Fall Prayer Letter

Dear Friends,

Answers to prayers – God has been answering prayers. Two of the churches we were praying for have new pastors. We praise the Lord for how the processes have been going for them. There are still other churches without pastors. They need God’s wisdom in their search.

Another answer to prayer is that Jeneen is starting to do better. She was able to travel on a short trip for our 40th anniversary. The trip went well. She was able to find things to eat and did not have too much of a problem. She is hoping to travel on the upcoming trips.

Happenings –

The camp in WA went well. It was good to fellowship around the Word with the folks there. It was a privilege to speak at the services of Chewelah Baptist Church where Dan Cleghorn is the pastor. The Lord is blessing there.

We had three different trips to the mountains for backpacking camps this summer. The first week, we had a storm like I have not seen in the high country. The amount of hail on the ground was about three inches. We walked out in the evening, finding that it was just in our area where the hail hit so hard. It made for an interesting trip. It was evident of the Lord’s protection and guidance through all the trips this year. The men have expressed how the Lord worked through the weeks.

Jeneen and I took a short trip for our 40th Anniversary. It was a blessing to be together and to see how God has been working in her. He has given her the ability to deal with what has been happening in her health. We praise the Lord.

Looking forward –

Please continue to pray as the last details of publishing the discipleship book come together. The expected date for release is the last part of November. I look forward to “Steadfast and Stable” being available for people and churches to use. It is the Biblical foundation for your faith. We are praying God will use it greatly.

In September, we will be ministering in a church in Idaho. We hope and pray the Lord will bless. In October, we head back to Alaska for meetings at Anchor Point and Immanuel Baptist Church in Palmer. We have a Wednesday evening open for ministry while we are there. The date is Wednesday, October 22nd. Let us know if there is an opportunity for ministry that day.

After we come home from there, we head to Montana to be at Valley Baptist Church in Eureka. We will be there for two weeks while the pastor is away at a mission’s conference. We have been a part of the ministry there several times before and look forward to the fellowship and ministering with the people.

We are praying about ministry in South Africa again. We are seeking the Lord’s will and provision. Please pray with us about this.

Thank you –

May God bless each of you. Thank you for all you do to keep us going in the work God has called us to do. We look forward to what is next and praise the Lord for what has been. We thank God for each of you and pray for you.

Spring 2014 Prayer Letter – April 4th

Dear Friends,

News – God is working in many areas in us and through us.
• Jeneen is still dealing with her Interstitial Cystitis but she is having some good days. Thank you for your prayers. She is going to try traveling on some close to home trips in the coming months.
• Jeneen’s mom has been dealing with pneumonia and some heart issues. Twice she has been in the hospital, followed by time in our home till she is recovered enough to be at her home. It is good Jeneen has been here to help.
• We have some exciting news about the new discipleship book. I just signed a contract with JourneyForth to publish the book. They are a part of BJU Press. This is huge step toward getting the book published. We will let everyone know when it is available.

Where I have been –
• In February, I went to Valley Baptist Church in Eureka MT to do a Sportsmen’s Banquet and have some meetings. It was a great time with Pastor Matt and Juanetta Schrepfer and the wonderful church family. Praise the Lord for the building where they are meeting. They also own land and are looking to build in the future.
• It was great to be in Iowa again at Berean Baptist Church in Pella. They have a new pastor, Bruce Thompson. It was good to see the church family and friends there. God is working in and through this church.
• From there, I went to Grace Baptist Church in Pendleton OR where Alan Chapman is the pastor. God is using him there. We had a good revival there and it was evident God was working. It was good to see old friends and make some new ones.

What is ahead –
• Resurrection Sunday, we will be going to Pocatello ID to be at Pocatello Baptist Church for this special day. Many of you know and have been praying since they lost their pastor due to a snowmobile accident. Please continue to pray for Leslie Deatherage and the family. Pastor Colan Deatherage is being missed. They need God’s comfort.
• The next Sunday starts meetings at First Baptist Church in Upton WY where Pastor Randy Fowler ministers. I will be at First Baptist Church in Hulett WY the next Sunday.
• In May, I will be heading down to AZ for a Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church where Troy Lohmeyer is pastor.
• After that meeting, I will be heading to Grace Baptist in Tempe where Chris is the pastor. It is always nice when he invites us down to minister with him and the church family. We enjoy seeing the grandkids while there.
• In June, we are taking a group from our church to Fairbanks AK to minister at Pioneer Baptist Church in North Pole. We will do a work project and a VBS in the evenings.

