June 2025

Dear Friends,

            Jeneen has been through a lot in the past few months.  Thank you for your prayers for her and the surgeries she recently had.  In March, her gallbladder was successfully removed and in May she had a knee replacement.  I have been playing nurse along with the ministry that the Lord places before us.  Jeneen’s digestive health has improved since the removal of her gallbladder.  Her knee replacement has gone well.  She has a lot of pain but that is normal for such a procedure.  She faithfully does her therapy and exercises.  They say her pain levels will go down in the future.  Please continue to pray for her full recovery.

Ministry –

            In April, Shelley Baptist Church in Shelley Idaho invited me to do a family conference.  It was a blessing to be with the church family.  God is working at the church.  Pastor Doug Sondergaard and his wife Bethany are doing well in ministry.  Please pray the church there.  May was busy with Jeneen’s recovery and ministry in our home church.  I have been teaching the adult Sunday school.  I have one more Sunday.  In July, I will be doing camp in WA with Chewelah Baptist Church and ministering there on a Sunday.  We have not personally met the new pastor, Chris Robertson, but we have talked several times on the phone.  We also have a couple of meetings in the fall. 

Men’s Backpacking Camp –

            The 28^th of July will start our Men’s Backpacking Camp.  We have a good group coming this year.  With a new hip, I am looking forward to time in the mountains.  As we have often said, to be with men who love the Lord and to be in His creation is “soul refreshing.” 

Special Requests –

• Please pray for Jeneen and for her recovery.
• Please pray for our schedule.  We had planned to go east for a large trip but are waiting to see how Jeneen does in recovery.
• Please pray for decisions about future ministry opportunities.

Thank you all for your prayers and support.  God has been working.  I also look forward to other ministry in the churches that we have not included in this letter.  May God bless as we all walk with Him. 

Dear Friends,

            The first two months of 2025 have flown by.  They say that when you get older, time goes faster.  Jeneen and I must be in that stage of life.  We are also in the phase of life where the body shows signs of aging.  Jeneen is having gallbladder surgery on the 19^th and also has an appointment with the surgeon’s office for a knee replacement on the 10^th.  Please pray as we deal with some medical issues.

Ministry –

            We continue to do what the Lord sets before us.  I have been in contact with a couple of churches that do not have pastors, along with a couple of pastors seeking the Lord’s direction.  The Lord has to work in the hearts of people to put things together.  All I can do is introduce one to the other.  We rejoice when we see God’s working to bring churches and pastors together.  As I am writing this letter, I am talking with some people about this very subject.

            This coming summer, I will be doing meetings for a camp in WA.  We hope to do at least one man’s backpacking retreat.  We are working toward heading out to the Midwest in the early fall.  We also want to report to many of our supporting churches.

            When not on the road, we are very active in our home church, Fellowship Baptist Church in Nampa, ID.  Our website is fbcidaho.org.  God is working greatly in our church.  We are helping train men for ministry, doing lots of discipleship, and teaching.  Whether on the road or at home, we are busy in the work of the Lord.

Books –

            I have not mentioned the two books I wrote lately.  “Steadfast and Stable” and “Remaining Steadfast and Stable” continue to be used.  People share how God has used the studies to encourage, grow and challenge them.  Once in a while I hear of someone being saved while going through the first one, to the glory of God.  The value in the studies comes as they point people to the Word and the Lord.  They are available on Amazon and other sources.  Pray as I am working on writing another one.

            Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement.  We hope to see some of you this year.  We may see all of you as this could be the year of the rapture.

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.

