April 2016 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Sing to the Lord, all the earth!

    Tell of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations,

   His marvelous works among all the peoples! Ps. 96:2,3

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

We've been enjoying the burst of new life in the garden as our tulips and other spring bulbs bloom profusely.  May God be pleased to bring new life to the people here as we sing, tell, and declare His life-giving words to the peoples around us.

• Mini-update on two past prayer requests:  1. We rejoice that our evangelistic Sunday in late March brought several never-been-to-church-before visitors, and 2.  The resubmitted application to have the student ministry, EUS-CG, recognized as a legal entity (NGO) was approved for which we are very grateful.

Come Meet the Danes Fellowship Evening

• The Danish Bible School team is here! They're reaching out to the local university students with several events including meeting students on campus, hosting fellowship evenings at our place, student bible studies, and more.  We are enjoying sweet fellowship and mutual edification as we work and live together for the next two weeks.

A Full House!

• Nick Vujicic will be ministering at two major events this Thursday, one in Nikšić, one in Podgorica.  His visit has been widely promoted here in Montenegro, and he'll have a wonderful opportunity for sharing the gospel to thousands.  We're looking forward to following-up with those showing further interest in the good news of Jesus Christ.
  

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for the current outreach to university students and Nick's ministry all happening this week.  Continue to pray for both the practical logistics and for those ministering--that Christ might be lifted up and not we ourselves.  Pray for eyes and ears to be open, that the Holy Spirit would illumine hearts for the natural man does not understand.

• We will be celebrating Easter on May 1st.  Cultural religious holidays always present a special opportunity to invite people to come to church. This year, however, Easter conflicts with the more widely-celebrated May First holiday.   

• Please continue to pray for the visa situations of Peter S, Peter G, and Rebekka (who will be coming late summer to stay for a year.)  Changing laws and regulations have complicated the process for both the applicants and the granting offices.

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

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich

Mission to Montenegro

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

March 2016 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, 

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son 

and of the Holy Spirit, 

teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; 

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt. 28:19-20

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

Twenty years ago this month, in March 1996, we moved from sunny Southern California to Montenegro with the desire to bring the gospel, the living Word, the Good News of Jesus Christ, to this land.  We concur, with the Apostle Paul, that neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase (I Cor. 3:7).  

Thus, in this month's newsletter, we look back at what the Lord God has done here in Nikšić over the years, to God be the glory!

Dedication Service 1995
Note:  Milijana is not born yet, neither was Montenegro as a nation.
Caption above map on photo:  Mission to Yugoslavia

In the beginning,  for years, we hosted all the Bible studies and meetings at our house--there was nowhere else to have them.  Now, we are able to go from house to house as different families host our mid-week meeting and our Sunday services are held in rented facilities.

Sweet fellowship at Makica's

In the beginning, we were the only Christian family (husband, wife, and children) in the fellowship--all others were divorced, widowed, or married to an unbeliever.  Since then there's been more than half a dozen weddings, and now there are several young families, committed to the Lord, raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

In the beginning, we had one English Language Bible study at our house.  Now, we have Sunday services, morning and evening; a mid-week prayer and sermon discussion, ongoing mentoring and visitations (all in the local language!), plus the university student work, EUS-CG, with its own bible studies and outreach activities in its own rented facilities.

In the beginning, we were one American family with Montenegrin roots (note our last name!)  Since then, we've hosted hundreds of short-term helpers from every habitable continent.  Now, we have ongoing, mutually beneficial relationships with Christians and Christian groups from Serbia, England, the US, Denmark, Italy, and more.

In the beginning, we prayed to meet people, to stay in country, for people to be saved and baptized, for Stan's citizenship to be recognized, for worship music leaders, for unity amongst all the evangelical believers in MNE, for more men to be saved, for the outreaches amongst the young people, and so much more.  Now, we give God glory for He has done all that and abundantly more besides.

What now? What's next? 

We have a good start.  We do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin (Zech. 4:10), but there is so 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).

The work of building Christ's body here in Nikšić and in Montenegro is still a pioneering work.  