Thank you for your prayers. As you can see, we have been and are keeping busy. During all of this, we found out we have hail damage on our roof and have turned it in to insurance. They are going to put on a new roof and fix some other damage. Praise the Lord.
Please keep praying for us as there are many things ahead. I am picking up a new writing project too. I am preaching and teaching at our home church in between meetings. Thanks again for your prayers and support of what God has called us to do.

Update from the Leavell’s – Winter 2014

Dear Friends,

As a boy in Wyoming, my brothers and I built many forts and clubhouses. We would use whatever materials and tools available whether we were in the mountains or along the river. We built some great forts and had some wonderful adventures. Even now, when I go backpacking, I enjoy setting up camp as best I can. As I was thinking about this the other day, I realized the building of forts was a pattern of the Christian life.
When we are saved, God gives us new life in Christ. He also gives us all the tools to build and experience that life. We all have different circumstances and situations in life. With the tools and ability God has given us, we are to build. We are accountable for how we build. As we grow in Christ, it is nice to look back and see the building. Jeneen and I see how God has built our lives. We have taken the tools and grace He has given and used it to build. We are thankful for His grace to us.
All Christians have the tools to grow in our new life in Christ. May God bless each of our lives as we build with what He has made available to us. Grow in grace and knowledge.

What we have been doing –
We had a good trip to Alaska. What a privilege it was to speak at the installation service for Pastor Aron Schrepfer at Pioneer Peak Baptist Church. We had good meetings at Immanuel Baptist Church and Hamilton Acres Baptist Church. Even though it was cold in Alaska, we had warm fellowship around the Word of God.
I have continued to write. The discipleship book is with a publisher and they are going through the steps toward publication. It has required me to do some more work on the book. I am excited to see what will happen.
Jeneen has been quite busy with her mom. She has been in the hospital and moved in with us to recover strength. After a few weeks, she was able to move back to her home. Since then, she has had some more spells but not quite as bad. Thankfully, we were home and available.
While home, we continue to be active in our church. I am a deacon and on the land and building committee. We are actively seeking God’s will concerning erecting a church building in the near future. Jeneen and I still work with the college and career singles in our church. We have such a great group. They sure keep us on our toes.

What we look forward to doing in the future – Lord willing –
In February, we are going to Valley Baptist Church in Eureka MT. We start with a Sportsmen’s Banquet and then have meetings at the church. We look forward to working with Pastor Matt and his wife Juanetta Schrepfer. We then head to Iowa for meetings at Berean Baptist Church in Pella. Please pray for them as they are voting on a new pastor soon.
The first part of March, we have meetings at Grace Baptist Church in Pendleton OR where Alan Chapman is the pastor. In April, we will be with Pastor Randy Fowler in Upton WY at First Baptist Church. May, we plan to be in AZ. June, we are planning on taking a group from our college and career class to do a work project and VBS at Pioneer Baptist Church in Alaska.
There are some weeks available if churches are interested. We are excited about what is ahead. The Lord is working. I thank the Lord for what He is doing. Our home church keeps us busy when we are home.

Special Prayer Requests –
• Please pray for the meetings and the Lord’s working in hearts.
• Please pray for the publication process to go well.
• Please pray for Jeneen’s health as her interstitial cystitis is flaring up after being dormant for many years.
• Please pray for the churches without pastors, especially McGrath Road Baptist Church in Fairbanks AK.

Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. We certainly need them. Only God produces fruit through us which remains. May God bless each of you as you walk with Him. We are blessed to have you as friends and joint heirs with Christ.