Dear Friends,

            Today is Jeneen’s mom’s 95^th birthday.  She is celebrating it in heaven.  In June, we were in South Lake Tahoe for a graveside service.  It was beautiful.  Her children were there along with some of their families.  There were several things special about the timing.  It was fifty years ago, during the exact week in June that I met Jeneen’s family.  I asked her dad for her hand in marriage during that week.  As we progress through this year, there are many fifty year ago remembrances.  Fifty years ago on August 24^th Jeneen and I were married in South Lake Tahoe at Sierra Baptist Church with her dad officiating the wedding.  We will be in Boston on that day and plan to have a special evening together.  What a gift from God Jeneen is to me, as we celebrate 50 years together.  We have said many times throughout this year, “Fifty years ago today, we were…”

We continue to serve where God enables.  Some of the places we have been in the past few months are: 

• Friendship Baptist Church in Thayne WY
• First Baptist Church in Pinedale WY
• Calvary Baptist Church in Kingman AZ
• Olivet Baptist Church in Westwood KS
• Shelley Baptist Church in Shelley ID
• Family Camp at Camp Utibaca in UT

It is a privilege to serve with the fine believers and pastors in the churches and camps.  God has been working greatly in the churches.  We are thankful to be a small part.  We greatly enjoyed the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum while back east.

Looking ahead, Jeneen and I may be out of contact during our travels the next month or so.  We will be home the 26^th of August.  We leave on the 18^th of July.  During the fall, we hope to take trips to the Northwest and to Midwest.  We have a few things in the works but have room for more.  We will be in Alaska for a conference in October too.

BACKPACKING – yes, several have asked and we are planning a trip in September from the 9^th through the 13^th.  It will not be too strenuous as it is my first time since my hip replacement.  It should be a good time of fellowship and soul refreshment.  Let me know if you are interested.   

            We look forward to what the Lord has for us in the days ahead.  God is good.  Please pray for God to send forth laborers into the field.  Workers are needed throughout the world.  Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.  We continue to do whatever the Lord sets before us.  We are thankful for the privilege to serve our Lord alongside our fellow servants.  What a joy to be in the service of the King!

                                                                                    April 10, 2024

Dear Friends,

            You know our hearts concerning discipleship.  I’ve even written two books helping unbelievers to understand the gospel of Christ and believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.  When we are home, we have been very active in discipleship through our home church.  This includes doing a men’s Bible study at the church, doing a home Bible study with some younger couples, and personal contacts with people.  We praise God for the increase as we plant and water, building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ.  Whether on the road or at home, our desire is for discipleship.

            In January, I had the privilege of being at Grace Baptist Church in Delta UT where Bob Oswald is the pastor.  God is working there and it has been exciting to see what the Lord is doing.  The meetings were very well attended.  A highlight in March was for Jeneen and me to go to MT to be at Valley Baptist Church in Eureka MT where Matt Schrepfer is the pastor.  They held a Sportsman’s Banquet with many unsaved in attendance.  God is working there.  People have recently been saved.  They will be building their church this summer as the Lord enables.  They have a good start on the building process. Financially, they could use more money in their building fund.  We pray the Lord will provide.  This mission work is thriving in Eureka.  Praise the Lord.

We look forward to a busy summer.

• April 14 – Friendship Baptist Church in Thayne WY
• April 21 – First Baptist Church in Pinedale WY
• April 28 – Calvary Baptist Church in Kingman AZ
• June 2 – Shelley Baptist Church in Shelley ID
• July 4-6 – Family Camp at Camp Utibaca in UT

These are the things locked down already, with several other things still in the works.  We will be in AZ for a bit then heading to the southeastern part of the country.  We hope to see the Ark Encounter along with the Creation Museum.  We will also see some family and friends.  We want to be home for our granddaughter’s graduation the 23^rd of May.  In June, we have a family gathering in South Lake Tahoe CA.  It is a graveside for Jeneen’s mom who passed away last August. 

            Thanks for praying for my mom.  She was back in the hospital less than a week after being released from rehab.  Then she went back to rehab and finally came home in February.  She has care in her home.  She is gaining strength and doing better.  Thanks for your prayers.  She is not recovered to where she desires to be. 

            We look forward to what the Lord has for us in the days ahead.  God is good.  Please pray for churches without pastors, Grace Baptist in Randolph UT and Faith Baptist in Burley ID specifically, along with others.  Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.  We pray for you that God will work greatly in and through you as you walk with Him.

