FGBMFI Meetings in Ruse
While ministering in Ruse, Bulgaria we received a special invitation to meet with the local chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International. They consist of a group of nearly 50 some Christian businessmen along with their families who have fellowship together sharing common struggles and offering practical advice for applying Biblical principles in the secular market. Many shared their concerns of the economic crises in Bulgaria and the devastating effects that credit lending has taken on the country as a whole.
We were very encouraged of their reception of our ministry, especially through our websites including www.bibliata.tv and evangelsko.info. It is a strange feeling to meet with people for the first time who have been following your ministry around the world online. We remain humbled and give God the glory for how He has allowed us to have such a great presence and influence in Bulgaria.
We were also able to give nearly a dozen copies of our new translation of the Gospels of John and Matthew, which were personally requested. This opened discussion for challenging ones thinking toward a new paradigm of applying the Bible translation in a more open church context.
During their main gathering, we were able to talk to them on the historical presence of Biblical business principle as brought by the puritans within the Bulgarian culture some two centuries ago. We also spoke of the role of the members of the local church in the process of forming Christian identity, providing applicable presence of spiritual fatherhood and reforming the society around us to the standards of God. While there, we were able to go to visit with several at their place of work and pray a special blessing over their businesses.
Church of God 125th Anniversary
August 19th, 1886 eight people stepped forward and covenanted to “set together as the church of God.”
They committed to take the New Testament as their only rule of faith and practice.
They committed to “giving each other equal rights and privilege to read and interpret for yourselves as your conscience may dictate”
They expressed their desire to be “free from all man made creeds and traditions.”
Thus, there are four foundations in the Church of God: 1) Liberty 2) Biblical 3) Equality 4) Diversity
These eight people were: Richard Spurling, John Plemons, Polly Plemons, Barbara Spurling, Margaret Lauftus, Melinda Plemons, John Plemons Jr, and Adeline Lauftus
Ministry in Ruse on the Danube River
We were extremely blessed to be able to visit and minister again in Ruse, Bulgaria where we have long term ministry relationships of some 15 years with the churches and ministers in the area. We met on Saturday night with over 100 youth from various denominations in the region. Youth groups traveled as far as Silistra and Razgrad. We were able to minister with message and prayer, which continued at the alters till 10pm. We ministered Sunday morning with Bishop Peter Georgev and his family on a message from the Book of Revelation, and for the next two days held meetings with the local chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship.
Reviving Rain
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) in Bulgaria – A New Paradigm for Ministry in the Spirit
6:00 AM The Day Begins with Prayer
10:00 AM General Training Session
2:00 PM General Discussion/Water Baptism
4:00 PM Workshops in (1) Prayer, (2) Preaching, (3) Deliverance and (4) Missions
8:00 PM Evening Service followed by prayer at the alters until midnight
ALL ABOUT BIBLE CAMP 2011 BULGARIA:
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) in Bulgaria – A Vision of Purpose
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) – God’s Favor Realized
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) in Bulgaria – A New Generation Called to the Presence of God
In order to provide spiritual upbringing for the young ministers, each day followed a carefully prepared schedule beginning with prayer at 6:00am. Dr. Dony Donev delivered the morning messages at 10:00am which continued with a personal time of prayer and reflection. Every afternoon at 4:00pm the youth broke into small groups on the topics of preaching, prayer and fasting, leading worship and healing and deliverance. Missionary Ivo Shatrovsky who has been a guest speaker at previous meetings held a group on Tuesday and spoke about foreign missions. Regional Bishop Vassil Petrov of the Gabrovo Church of God led a study group on the subject of Spiritual Ministry through Healing and Deliverance, Pastor Anton Penev of Reformation Church in Haskovo taught on prayer and praise, while Dr. Dony Donev lectured on preaching and teaching from the Word of God.
During our morning fellowship after prayer, the youth shared their unique calling for the ministry. Some where called to be worship leaders, others to be preachers, several even had a prophetic calling upon their lives and three shared their calling to missions in the Middle East. One of them received a confirmation during the camp that she was accepted to an Arab language studies program at the Bulgarian University of Velik Tarnovo, where she would receive further preparation for her calling.
On Wednesday afternoon six young ministers from our group displayed the results of their week of training and delivered a sermonet on Psalms 23. It was encouraging to see the dedication of these young men and women as throughout the day you would see them reading their Bibles in preparation and hear their prayers coming from unknown places.