Your Friends in Christ,

Monte and Jeneen Leavell

Fall Update 2013

Update from the Leavell’s – Fall 2013

Dear Friends,

             There is something special about thirty years.  Jesus was thirty years old when He started public ministry.  Jeneen and I were twenty eight when I accepted the pastorate at Bethany Bible Baptist Church in Tulare SD.  This summer marked our thirtieth year of ministry as a vocation.  Eleven years we were in the pastorate followed by nineteen years traveling as a missionary evangelist.

It seems like we are just getting started at thirty years.  With those years of experience and walking with the Lord, we have learned many lessons.  Dare we use the word, wisdom?  God does give wisdom.  We should all be learning and growing.  Jeneen and I are thankful for the trials and blessings which give us much experience to draw from as we continue in ministry.

Two special events in September brought to mind many memories.  One was having the opportunity to preach at First Baptist Church in Cody WY on a Wednesday evening.  This is the church where I heard the gospel and was baptized a few months after accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior.  The other event was being at Tulare SD for the 50th anniversary of Bethany Bible Baptist Church.  I had the privilege of preaching the Sunday morning service on that special day.  They were celebrating 50 years while Jeneen and I were celebrating 30 years of ministry and Tulare was where it started for us.  Yes, it has been a time of reflection.

Where we have been –

I wrote our summer letter while I was in Alaska.  After coming home the last part of July, I started preparing for the Men’s Backpacking Camp. We spent a week in the Beartooth Mountains in Northwestern WY.  It was a great time of fishing, fun, and fellowship in the mountains.  These trips are soul refreshing.  It is nice to see the beauty of God’s creation and study His Word there.  This was the only trip we took this year.

The next week I flew back to Fairbanks Alaska to be at McGrath Road Baptist Church.  They are without a pastor.  I tried to be an encouragement and blessing to the wonderful people there as they have been going through some difficulties.  Please be in prayer for them.  They are seeking God’s man to be their pastor.  It is a good church with much potential.  God is preparing the right man even now for the work.

In September, Jeneen and I went to Cody WY where I spoke on Wednesday evening at First Baptist Church.  What a blessing!  It was nice to get to know Pastor Jim Barrick and his wife.  I already shared why this church is so special to me.  Again, what a blessing to be there!

From there, we went to Tulare SD for the 50th anniversary.  It was nice to see old friends and talk of many memories.  The events there concluded on Sunday afternoon.  The next day we traveled to Upton WY where the Northern Plains Independent Baptist Fellowship had their fall meetings.  They were at First Baptist Church where Randy Fowler is pastor.  Starting Monday evening and finishing Wednesday evening, I had five opportunities to share God’s Word.  It was a great time of fellowship and sharing together.  This was the fellowship of which Jeneen and I were a part when we first entered the ministry.  Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons were filled with special activities, Wyoming style.  The guys shot sporting clays and golfed.  Jeneen went one afternoon with the ladies to shoot an AK 47, a 22, and a Glock 9mm.  I think she enjoyed it a bit too much.

October, we were in Arizona at Southeast Valley Baptist Church where Joel Tetreau is the pastor.  I spoke two Sundays and once on Wednesday.  It was good to get reacquainted with the church family.  The second Sunday was an evangelistic emphasis with several unsaved in the service.  We hope and pray God will use His Word to bring the unsaved to Himself.  I preached on the subject of impending judgment and the reason it has not come yet is that God is giving opportunity for more to be saved.  Please pray for God to work in hearts.

The next weekend was the Men’s Retreat at Victory Baptist Church in Casa Grande where Terry Green is pastor.  There were seven churches represented on that Friday evening and Saturday.  I was able to speak in four different sessions.  On Sunday, I had the privilege of speaking at the regular services of the church.  We certainly enjoyed our time at Victory.  The Lord is working and it was nice to meet some new young couples.

It is nice to go to Arizona especially when we were able to see our sons, Chris and Joe, and their families.  Jeneen and I enjoy the grandma and granddad time with the grandkids.  They sure grow up fast.

