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

December 2013 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; 
         and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, 
     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6


Glory to God in the highest!

We've have definitely gotten into the Christmas spirit this week with our big outreach to children through a short Christmas program combined with the shoebox gifts from "Operation Christmas Child."  Several thousand packages were handed out as well as hundreds of New Testaments.  There are still several hundred more packages to be handed out, so our work is not over even though the large-scale event is finished.  Thanks be to God; this year was our best year ever for these events.  The planning, training, praying, and team work were incredible.

Most exciting of all is that a dozen+ children have signed up for a 12 week course to learn more about Jesus.    Last year no one signed up, so we are greatly encouraged by the response.  This program will begin in February after the holidays--Christmas is celebrated on Jan. 7 here and schools are out until the end of January.

This newsletter is in a much different format because of the busyness of the holiday season coupled with a hand injury that makes typing difficult.    

Main Prayer Request:  For effective pastoral ministry and balancing family time.  Along with preaching the Word, there is generally a heightened need for pastoral counseling and visitation with those who find the holidays stressful and depressing.

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

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro  

Enjoy this brief photo essay of our recent outreach as it testifies to the wise counsel that "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." I Peter 4:10

11pm and several thousand gifts unloaded and stored at our meeting place. Thanks, guys!

  Heated facilities this year! Getting ready:  Packages? Check.  Music?  Check.  Bibles?  Check.

A full house!  We had ten programs over two days.

Stan encouraging the children to know Jesus, not merely know about Him.

Scripture reading from Luke 2

Jelena V. inviting the children to the follow-up course.

Teaching and singing Tiha Noc (Silent Night)

 Christmas Shoebox time!

To God be the Glory!