One Year Since…

We want to thank you for your care and prayers for us as we continue in ministry. The Lord brings comfort and grace enabling us to serve in the churches. It is good to be busy about the Master’s business.

Today marks one year since we lost the presence of our son Chris on the earth. Our family never imagined something like this would happen. It is not normal for parents to bury their child. While each of us has grieved in our own way, we have all felt God’s comfort. Chris had it right when he said that he felt sorry for us because we would be the ones dealing with the loss. He would be absent from the body and present with the Lord. That was good for him. He understood what we would be going through. That is an example of the thoughtfulness Chris had for others.

I want to share thoughts from the journey I never imagined taking. I hurt more that day one year ago than I had ever hurt before or since. It was the deepest of pain. I was thankful for family and friends that were there. Many people around the world were praying. Thank you all for your care.

Thoughts –

Today is the one year mark of Chris being in the presence of the Lord. Our loss has been his gain. As I think of this, I know each of us will face death if the Lord does not catch us away first. It will be a gain. Meanwhile, we groan for that day.

I have learned that there are depths of pain I had never experienced. As a Christian, we can feel from the depths of our souls. It is ok to experience emotion because God made us emotional beings.
I have felt the comfort that only comes from God holding you in your sorrow. His arm holds me up when I am the weakest.
I have examined life and eternity in ways I never did before this. This life is short. Eternity is forever.
Death is the beginning of great things. As good as this life can be; heaven is better for the Christian. As N. D. Wilson compares death to the carnival rides in his book, Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl, “Death is that black strip above my head on the measuring board. When I’ve reached it, well, then I can go on the gnarly rides.” Chris is on the gnarly rides. There is comfort in that.
I have had many people express love and concern for me in this journey. Many encouraged me to take the time to grieve. I have felt the grief and embraced the emotions it brings. I have not wallowed in self-pity or nor allowed my emotions to control me. I have acknowledge the feelings and worked through them. Even now, I am sad, glad, comforted, and joyful all at the same time.
After our loss, God has put many others who have experience deep loss or pain into our lives. There are many who have suffered greater loss than we have. Our hearts go out to them.
I am thankful and challenged by the testimony of Chris. He lived life and experienced so much in the time God gave him. His testimony will remain and will never change. In this, my heart goes out to parents who are broken because of a child who is not walking with the Lord. Broken relationships continue to hurt hearts.
There are some things I will never resolve in this life. I cannot resolve the whys. Nothing satisfies my understanding. This is where I have to trust the Lord in that He knows all things and somehow, someway, there is a reason.
Many people have unresolvable issues in their lives. These are things we live with as a part of our earthly existence. My brother had cerebral palsy. It is a part of his life he cannot change nor will ever change this side of heaven. Others carry things from their pasts that cannot be changed. These will never be resolved to total satisfaction in this lifetime. I will always have an unresolvable event in my life. I have a son who has died. I cannot change that fact. There is nothing that can take it away. For the rest of my life I must live in the reality that my son has died.
Understanding unresolvable issues has helped me to reach out to others who are hurting from things they cannot resolve or change. To understand that fact is to start to heal.

I could write much more about each point. These are some of the thoughts rolling around in my mind. Those who know me well know that I could go on and on….but I won’t.

Thank you so much for your prayers for our family. Michelle feels the loss of her husband very deeply. She and the children have a house not too far from us. They are active in their church. The children are busy with school and music lessons. Michelle is becoming a very good speaker for women. She recently spoke at a well-attended women’s retreat. She is open to speaking as the Lord gives her opportunity.

Chris’s brothers and their families are working through many emotions. The boys were very close and have deeply felt Chris not being there. Peter is still writing books and Joe is still a Biblical counselor.

For those on Facebook, you can see pictures of our family that have been posted. There have been many expressions of love and care from our friends and family.

Prayer Letter from September 2016

The summer has passed. We are seeing the weather change. I even traveled through snow on the last trip. It seems a little bit early but then again, it is September. As I reflect on the summer, it went by too quickly. Most of us would say, “I had more I wanted to get done before winter came.” There is always more to do but I am thankful for what was done.