                                                                                    January 12, 2024

Dear Friends,

            The New Year has arrived.  Newness is appreciated by many people.  A new year is looked upon with desire and hope for good things to come.  We soon find the New Year hasn’t taken away the unresolved issues we were dealing with last year.  But that doesn’t stop us from hoping things will be better.  As Christians, we should walk in newness of life.  Every new day the Lord gives is for us to experience life with Him.  Some days are “good” and some are days we try to just get through.  No matter what we experience, God is with us through it all.  “You and me, God, let’s go!”

            November meetings went well.  The church in WI was in the middle of issues between many of the people and the pastor.  As I was there, I tried to point everyone to Christ and to let Him work.  There are many hurt feelings.  Please pray for the pastor and the people of the church.  God can make good come out of bad.  Several from there have kept in contact.

            December started with my mom going into the hospital on the 2^nd.  Besides people from the family being with her full time, the whole family was called twice to come to the hospital for fear she was not going to make it.  Praise the Lord; she did get through the pneumonia and other issues.  After the hospital and rehab, she finally came home this week.  She has 24/7 health care at the house.  She lost a lot of strength.  We are praying she comes back even stronger than before, as she is doing lots of therapy during her recovery.  Thank you for your prayers.

            Sickness has been extreme in our area.  Jeneen and I have stayed pretty health through it but this week, Jeneen caught the flu.  This prevented her from going with me to Delta UT.  I will be there tomorrow to start meetings at Grace Baptist Church where Bob Oswald is pastor.  I look forward to seeing the church family but miss having Jeneen with me.  Please pray for the meetings.

            Continue to pray for Faith Baptist Church in Burley as they seek a pastor.  If you know of someone interested or if someone might be willing to do some interim work there while they search, please let me know.  There are other situations available too.  Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers.

            We have a couple of other things in the works for few months.  Please pray with us as we seek God’s will for our schedule.  We want to be the people spoken about in Psalms where it says that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.  We will delight in His pathway for us.

            Jeneen and I want to thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support of what God is doing in and through us.  We praise God for you.

                                                                                    November 1, 2023

Dear Friends,

The past two months have been full of travel, blessings, and adjustments.  Jeneen has been working through the loss of her mom.  God has given much comfort and grace as she continues to go through her mom’s things.  My hip has done surprisingly well with the travel and now I’m starting to exercise, getting into shape for backpacking next summer.  Yes, that is still a hope.

Where we have been – September found me in First Baptist Church in Pinedale WY where Ted York is pastor.  It was a real joy to be with the church family.  I spoke five times in two days.  It was also good to see Pastor Chris Best and family while I was there.  The next Sunday, I spoke at Faith Baptist Church in Burley ID.  They are looking for a pastor.  The first three weeks of November, they have a candidate coming.  We are excited for them.  I was also on the ordination council for Pastor Bob Oswald of Grace Baptist Church in Delta UT.  He did a tremendous job answering questions.  It is exciting to see what God is doing in and through his life and family. 

I was able to be at the Northwest Baptist Mission meetings in Nephi UT.  From there, I went to Kansas to be at Westlink Baptist Church where Dick Smith is pastor.  Along with having meetings at the church, I spoke for the Mid Continent Association Meetings on the 2^nd and 3^rd of October.  It was a joy to see everyone there and to make some new friends. On my way home, I was able to stop in for the last full day of the Northern Plains Fellowship meetings in Cheyenne WY, hosted by Faith Baptist Church where Tommy Miller is pastor.  It was good to see everyone.  It’s exciting to see what God is doing.  The next Sunday, Jeneen and I traveled to Burley to be at Faith Baptist Church.  The next week, the 16^th of October, Jeneen and I left for AZ.  While there I was able to meet with Pastor Skylar Bernick at Berean Baptist Church.  The church is planning a building project.  I also spoke in their evening service.  Now we are back in Idaho.  I spoke at First Baptist Church in Notus, ID last Sunday.

