Cup & Cross Ministries Shares the Love of Christ with Bulgarian Sunflower Seeds in Polk County, TN
by Kathryn Donev
Sunflowers are so much fun. They are actually thousands of tiny flowers that bring joy in many ways. It’s neat to watch them follow the sun because of a trait called heliotropism. Eating sunflower seeds can lower rates of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. They are a good source of many vitamins and minerals that can support your immune system. And did you know that a sunflowers destroy contaminants of its surrounding soil, water and air?
Although sunflowers are Native to North America, Bulgaria is among the top 10 sunflower producing countries. As in various places in Polk County, Bulgaria is famous for their golden fields. And believe it or not, you can find Bulgarian sunflower seeds in any Dollar General labeled with the Clover Valley brand. When we were ministering together with Feeding God’s Lambs Summer Program at First Baptist Benton giving a presentation about the 6 Senses of Bulgaria, the kids even got to taste some. Fun.
With a multisensory trip to Bulgaria, we shared how the Holy Spirit is our Sixth Sense to guide and direct us in life and found in everything we touch, see, hear, smell and even taste. When we all come together, we can do great things, just as with the thousands of tiny flowers that come together to have the appearance of a unified flower. Let us be a purifier of our environments and always be reminded to follow the SON. Being consumed with the sixth sense of the Holy Spirit is good for the soul.
Jacksonville, FL: 2020 Bulgarian Church Conference (Sept. 1-5)
This Train is Bound to Glory…
When there’s a failure to communicate
When leaders are constantly flummoxed by those who don’t seem to get it, there exists both a leadership and communications problem. Show me a leader with poor communication skills and I’ll show you someone who will be short-lived in their position. Great leaders can communicate effectively across mediums, constituencies, and environments. They are active listeners, fluid thinkers, and know when to dial it up, down, or off.
160,000 Pentecostals in Bulgaria Reported by the NEW Encyclopedia of Global Pentecostalism
Rewind 20 Years: Services Held
| 1 | 01/02/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 2 | 01/06/2002 AM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 3 | 01/08/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 4 | 01/09/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 5 | 01/13/2002 AM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 6 | 01/15/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 7 | 01/16/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 8 | 01/17/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 9 | 01/20/2002 AM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 10 | 01/20/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 11 | 01/23/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 12 | 01/24/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 13 | 01/25/2002 PM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 14 | 01/27/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 15 | 01/29/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 16 | 01/30/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 17 | 02/01/2002 PM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 18 | 02/03/2002 AM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 19 | 02/03/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 20 | 02/05/2002 PM | Buxton Suburb Home Group | Sofia, BG |
| 21 | 02/06/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 22 | 02/07/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 23 | 02/10/2002 AM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 24 | 02/10/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 25 | 02/12/2002 PM | Buxton Suburb Home Group | Sofia, BG |
| 26 | 02/13/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 27 | 02/16/2002 PM | New Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 28 | 02/17/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 29 | 02/20/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 30 | 02/21/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 31 | 02/24/2002 AM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 32 | 02/24/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 33 | 02/25/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 34 | 02/25/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 35 | 02/25/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 36 | 02/26/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 37 | 02/26/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 38 | 02/26/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 39 | 02/27/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 40 | 02/27/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 41 | 02/27/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 42 | 02/28/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 43 | 02/28/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 44 | 02/28/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 45 | 02/28/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 46 | 03/01/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 47 | 03/01/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 48 | 03/01/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 49 | 03/02/2002 AM | New Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 50 | 03/03/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 51 | 03/04/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 52 | 03/04/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 53 | 03/05/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 54 | 03/05/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 55 | 03/05/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 56 | 03/06/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 57 | 03/06/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 58 | 03/06/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 59 | 03/06/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 60 | 03/07/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 61 | 03/07/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 62 | 03/07/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 63 | 03/07/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 64 | 03/08/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 65 | 03/08/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 66 | 03/08/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 67 | 03/09/2002 PM | New Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 68 | 03/10/2002 AM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 69 | 03/12/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 70 | 03/12/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 71 | 03/12/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 72 | 03/13/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 73 | 03/13/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 74 | 03/13/2002 AM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 75 | 03/13/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 76 | 03/14/2002 АM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 77 | 03/14/2002 АM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 78 | 03/14/2002 АM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 79 | 03/14/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 80 | 03/15/2002 АM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 81 | 03/15/2002 АM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 82 | 03/15/2002 АM | Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute | Sofia, BG |
| 83 | 03/16/2002 PM | New Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 84 | 03/17/2002 AM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 85 | 03/18/2002 PM | Sugar Factory Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 86 | 03/20/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 87 | 03/24/2002 AM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
| 88 | 03/24/2002 PM | Pravetz Church of God | Pravetz, BG |
| 89 | 03/27/2002 PM | Central Church of God | Sofia, BG |
Refugee Week at LEE UNIVERSITY
Pandemic, Green Certificate and War Scares
While most Western Europe is now slowly abandoning the idea of a vaccination Green Certificate for travels, Bulgaria is still firmly using such as a permanent requirement. The improvements from the European Union seem to matter little in our Balkan reality, and our churches here have been forced to deal with this since the Pandemic hit.