Where We Have Been –

The Lord gave us many opportunities for ministry this summer. We started with Chewelah Baptist Church in Chewelah WA. They had a reunion Sunday along with meetings. The Lord is blessing Pastor Cleghorn and the church.

The five weeks in Alaska were such an encouragement to Jeneen and me. We started by speaking at the BMM field council meetings in Big Lake at Independent Baptist Church. It was nice to reconnect with the missionaries, who are faithfully serving the Lord in Alaska. Next, we went to Immanuel Baptist Church for a Sunday through Sunday meeting. Pastor Ben Burtch also had me speak for the home school graduation. We always have a great time with the folks at Immanuel. The next week, we went to Fairbanks to be in two different churches, Pioneer Bible Church and Hamilton Acres Baptist Church. We went to Pioneer Peak Baptist Church in Palmer where Aron Schrepfer is pastor. Senior High Camp at Higher Ground Baptist Bible Camp was the last full week we were in Alaska. We finished up with a Sunday meeting at Anchor Point Baptist Church where Jim Haning is pastor. The trip was so packed with good things that it is difficult to describe them all. God blessed greatly and we praise Him for it.

Coming back to Idaho, we immediately started preparing for the men’s backpacking camps. The group this year was very special. God gave good weather and quality people to be on the trip. Travis Gossett has been a big help in keeping the camps going. The trips are soul refreshing for the men.

In August, I had the privilege of going to Kingman AZ to be with Calvary Baptist Church. They are without a pastor at this time and are seeking the Lord’s will for a new man. Please pray for them as they search.

I recently went to Cody WY to see some pastors and friends. It was a good trip. As I described it to a friend, it was tiring but I felt refreshed inside; another soul refreshing time.

Along with these ministry opportunities, I spoke twice in our home church and been teaching some. Needless to say, the summer went by quickly. We also had Michelle and the grandkids with us in Alaska for a while. There were special days with them too.

What Is Ahead –

The 27^th and 28^th of September, I will be speaking at the Northwest Baptist Missions annual conference, to be held at Grace Baptist Church in Elko, NV. Ron Ehmann is the director of the mission and Aaron Young is the pastor at Grace. I look forward to sharing with the faithful missionaries. There will be many who attend the meetings. If you are nearby and interested, you can go to the Northwest Baptist Missions website for information.

Right now, I have two churches without pastors where I am trying to be a help. Please pray for wisdom as I meet with the leadership and speak in the churches. We really need more men in the pastorate. We need men who are balanced; who will preach the Word and love the Lord and people. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into the field.

Prayer Requests-

1. Praise the Lord for the wonderful summer.

2. Praise – Jeneen’s health is doing better and we are getting more answers.

3. For God’s will to be done in the meetings.

4. For the churches without pastors.

5. For a new group seeking the Lord’s will about starting a church.

Thank you for your prayers. We had a great summer and look forward to a good fall. With all the busyness, we did not get much writing or painting done. We hope to do more this fall along with the ministry opportunities the Lord sets before us.

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 –

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

February Prayer Letter

Dear Friends,

Jeneen and I are preparing for ministry in AZ. We leave next week and will be at Victory Baptist Church in Casa Grande on Sunday the 28^th. It will be good to see many friends and family while we are in AZ. I am planning on attending the Gospel Proclaimed conference at Tri-City Baptist Church the 7^th – 9^th of March. I will have a table in the hall sharing our ministry and making Peter’s and my books available. If you are there, please stop by.

From there, Jeneen and I head to WA to be at Galilee Baptist Church in Kent. I will be speaking there and for the NW FBFI conference, March 13-16. We really look forward to the time with friends and the meeting of new ones while there.

In May, we have meetings with Chewelah Baptist Church in WA with Pastor Dan Cleghorn. We have a busy summer with June being in Alaska through the first part of July. I will be speaking for the BMM field council meetings and for Immanuel Baptist Church, Pioneer Bible Church, Pioneer Peak Baptist Church, and Senior High Camp at Higher Ground Baptist Camp. We also have a week of men’s backpacking camp scheduled in July, 23^rd-29^th.

