Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals

by Dony K. Donev, D.Min.

Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals (Research presentation prepared for the Society of Pentecostal Studies, Seattle, 2013 – Lakeland, 2015, thesis in partial fulfillment of the degree of D. Phil., Trinity College)

Protestant work in Bulgaria began in 1815 when agents of British and Foreign Bible Society, Robert Pinkerton (1780-1859) and Benjamin Barker (d.1859), initiated a search for Bible translators in the spoken Bulgarian vernacular. As a result a new translation of the New Testament in Bulgaria was published in 1840 and the whole Bible in 1871.

By the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish Yoke in 1878 Protestantism was well established in Bulgaria. Graduates from Protestant Robert’s College became prominent politicians in the new Bulgarian state. When the first Pentecostal missionaries arrived in 1920, they found a century old protestant tradition in Bulgaria.

Presenting at the Society for Pentecostal Studies in Southeastern University on “Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals” (Part 2)

Presenting at the Society for Pentecostal Studies in Southeastern University on “Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals” (Part 2)

Online Pentecostal Academic Journals

Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies (AJPS) – associated with the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in the Philippines (Assemblies of God Philippines) – volumes from 1998-present – FREE ONLINE

Australasian Pentecostal Studies (APS) – 1999-present – FREE ONLINE

Canadian Journal of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity – 2010-present – FREE ONLINE

Cyberjournal for Pentecostal-Charismatic Research – 1997-2013 – FREE ONLINE

Encounter: Journal for Pentecostal Ministry – associated with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary – volumes from 2004-present – FREE ONLINE

Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association (JEPTA) – associated with the European Pentecostal Theological Association – volumes from 1981-present – FREE ONLINE through 2009 / Members access to 2010-present

Journal for Pentecostal Theology (JPT) – volumes from 1992-present – Members access only

The Pentecostal Educator – associated with the World Alliance for Pentecostal Theological Education – volumes 2014-present – FREE ONLINE [FORTHCOMING]

PentecoStudies: Online Journal for the Interdisciplinary Study of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements – 2004-present – subscription

Pneuma: Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies – volumes from 1979-present – Members access only

PneumAfrica: The Online Journal of African Pentecostal Christianity – associated with the Association for Pentecostal Theological Education in Africa – volumes from 2013-present – FREE ONLINE

Pneuma Review – volumes from 1998-present – FREE ONLINE

I have intentionally not included the more pastoral and popular publications: Paraclete (1967-1995), Enrichment Journal (1995-present), or Enrich: A Journal for Pentecostal Ministry.

[CURRENT ON JULY 19, 2014]

Bulgarian Study New Testament

We are truly blessed to introduce for the first time the Bulgarian Study New Testament. The text is specifically designed and printed for Bulgarian immigrant churches outside of Bulgaria and specifically for the Goodwin need of Bibles, study guides and leadership literature among the Bulgarian Churches in North America. This first edition contains:

• Revised protestant Bible History of the New Testament texts
• The Story of the Bulgarian Bible
• Harmony of the Gospels
• Prologue to each book
• How can I be saved?
• What the Bible says about…
• Holy Spirit in the life of the believer
• Prayer Devotions
• Praise and Worship Lessons
• Role of the Church in the world
• Theology in contrasts
• Names and titles of Jesus Christ
• Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled
• The miracles of Jesus
• The proverbs of the Lord
• Model and use of the Tabernacle
• Maps of Biblical places
• Plan of the Last days and the Book of Revelation

The Four Gospels of the New Bulgarian Translation Published

We are both happy and humbled to announce the publication of the Tetraevangelion of of the New Bulgarian Translation including:

• Matthew (2011)
• Mark (2010)
• Luke: Gospel and Acts (2013)
• John: Gospel, Epistles and Apocalypse (2007)

This final volume has been almost ten years in the making as it combines all four previously published volumes. It is new literal translation in the Bulgarian vernacular directly from the Nestle Aland Novum Testamentum (27/28 editions).

We thank friends and foes for the internal motivation without which this work would have never been completed.

We are currently working on another similar project, namely the publication of a Study New Testament in Bulgarian, which will be ready for print by the end of this summer.

