God has been giving fruit. It is ours to plant and water, but He gives the increase. It has been a joy to see the increase during these last few months.
Tomorrow, I will be having a total hip replacement surgery. It has been a long time coming and was even changed by a day. It will my first time for major surgery of any kind. Jeneen is my coach, as they call the person helping you. Recovery should be about six weeks. We look forward to seeing how God will work throughout this process. Thank you for your prayers.
Chewelah Baptist Church informed me that they have voted on a new pastor and he has accepted the call. It is exciting to see them find someone so quickly. Please pray for a smooth transition.
Jeneen and I had a great trip to AZ in May and then were in Pendleton OR at Grace Baptist Church the first week of June. God is working.
May God continue to work in and through each of us as we walk with Him.
I am currently in Thayne WY, ministering at Friendship Baptist Church with Pastor Jay Sprecher. It has been a joy to see what God is doing. Pastor and Pam have been faithfully serving the Lord here for many years. God is working. Please pray for the meetings and for the church to continue to grow, both numerically and spiritually.
Update – In February, I was able to be in Kingman AZ for services at Calvary Baptist Church where Rob and Jill Kelley are faithfully serving the Lord. It was a joy to be with the church family and to see what the Lord is doing there. In March, I was with First Baptist Church in Hulett WY where Jim Palus is the pastor. The church hosted the Northern Plains Fellowship for meetings on Monday through Wednesday. It was a joy to see the pastors and friends within the fellowship. The meetings were well attended. I was thankful that the Lord gave a good week of weather while there but storms came before and after the meetings. God is good. Please pray for the churches of the Northern Plains.
News – The new pastor and wife in Ennis MT are settling into ministry at Rocky Mountain Baptist Church. I had the privilege of meeting with them in March. Pastor Nate Holt and his wife Val are looking forward to God’s working and leading there. Pastor Marc Dobson in Columbia Falls MT was voted to be the senior pastor of First Baptist Church. These two events are answers to prayer requests from previous letters.
New Prayer Request – Pastor Dan Cleghorn of Chewelah Baptist Church in Chewelah WA has resigned due to health issues. The church is now seeking a new pastor. Please be in prayer for the church and the Cleghorns as both Pastor Dan and Karen have health concerns.
Personal – Jeneen is still caring for her mom. It keeps her home from most trips. Thankfully Jeneen’s health has been better lately. I am scheduled for a hip replacement on June 13th. The pre-op appointments start in May. The pain levels have been bearable. God is giving strength and enablement through it all. Needless to say, the backpacking camps are on hold for this summer. Thanks for your prayers.
When I am home, I have been active in our home church, Fellowship Baptist Church of Nampa ID. I lead a men’s Bible study meeting once a month. We started the first Thursday of each month. We had 16 men the first month and 25 in April. The last meeting will be the first Thursday in May. After that, we will see what the Lord will do in the future of the men’s ministry at Fellowship.
Looking ahead – We are anticipating what the Lord has in the future. Meetings have already been scheduled in KS for the fall. It will also be the fall meetings for the fellowship of the churches.
Special Prayer – We have several friends we are praying for who have cancer at various stages. Also, there are churches struggling. There are people in situations which need God’s clear direction and resolution. Please continue to pray for Grace Baptist Church in Randolph UT as they seek a pastor. Please pray for Chewelah Baptist Church as they seek a pastor.
Thank you – Thank you all for your friendship, prayers, and encouragement. God continues to put ministry before us to do. We are thankful for His leading and your support in the work He has for us.
It was a joy to be at Lake Blaine Baptist Bible Camp near Columbia Falls, MT for the winter retreat. The teens were very attentive to the messages. I had many spiritual discussions as the Lord was working in hearts. It was also a time to meet several pastors from the area. I had heard many good things about the group up there. Those things are true and I was thankful to have the opportunity to minister with them.