God has been working in and through us in these last days. Jeneen has been helping her mom deal with some skin cancer. Jeneen took her to many appointments. Praise the Lord; they were able to get all the cancer. We were glad Jeneen was home to help. I have been studying Revelation and doing more writing. I have been preparing messages for the meetings ahead. We have been quite busy.

Please continue to pray for us and all our family. We are experiencing God’s grace and comfort. God has been showing Himself mighty. Please pray for the ministry opportunities God sets before us. We want Him to work in us and through us. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

November 2015

November 19, 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

God paints a bigger picture than we can ever imagine. It is helpful to meditate on more than we see. The Lord is working His plan in light of eternity. Many events of our lives are difficult. There is suffering and sorrow. We experience joy and pain. Our emotions can go from joyous laughter to excessive weeping in minutes. Stepping back to get a bigger view of our lives, I realize the Lord is painting His masterpiece. I am part of His work. The suffering and sorrow has its place in the picture.

We are working through the thoughts and emotions that our son Chris’s death has brought to our family. I have read books on sorrow and grief in the past weeks. We are not alone in our grief. Many people have lost loved ones. Some even went through difficult circumstances as Chris experienced with melanoma. It is hard to watch your 37 year old son pass from mortality to life, leaving behind his parents, wife, children, brothers, and the rest of his family. We are happy for Chris but his death has left a huge hole in our hearts.

I have found great comfort in the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I do not agree with all his theology, but he sure nailed it about grief.

“There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort. For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connected to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God in no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve even in pain, the authentic relationship. Further more, the more beautiful and full the remembrances, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Another author put it this way – “the greater the love, the greater the grief.” We are finding these things true. Many of you know how deeply I experience life. My love for my family is deep. My love for God’s family is deep. My care for the churches is deep. With such depth of love comes depth of sorrow and pain in loss. This is where we are in the grieving process. We are missing Chris.

THANK YOU – We want to give a huge thank you to all who have prayed for Chris as he dealt with the cancer. Also, thank you for the many cards, letters, emails, visits and phone calls. Several friends were able to be here for the funeral of Chris. Thank you for coming. There were some who sent monetary gifts for Michelle and the family. Your care and support has been an encouragement to us. Thank you for the expressions of love.

MINISTRY – I will be speaking at Faith Baptist Church in Nyssa OR on the 29^th of November. We are looking forward to being there but will miss Pastor Sondergaard and his family as they will be away.

We are starting to schedule next year with meetings. We want to personally thank some of the churches who ministered to us through these past few months. It would also be nice to report to our supporting churches in this next year. Please pray for God to lead in the scheduling of this next year.

HOME CHURCH – While we are home, we minister in our home church. I am teaching and speaking as the Lord gives opportunity. We have started the construction of our building. Since the church began 13 years ago, we have been meeting in a rented facility. It will be nice to have our own building and to not be limited as to usage of it. We will be able to minister more effectively once we are in our building. We thank God for our home church, Fellowship Baptist Church.

CHRIS’S VIDEOS – I want to post the video addresses again for the last message Chris preached before his death. Also I am posting the video shared at the funeral. It has special meaning to those who are suffering but is meaningful to all anyway. Also, I will post the address for the Gofundme account for Michelle and family if some would still like to help them. They are doing ok financially for right now but how much is enough for a wife and three children? If God lays it upon your heart to help, please do. Here are the addresses:

Chris’s last message – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4erm3CXH5U

Chris’s video about joy when you have no strength – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUltuj2S_y0

Gofundme account – https://www.gofundme.com/q63cde9k

I know this is a longer letter than normal. Thank you for reading it through and letting me share my heart. God is good and we are comforted by Him. His hand is upholding us. Keep praying for us all. May God give you a good Thanksgiving with family and friends. Thanks again for your love and support.

Monte & Jeneen Leavell

Our son is with the SON

October 18, 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for praying for our family during this very difficult and emotional time. Our son, Chris went home to be with the Lord in the late evening of October 15. The melanoma cancer was too aggressive for the immunotherapy to get ahead of it. So after two months and ten days from the diagnosis of the melanoma, he entered into the presence of the Lord. God has given some of the most precious times during these last days. Chris was constantly telling people to love Jesus. He wanted people to know that he was not afraid of death because of his personal relationship with Christ. The last message he shared was the Christian’s view of life and ministry. I would encourage everyone to watch it. This is reality in its purest form. This is the address of that message – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4erm3CXH5U

Arrangements have been made for Chris’s funeral. It will be 10am on Wednesday, October 21^st at Fellowship Baptist Church in Meridian ID. Information can be found on Caring Bridge at – http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/christopherleavell/journal/view/id/56211fdfaf3d79110483b4b3

Chris has been quoted many times because of the depth of understanding God gave him. I want to give again the reaction he had after receiving the news of stage 4 melanoma cancer.

“God is good and merciful to those that trust in Him. This news today has brought much tears and sorrow to family and friends. But all this sorrow is temporary. The reality is God has already had the last word on this cancer long before I was born. When Jesus rose from the dead and became the first fruits of the resurrection this cancer was defeated. It torments us for just a short time but soon will be swallowed up by eternal life. Even though it is a time of sorrow, our family is enveloped in peace that only comes to those whose faith and trust rests in the Lord.”

Chris lived in that faith and evidenced that peace through all his last days. Yes, there is sorrow and lots of emotion but we rest in the Lord. We know there is more to life than what we have on this earth. I like what C.S. Lewis said, that man was created for greater things than what we experience here. Chris knew there is much more ahead. He lived in anticipation of it. His greatest sorrow was for Michelle and his children and the rest of family, and all we would have to deal with through this time. He knew the reality of loss that death brings. Chris knew the sorrow we would experience, the tears we would shed. He knew we would find comfort in the Lord and was constantly pointing us to the goodness of God.

Friends, this is the hardest letter that I have ever had to write. But I find comfort in the truth of what Chris has said and lived. God is good and His will is good. There is so much more to life than what we see. Our light affliction on this earth is only temporary. This mortality will be swallowed up of life. This has happened for Chris.

In closing, thank you for your prayers and support. We are still on this earth. Chris has left a huge whole in the lives of many which will never be filled. But as we live, God has a reason for us to still be here. We find comfort in His will, even as Chris did. “May God’s will always be done for it is always good.” Jeneen and I will continue to walk with the Lord and do His will as He works in and through us for as many days as God gives us on this earth. We know one day our mortality will be swallowed up with eternal life. We pray that our lives bring glory to our God in all that we say and do. For each of us; walk in His will and we will bring glory to God.

Please pray for Michelle and Josie, Scott, and Colette. There are difficult days ahead for them and all of our family. Pray we will be aware and see the goodness of God as we move ahead in what God has for each of us. Thank you again for your prayers and support. We love you all.

Monte & Jeneen Leavell

Chris’s Results

August 20, 2015

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers for our family. Today, we received the news that we were dreading to hear. Chris and Michelle came home from the oncologist with the results. I will let you read what Chris has posted on CaringBridge.

“This morning we met with our oncologist to get the results of the MRI and PET scan. The MRI of my head came back with no issues. The PET scan on the other hand showed lots of issues. The scan showed the main tumor under my left armpit but also showed that the cancer has spread to bone in my right shoulder, bone in my upper spine, several spots on my ribs, a spot on my left lung, two spots on my liver and bone in my pelvis. There may be several other spots that I missed mentioning. It is advanced stage 4.

Obviously anyone familiar with cancer, especially melanoma cancer, knows that from a medical standpoint this is about the worst news possible. To be concise, the Dr. wanted us to know that this is not curable at this point. They are not going to do surgery.