Where we will be –

In November, we head back to Alaska for meetings at Immanuel Baptist Church in Palmer where Ben Burtch is pastor.  It will great to be with this wonderful church family again.  While there, I will be speaking at the installation service for Aron Schrepfer who is now the pastor of Pioneer Peak Baptist Church in the Butte area of Palmer.  That service will be at 2pm on the 10th.  That will be a busy day as we start meetings at Immanuel too.

The following Saturday, after a men’s breakfast, Jeneen and I fly to Fairbanks for meetings at Hamilton Acres Baptist Church where Bruce Hamilton is pastor.  It will be a bit cooler than it was this summer but we look forward to warm fellowship around the Word with the folks in Fairbanks.

When we are home –

Jeneen and I are very active in our home church.  We are working with the college and career group.  God has been blessing.  We came home on Wednesday night from our last trip and Friday evening had an activity with 16 young people.  What a great group.  Along with being a deacon, I am co-chairman of our land and building committee.  Needless to say, for Jeneen and me, we are busy.  But we love it.  We love the people God puts into our lives.  We love the opportunities to share God’s Word and to encourage believers in their walk with the Lord.  We love to reach out to those who do not know the Lord.

It has been an amazing 30 years of ministry.  We look forward to what is ahead.  Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement and support.  We do not go alone.  The Lord is with us, enabling us all the way.  He also works in our lives through you.  Thank you for your part in what we do.

May God bless as you seek His will and walk worthy of Him.  Keep up the good work.

Yours in Christ,

Monte & Jeneen Leavell

July Prayer Letter – 2013

Dear Friends,

It is amazing what the Lord has done these past two months.  The trip to South Africa from the middle of May till about the middle of June was fantastic.  There were opportunities to preach and teach in five different churches and at the ministry leadership training conference.  There were great discussions about the Lord, salvation, and how to best live the Christian life.  Another highlight is working with Phil at the Serenity House.  It is a rehab facility and the residents often have questions during the hour long sessions.  Jeneen and I talked with a lady at a church one Sunday morning who made a profession of faith.  What a joy to see God working in the churches there.

We also had two young men from our home church come to South Africa the last part of our trip.  They were impressed with the people and churches.  Randy Lavorante took many pictures and wrote a journal of the trip.  He posted them on our Facebook page. The dates are the first part of June.  If you are not a “friend” yet and would like to be, let us know.  It was nice to have Randy and Jason join us for the last part of the trip.

What can you say about another amazing trip to South Africa?  I am thankful to those who have made it possible for Jeneen and me to minister there.  We hope the Lord will give more opportunities in the future.

Currently, I am in Fairbanks Alaska, working with Pioneer Baptist Church and McGrath Road Baptist Church.  It was a special blessing to speak at the celebration of the new auditorium of Pioneer Baptist Church in North Pole.  God has done a wonderful work in and through the people to bring this project to completion.  Pastor Marshall Hamilton and the church family are a blessing to work with.  I will be here till the 25th of July.  Last Sunday evening, I spoke at McGrath Road Baptist Church.  I will probably do so again this next Sunday.  Pioneer does not meet in the evening on Sundays, leaving me with the opportunity.  McGrath Road Baptist is without a pastor.  Please pray for them as they continue to search for God’s man.  It has been about a year now.  I know of three churches we are close to that are without pastors.  There is a need for good men to care for the churches.  Please pray for churches without pastors.

WHAT IS AHEAD –

I will continue to preach, teach, and fellowship with the people here in the Fairbanks AK area till I go home the 25th.  The next activity on the schedule is the Men’s Backpacking Camps.  The first one is the 3rd of August through the 10th of August.  We will be going to the Cody WY country for this trip.  It is where I spent my childhood.  Jeneen and I also spent the early part of our marriage there before leaving in 1981 to finish college.  I look forward to sharing the beauty and uniqueness of the area with the men.  We also hope to catch some fish.  It is always a great time fellowshipping around God’s Word in the beauty of His creation.  It is “soul refreshing.”

I have one more trip planned for our college career group but am open for at least one more during August.  Let me know if there is some interest in a trip into the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho.

