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Grace Prayer Bulletin # 54
May 2, 1999

STANISA AND VICKI SURBATOVICH: MISSIONARIES IN MONTENEGRO, YUGOSLAVIA

Stanisa and Vicki Surbatovich are missionaries in Montenegro, Yugoslavia.
Montenegro is increasingly distancing itself from Serbia and the federal
government of Yugoslavia--there is even talk of secession. Montenegro, not
counting refugees, has a population of around 700,000;
with refugees, the population is over 750,000.
Stanisa Writes, "IN ALL OF MONTENEGRO THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE BIBLICAL
CHURCH! There are very few Christians (perhaps less than 100). There
are only three missionaries. Montenegro has the fewest Christians and the
fewest Christian workers in all of Europe. We have been sent out to do
church planting by Faith Community Church (Oxnard, California), a church
committed to reformed principles and the London Baptist 1689 Confession of
Faith, with the help of like-minded churches and individuals. We have
weekly Bible studies in English and Lord's Day meetings in Serbian. We live
and minister in the city of Niksic. Niksic is the 2nd largest city with a
population of around 60,000. The university in Niksic has an English program
and I teach some classes there--this gives me good exposure to students and
the community.
Our greatest joy in the ministry here, is that a number of people have come
to Christ. Yet, we are a long way from seeing a church established--we wait
on our Sovereign Lord to raise a church for His glory. Because of its
progress in democracy and its opposition to the policies of Serbia and the
federal government of Yugoslavia, Montenegro has been bombed much less than
Serbia, yet there are federal army units here and so Montenegro has been
bombed as well. Right now, though, the greatest danger in Montenegro is not
from NATO bombing but from possible civil war between factions supporting
Slobodan
Milosevic and the factions supporting the pro-west government of Montenegro.
We are continually monitoring the situation as to our safety and are in
close contact with our elders at Faith Community Church. Thus far we have
judged it best to stay (we did have to temporarily evacuate but have since
returned). We planned our first visit back to the U.S. for this summer, and,
Lord willing, we look forward to being in the U.S. this summer.
Since the bombing began, we have been viewed with suspicion by some and the
number of people attending our meetings has gone down, yet it is now
starting to pick up a bit.
We praise God that we have been kept safe thus far and that we have been
able to continue ministering.
We are here as a family: Stanisa (Stan), Vicki, Anna Marie (11), Amy Joelle
(9), Christian (7), Josiah James (5), Milijana (3). People have been asking
about refugees and the possibility of helping out. Truly there is great
human suffering--tens of thousands of families have left everything they own
and are living in tent cities. Their greatest need is Christ. At the same
time we know that God has commanded us: as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all . . .,, "We are in the process of setting up a separate fund for
refugees. Gifts may be sent to the church address given below.
The Prayer Requests that Stanisa and Vicki ask for are personal safety, that
people would come to our meetings to hear of Christ and the only true source
of peace, that God would give us favor in the eyes of those around us,
growth for those who have come to Christ, Spiritual strengthening for those
young people (in their 20s) who have come to Christ and are being severely
persecuted by their parents.
There is a need for spiritual awakening in this dark land, a need for true
repentance and a turning to Christ for all involved in the conflict. There
is also a special need finances (evacuation and other issues related to the
war have increased their expenses). They are going to be traveling to the
U.S. this summer for a furlough. Their plan was to fly out of Yugoslavia,
but
due to the war this won't be possible so they will have to explore other
possibilities. One possibility the Surbatovich's are considering is driving
to the U.K. and flying to the U.S. from there.
Stanisa has requested the following:
"It would be helpful to us to know of any housing that might be available
for us toward the end of June (preferably close to London) for a few days.
We would also need to store our vehicle over the summer and would appreciate
offers of help for this. Assuming we go back via the U.K., we may be
available to visit interested churches towards the end of June.
If any of you in the U.K. would like to offer help, please contact us
directly via email at: stanisas@cg.yu and stanisas@eunet.yu
Stanisa recommends using both email addresses to help insure delivery.
Further Information on the mission may be obtained from:
Pastor Rick Anderson: RAndFCC@aol.com
Deacon William Venable: Eph21@worldnet.att.net
Faith Community Church
723 South D St.
Oxnard CA 93030 USA
(805) 486-2676

Grace Prayer Ministry is a ministry of King's Chapel, West Chester, Ohio, we
stand side by side with joy with the Surbatovich family. Feel free to
forward this to honor of Christ.
Rob Gerard robjenny@netzero.net

Grace Prayer Bulletin # 54

A ministry of The King's Chapel