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Cornerstone Communications
Ukraine
December 30, 2004

Dear Friends & Family,

Happy New Year from Kiev, Ukraine! I just arrived 2 days ago. We finished our theatrical production in Seoul, Korea…. Number SIXTEEN for 2004! I was able to spend Christmas there in Seoul, and now New Years here with friends in Kiev!

Production Update

As you recall from last week's Update, I had arrived into Seoul with literally no rest and no preparation time. As I landed into Seoul, I was whisked off to the theatre, and had to monitor all the setup of decorations, backdrops and lights. We had two run-throughs with the cast, and then it was show time!

The shows were even more beautiful than the first performances in November. We had television coverage, newspaper coverage and had several dignitaries, including Dr. Yonggi Cho present. Most of all, though, the presence of the Lord was there. The anointing was great, and the people were so moved by the production. Thank you, Lord, for the souls that were touched, and saved through this production. I pray that You were pleased with it.

Christmas in Seoul

With the production over, I could sleep in on Christmas day! Hallelujah! Did you know that Korean floors are heated? Yes. They walk around barefoot in the homes, and with good reason. The floors are so wonderfully warm, you want to sit or even lay down on them. I fixed myself breakfast, and had a great quiet time with the Lord.

Since most of my friends were with their families, I enjoyed my Christmas alone. At 6 I met some friends and we went to an Italian restaurant. I presented everyone with gifts, and we had a very nice time.

After the final performance in Seoul, the cast and crew take one final pose. Mrs. Cho is sitting next to me.

Christmas with the Cho's

Best of all, was that Mrs. Cho realized I was without anyone to celebrate with, so she planned some special things for me. On Sunday, the 26th, for example, she invited me to sing a solo at the 11 a.m. service at Yoido, with 40,000 present plus television, radio and internet carrying the service live! Gulp! Talk about nervous!

Afterward, I had a chat with Dr. Cho afterwards who congratulated me on the production. He loved it! We went to lunch afterwards, and I received a Christmas gift from Dr. Cho, a tie! Wow! I don't think I'll wear it, I think I'll frame it! Mrs. Cho is so funny. We had a great time laughing at lunch. Some important editors for a big newspaper came by to extend holiday greetings. She said, "Do you realize who this is (implying me) ?" They nodded no, and she said, "He's world famous. Do an interview after lunch with him." And that was that!

Afterwards, there were 2 reporters and 2 photographers taking a picture of every single thing I did once I left the restaurant. They escorted me to a conference room, and proceeded to interview me. On Monday morning, there was a half page article, complete with pictures on Cornerstone and the Christmas show we had just presented in Seoul! The Cho's wield that much authority! Life truly is one amazing adventure!

Upward and Onward

I hugged and said goodbye on Monday morning to my Korean friends, Cho Il Whan, Yang Jung Won, Park Seol Kyu and Chong Im. I flew to Hong Kong, and continued on to London, England, where I transferred on Tuesday morning to Kiev. I was met by dear friends, Alex and Natasha Vasilenko. I'm in Kiev for 5 days of R and R! Monday, January 2, I arrive in Kishenau, Moldova to begin my 2005 season.

Miracles in Ukraine

Over a decade ago, Ukraine became a free country.... free from the former Soviet Union. However, that freedom was in theory, and in name only. This "orange revolution" (known as such because of Yushenko's campaign colors) has brought out the people to stand up in unity against blackmail, voter manipulation, and ballot fraud. You might recall that Yushenko was the front runner, and in September he was poisened and expected to die.

He was a handsome man, but the poisen destroyed his face, and it's truly a miracle that he's alive. The people have rallied around him, and the entire city is orange as they have demanded a re-vote, for the third time! He has finally won!

After the final performance, Mrs. Cho had a special reception for all the area pastors in attendance, with me as their guest. They're so kind.

The most miraculous thing of all is that there have been peaceful protests, and when it was obvious that such protests could only be squelched with violence, the churches united together to pray, and so the government changed their minds, and let the people protest. It was hardly a protest, but rather a joyful celebration for Ukrainians to stand up to their own manaical government. For the first time in history, Ukrainians are proud to be Ukrainian, and are making their voice heard that they will not stand for any more corruption.

