Dear Friends,
As Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:12, we thank God for putting us in the ministry. In this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is only appropriate that we take time to reflect on what God has done, is doing, and will do. We are thankful for salvation, relationship, and the privilege of serving the Lord. We now have thirty years in missionary evangelism. Helping churches, pastors, and doing the work of the ministry is a wonderful way to spend our lives. In a small way, Jeneen and I feel Paul’s sentiment. We continually thank our Lord for working in and through us as He wills.
There are several special things for us to remember from this Fall. We were able to minister in Immanuel Baptist Church in Palmer AK. The meetings were well attended and went well. The church is going through a transition. Pastor Ben Burtch is retiring the end of December. They have a new pastor already. Pastor Jake Henshaw grew up in the church and then went away to school. The last two years, Pastor Henshaw and his wife have been serving in the church. The church recently voted them in as their new pastor. We are excited for the church as they continue in the work there and are praying for a smooth transition.
I went to Dillon MT to speak at First Baptist Church. They are looking for a pastor. It was good to see everyone there. Please pray for the church as they seek God’s will. In the Cody WY area, there are three good, gospel preaching churches looking for pastors. There are other churches looking for pastors. Please pray that God will send more laborers into the fields for the harvest. We are helping where we can.
Our home church, Fellowship Baptist Church (fbcidaho.org), is actively involved in training future leaders in ministry. When home, I have the opportunity to be very involved in that work too. It is a joy to work with the interns called to full time ministry.
Jeneen and I look forward to the New Year and what the Lord has for us. We do not know what that all is but we already have a couple of things put together. An early highlight will be going to the Refresh Conference at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny Iowa the first week of February. Thank you for your prayer for us and for the ministry God allows us to do and to be a part of throughout the years. May God work greatly in and through all of us as we walk with Him. Have a good Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
Monte Leavell 