February Prayer Letter

Dear Friends,

The last couple of months have been very busy. I was thinking we would have some time to get some special projects done. It has not been the case. But with the Lord guiding our paths, we rest in His peace and grace. Sometimes events that come in a new day will surprise and test us. God allows them to stretch us in ways we would not go otherwise. The trials of life will either keep us dependent upon Him or lead us to despair away from Him. Faith in the Lord is necessary to stay close to Him. He knows what He is doing. If we believe that, we will stay close to Him and Him close to us.

During the past month, Jeneen and I have both caught and worked through the colds that have been going around. Jeneen’s is the most recent. She is gaining strength every day. I am pretty much through it. We thank the Lord that we were able to do the ministry the Lord set before us.

Where we have been –

In January, Jeneen and I were able to go to Arizona for a conference and ministry there. It was good to see old friends and to make some new ones. We were able to see many pastors and to share the discipleship book with several. February 1^st, we were at Friendship Baptist Church in Thayne WY. Pastor Jay Sprecher and his wife, Pam, are doing a great job there. They were celebrating the church’s ninth anniversary. It was a privilege to be with the church in their celebration.

We received a call from Rocky Mountain Baptist Church in Ennis MT. Their pastor resigned the end of January after 18 years of ministry. I was there for Sunday services as well as speaking at their Valentine Banquet on the 8^th of February. It was a full day at the church. We will be going back for Sunday the 22^nd. Please pray for this church as they seek God’s man to be their pastor.

Looking forward –

As already mentioned, we will be working with Rocky Mountain Baptist Church in Ennis MT. We plan to be there the 22^nd with the possibility of other days in the future. I really enjoyed being with them and look forward to what is ahead.

In March, we will be at First Baptist Church in Pasco WA on the 8^th through the 15^th. It will be good to see Pastor Dillsworth and the folks there. We are doing a Sunday through Sunday meeting there.

In April, we will be with Grace Baptist Church in Pendleton OR where Alan Chapman is the pastor. It will be good to be with them again.

The weekends we are home, I am teaching the college career class and teaching through the discipleship book on Sunday nights. Our home church is seeking to build this summer. We are working through the processes of getting to that point. It is nice to be active in our home church.

Steadfast and Stable –

The discipleship book is continuing to sell. We hope many are growing through this study. I personally know of four churches that are using it either in Sunday school or in their evening service. Our church is doing it in the evening service. I also know of a prison ministry in Alaska using it. The book is available through BJU press, Journeyforth Publishing, Amazon and CBD. We pray God will continue to use it for His glory. I am also working on a couple of more studies and hope to get them published.

Backpacking Camps –

I already have two weeks planned this summer. The first full week of August, we are planning on a trip to the Beartooths in WY. The second week of August, I will with Redcliff Bible Summit Trails Camp. I look forward to being on this trip. There are other weeks available for trips. Please contact me for information.

Personal –

Jeneen and I have been doing well. Her mom is doing so much better being in assisted living. Her house sold a couple of days after being on the market. The closing was less than two weeks after listing it. It has been exciting to see how God worked through all the sorting, moving, and everything else involved with this change.

Thanks –

Thank you all for your prayers and continued encouragement. We really appreciate all of you. We pray for you too.  May God work in and through all of us as we walk with Him. Keep up the good work.

Monte & Jeneen Leavell