  

Pentecostal Bible Schools In the United States

• ACTS International Bible College in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Member of ACEA.
• Advanced Institute of Ministry in San Francisco. AIM is a member of ACEA.
• Advantage College in Sacramento, CA. International Pentecostal Holiness Church
• Advocate Institute of Advocate Ministries in Birmingham, Alabama area. Member of ACEA.
• All Nations Traning Center of Metro Christian Fellowship in Kansas City. ANTC offers the Transit School of Leadership, and the CPx church planting experience course.
• All Saints Bible College Sponsored by the International Church of God in Christ (COGIC), with headquarters in Memphis, TN.
• Alpha Bible College & Seminary “accredited Bible college through our affiliation with School of Bible Theology, San Jacinto, CA”.
• American Indian College Assemblies of God.
• Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
• Beulah Heights Bible College founded in 1918, the Southeast’s oldest Bible College. In Atlanta, Georgia.
• Bethany College of Scotts Valley, CA. Assemblies of God
• Bethesda Christian University Connecting Korea and America: a Pentecostal/charismatic Christian university for  Korean speaking students. Main campus in Anaheim, California (USA) and two extension campuses in Seoul, S. Korea.
• Black Hills Indian Bible College Assemblies of God.
• Brewer Christian College and Graduate School in Jacksonville, Florida.
• Brownsville Minisitry Training Center The Elisha Project: “offering a two-year program emphasizing hands-on, practical ministry and leadership training through fathering and mentoring from leaders passionate about discipleship.”
• Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, California. See also their Extension Campuses in the United States and around the world.
• Calvary Chapel Menifee School of Ministry in Menifee, California.
• Calvary Chapel Murrieta School of Ministry in Murrieta, California.
• Cathedral Bible College of Myrtle Beach, SC.
• Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. Assemblies of God.
• Central Theological College (Formerly Spectrum Bible College) offering two-year Bible program and a one-year ministry practicum.
• Charles H. Mason Seminary Part of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.
• Chico Extension of the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Chico, California.
• Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX.
• Christian Life College educating Pentecostal/charismatics for over 50 years in Chicago.
• Christian Life College in Stockton, California.
• Church of God Educational Institutions Links to ministry training centers affiliated with Church of God (Cleveland, TN) including Lee University; Pentecostal Theological Seminary(Formerly the Church of God Theological Seminary); Hispanic Institute of Ministry (El Instituto Ministerial Hispano) in Dallas, Texas;  Han Young Theological University (formerly Korean Theological College) in Seoul, Korea; European Bible Seminary; Colegio Biblico Pentecostal (Puerto Rico Bible College); and others.
• Coastland University affiliated with the Calvary Chapel fellowship of churches.
• Columbia Evangelical Seminary distance mentorship program and classroom setting in Buckley, WA.
• Cornerstone Bible Institute and Seminary in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Part of the apostolic and cell-based church movement Cornerstone Church and Ministries International and member of ACEA.
• Cornerstone School of Ministry operated by Cornerstone Chapel in Medina, Ohio.
• Cottonwood School of Ministry Part of the Cottonwood Christian Center in Los Alamitos, California.
• Covenant Bible College & Seminary (overseen by the Pentecostal Holiness Church of America).
• DOMATA School of Missions. Classes held at the Mark Brazee Ministries office complex in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
• East Texas Theological Seminary
• Elim Bible Institute in Lima, NY.
• Emmanuel Bible Institute of Ministry operated by Emmanuel Christian Center (Foursquare) in Salina, Kansas.
• Emmanuel College affiliated with International Pentecostal Holiness Church.
• Escondido Bible College Located in North San Diego County, California. Formerly Cathedral Bible College. Affiliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
• Eugene Bible College in Eugene, Oregon. Affliated with the Open Bible Churches headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.
• Evangel University in Springfield, MO. Assemblies of God.
• Faith Christian Fellowship School Of Ministry
• Faith Chrisitan University with Main Campus in Orlando, Florida, extension campuses and internet distance learning.
• Faith School of Theology A ministry school in Charleston, Maine founded in 1959. A Berean Study Center (Assemblies of God curriculum).
• FIRE School of Ministry
• Florida Christian University Study in a classroom or in the distance learning program.