• Montenegro remains among the least evangelized of European countries--even if a few thousand souls nationwide have heard the gospel, there are still hundreds of thousands that have not.  

• All pastoral leaders of the evangelical churches are from outside the country--in our own fellowship, they are American, Serbian, and English.  We look forward to the day when well-trained, well-equipped Montenegrins are pastoring churches in every city!

• Evangelicals are still widely considered a "sect" which has very negative connotations.

• No evangelical church in Montenegro is entirely self-supporting although we rejoice that the tithes and offerings in our fellowship currently cover the rent and utilities, plus a benevolence fund as well as a tiny but growing nest egg for a future building of our own.

A good next step is church facilities of our own.

• While we know that a building doesn't make the church, in the eyes of this culture the lack of a building that looks like a church equals a lack of legitimacy.  This perception contributes to the "You're just a sect" mentality as well as "You must have something to hide, meeting in homes and small store fronts."

• We believe that having our own church facilities will be an important part of reaching unbelievers in the community more effectively with both increased activities and outreaches but also a better set-up to visit and fellowship after any event, including normal Sunday services.

• Additionally, we've been reworking our current facilities to better accommodate young families and a Sunday School class, but as renters, we are rather limited in what we can accomplish.

• Lastly, over the past five years, the congregation has gained and demonstrated the mindset that Biblijska Hrišćanska Zajednica (Christian Bible Fellowship) is not "The missionary's church" but rather "our church" with a real sense of ownership and proactive care.

Please pray for and consider donating funds towards establishing Biblijska Hrišćanska Zajednica in its own premises.  We are looking for possible locations and outlining next steps to take.

One young father,  looking down at his infant daughter in his arms, shared with tears in his eyes his hope that when she is school-aged, she could walk down the street with her friends and point and say:  "That is my church. Want to come with me this week?"

Will you help make that hope, that dream, a reality?


In conclusion, as befitting such a time as this, we express our most heartfelt thanks to God for all that He has accomplished in these years which could not have been done without you.  With that in mind, we especially want to thank:

• The elders and saints at Faith Community Church  for embracing the original vision more than 22 years ago and for their ongoing support, through oversight, finances, and faithful prayer.  
• The churches and individuals who've given to the ministry over the years. Some of you have been part of Mission to Montenegro (M2M) for more than 20 years, others for just a few months.  The "History of the Evangelical Church in Montenegro" would be far, far different without your love, prayers, and support.
• The hundreds of guests who've passed through our home.  We've been blessed with a  bigger, better understanding of the greatness of our God, and we've enjoyed a taste of heaven, worshipping our God with those from every tongue, tribe, and nation.
• The saints of Biblijska Hrišćanska Zajednica, past, present and future. Truly, God has done wondrous things in bringing us all together here, in the fullness of time.
• Our family who faces special challenges for the sake of the gospel.  Be encouraged, it has not been in vain for the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Is. 40:8).  You've been a blessing to so many; we love you all so much!

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

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Mission to Montenegro

Note: If you desire to give monetarily, whether for ongoing support or as a special offering for new facilities, 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!

February 2016 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night. Ps. 1:1,2

Grace and peace to you in the name of God our Father!

This past month we've been enjoying our mild winter weather as well as several visitors from the Ukraine, England, and the States regarding possible future ministry.

• Our midweek prayer and sermon discussion, which is hosted by different families, continues to be a big blessing to all who come as we reflect, discuss, and challenge one another with the truths of Scriptures, followed by unity in prayer.

• Last week, the EUS-CG (Crna Gora = Montenegro in the local language) student work kicked off the second semester with a standing-room only concert.  Talented musicians from Serbia came down to join our guys for a delightful evening of music, a devotional on our true source of hope,  and a promo video for Nick Vujicic's upcoming event in April.

• We've had several visitors, particularly family members of believers, for Sunday services as well as special events.  This is always encouraging as there are so few intact families coming to church regularly.  In this pioneering gospel work, many spouses of believers are unsaved and often antagonistic to the faith.

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests:

• Things move slowly here in the Balkans, so please continue to pray for the granting of visas and residency for Peter S. and others, as well as for the needed improvements to our facilities for the intercom system to benefit families with young children.  