What a miracle, and it's an honor to be here, and to see the celebratory mood of a truly free people! I will be in attendance on New Year's eve to hear Yushenko speak at Maedan Nezelezhnisty, the city square, to rally the people toward a truly new era in Ukraine, beginning in 2005.

Goals for 2005

It's New Years, and you know what that means: Resolutions! However, this year we need to make all of our dreams, visions, and goals a reality for 2005. To do that, we have to go beyond a resolution. We will have to set goals, with NO deadline.

I once heard a great statement that I have adopted for my life, "Do something so big that if God didn't help you to accomplish it, it would surely fail." I want to ask you a question: If you could do something for God that you KNEW could not fail, what would you do?

All of us have dreams, imaginations and visions of what we want to accomplish, what we'd like to do in a year or two, or beyond. However, we then put them in a file marked, "Impossible", and think we're being "real" by doing so. We're negating some very important works for God by doing that! We ruin our lives with mediocrity, doing something that was "safe", and that everyone else around you can do.

We have to have a vision, and in fact take it to God in prayer. Ask the Lord to make that vision so clear that it will motive us to attempt to accomplish it, no matter how big it is. You see, when we have a clear vision, we will risk everything to accomplish it. We will gladly pay the price. However, we don't allow those visions or dreams to become focused, so we set them aside and move on, never realizing what a great adventure laid in store for us.

Last Sunday, December 26, I sang in Yoido. Dr. Cho patiently waits for me to finish so he can deliver his amazing message on Touching the Heart of God.

So, how do we focus our goals, our dreams? I once heard this illustration: "Setting a goal is like focusing sunlight with a magnifying glass. When your life energy is shining on a pinpoint, you can start a fire." Whatever is in the forefront of our lives is the direction in which we move. You've heard me write many times, "Wherever we place our focus is what will become our reality."

What dreams has the Lord given you? What goals? What visions? Write them down, whether they be concerning career, personal, fitness, food, or spiritual. Post them in a place where you can see them often. They become "roadmaps" for your life. They will become your focus, and keep you on track.

Caution, though. Don't let your goals be small or self-absorbing. I mean, deciding to spend more time with the kids, or your spouse, or buying a new car or bigger home are worthy resolutions, but I'm talking about life changing goals. We need to set goals that will make a difference in the Kingdom of God.

One of the most influential pastors in my life was actually the administrative pastor and financial head of our church, Pastor Jerry Parsons. He once said, "An employee without a mission statement should be fired." His point was that if we have no goal or vision, then how can we ever be effective? It motivated me to write down a mission statement. Do you have a mission statement for your life? Did you know that 90% of people DON'T?

You may ask, "What's a mission statement and how do I write it?" I'm glad you asked! A mission statement is a paragraph long statement stating general goals for your life. Your goals don't have to be specific necessarily. How do you write it? Write down 4 things:

1. What's your purpose for life? Why are you here on earth?
2. Write down what you do, or want to do.
3. Write down a vision, a dream or a goal that you want to see happen.
4. Write down your mission: how will you make it happen.

After service on Sunday, I pose with Dr. and Mrs. Cho. What a wonderful couple, and wonderful friends. I love them so much.

A vision is bigger than a goal. A goal has a definite timeline attached to it. A vision goes beyond that timeline. It can take an entire lifetime. A goal the Lord gave me when I was 13 years old was that I would go to the whole world before I was 50. I didn't know how I could do that, but now I'm 48 years old, and I'm just about there! There's a timeline.

However, it wasn't until 1999 that the Lord showed me a vision. He showed me the world, and said, "Everywhere you see, I will send you there to proclaim My Gospel to them." Needless to say, that will take a while! This is beyond setting a time deadline.

I want to ask you again: If you could do something for God that you KNEW could not fail, what would you do? It's 2005 in a few days. Write down those dreams and visions you've been putting off these last few years, and dare to act upon them with God's help.

You'll find yourself changing the world, and when you stand before the Lord to give an account of your life, you can easily say, "All that you asked of me, Lord, I have accomplished." Have a wonderful New Year!

Cnastupayushem Vas C Novim Godim!

That's Ukrainian for "Happy New Year!" Hasn't it been a fast year? I'm amazed how quickly it has gone by! And yet, I pray that what was accomplished in this last year was a blessing to our Lord. May He truly be pleased with our lives for 2004, and Lord, we ask You humbly to use us in an even greater way for 2005, that we may bring you greater glory than ever before.

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez