Church and State in the 1990s
Protestantstvo.com Released
Several months ago we were asked to author a series of articles dealing with the protestant roots in Bulgaria. With the help of friends and scholars who joined our efforts, the series has grown and enjoyed ongoing publication in Bulgaria’s Evangelical Newspaper. Other medias such as the Bulgarian Pro & Anti and Mediapool has also shown interest in our work and published some of the articles.The articles have established a database of documents, analysis and commentaries on historical events, organizations and figures creating a single volume with over 20 historical essays covering the story of Bulgarian Protestantism from its beginnings to today along with methodological analysis of the future of the movement. The result has been the establishment of the Institute for Bulgarian Protestant History (IBPH) and the release of its newly designed website, Protestantstvo.com.
Mission Maranatha
In 2005, our team was successful in establishing several new congregations in Southern Bulgaria. The work was not without challenges from the particularity of the geographical location and the cultural setting which included: (1) ongoing migration of people between towns and villages, as well as internationally, (2) opposition from Eastern Orthodox priests and restrictions by local authorities (both described as illegal by the constitution) and (3) economical challenges and extreme poverty in the Bulgarian villages (especially through the winter periods). These factors often disable the local people and limit the ministry, as some of them are still ongoing and form the context in which the team ministers. Yet, Mission Maranatha has been successful in establishing a growing number of new congregations and providing pastoral care for each of them every week. We were able to travel with the team every week and minister to the churches in the Yambol region and were encouraged by their testimonies of salvation, provision, healing and even bodily resurrection. As an overall, the work of Mission Maranatha, serving as the Yambol region representative of Cup & Cross Ministry, has increased tremendously in the past several years. The team has invested a great deal of time, efforts and resources to keep the work ongoing. Between 12 and 30 services are held every week depending on the weather conditions and available finances for traveling. The regional structure has grown from two home groups in 1996 to 20 local congregations. At times, the mission has served over 550 people each week.
Shalom TV Broadcasts in Sofia
Since its establishment in 1996, Shalom TV has successfully reached its original vision to become the fist Bulgarian TV network. Today a television studio is producing a variety of weekly Christian programs with the participation of evangelical ministers and churches from around the country. The format of each program is much similar to a church service including worship, Biblical teaching prayer modules. Each broadcast is designed to reach unchurched and unbelievers with the message of salvation.
Although neither government regulations nor private television have been very supportive of Shalom TV’s growth, today the network is using alternative methods like cable channels and internet broadcasting to promote Christian values, educate Bulgarians of the truths of the Bible and bring to a realization a dynamic vision of hope and restoration.Today, the network operates in 7 large Bulgarian cities with Christian programs broadcasted around the clock. In the beginning of February, Shalom TV was finally able to sign a contract with a TV station in the capital Sofia and begun broadcasting immediately. The priority of this project is understood since the 2.5 million people live in the capital’s area and are becoming potential viewers of Shalom TV’s Christian shows. A much larger audience is likely probable, since the TV station from the capital Sofia is retranslated and broadcasted by a large number of local TV station and cable networks around the country.
Florida Missions Conference
This past weekend we were fortunate enough to attend the eleventh annual missions’ conference of the Good Sheppard Church of God in Pahokee Florida. It was there that we were able to present our 2005 ministry report and testify of the doors the Lord has opened for His work to be accomplished in the country of Bulgaria. We were among numerous other representatives of various countries including Spain, Ireland, Mexico, and Uruguay. We left the conference with the reassurance of that the Lord is the same regardless of location as we continue to profess that 2006 is the Year of Promise. Pastor Brewer joined with us in this confession by receiving this proclamation. We are greatly appreciative of the opportunity to have participated in such a special event and we extend our gratitude to all who continue to partner with us in ministry.
The Bulgarian Evangelical Church
Postmodernism has already penetrated Bulgaria and the Bulgarian church with full strength. Today, postmodern believers in a postcommunist world ask hard theological questions with doubts of every aspect of systematic theology from the creation metanarrative to the day of Christ’s resurrection. These are the signs of an ever-changing identity, which unfortunately the Evangelical church in Bulgaria is not yet able to handle.
But in the midst of this postmodern invasion, multiple trends of restorationism and revival have begun taking place. Exploring and reclaiming protestant roots is in the focus of various religious groups and NGOs, which are actively participating in the political, economical and social life of the country creating a new Christian antipode to the existing secular culture.