In September, we have scheduled a special trip back to Tulare, SD where I will be speaking at the 50th anniversary of Bethany Bible Baptist Church.  This is the church where Jeneen and I were first in the ministry.  I pastored there from 1983 till 1990.  They have a very special place in our hearts.  October, the 6th through the 13th, we will be in Gilbert AZ, working with Southeast Valley Baptist Church where Joel Tetreau is pastor. We look forward to seeing what God will do there.  After the meetings there, I will be speaking at a Men’s Retreat at Casa Grande and then the next Sunday at Victory Baptist Church.  November we will be starting meetings in Alaska with Immanuel Baptist Church.

As you can see, God is keeping us busy.  We certainly enjoy serving the Lord where He puts us.  It is such a blessing to work with the best people in the world in the churches God is building.  We are thankful to be a part of the work of the Lord.

KEEP PRAYING –

It is God who both works in us and through us.  Without Him, we can do nothing.  Please pray for God to work mightily.

May God bless.  Thanks for praying.

May Update Letter

May 2013

Dear Friends,

The snow was flying while we were in South Dakota.  Those of you on facebook hopefully saw the before and after pictures of one of two major storms we haFB 11d while in Rapid City.  In spite of the weather, we had only one service canceled.  Praise the Lord for the faithfulness of the church families.  We were at Rapid Valley Faith Baptist Church first.  Pastor Ralph Silcott has been faithfully serving the Lord there all these years.  He was the pastor there when I pastored in Tulare, SD.  We had a great time of fellowship with him and with his wife, Loma.  God is blessing at Rapid Valley.

We then went to Bethel Baptist Church in Rapid City.  Pastor and Mrs. Jones have faithfully served there many years.  It was great to get to know this fine couple.  We trust the Lord will work at Bethel in the coming days.  They are in a low period right now.  Those who have ministered in a church for a longer timeframe understand the highs and lows of church life.  Please pray for Pastor Jones and Bethel Baptist Church.  Pray for God to provide families and direction.

Despite record snowfall for the month of April in Rapid City, it was a great trip.  Jeneen and I enjoyed being with the church families and the pastors of these two churches.

WHAT IS AHEAD –

As Jeneen and I prepare for ministry in South Africa, we are excited about what is ahead.  But first, we want to thank those who helped make it possible for Jeneen to go.  We praise the Lord for each of you and how God burdened hearts to help to fully meet this need.

Friday, the 10th of May, Jeneen will be speaking to the Ladies Group at Pocatello Baptist Church.  She feels honored to be a part of the ministry to the ladies.  We will come home onMinistry Leadership Conference - Feb. 2012 Saturday.

We leave for South Africa on Tuesday the 14th.  We plan to return home the 12th of June.  It will be good to see many friends there and to meet new ones.  We will be staying where we have been before in the town of Sedgefield.  It is not too far from George and Knysna.  We hope to be in a blessing in the churches and to the people.  Please pray for us as we go.  Pray for spiritual fruit as a result of our time there.

MEN’S BACKPACKING CAMPS –

Some have asked what is planned this year for the camps.  As of right now, I only have one week long camp taken.  There ascan0001re other weeks available in July and in August.  I have two friends in Washington State who have asked about doing a not too strenuous week.  This is possible.  We could camp down below at a campground and do day hikes as those who came were able.  It works well as there are some lakes not too far from the trailheads where we could go.  Of course, anyone looking for a challenge, I have a couple of long trek weeks I would love to do.

These times have been soul-refreshing for those involved.  Let me know if you would like to try something like this.  We do most of the trips in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho.  It is great to get together in God’s creation and fellowship around the fire or as in the places where fires are restricted, fellowship around an LED flashlight.

THANK YOU –

Thanks to all who pray for us.  “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”  We want God to work.  He produces fruit that remains.  We simply want to be used of Him as He sees fit.  Thank you for your part in God’s work in us and through us.

KEEPING IN TOUCH –

For those on Facebook, Jeneen and I are there too.  We will often post things from where we are at the moment.  If you have not friended us yet, please do.

If you have an email address that has changed or would like to receive our emails, please let us know at backpacker1@aol.com.

