Stan Surbatovich
Niksic, MONTENEGRO
Niksic is the second largest city in Montenegro, yet when the Surbatovich’s arrived in 1996 they didn't know of a single other Christian of any denomination in the entire city. The Lord has been pleased to bless their labors and to see a church planted and growing. Their outreaches beyond the Lord's Day services include Evangelistic sports camps, Bible studies and evangelism with University students. They often host teams of Christians from other countries who come to assist in these ministries and to learn from the experience and fellowship with Stan and Vicki and the church there. The Surbatovich's have 5 adult children, all living in the States.
Although Stan was born in Los Angeles, both of his parents were born in Montenegro. He was converted in 1979 during his first year of college, grew in Christ at the local church, and developed a burden for ministry and a general desire to one day serve in Montenegro.
In 1982 Stan and Vicki were married, and in 1990 Stan graduated from Westminster Seminary (West). He served as pastor at a local church and as a reserve chaplain in the Navy until being recalled to active duty from 1991 - 1994. When his tour ended, he began investigating the possibility of ministering in the former Yugoslavia, which was in the middle of civil war. Stan and VIcki made contact with churches in Serbia and together with their elders at Faith Community Church (Oxnard, CA), came to the decision that Stan minister with an existing church in Serbia with the eventual goal of seeing a team raised up for a church planting work in Montenegro. After being denied visas by the Yugoslav government Stan entered Montenegro and was immediately granted visas for the whole family. Although God had shut the door to Serbia, He opened it to Montenegro - the very place the Surbatovich’s had eventually wanted to minister. Stan and Vicki long to see others converted and added to the church, and to see God raise up many Biblical churches throughout Montenegro for His glory.
Niksic is the second largest city in Montenegro, yet when the Surbatovich’s arrived in 1996 they didn't know of a single other Christian of any denomination in the entire city. The Lord has been pleased to bless their labors and to see a church planted and growing. Their outreaches beyond the Lord's Day services include Evangelistic sports camps, Bible studies and evangelism with University students. They often host teams of Christians from other countries who come to assist in these ministries and to learn from the experience and fellowship with Stan and Vicki and the church there. The Surbatovich's have 5 adult children, all living in the States.
Although Stan was born in Los Angeles, both of his parents were born in Montenegro. He was converted in 1979 during his first year of college, grew in Christ at the local church, and developed a burden for ministry and a general desire to one day serve in Montenegro.
In 1982 Stan and Vicki were married, and in 1990 Stan graduated from Westminster Seminary (West). He served as pastor at a local church and as a reserve chaplain in the Navy until being recalled to active duty from 1991 - 1994. When his tour ended, he began investigating the possibility of ministering in the former Yugoslavia, which was in the middle of civil war. Stan and VIcki made contact with churches in Serbia and together with their elders at Faith Community Church (Oxnard, CA), came to the decision that Stan minister with an existing church in Serbia with the eventual goal of seeing a team raised up for a church planting work in Montenegro. After being denied visas by the Yugoslav government Stan entered Montenegro and was immediately granted visas for the whole family. Although God had shut the door to Serbia, He opened it to Montenegro - the very place the Surbatovich’s had eventually wanted to minister. Stan and Vicki long to see others converted and added to the church, and to see God raise up many Biblical churches throughout Montenegro for His glory.