The goal from this point is to prolong physical life as long as possible. Thankfully, there are some new melanoma cancer treatments that are recently available as of last December. They have shown much success at slowing or even causing the cancer to retreat for a time. Next Wednesday I will get a port placed and Thursday I will start (if the health insurance company approves it) a combination of Nivolumab and Ipilimumad.

Those are the “facts” but here is the reality. God is good and merciful to those that trust in Him. This news today has brought much tears and sorrow to family and friends. But all this sorrow is temporary. The reality is God has already had the last word on this cancer long before I was born. When Jesus rose from the dead and became the first fruits of the resurrection this cancer was defeated. It torments us for just a short time but soon will be swallowed up by eternal life. Even though it is a time of sorrow, our family is enveloped in peace that only comes to those whose faith and trust rests in the Lord.

Also, people ask how they can pray. It is our upmost desire that God would be glorified in this. Please pray that God would continue to give me and our family an unfeigned faith in Him.”

Needless to say, we shed many tears as they shared the news with us and their family this morning. We do not know how God is going to work in this and through this in the days ahead. It will not be easy but we know God will give grace and comfort and peace. It has already been evident.

I leave early tomorrow for Jeffers MN where I will begin a conference on “Experiencing the goodness of God.” As Chris said in his first post after finding out he had melanoma, “May God’s will always be done for it is always good.” Please keep us in your prayers. May God work in this conference. I pray souls are saved and Christians encouraged. I really believe in what is said in Psalm 107:8, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Your Friends in Christ,

Monte & Jeneen Leavell

August Update – 2015 Important

August 8, 2015

Dear Friends,

Some of you may have noticed the complete date in the title. I usually put the month and year. With the rapid changing events in the past two months, one day makes a difference in direction and planning. Things are moving quickly. The greatest changes are in family.

Family – Our son Chris resigned from the pastorate at Grace Baptist Church in Tempe AZ. The Lord led them back to Idaho. In July, they moved into our home on a temporary basis. In June, Chris noticed a growth under his arm. He started to get it checked in AZ but they recommended he make his move then get it checked. As of now, he has been through several steps which have resulted in a biopsy. The results came in Wednesday the 5th.

Here are Chris’s words –

“Today we received the results from the biopsy. The results were not what we had expected nor what we had hoped. The lump under my arm is melanoma cancer that has spread from somewhere else. They are not sure where it is coming from since I have no outward lesions or unusual moles. The next step is to find what stage is the cancer.

We are so thankful for all the prayers and outpouring of support and concern. We are not in despair or in any way losing heart. It is difficult to express how God has shown his graciousness to us over the last month and a half. We find our hearts are overflowing with gratitude and thanksgiving to God.

I think today is the first time I can barely begin to grasp Jesus’s words: “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” May God’s will always be done for it is always good.”

The results were a shock to all of us. We know it is not unexpected to our God and that He will work. We have already seen several things happen in light of the news. Chris told the church where he was a candidate to be their pastor that he has a new ministry. His doctor, who is a Christian, said his ministry now is to himself and his family as he battles the cancer. This is very serious.

I was in WY on a men’s camp when I received the news. I came home the next morning. We are praying and supporting each other through this time. There are many questions and steps to be taken in the days ahead. Please pray for Chris and Michelle. They have many logistical steps to take along with the medical cares.

On top of all this, this Friday, the nephew of the young man who was backpacking with me, passed away. He was one year old. Please pray for the Lavorante and Meuser families. We pray for God’s comfort and grace to be seen through all these things.

Ministry – We have been in several churches and two weeks of camps in the past couple of months. We also had been through two weeks of the backpacking camps. Because of the family situations, I am unable to go to the Red Cliff summit trails camp next week. Jeneen and I are hoping to be able to go to Jeffers MN later this month for meetings there. We have a meeting in Dillon MT in September. We trust the Lord to plan our days and trips. Of course, those plans can change in a moment’s notice.

Prayer – Please be in prayer for us. We do not know what is ahead. The Lord does and we trust Him to guide us through each day. Please pray for Chris and his family. This has hit us all quite hard as he just turned 37 in July. Please pray for the Meuser family in their time of loss also.

