May Ministry Update

Leavell’s Ministry Update – May 2016

Dear Friends,

Did you ever feel you were being pulled many different directions at once? Jeneen and I have been busy doing many different things. I think some call it multitasking but others call it overwhelming. God has built Jeneen and me for this ministry. We love focusing on so many things at the same time. I must admit that it is easier for me than for Jeneen. Thank you for your prayers. We certainly need them.

Where We Have Been –

The Lord gave us a good time with Victory Baptist Church and Grace Baptist Church while we were in AZ. It was the first trip to AZ since the passing of our son, Chris. Needless to say, it was a very emotional time. Chris and Michelle spent the last six years of his life ministering in Tempe.

In March, I attended the Gospel Proclaimed conference at TriCity Baptist Church. What a blessing. It was nice to see old friends and to make new ones. I was impressed with the desires that brought about this conference. As we get closer to the end times, we will need each other more and more. Petty issues will not be the major emphasis but Christ and His glory will be. That certainly goes along with Scripture that Christ is the head of the church and He is to have the preeminence in everything.

Jeneen and I then went to Kent WA to be at Galilee Baptist Church for Sunday and then for the NW FBFI meetings. We really enjoyed getting to know Pastor Hicks and Pastor Fricks. It was a joy to meet several new pastors and friends. We really appreciated the fellowship with this group. I spoke four times at the meetings.

From there we went to Bremerton to be with Calvary Baptist Church where Art Sinski is pastor. It was good to be with our many friends. There are several new people attending since the last time we were with them.

While home, Jeneen and I have been busy. I have helped the framing crew on our new church building. Going to construction meetings, deacon meeting, teaching Sunday School and preaching a Sunday night has helped round out the days. Jeneen and I were both able to get our annual medical checks done. She has a problem with a hiatal hernia. It has been going on for a long time. It has finally caused some damage that needs corrected. She is scheduled for a surgery on Friday the 27^th of May. We will be home from our trip the day before. Praise the Lord, my health looks good.

What is Ahead –

On Sunday the 22^nd of May, we start meetings with Chewelah Baptist Church. They have a special reunion Sunday. On Sunday night I will teaching a men’s leadership class. Monday through Wednesday we will be sharing how God has worked through our suffering with the loss of our son, Chris. It will be a special time together with the Cleghorns and the church there.

June 6^th, Jeneen and I fly to Alaska where we start with the annual meetings of the BMM field council. I will be speaking 5 times in three days. It will be at Independent Baptist Church in Big Lake. From there, we start meetings for a Sunday through Sunday at Immanuel Baptist Church in Palmer where Ben Burtch is pastor. From there we go to Fairbanks to be with Pastor Marshall Hamilton at Pioneer Bible Church. Then we head back to the Palmer area to be with Pioneer Peak Baptist Church and Pastor Aron Schrepfer.

We will be at Higher Ground Baptist Camp to speak for their senior high camp on July 4th-9th. We will fly home on the 11^th of July. We are really looking forward to the trip.

Prayer requests –

1. Travel safety and grace.
2. Fruit that remains.
3. Jeneen’s surgery on May 29^th.
4. For God’s will to be done with the meetings.
5. Our home church building project. We’ve had two major things come up which means extra finances. Please pray for the finances.
6. Monte’s writing and Jeneen’s painting.

Thank you for your prayers. God is good. Jeneen and I have both noticed we are getting older. Not old but older. God gives strength and ability to do His will. We look forward to what He is going to do in us and through us.

Backpacking Men’s Camp – This summer we have one trip planned at this time. It is the 25^th through the 29^th of July. We are going into the Boulder White Cloud Mountains. Several from our church are going on this one too. We can do another in August the second or third full week if there is interest. We look forward to a good summer.