When we are in South Africa, we will have limited availability.  Hopefully we will have some email access.  We will see how it works as we are there.

Thanks to all who have corresponded with us recently.  We want to keep in touch.  It is not always possible the way we would like but thanks for your patience.

May God bless each of you.  We pray for you and know you pray for us.  Thanks again.

Your Friends in Christ,

Monte & Jeneen Leavell.

Destructive Behavior

It is interesting that in the homosexual community one partner cheating on another is a bad thing.  In the Biblical sense of marriage, God calls it adultery.  God said to stay away from adultery, knowing that it would be destructive to those involved even to the point of breaking relationships. It is also hurtful to those close to the ones involved, sometimes even splitting families apart.

While the homosexual community accepts adultery is wrong, they cannot disregard other of God’s admonitions.  Consent to one commandment means we agree with God.  To say one teaching is good but not the rest is not an option.  We either accept that God knows what He is talking about or we reject, saying that He does not.  For mankind to judge God’s commandment is to say God is accountable to us and not the other way around.  The real condition of all mankind is we are accountable to Him for all His commandments.  Do we want to become the judge of God’s commandments, saying one is good and one is not?  Such behavior demonstrates the epitome of arrogance.

A society that embraces a destructive behavior or relationship will bring destruction on itself.  It is inevitable.  The question is when and how bad will it be.  No matter what the Supreme Court could say concerning adultery, it is still destructive.  No matter what they say about gay marriages, they are still sin in God’s eyes and a harmful relationship to those involved.  If the law of the land says it is legal to steal or kill one another, does that make it right in God’s eyes.  Sin will always be sin and is hurtful to those actively involved.

The good news is to all mankind; God offers forgiveness.  Jesus Christ paid the price for our sin on the cross.  He then conquered death by rising from the dead, showing that the debt of sin has been paid.  The offer of salvation with the forgiveness of sin is available to all who will come to God His way.

Prayer Letter – March 2013

Leavell’s Prayer Letter – March 2013
Dear Friends,
The greatest relationship we can have during our lifetime is with God. All other human relationships pale by comparison, no matter how good they are. The reason I say this is because all of mankind is flawed. When my wife married me, she received an imperfect man. Before you feel sorry for her, realize that she is imperfect too. All of us have to admit, we make mistakes. But in our relationship with God, it is perfect God with imperfect man. God always acts rightly towards us. His love is pure. The way he deals with us is impeccable. There is no other relationship possible with such potential. Understanding who God is and how He works should deepen the intimacy of our life with God. What a privilege we have to share with others our God who loves each of us and enables us to have a relationship with Him.

WHERE WE HAVE BEEN –
The last part of January, I was in Pella Iowa for two Sundays at Berean Baptist Church. They are without a pastor. Please pray for them to find God’s man. Jeneen and I were able to attend the Christian Writer’s Guild Conference in February. It was inspirational for both of us. Two publishers expressed interest in the new discipleship book. One has already responded that they cannot use it at this time but they really liked it. Looking forward to how God works. We have only 38 copies of the old book so we will need to do something in the near future.
We went to Faith Baptist Church in Cheyenne WY for a Sunday evening service. It was great to see Pastor Miller and his family. The next Wednesday evening we were at Berean Baptist in Pella IA. We always enjoy the people there. While going through Iowa, we stopped by Faith Baptist Bible College. It was nice seeing friends. On Friday, I was in northern Minnesota for the Men’s Retreat while Jeneen stayed at Sauk Centre. After speaking three times there, I went to Sauk Centre where Jeneen and I stayed for ministry Sunday through Sunday at Faith Baptist Church. It was a blessing to be with Pastor Ron Hemsworth and family. They have a wonderful church family. We really enjoyed our time with them.