• For a complete list of Foursquare Bible Institutes, Colleges, and Schools of Ministry see their National Christian Education index. Numerous local churches offer institutes and certified ministry training including: Emmanuel Bible Institute of Ministry operated by Emmanuel Christian Center in Salina, KS; Angelus Bible Institute in Los Angelus, California; Institute of the Bible and Ministry operated by Living Way Fellowship in Littleton, Colorado; Hispanic Theological Institute of the Northwest in Wenatchee, Washington; Facultad de Teologia in Montebello, CA; New Life Foursquare Leadership Training Institute in Canby, Oregon; V.I.D.A. Instituto Biblico (A.B.I. Extension) in Chino, California; Yellowstone Valley Bible Instituteoperated by Faith Chapel in Billings, Montana; Praise School of Ministry in Los Angeles, California; Victory School of Ministry in Ada, Oklahoma; Logos in Moreno Valley, California; and many more. See the list for current contact information when website is not available.
• Free Gospel Bible Institute Over 45 years educating and preparing men and women for Pentecostal ministry, in Export, Pennsylvania.
• Full Gospel Baptist Bible Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Golden Springs Calvary Chapel Bible College extension campus at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs in Diamond Bar, California.
• Grace Bible College and Seminary in Roanoke, Alabama. Founded in 2003 by Bishop Lyndon B. Hutcherson. Offering distance and classroom instruction.
• Grace Bible School located on the campus of Word of Grace Church (pastored by Gary Kinnaman) in Mesa, Arizona.
• Grace Christian University A theological training program that offers affordable and accredited higher Christian education to build faith and develop culturally rooted Christians leaders around the world. On campus, correspondence, and extension campus programs available.
• Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. Also offering online degrees in Chinese.
• Greater Grace Bible College in Tacoma, Washington. Extension school of Maryland Bible College & Seminary.
• Healing River International School of Ministry Member of ACEA.
• Hebron Life Bible College & Seminary In Blanchard, OK. Founded by John & Sharon Rathbun.
• Heritage Bible College in Dunn, North Carolina. Affiliated with Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church
• Holmes Bible College Independent Bible College founded in 1896, in Greenville, SC. In ministry partnership with International Pentecostal Holiness Church.
• IHOPU Schools at the University include Forerunner School of Ministry and Forerunner Media Institute. Affiliated with Friends of the Bridegroom International and the International House of Prayer. In Kansas City, Missouri.
• IMI School of Ministry and Music
• Institute For Strategic Christian Leadership offers undergraduate and graduate levels classes in several regional campuses throughout the east coast.
• International Children’s Ministry Institute Campus in Litchfield, Illinois. Regularly conducting overseas schools in Russia, India, Thailand, and several African nations.
• Jacksonville Theological Seminary and Revelation Message Bible College
• Jubilee School of Ministry ministry training school by Jubilee Christian Fellowship in Fairfield, Iowa.
• The King’s College and Seminary Founded by Pastor Jack Hayford
• Kingswell Theological Seminary “Equiping leaders to build healthy churches and engage contemporary culture.”
• Latin American Bible Institute — Texas Assemblies of God residential institute in San Antonio, TX. Courses are offered in both  English and  Spanish.
• Latin American Bible Institute — California Assemblies of God residential institute in La Puente, California.   Bilingual and bicultural theological education.
• Lee University Affiliated with the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee.
• L.I.F.E. Bible College Pentecostal/Charismatic Bible college founded in 1923 by Aimee Semple McPherson. Affliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
• L.I.F.E. Bible College East In Christiansburg, Virginia. Affliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
• Maryland Bible College & Seminary in Baltimore. Affiliated with Greater Grace World Outreach.
• Masters Commission USA The founding Masters Commission at Phoenix First Assembly of God.
• Master’s Institute operated by the International Lutheran Renewal Center
• Messenger College in Joplin, Missouri. Part of the Pentecostal Church of God.
• Metro Jackson Master’s Commission “This is a 9 month program for intense training to be a closer follower of Christ.”
• Ministry Training College residential training institute of Christian International Ministries, founded by Bill Hamon. Campus is in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
• Minnesota Graduate School of Theology
• Miracle Valley Bible College & Seminary Pentecostal Bible College and Seminary founded in 1958 by A. A. Allen.
• Monterey Bay Calvary Chapel Bible College extension campus at Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay in Monterey, California.
• MorningStar School of Ministry
• National Bible College and Seminary in Ft. Washington, Maryland.
• Native American Bible College Assemblies of God.
• New Beginnings School Of Ministry in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
• New England Foursquare Bible Institute Offering a diploma in Biblical Studies, taught by experienced local pastors. Classes are held at area churches, headquarters in Uxbridge, MA.
• New Hope Christian College New Hope Christian College in Eugene, Oregon and Pacific Rim Christian College in Honolulu, Hawaii are becoming one college in two locations: NHCC Eugene and NHCC Hawaii