What’s next? – Does it sound like the past two month have been busy?  It has been but we are excited about what God is doing.  November will be about the same.  I speak at Notus, ID tonight and next Sunday.  The next week, I will be in WI to speak at First Baptist Church in River Falls where Chris Gatti is the pastor.  Please pray for the meetings there.  I will be there through Friday the 18^th. 

There is much more I could write.  Thank you for your prayers.  God is working.  May God continue to work in and through each of us as we walk with Him. 

Dear Friends,

            Much has transpired during this summer.  The biggest event was the Lord calling Jeneen’s mom home to glory on August 9^th.  She had struggled for years with many health issues.  Jeneen has been her caregiver.  Now Jeneen is dealing with the grief of loss.  But we sorrow differently that those who have no hope.  We know her mom is with the Lord and is not hurting any more.  There is comfort in that fact.  Please pray for Jeneen as she seeks God’s direction in the future.  She is already starting to travel in ministry again.  Jeneen especially needs physical and emotional rest after caregiving for so long.  Thank you for your expressions of love and sympathy.

            I had a hip replacement the middle of June.  Jeneen not only cared for her mom but also for me as I recovered.  Thankfully it was not too many weeks as my new hip has healed nicely.  I am able to have more physical activity than before the replacement.  I hope to be totally back within the next couple of months, maybe I’ll even try golfing again.  I’ve already been hiking on a few trails, but not with a backpack yet.  Hopefully next year I will be able to backpack.  Thank you for your prayers.

Ministry –

            Throughout the summer, we have continued to minister wherever and however the Lord has enabled.  I have been working with some churches without pastors, others with various ministry needs.  Please pray for Faith Baptist Church in Burley ID.  They are seeking a pastor.  I have been there a couple of times already and will be going again in September.  This is just one several churches and pastors needing extra prayer.

            I am heading to WY for meetings at First Baptist Church in Pinedale where Ted York is pastor.  I will be speaking 5 times on the family.  I will also be going to the ordination of Pastor Bob Oswald in Delta UT at Grace Baptist Church.  The end of September, I will attend the Northwest Baptist Missions annual fellowship in Nephi UT.  From there I go to Wichita KS for meetings at Westlink Baptist Church and for the MidAmerica Fellowship meetings.  It is with anticipation that we look forward to what is ahead.  God has been working and is working.  We know He will in future, whatever tomorrow brings. 

                                                                        Your Fellow Servants in Christ,

                                                                        Monte & Jeneen Leavell

                                                                                    June 29, 2023

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for praying as I had a total hip replacement on the 14^th of June.  God is working throughout the surgery and the recovery process.  I had a couple of good gospel conversations.  Jeneen and I are grateful how the Lord put things together to get through surgery and the first two weeks of recovery.  Besides getting a new hip, the surgeon found some cartilage damage that would have been causing me extreme pain.  He told me when he saw it; he said to himself, “this guy is going to be glad he’s getting a new hip.”  The tear is fixed along with the hip replaced. 

Initially, the trauma to my body was something new to me.  Jeneen took good care of me especially through those early days.  It’s been two weeks now.  We went to the doctor for the two week check-up.  They were pleased with how I have been progressing.  Praise the Lord, again thank you for your prayers. 

Those who know me also know when I start feeling better, I will start going stir crazy.  That has been the case.  Please pray that I will know the difference between working to rehabilitate and overdoing it.  So far, Jeneen has helped me to not overdo.

I start teaching this Sunday in the main adult class at our home church.  I will do it for a few weeks.  It will be nice to be back there.  Our fall schedule is starting to fill.  Both books: “Steadfast and Stable,” and “Remaining Steadfast and Stable,” continue to have good sales.  We are thankful for how God is using them.  We are pleased to get testimonies of what God is doing in hearts as people use the studies.  Both books are available through Amazon and the first one is also available through BJU Press and Christian Book Dist.

May God continue to work in and through each of us as we walk with Him.