On the first of January, I had the privilege of speaking at First Baptist Church in Columbia Falls, MT. Pastor Marc Dobson was the interim pastor. They are considering him to be their pastor. The fellowship with the church family was sweet. They have wonderful facilities and a good core group. It will be exciting to see what the Lord has for them in the future. While there, we were able to drive up to Eureka MT to see Pastor Matt and Juanetta Schrepher of Valley Baptist Church. They are faithful church planters and the Lord is using them greatly. Pray as they seek God’s will in the building of facilities for the church.
The middle of January, Jeneen and I were able to go to Randolph UT to be at Grace Baptist Church. Paul and Robin Acree were our hosts. It was a joy to see what God is doing in this community through the families of the church. We have a special burden for this community and area. The only other church in the town and surrounding area is the LDS (Mormon) church. There is a need for a gospel witness in the valley. Praise the Lord for Grace Baptist Church. They are looking for a pastor to continue growing. They have land, a good start on a building fund, and people who are very gifted for ministry. They need a pastor who can walk with them through the steps ahead. Please pray for them as they seek God’s man.
Jeneen’s mom fell and broke her leg at the hip a few days after we came home. It was a very difficult time for her. Jeneen and I spent a few long days at her side. She had surgery and is now recovering in rehab. Jeneen has been extra busy with her. I’m glad we were both home when it happened. Please pray for her mom. We hope she will be well enough for Jeneen to go to AZ the last week of February. Plans can change?…. We will see what the Lord has.
Thank you for your prayers. It is so neat to see God’s working in and through our lives. May God be glorified.
Where do we begin to share what God has been doing and all that has been happening? There is so much to share but I’m afraid it would become a short book, not a newsletter. The answer – highlights.
Where I have been since the last letter –
First Baptist Church, Dillon MT – Pastor Joel Smith
Grace Baptist Church, Pendleton OR – Pastor Alan Chapman
Northwest Baptist Missions annual meetings, Kemmerer WY – Dr. Ron Ehmann
International Baptist College and Seminary, Chandler AZ – Pastor Nathan Mestler
First Baptist Church, Notus ID – Pastor Sparky Clancy
Rocky Mountain Baptist Church, Ennis MT – Currently seeking a pastor
Each place was a blessing with its own circumstances. God worked in obvious and sometimes surprising ways. When it is obviously God working, only He can get the glory. It seems as though multiple times a day, I have been praying, “that’s only you, God.” There is no other way plans could come together so well, things accomplished with such good results, and victories won. We know God is working. Praise the Lord for what He is doing.
What I have been doing –
Meetings in churches, speaking and teaching
Assisting churches seeking pastors
Assisting pastors seeking churches
Working on internship programs in our home church and other churches
Helping churches and pastors who are struggling in various ways
What I will be doing –
Lake Blaine Camp Winter Retreat in December.
Meetings in January
Jeneen has been helping her mom a lot as she has been struggling with her health, her being in and out of the hospital recently. Jeneen is doing well after having the chemo cream on her nose to alleviate some skin cancer issues. I had another skin cancer removed from my nose. Praise the Lord, we both have been getting them taken care of early. My hip pain has increased to the point that I am going to have to get a replacement. After looking at x-rays, I have been referred to a surgeon and am waiting the next steps. Everyone has been telling me that I would be glad I got a new one and will wonder why I waited so long. I don’t know but we shall see what the Lord has in it all.
I have left a lot out of this letter but if you want details or would like more information, let me know. We can talk on a personal basis. The greatest thing I can say is, “God is working and it is so obvious.” Praise the Lord and thank you for your prayers and encouragement. May God be glorified.
It has been a busy summer with ministry in churches and with the men’s backpacking camps. Grace Baptist Church in Sonoma CA continues to proceed. There are still many challenges, but Pastor and Sarah Sondergaard are steadily moving forward. Please continue to pray.
The backpacking camps went well but I realized that I am not able to do as much as I would like, at least not as fast as I want. My body is getting older. Thankfully, the men helped me a lot. We will see what next year looks like as we get closer. We had men from AZ and IA along with men from our home church going this year. It was a soul refreshing time in God’s creation.