• Please pray for our upcoming mid-March evangelistic outreach--for both the message and for hearers to come hear the words of life.  For those wondering about our Easter services, we follow local custom regarding dates and will celebrate Christ's resurrection on May 1st.

• Also, April will be packed with the arrival of the Danish Bible School students for two weeks of ministry, plus the events surrounding Nick Vujicic's work.  Pray for both the practical groundwork (the event with Nick requires the cooperation of various civic and religious groups) and for those ministering--that Christ might be lifted up and not we ourselves.

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 His good Word!  We long,  as the psalmist writes, to meditate on His precepts, contemplate His ways, delight ourselves in His statutes, and forget not His word.(Ps. 119:15,16)  Please pray for the preaching of His word and for Stan as he prepares two sermons weekly.  Also, please pray for the church here to love God's Word more and more, that we might live out its truths in words and deeds.
• Praise God for the various midweek meetings, including the work with university and high school students.  Pray for the activities of EUS-CG, that God would bless the efforts of Danijel P and many others in reaching the young people of Nikšić and Montenegro.
• Praise God for those family members who've recently attended services and heard the Word of God.  Please pray for those believers witnessing to unsaved family members, and for God to bring whole families and clans (yes, there are still family clans here in Montenegro!) into His Body.
• Praise God that Vicki's expired Montenegrin ID card was renewed with no problems whatsoever.  Pray for those still seeking visas and residency permit, as well as our continued good relations with the local government in seeking volunteer visas for those coming to help.
• Praise God for the freedom to proclaim His name, a freedom not to be taken for granted in these trying times. Pray for all the upcoming events that will take place both in and out of the local church: the evangelistic Sunday service in March, the Danish team reaching out to university students, and Nick Vujicic's ministry in both Nikšić and Podgorica (the capital city) in April.

January 2016 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

Lift up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

He is the King of glory. 

Ps. 24: 9,10

Grace and peace to you in the name of God our Father!

Even though Orthodox Christmas is over, there is still a sense of holiday in the air as John the Baptist Day (a major Slava celebration) is celebrated January 20th plus the schools are not back into regular session yet.  

• We had fewer guests than we hoped for at our Christmas outreach on Jan. 3 although we were thrilled that amongst those who did come, some hadn't been in a church for years and appeared to be attending to the words of truth preached.  The low turnout is due, in great part, to family/guest/holiday obligations, so we are planning another evangelistic meeting, with refreshments and fellowship following, in early March.  However, our turnout on Jan. 7, the Christmas celebration for believers, was larger than expected and a sweet time for all.

• Stan has begun a new series on 1 Timothy in the evening; having given an overview of the whole book last week, he is starting at the beginning of chapter 1.  In the morning services, we are currently in chapter 9 of Luke's gospel, challenged with the weight and meaning of "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."  (v. 23)

• Recent changes in law are affecting the granting and renewals of visas.  This has affected both short-termers (who are now registered differently and must pay a daily tourist tax) as well as long-termers (Peter S. whose visa expires in early Feb and was hoping to qualify for permanent residency may have to start the counting of 5 years of continuing residence all over again--for the second time.  Please pray that a miracle occurs instead!). 

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests

• We now have the intercom equipment necessary to allow those in the nursery area to hear the sermon.  We currently need to have some stands and accessories made to house the equipment and then install it.  Please pray that this be done in a timely, cost-effective manner for the benefit of all the families with young children.

• Now that the holiday season is ending, the regular ministries of mentoring, bible studies, and visitations have begun.  Please pray for us as we prioritize our time spent on these good works.  Also please pray especially for those who are elderly and experiencing physical ailments as the current extreme cold (highs still below zero) exacerbates any problems.

