After several pauses in the ongoing preaching of John's gospel, Stan has wrapped up John 15 in our morning service, exhorting us to be faithful witnesses testifying of Christ and His salvation. In our evening service, Stan has picked up and continued on in Revelation, looking at the first four trumpets of Rev. 8 and what they reveal about God and God's judgements as seen through history until the final Great Day of Judgement.
Nenad giving his testimony pre-baptism The last Sunday of August was a day of special joy as we celebrated Nenad's baptism! After our normal Sunday service (with a sermon focused on baptism: who, what, why, when, how), Stan and Peter had the privilege of baptizing Nenad in front of friends and family followed by a church lunch. Nenad gave a clear testimony of God's work in his life and of his personal commitment to follow God and be with God's people. Please pray for Nenad to grow in sanctification and maturity and to be a shining witness to his unsaved family members.
In late August, we also traveled up to Belgrade to witness the marriage celebration of Zoran and Sadie. As you may recall, Zoran spent several months with us last year, so he is practically one of the family. Sadie was a BGU intern in Serbia which is where the two of them met and where they are currently based. Their wedding was a God-honoring celebration that delightfully intertwined both Serbian and American wedding traditions. Please pray for Zoran and Sadie as they grow in their love for one another and in serving Christ together.
We are please to announce that our book project is nearly complete! With the final sign-off on the book cover, Good News for Anxious Christians is now being printed! Please pray that God would help us get these books distributed out to the wider Christian community in Montenegro (and beyond) where they can be a big encouragement to discouraged believers.
Lastly, please pray for the start-up of meetings put on pause during summer, including the EUS (university-student outreach), the monthly Ladies' Brunch, and formal Sunday School for the children. Pray that God would stir the hearts of His people and they would obey and be active in the ministry of the church as well as the other outreaches; for increased attendance at regular Sunday services as well as mid-week prayer meeting, for increased personal witnessing amongst family and friends, for an increase of new believers. Soli Deo Gloria!
Also, please pray for us as we are in the process of getting a reliable vehicle. We are doing due diligence, but we like to put all things before the Lord. (Our current car, despite repeated repairs, has not recovered from the dead-cow incident of last November).
We give thanks to the Lord for all of you reading this newsletter, praying faithfully, supporting us sacrificially; you are God's blessing to us and His people in Montenegro. To God be the glory!With great love and appreciation,
Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
Vicki's Snapshot: Touched by War, Part 3 will continue next month
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