Fall – During September, we will be at two different churches for meetings, First Baptist in Dillon MT and Grace Baptist in Pendleton OR. I also plan to attend the annual meetings of Northwest Baptist Mission in Kemmerer WY the last week of the month. The first part of October, we will be in AZ. We look forward a busy time in the next few weeks.
Heavily weighing on my heart – There are many needs in the churches in the West as well as around the world. With my limited amount of exposure and knowledge, I have been working and thinking through some of the needs most affecting the churches. I am going to list various issues that come to the forefront.
1. Churches without pastors. Some have been looking for quite a while. I personally know of about 20. Some have the means to support a fulltime pastor while others are looking for someone bi-vocational. There seems to be a lack of men who simply love the Lord, His Word, and His people. Too many men have agendas to change the doctrines and methodologies of the churches or have some other issue that hinders them in ministry.
2. Churches that are on the verge of closing. There are several that are being forced to consider whether or not to keep their doors open. Each one has different circumstances. Some have been without a pastor for too long. Some have become so small that they are not viable. Communities have changed. Each situation needs to be examined and given an honest evaluation, seeking God’s direction.
3. Pastors who are close to retirement seeking someone they can work with in their last year or two of ministry, turning the work over to them at the discretion of the church. There are pastors who are hanging on, knowing that it is hard to find good men to pastor churches. Pastors are concerned for the people God has given them to shepherd. They are seeking like-minded men to turn over the work. (Study Philippians 2:19-23) This method has worked for several churches I know but is not the only answer. God is in control of His church and will work through whatever issues the church will face.
4. Training people for ministry, especially men for the pastorate. Our church is seeking to help in this effort; however the Lord would lead us. We are praying for people from within and from other places; that God would use us in the preparing of them for ministry in the churches. Preparation could be internships, remote college or seminary classes, along with ministering at our home church. There are needs and we need to proactive, seeking God’s direction for filling the needs.
These are just a few of the things I have been working with and through during the summer. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. We are recovering at the moment from being sick after our last trip. May God continue to work greatly in and through each of us as we walk with Him.
Remaining Steadfast and Stable – I have received several very encouraging testimonials about the latest Bible study book. It has been available for less than a year and we have already gone through over 500 copies. A couple of churches have let me know they are going to start a class or study using it this fall. I know of individuals who are buying copies for their friends. Praise the Lord. It is being read and studied. The book is available on Amazon.
We missed the May letter so we will catch up. In April, I went to Upton WY at Frist Baptist Church where Randy Fowler is pastor. The Northern Plains Fellowship meetings were at the same time. It was a good time with the pastors and friends who were able to be a part. Traveling there and back, I was able to see many pastors and friends. On the way home, I was able to speak at Truth Baptist Church in Dubois WY where Isaiah Desent is pastor. This is a new church plant and the Lord is blessing.
Resurrection Sunday, I started meetings at Chewelah Baptist Church in Chewelah WA where Dan Cleghorn is pastor. The church is growing and God is blessing. May was busy with our home church and a short time away. It was nice to spend a week away with Jeneen. We are also preparing for the work team going to CA.
The main purpose of going to Sonoma CA is to reroof Grace Baptist Church’s education building. We leave the 4th of June and will be there through the 10th for this revitalization work. Pastor Ron Sondergaard and his wife Sarah have been working on the church since he was called to pastor last year. The building is in need of much repair and updating. It is difficult for them especially since Pastor Ron is working outside the church to supplement their income. The demographics show a real need for a good church in the area with between 30,000 and 40,000 people within five miles of the church. The church has approximately two and a half acres. God has burdened Ron and Sarah to sacrifice in the establishment of a Christ-centered, thriving church in the community. We are glad the Lord has allowed us to be a part of this effort. Let us know if God burdens you to be a part of this revitalization project in some way.
Backpacking season starts soon. We have a couple of trips planned during the summer. It is nice to see how the Lord is putting things together. We have men coming from a couple of different areas.