• It is not too early to begin praying for the outreach ministries of spring.  Please pray for the evangelistic meeting our local church will host in early March, the nationwide outreach with Nick Vujicic in April, and the visiting Danish Bible School team activities, also in April.  It is so important to pray for the ministers (team leaders/members and the local church), for the ministry (outreach and follow-up programs and activities), as well as for the ministered-to (the unbelievers, the sympathetic-but-not-yet-committeds).  "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." Ps. 127:1a

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 His love in sending His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  Please pray that we would clearly and gladly spread that love through our words and deeds and the His church, His body would grow here.
• Praise God for those workers of the gospel that He has brought to Montenegro and to Nikšić in particular.  Please pray that necessary paperwork and visas be granted to those desiring to come and particularly for Peter S.
• Praise God for those who contributed to the purchasing and obtaining of the intercom system.  Please pray that God sends us a gifted children's worker, so that our ministry to families and young children may increase. 
• Praise God for the freedom, time, and energy to engage in Kingdom work.  Please pray that we would maintain a God-honoring schedule and commitment to all our responsibilities.
• Praise God for the upcoming events and outreaches.  May these events quicken and prick the hearts of all--those helping, those receiving. 

December 2015 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

For unto us a Child is born, 

Unto us a Son is given;

and the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Is. 9:6

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

With the busy holiday season upon us all, this newsletter will be short and sweet.

• We will be having two special Christmas services this year:  the first on Jan. 3rd with an evangelistic Christmas message geared for unbelievers followed by festive refreshments, and the second on Jan. 7th as a Christmas celebration for believers.  Please pray for many to come and learn of the Son given unto us.

• The application to have the student ministry, EUS-Montenegro, recognized as a legal entity (NGO) was denied by the government.  There are several directions to go from here, including an appeal for reconsideration of the original request.  Please pray for wisdom regarding next steps and favor from the state.

• Our next step in improving our meeting facilities is an intercom system so parents of infants can hear the service while in the nursery.  Peter S. plans to bring one from England when he returns from his Christmas holiday.  Please continue to pray for a dedicated Children's  worker to oversee ministry and outreached geared to the young ones.

• We will get to enjoy the company of three of our children this Christmas season (Amy, Josiah, and Milijana) and will greatly miss Anna Marie and Christian this year.  Please pray for us as we work out and live with the dynamics of being a transatlantic family.

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

Stan and Vicki Surbatovich

Mission to Montenegro

November 2015 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Rev. 21:3,4

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

• We can summarize this past month as seeking to live out these exhortations from Romans 12: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer; share with God's people who are in need; practice hospitality; and do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."

• Stan finished up the book of Ruth this past Lord's Day in our evening services.  From now until after the new year, he will be preaching on various thematic topics, including a number of Christmas messages while we continue with the gospel of Luke in our morning services. After the holidays, he will begin a series from 1 Timothy in the evening.

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests:

• The regular fall routines of Bible studies, prayer meetings, weekly worship services, and visitations continue with the Lord's help although we've experienced a fair amount of ongoing illness within the congregation.   Please pray for strength and for perseverance that we might not grow weary with well-doing. 

• We are still reorganizing our meeting facilities to accommodate both infants and children for services/Sunday School.  Please pray that we would solve the various obstacles of our current facilities and that God would provide a place of our own and someone both gifted and dedicated to working with children.  We would love to expand our ministry to the young in our community.

• The ongoing Refugee Crisis calls for extra wisdom on our part and for all the organizations and governments aiding those tragically displaced.  Please pray that we, God's people, would be bold ambassadors showing forth Christ's love and compassion, loving our neighbor as ourselves, without fear; for God Himself says:  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous hand."  Is. 41:10

• In God's providence, we get organizations and individuals asking to partner with us for both short term projects and longer term ministry opportunities.  While each one individually can be a good thing, too many such activities can be disruptive to the life and growth of the church rather than the help it is meant to be.  Please pray that we would wisely respond to each of these well-meant opportunities.