WHAT’S NEXT –
April 7th, we start meetings at Rapid Valley Faith Baptist Church in Rapid City SD, where Ralph Silcott is pastor. The next Sunday we will be at Bethel Baptist Church where Marvin Jones is pastor. We have the 21st of April open on the way back to Idaho.
On the 10th of May, Jeneen will be speaking at the Ladies’ Banquet at Pocatello Baptist Church in Pocatello ID. Please pray that God will use her as she is with the ladies.
We leave for South Africa on May 14th and will return the 12th of June. It will be good to see everyone and minister in several churches. Jeneen and I look forward to being there again. This will be my third trip there. I look forward to doing a ministry leadership training time too. God is working in South Africa.

SPECIAL NEED –
Normally we do not share needs for finances. We pay for our foreign trips out of the monies we receive. So far, we have saved enough to cover my trip and expenses. We have some for Jeneen but she still needs to raise about $1500. If you would like to help her, please let us know. Please pray for God to provide.

BACKPACKERS –
This summer we are working on a couple of trips. We have some options so if you are interested, please let me know. Men’s Backpacking Camps are always soul-refreshing.

THANK YOU –
A special thanks to all who pray for us. God protected us as we traveled through the winter. We missed a couple of major storms by just hours. God’s working and leading was so obvious.
The spiritual blessings have been exciting. One great blessing we have seen is the people who are sincere in their desire to walk with the Lord. The depth of conviction and changes in people’s lives are exciting. Pray for God to work in us and through us. Thank you.

Your Fellow Servants,

Monte & Jeneen Leavell

January 2013 Update

Dear Friends,
Summary of 2012 –
One phrase Jeneen and I would use to characterize the year 2012 would be “answered prayer.” God answered prayer for Calvary Baptist Church in Kingman, AZ. The church began to seek a new pastor after Pastor Bob Lenzi went to be with the Lord. Many people were praying for the church. The first Sunday of this year, Jeneen and I were able to meet their new pastor, Troy Lohmeyer and his family. Pastor Lohmeyer and his wife, Sylvia are answers to prayer.
Another answer to prayer was how God provided finances for Jeneen enabling her to go to South Africa for ministry. In February, Jeneen and I spent over three weeks in Sedgefield, South Africa. It was great to work with the church family there. Please pray for the Lord to provide this year too. We are scheduled to go back in May for about a month.
We saw more professions of faith in 2012 than we have seen for many years. It is evident God is working and answering prayers. Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. These are just a few of the answers we have seen.

About Us –
Jeneen and I are doing well. We have been in good health and look forward to what the Lord has for us in 2013.
Our family is doing well too. Peter’s book, Gideon’s Call, was released in October. He is busy working on other books. Chris is pastoring in Tempe AZ at Grace Baptist Church. Joe is working on his master’s degree in counseling. Our grandchildren, nine of them, are growing. We enjoy seeing them when we can.

Future Plans –
January 23rd, I will be at Grace Baptist Church in Rock Springs WY for the Wednesday evening service. On Friday, the 25th, I will be at Berean Baptist Church in Pella IA. They are beginning the search for a new pastor. I look forward to ministering with them. The 14th of February, the Christian Writer’s Guild Conference in Colorado Springs begins. From there, Jeneen and I will head to Minnesota for a Men’s Retreat and meetings at Faith Baptist Church in Sauk Centre where Ron Hemsworth is pastor. April 7th, we start meetings at Rapid Valley Faith Baptist Church with Pastor Ralph Silcott.
We have a few open weeks this spring. May and June are filled. I plan to leave for South Africa on the 13th or 14th of May and come back on the 12th of June.

Special Prayer Requests –
• Please pray for Berean Baptist Church as they seek a pastor.
• Please pray for souls to be saved and believers to grow.
• Please pray for finances enabling Jeneen to go to South Africa.
• Please pray for scheduling of meetings and ministry.

Thank You –
Jeneen and I would like to thank you all for your prayers. We are seeing God do great things. We also want to say thank you for those who financially support us. We are blessed to have so many churches and friends who enable us to do what God has called us to do. Your support is an encouragement to us to continue in the work. Thanks so much.

May God bless you all. Keep up the good work of faith. Only the Lord knows what will happen in the coming months. Trust Him each day and live the life He gives to the fullest.

Yours in Christ,

Monte & Jeneen Leavell