Jeneen has been busy with her mom and with the many appointments. Her mom has been doing a bit better. We look forward to what the Lord has for us this summer.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We need God to continue to work greatly.
We were marching along in March. What a tremendous time in AK with meetings at Immanuel Baptist Church where Ben Burtch is pastor and Pioneer Peak Baptist Church where Aron Schrepfer is pastoring. It was good to see the church families and to hear what God is doing. The Lord worked in the meetings with good attendance and response even though there was some sickness going around. I was thankful not to get it myself. Thanks for your prayers. It had been about three years since I was able to be there. I enjoy both of these churches and their pastors.
I went to Wyoming for meetings with Northern Plains Fellowship the first week of April. On the way there, I saw many pastors and friends. The meetings were in Upton WY at First Baptist Church where Randy Fowler is pastor and at a convention center in Newcastle WY. It was a joy to be with the church family and the pastors. Along with many other friends, I also saw friends who were a part of the church where I pastored in Walla Walla. Dr. Jack Weaver and his wife Kitty have moved to WY to be close to his daughter’s family. It was sure good to see them. Then on the way home, I stopped by Dubois WY to be with Truth Baptist Church for their Thursday night meetings. It was so good to see what God is doing in Dubois where Isaiah Desent is Pastor.
Next, I head to Chewelah WA to be at Chewelah Baptist Church where Dan Cleghorn is pastor. The meetings start on Resurrection Sunday and go through Wednesday evening. I look forward to fellowshipping with the church family. I pray for God to work greatly in the hearts of those who are able to be there.
We are working toward getting a work team together from our home church to help the church in Sonoma CA. It looks like it will be the first full week in June. Please pray as this will be a big project. We will be reroofing the education/fellowship building. This is a church revitalization project. Please be in prayer for Grace Baptist Church and for Pastor Ron and Sarah Sondergaard as they seek God’s leading in this work. As always, we want to walk WITH the Lord through every step, not ahead of the Lord or behind the Lord.
We were marching along in March. What a tremendous time in AK with meetings at Immanuel Baptist Church where Ben Burtch is pastor and Pioneer Peak Baptist Church where Aron Schrepfer is pastoring. It was good to see the church families and to hear what God is doing. The Lord worked in the meetings with good attendance and response even though there was some sickness going around. I was thankful not to get it myself. Thanks for your prayers. It had been about three years since I was able to be there. I enjoy both of these churches and their pastors.
I went to Wyoming for meetings with Northern Plains Fellowship the first week of April. On the way there, I saw many pastors and friends. The meetings were in Upton WY at First Baptist Church where Randy Fowler is pastor and at a convention center in Newcastle WY. It was a joy to be with the church family and the pastors. Along with many other friends, I also saw friends who were a part of the church where I pastored in Walla Walla. Dr. Jack Weaver and his wife Kitty have moved to WY to be close to his daughter’s family. It was sure good to see them. Then on the way home, I stopped by Dubois WY to be with Truth Baptist Church for their Thursday night meetings. It was so good to see what God is doing in Dubois where Isaiah Desent is Pastor.
Next, I head to Chewelah WA to be at Chewelah Baptist Church where Dan Cleghorn is pastor. The meetings start on Resurrection Sunday and go through Wednesday evening. I look forward to fellowshipping with the church family. I pray for God to work greatly in the hearts of those who are able to be there.
We are working toward getting a work team together from our home church to help the church in Sonoma CA. It looks like it will be the first full week in June. Please pray as this will be a big project. We will be reroofing the education/fellowship building. This is a church revitalization project. Please be in prayer for Grace Baptist Church and for Pastor Ron and Sarah Sondergaard as they seek God’s leading in this work. As always, we want to walk WITH the Lord through every step, not ahead of the Lord or behind the Lord.
As we look over the year of ministry, God has worked in very identifiable ways. I will list some of them making it easy to read.
The wedding in California, for Ron and Sarah Sondergaard came together in a wonderful way.
I privileged to lead the memorial service for Timothy Brower, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Sonoma, CA.
