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.
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.
Bibliata.com National Tour: 44 Baptized with the Holy Ghost
We launched the tour on August 13 at the Karandila Pentecostal Youth Camp near Sliven (in Southern Bulgaria). The camp is a historical meeting place for Pentecostal youth that was established before World War II. We participated in the Friday night service where 44 were baptized with the Holy Spirit. Additionally, 20 were baptized with the Holy Spirit at the Black Sea camp the previous week. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend that camp due to our late arrival in Bulgaria at the end of July.