• New Life Bible College in Cleveland, TN. Where “the bible is the only textbook used in the classroom.” Part of Norvel Hayes Ministries.
• New York Calvary Chapel Bible College extension campus at Harvest Christian Fellowship in New York City.
• North Central University in Minneapolis, Assemblies of God. Carlstrom Deaf Studies.
• Northwest College in Kirkland, WA. Assemblies of God.
• Old Bridge Calvary Chapel Bible College extension campus at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge in Old Bridge, New Jersey.
• Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Oregon College of Ministry a Foursquare Bible college formerly known as East Hill Institute of Ministry, in Gresham, Oregon.
• Patten University An interdenominational Christian liberal arts college in Oakland, CA. Affiliated with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN). Founded by Dr. Bebe Patten.
• Payne Bible College Founded in 1970, affilated with Christ International Churches. In Mississippi.
• Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity Based in the St. Louis, Missouri area, offering on-campus and distance learning programs. Member of ACEA.
• Pinecrest Bible Training Center An interdenominational, Full Gospel Bible school, in Salisbury Center, New York.
• Portland Bible College Church-affiliated college offering two and four-year degrees. Sponsored by City Bible Church, Frank Damazio, Pastor. Member of ACEA.
• Radical Change Bible College Online and local classes from Kissimmee, FL. Jason writes: “This fullgospel/charismatic school offers ministry degrees based on ministry experience and also trains in ministry. They have blessed me and my ministry vision.”
• Regent University Virginia Beach, VA.
• Rhema Bible Training Center Word of faith Bible institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded by Kenneth Hagin.
• River City School of Ministry part of Family Christian Center in Orangevale, CA.
• River of Life School of Ministry In Rusk, Texas. Offering a two year Bible School program that trains students in missions, pastoral care, children’s and youth ministry, and worship.
• Samuel E Walker School of Ministry
• School of Bible Theology Undergraduate/Graduate Pentecostal Seminary affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God of America.
• School of the Local Church In Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded by Bob Yandian.
• Seattle Bible College “Where emerging leaders are transformed and equipped to change their world for Christ.”
• Simpson University in Redding, CA.
• Spirit Fire World Outreach School A church ministry school in Titusville, Florida.
• Southeastern College in Lakeland, FL. Assemblies of God.
• Southwestern Assembly of God University of Waxahachie, TX. Assemblies of God.
• Southwestern Christian University Formerly Southwestern College of Christian Ministries, in Bethany, Oklahoma. Affiliated with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. See alsoGraduate School of Southwestern Christian University
• St. Michael’s Seminary A ministry of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.
• South Texas Bible Institute
• Texas Bible Institute
• The Call School a division of Wagner Leadership Institute
• Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND. Assemblies of God.
• Trinity Episcopal School of Ministry
• Trinity Life Bible College in Sacramento, CA
• Tucson Theological Seminary Classroom and internet classes.
• University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii. Part of Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Programs include: Colleges of Communication, The Arts, Christian Ministries, Counselling & Health Care, Education, Science and Technologies, and Humanities and International Studies. There are also Discipleship Traning Schools for young adults and families as well as a Korean Discipleship Training School.
• Urban Harvest Theological Seminary
• Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville, PA. Assemblies of God.
• Valor Christian College Formerly known as World Harvest Bible College, founded by Pastor Rod Parsley.
• Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. Assemblies of God. (Formerly Southern California College)
• Victory Bible Institute a ministry of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded by Billy Joe Daugherty.
• Victory School of Ministry operated by Victory Life Fellowship (Foursquare) in Ada, Oklahoma.
• Vineyard Leadership Institute Learn hands-on in this two year program in the context of a local church. Part of the Vineyard Church of Columbus.
• Wagner Leadership Institute Institute of practical ministry founded by C. Peter Wagner
• West Angeles Bible College Ministry school of West Angeles Church of God in Christ.
• Western Bible College of the Assemblies of God. In the Phoenix-Tucson area.
• Word and Spirit Institute Pentecostal Bible institute operated by Puget Sound Christian Center in Tacoma, Washington.
• World Center School of Ministry
• World Revival School of Ministry
• Youth With A Mission Search for Discipleship Training Schools Find up-to-date listings of ministry training opportunities worldwide. See also YWAM’s University of the Nations website.
• Yellowstone Valley Bible Institute operated by Faith Chapel (Foursquare) in Billings, Montana. 