Ministry with meetings in AK, AZ, CA, WA, ID, UT, KS, CO, and OR
Three churches found pastors:
Calvary Baptist Church in Kingman AZ – Pastor Rob Kelley
Lincoln Park Baptist Church in Wenatchee WA – Pastor Daniel Pierce
Grace Baptist Church in Sonoma CA – Pastor Ron Sondergaard
Ministry in a men’s retreat and a family retreat at two different camps.
Ministry with a pastor’s conference and a mission’s conference.
Ministry with men’s backpacking retreats.
Ministry in our home church, Fellowship Baptist Church, Nampa ID.
NEW BOOK – After finding out that JourneyForth, a division of BJU Press was not going to be able to publish my latest Bible study due to a policy change at the publisher, the Lord worked it out to go a different direction. Dr. Allen Ferry offered to do final edits and publish it. After a busy time working through the details, it was published the last week of October and announced the first part of November. The Lord has been working through it already. The book, Remaining Steadfast and Stable is available on Amazon.
God continues to give us health to minister. We started the year recovering from Covid. Jeneen and I had our first skin cancers. We were able to get them taken care of without any problem. God gives health, stamina, and safety as we minister.
As we enter 2022, we are thankful for all those who have been an encouragement in ministry. We appreciate all the prayers and support. We are looking forward to what 2022 has. The Lord knows. We look forward to what the Lord has. May God continue to bring the increase.
In our last letter, we asked for special prayer about the publishing of the next Bible study. A friend contacted me about a way to get it published. After much prayer and counsel, we have decided to go that direction. It means that within the next couple of months, we should have an announcement of its availability. The title of the next study is Remaining Steadfast and Stable. We will be posting more about it soon.
Recent Ministry Opportunities –
It was a joy to be with the people at Liberty Baptist Church in Grand Junction CO where Eric Turner is the pastor. It was a mini Mission’s Conference. Missionary Jory Petitti and his wife, Marisa took part in the conference too. It was a joy to meet this fine couple. They are seeking support to start a work in Springville UT. He is from Utah and knows what they will be facing as they seek to do what the Lord has ahead for them.
From there, I was able to go to the Northwest Baptist Mission’s Annual Meetings. It was a joy to see old friends and to see make new ones. It was good to spend a little time with Ron Ehmann. His wife, Kathy recently passed away from COVID. Please pray for him as he seeks God’s comfort and direction. Ron is the director of NWBM as well as pastor of the mission work in Grantsville UT.
I have also had several ministry opportunities in our home church when not on the road. We are thankful for a good base to be actively involved in when we are not traveling for ministry. Please pray for our home church, Fellowship Baptist Church. Pastor Jeff Estes is still recovering from his injuries from his accident the last of February. We also have several things going on that are hard on families in the church.
Future Ministry Opportunities –
The 2nd of October, I fly to Alaska to be a part of the 20 year anniversary of Pioneer Bible Church in the North Pole area. I am looking forward to being a part as we have had the privilege of ministering there over the years. It will be nice to see Pastor Marshall Hamilton and the church family. I will also be speaking at Hamilton Acres Baptist Church in Fairbanks, where Bruce Hamilton is pastor. It will be good to be in Alaska again.
The last part of October, Jeneen and I will be heading to the Kansas City area to be at Olivet Baptist Church. While there, I will be speaking for the MARBC meetings at the church, along with meetings at the church and Christian school. We look forward to being with Pastor Bruce Anderson, the staff, and the church family at Olivet again. The first week of November we finish up at Olivet. After coming home for a bit, we head to AZ. We will be at Grace Baptist Church in Scottsdale the 21st and Calvary Baptist in Kingman on the 28th. Jeneen and I will spend Thanksgiving with Joe and Rebekah in the Phoenix area.
We are looking forward to the New Year as we will have meetings in AZ, AK, and WY. We also have some open spots if the Lord would so direct.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. God continues to answer prayer. We are seeing fruit in the meetings. The Lord is working.
Monte Leavell 