Information – We will try to keep everyone updated on the events of our lives. We are on Facebook and try to keep up dates there. Please friend us if you would like. Michelle and Chris are also setting up a Care Bridge page for updates.

God is working. Yesterday I was able to give the Gospel to a man and he listened intently. I pray the Lord will give more contact with him and we will see him come to Christ. May God be glorified in and through all our lives.

Thank you – We want to thank you for your prayers and for your support of what God is doing in and through us. May God work greatly. Thank you.

May Prayer Letter 2015

Dear Friends,

God is good and every good and perfect thing in our lives has come from Him. He has worked through many of you to be a great blessing to us also. We thank you for your prayers and support over the past 20 plus years we have been in itinerant ministry. Some have asked how it is being on the road for that long. A fairly close comparison is the deputation ministry of missionaries. One difference is that we have a home and are able to go there to rest after each trip. It is hard to imagine how ministry would be without the home base.

Where we have been –

As we have said in previous letters, we are busy in our home church when we are home. In December, I started going through our discipleship book, “Steadfast and Stable” on Sunday nights. Last Sunday, May 3^rd, we finished the last session. Since there are only seven sessions, this shows how little we are home. We continue to work with the college career group. I am also on the land and building committee. We hope to start building sometime this summer. Needless to say, we are busy at home too.

We have ministered with Rocky Mountain Baptist Church in Ennis MT while they are without a pastor. I have been there four Sundays so far. The Lord is working in this church. Please pray for them as they seek God’s man to lead them.

In March, Jeneen and I were in Pasco WA at First Baptist Church, where Dave Dillsworth is pastor. We had a Sunday through Sunday meeting where I focused on the goodness of God. It was such a joy to see how the Lord worked. God is definitely good!

We had great fellowship with the pastor and people at First Baptist.

From there, we went to the FBF northwest meetings in Wenatchee WA. It was nice to meet new pastors and to see old friends too. I was allowed to promote the discipleship book too.

In April, we went to Grace Baptist Church in Pendleton OR where Alan Chapman is the pastor. The Lord is working in this church. It was great to have one of their members come to Boise on business. Jeneen and I were able to have dinner with him and his coworker. We thank the Lord for the many friends God has given us through ministry in the churches.

Where we are –

Right now, we are in the LA area for our son Joe’s graduation with his master’s degree in Biblical counseling. He has been working on it for the past few years. It is nice to see him finished and ready to move in a new direction as the Lord leads. We hope to see a few friends in the area before we leave.

Next Tuesday, we will be in Phoenix and will attend a pastors’ meeting there. It will be good to see old friends and to make some new ones.

Future Schedule –

In June, I will be speaking at Camp Tishamingo in AZ. I look forward to working with this group again. In July we have a couple of backpacking opportunities in the Sawtooths and Boulder White Cloud mountains of central Idaho. I really enjoy the men’s backpacking camps. They are “soul refreshing.” Let me know if you are interested. August has two weeks in WY for men’s backpacking camps. One week will be with Redcliff Bible Camp Summit trails. We are scheduled to be in MT in September and in ID in October. The Lord has opened the doors for various ministries in the coming months. We also hope to be back in Ennis with Rocky Mountain Baptist Church. Busy times for us but we love it.

Books –

We continue to hear how the Lord is using the discipleship book, “Steadfast and Stable.” The testimonials are such a blessing. I continue to work on other studies along with a fiction book.

Peter’s latest book, “West for the Black Hills,” has been doing well in reviews and sales. It is the story line of God and Gun but from a new publisher with new scenes. His book “Gideon’s Call,” is still available and continues to get good reviews. It will be a solid book for years to come. Peter has two other books in the works. His greatest wish is for more time to write. He balances his day job, writing, being a husband, father, church member and other obligations as best he can. He loves doing and being it all. And I thought I was busy.

Thank you –

Thanks to all for your support in prayer and encouragement of what God is doing in and through Jeneen and me. We look forward to what is ahead and thank God for His goodness to us. May God’s goodness be seen by each of us every day.

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