Molokans among the first to speak in tongues in America

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By Andrei Conovaloff American Molokan Dukh-i-zhiznik (lit. living in the Spirit) oral history (documented in the Book of the Sun: Spirit and Life, Dukh i zhizn’) reports that Molokani and Pryguny received the “outpouring of the Holy Spirit” in the Milky Waters region (now in Ukraine) in 1833. The diary of Vassili V. Verestchagin documents that Pryguny (lit. leapers) in…

The Forgotten Azusa Street Mission: The Place where the First Pentecostals Met

By Cecil M. Robeck, Jr. For years, the building on Azusa Street has also been an enigma. Most people are familiar with the same three or four photographs that have been published and republished through the years. They show a rectangular, boxy, wood frame structure that was 40 feet by…

First Pentecostal Missionaries to Bulgaria

By Dony K. Donev, D.Min. Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals (Research presentation prepared for the Society of Pentecostal Studies, Seattle, 2013 – Lakeland, 2015, thesis in partial fulfillment of the degree of D. Phil., Trinity College) Interestingly enough, the arrival of the first Pentecostal missionaries to…

Presenting at the Society for Pentecostal Studies in Seattle Pacific University on “Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals” (Part 1)

Presenting at the Society for Pentecostal Studies in Seattle on “Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals” (Part 1)

Creating Web Identity for Ministry

For the past 20 years, our team has envisioned and created web communities around the globe, as a part of our ministry and in helping churches and Christian organizations build their internet brand and web identity. Here are just several examples:

• Missionary video sharing website (WorldMissions.TV)
• Social network community for the Church of God (ourCOG.org)
• Networking platform for Biker Churches (BikerChurch.US)
• Bulgarian Evangelical Church of God in Chicago (BGnewLIFE.com)
• LaFrance Church of God (LaFranceCOG.com)
• Bulgarian Christian Church in Las Vegas (LasVegasChurch.TV)

Furthermore, we have contributed to various churches and organizations through:

• Hosting our annual X Event for youth exploring the role of internet for youth and youth ministries in the 21st century
• Lecturing on WebMinistry 2.0 for Churches at the Leadership Development Institute
• Guest speaking at the BibleTech conference organized by Logos Bible Software
• Publications on web branding for churches and non-profit organizations

In the country of Bulgaria alone, our team envisioned and created the largest Bible internet community with:

• Dedicated Bible Study website (Bibliata.com)
• Christian video sharing community (Bibliata.TV)
• Bulgarian Christian social network (Bibliata.net)
• Bulgarian Video Bible (Bibliata.mobi)

See also how we help churches grow through:

• Evangelism and World Missions
• Research and Teaching
• Consulting and Coaching

Consulting and Coaching

Empowered by the vision for a continuous revival within the church of the 21st century, we have chosen to make the mission of our work this one statement: We help churches grow.

One of the approaches we have taken to accomplish this ministry goal is Consulting and Coaching:

• We have successfully worked with over 50 churches toward their effective missions programs and growth through (1) leadership training and team building seminars, (2) in-depth case study of church and ministry evaluations and (3) implementing individually designed strategies for ministry development
• Currently, our team provides continuous education to over 200 church leaders and ministry teams around the world through teaching and lecturing on a weekly basis along with daily prayer support
• We extend our efforts toward church growth by helping build strong family connections through relations counseling and parenting classes implementing play therapy as Board Certified LPC

Beside personal presence and team building strategies, we implement the media in virtually every approach of ministry. We have published several research monographs as well as film series about our ministry work. Our team holds a weekly TV program called the Bible Hour. (Learn how we help churches build their own and unique web presence)

See also how we help churches grow through:

• Evangelism and World Missions
• Research and Teaching

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