A water baptism service was held at 2:00pm on Wednesday where after receiving instruction, 17 were baptized while all sang a Bulgarian hymn with the words “Come to the river with waters of life…”
The water baptism and all other results from the camp came with a direct testimony of experiencing the Glory of the Lord on the mountain. During the alter call following the service on Tuesday night in particular, the presence of God was so evident and powerful that prayers continued long after closing into the night. It was a moment like we have never seen before in our ministry of 21 years. This is a report which is not given lightly and was confirmed by various testimonies. A few follow:
“It has been a long time since I have witnessed a time like this and have felt God’s Glory so powerfully.” ~ Young minister from Haskovo
“From small to large were all one, and Jesus himself was among us. I personally am encouraged by this camp.”~ Regional Bishop Vassil Petrov of the Gabrovo Church of God
“I have never in my life experienced the presence of God so powerfully” ~ Panayot Budinov, Youth Pastor from the Assemblies of God Church in Yambol
“I am certain that the Word that was delivered at this camp will have global results”~ Young person with a Calling for Missions
“Mightily blessed! Outpouring of the Holy Spirit! Prayer, worship and anointing! Baptisms in the Holy Spirit and 17 water baptisms! What else could be said?” ~Pastor Anton Penev
We are waiting and believe that we will continue to receive praise reports from miracles and transformations that happened as a result of Bible Camp 2011. We thank all of those who made this camp a success and as always extend a special thanks to the Eco Complex Katunishte for graciously hosting our event and allowing us to use their facilities.
ALL ABOUT BIBLE CAMP 2011 BULGARIA:
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) in Bulgaria – A Vision of Purpose
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) – God’s Favor Realized
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) in Bulgaria – A New Paradigm for Ministry in the Spirit
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) – God’s Favor Realized
Just like last year, in order not to interfere with church services, the camp began on Sunday afternoon, followed by registration of over 75 young people already active in the ministry. This number does not include the guest who traveled for daily seminars and evening services from the nearby towns and villages. Some even traveled from the capital Sofia, located over 200 miles west on the other side of Bulgaria and from nearby countries.
After pitching tents and getting settled in, Pastor Anton Penev of Reformation Church in Haskovo opened the camp with a message on Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus. First time guest, Regional Bishop Vassil Petrov of the Gabrovo Church of God, spoke during the next evening service and gave testimony of his salvation and calling to healing ministry. Dr. Dony Donev delivered a message on Tuesday night on the Glory of God, followed by guests from Greece who arrived Wednesday to minister during the closing service. Praise and worship during services was lead by the youth praise team from the Yambol Assemblies of God. (Continues)
ALL ABOUT BIBLE CAMP 2011 BULGARIA:
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) in Bulgaria – A Vision of Purpose
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) in Bulgaria – A New Paradigm for Ministry in the Spirit
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) in Bulgaria – A Vision of Purpose
Since 2008, when we began the Mobile School of Ministry in Bulgaria, our team has been able to organize an annual youth camp purposing the training and equipping young ministers for the harvest of God in Bulgaria. Just recently, our training model has been featured by youth outreach organizations like Youth for Christ via their European regional office in Barcelona, Spain.
When you hear about a youth camp you have a certain picture in mind like a reunion of friends who haven’t seen each other since last summer or times of fun, of games and so forth. But Bible Camp is not your typical youth camp. It was specifically designed for a select group of young people called and involved in the ministry.
This may sound strange at first, however, today in Bulgaria there are plenty of Christian camps for kids to hang out, play games and enjoy themselves. This camp is for young people who have accepted a calling for ministry on their lives. It is a time of prayer and fasting; a time of being one on one in a quiet place seeking the face of God, hearing His voice and seeing His Glory abide in a genuine Biblical and personal experience.
As early as 2008, this unique opportunity to train workers for the Harvest has been in the planning. It began with a Word that the Lord is calling a new generation to a new level of ministry in Bulgaria. This vision was casted among the churches and as a result teams from various towns were formed and we began having monthly leadership training seminars in the village Katunishte in the Balkan mountain in 2009.
Then, 2010 marked the first year of having an organized camp. Now, several years latter, we are able to announce that the second national annual Bible Camp in Bulgaria was a reality and a success. This is a camp that did not just spring up over night. Much prayer, planning and partnership went into making the vision a reality. (Continues)
ALL ABOUT BIBLE CAMP 2011 BULGARIA:
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) – God’s Favor Realized
BC/AD 2011 (Bible Camp/All Denominations) in Bulgaria – A New Paradigm for Ministry in the Spirit
Regional Youth Rally in Bankya
Revival in Haskovo