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 His steadfast love, mercies, comfort, and help in this uncertain world and that the time is coming when He will wipe away every tear and death shall be no more. Soli Deo gloria! Pray that we would show forth the light, love, and hope we have in Christ even as others react in fear.  
• Praise God for His living Word, for the freedom to proclaim its truths, for our Kinsman-Redeemer who gave His life that we might live.  Pray for Stan as he prepares messages for the upcoming Christmas season, for the congregation as they invite friends and family to these services, for the Holy Spirit to shine His light into dark hearts.
• Praise God for the various outreaches and Bible studies that we engage in each week and the slow growth we see, both in depth and in numbers.  However, please keep praying that more would come--more families, more singles, more men, more women, more unsaved--many know and are interested but afraid of family/social repercussions.
• Praise God for the babies and children coming every week, that they are growing up in families where it is normal to go to church on Sunday.  Pray that we would  quickly finish the refurbishing that needs to be done and for a gifted children's worker.
• Praise God that He is the help of the helpless, and for the opportunity we have to be His hands and feet in helping the refugees.  Pray for peace, compassion, the building up of tent cities, the provision of warm clothes, and more for the refugees, the volunteers, and the nations dealing with this heartbreak.

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

October 2015 Mission to Montenegro Newsletter

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us 

in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those 

who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we 

ourselves are comforted by God.        

2 Cor. 1:3,4

Grace and Peace to you in the name of God our Father!

Highlights of the past month include:

• In the morning service, Stan is preaching from the gospel of Luke, Ch. 8, with an in-depth look at what it means to Take heed how you hear! (v. 18). In the evening, Stan is covering Ruth 2 and the role of the kinsman-redeemer who points to the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ.

• We hosted the first-ever board meeting of EUS-Montenegro (a branch of IFES, the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students).  The main purpose of this first meeting was to outline the steps needed to have EUS-Mne recognized as an NGO by the local Montenegrin government.  Please pray that the entire process will be finished quickly and smoothly, to the glory of God.

Rejoicing in the good things God is doing!

• There will be NO Samaritan's Purse/OCC Christmas Shoebox Outreach this year.  For a number of reasons,  including the fact that despite many pockets of need, Montenegro's economic standing in the world has risen over the last decade, there will be no delivery of shoeboxes to any of the churches here in MNE.   In many ways, this relieves a lot of pressure and time commitments on the churches here, but it is our prayer and desire that we would use this freedom and find new and perhaps better ways of sharing Christ's love during the Christmas season.

Upcoming Ministry and Prayer Requests

• As a fellowship, we are meeting and working together this weekend to revamp our rented meeting facilities to better meet the needs of families with young children.  Please pray that our time and energy will lead to a much improved nursery-like facility and Sunday School classroom.  Of course, please continue to join us in prayer and material support for a dedicated church building for our growing congregation.

• Pray for Stan as he prepares to preach every Sunday and to lead the congregation to grow in favor with God and man: for wisdom,  stamina, and health.  Pray also for all of us, that as we share our faith and lives, whether through leading formal bible studies, informal mentoring, or just everyday living, that we might take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that (our) progress will be evident to all. (1Tim. 4:15)

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 continued freedom to preach, teach, and freely share our faith in this beautiful land.  Pray that we would be busy about the Father's work.  Pray, too, for the proposed religion law discussed in previous newsletters.  Comments (including ours) are being reviewed before the next draft is published.  This process will take awhile, but we need to continue to pray!
• Praise for the growing student work here in Montenegro.  Thank God for those willing and gifted who are working with the university students and pray that many more would be raised up.  Nationwide there are nearly a dozen universities, yet only one (Nikšić) has an active EUS community.
• Praise God for the Samaritan's Purse/OCC outreaches that we have had over the years and for the slow economic improvement.  Pray that we would establish a fruitful outreach this coming holiday season.
• Praise God for our many, many blessings and pray that we would rise above and beyond our enjoyable lives to reach out and be the hands and feet of our Lord.  The Refugee Crisis has not yet directly touched Montenegro, but we have opportunity to help our brethren in Serbia.  May we be as Job:  I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger (Job. 29:16) and heed the admonitions of Jehovah-Jireh: You shall not oppress a stranger: for you know the heart of a stranger, seeing you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Ex. 23:9) But the stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself... I am the LORD your God. (Lev. 19:34)

Special Note:  For those concerned about the recent protests held in Podgorica which made international news, thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  We are happy to report that the news headlines were sensational rather than accurate.  The protests have been underway for several weeks and have been generally peaceful and orderly.