As if this is not enough, the war in Ukraine is just too close to ignore. Seems like Bulgaria is now pressed between Ukraine and Macedonia in the European Union, and between Russia and NATO in a more global context and this will continue for the foreseeable future.
We have been praying and fasting in the months past that God’s mercy is upon the people and the ministry. Now, that most of denominational ordeals here seem to have come to a sad end, please continue to remember the people of Bulgaria, our decades long commitment to the work of the Great Commission and the many souls that still need salvation, discipleship and ministry on the Balkans.
The Road Ahead
Bulgaria in the Tension between NATO, Ukraine and Russia
Bulgaria‘s strategy in the crisis over Ukraine, adopted at today’s cabinet meeting, will be aimed entirely at the Bulgarian army, and our country will make every effort to resolve the conflict peacefully. This was announced by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov after the government session.
Some of the information during today’s sitting is secret and will not be announced, including to the deputies in the parliament, Kiril Petkov told the ministers. Later, it became clear from his words to the media that Bulgaria will focus all its efforts on resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through diplomatic channels. And our defense system will be aimed at developing the potential of the Bulgarian army.
Less than a day was the deadline given by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov to the Minister of Defense Stefan Yanev to prepare a draft of the national position of our country and measures to strengthen the security system in Bulgaria. The project was submitted and approved at today’s meeting.
The Council of Ministers decided to prioritize Bulgaria‘s strategy towards fully de-escalating tensions between NATO and the Russian Federation, as well as to use absolutely all opportunities through diplomatic channels to resolve this conflict. Our defense strategy will be based on the Bulgarian army. That means Bulgarian troops, Bulgarian command and Bulgarian military leadership, said Kiril Petkov, prime minister.
The Prime Minister expressed regret that over the years our army has been underfunded and stressed that we will work actively to cover precisely these deficits by avoiding the purchase of equipment that is not systematically selected. From now on, Bulgaria should not be just a consumer of security. It should be a constructive partner of NATO, said Kiril Petkov.
The Minister of Defense Stefan Yanev announced that together with the diplomatic efforts “Bulgaria must develop its defense potential in the direction of preparing a battalion battle group with Bulgarian troops and Bulgarian command”. On BNT he explained the details:
This will happen with a limited contingent, if we talk about what size – the order is not more than one battalion, not more than 1,000 people. A joint exercise is not a task, but a means, a joint exercise is a means to increase training and capacity. The battalion will take part in joint NATO exercises, which have been planned since last year, Yanev said. According to him, the decisions made today will be the Bulgarian position in the framework of the discussed measures in NATO.
Neither the Prime Minister nor the Minister of Defense commented today on the information from the last days about the possible deployment of NATO ground troops and fighters in our country.
Source from Brussels: Bulgaria is Ready to Accept French Soldiers
And the Foreign Minister reminded that since December at all diplomatic forums our country has consistently insisted on the need to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. These efforts will continue in the future. We hope that the conflict will be resolved diplomatically. However, diplomatic speech must be supported by the necessary evidence that we have the necessary defense capabilities, said Teodora Genchovska – Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The National Assembly heard out Kiril Petkov and ministers on Russia-NATO tensions at an extraordinary meeting today
The Prime Minister, the Ministers of Defense, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and the heads of the services in connection with the Russia-NATO tension and the Bulgarian position were heard in the parliament.
Bulgaria is not a consumer of security – this was stated by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov before the National Assembly. He added that in the current situation the Bulgarian army will be prioritized with a battalion, which will probably be formed in April-May. There is also a readiness to withdraw Bulgarian diplomats from Ukraine, but there is no such need at the moment.
The Minister of Defense highlighted the deficits in the Bulgarian army. The Foreign Minister pointed out that our country gives precedence to diplomacy.
MPs outlined dialogue as the best mechanism for resolving the crisis. They expressed concern about the state of the Bulgarian army and the possible economic consequences of escalating tensions.
The de-escalation of tensions is a top priority for Bulgaria, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov reaffirmed before parliament.
Bulgarian PM: Bulgaria is a Sovereign State. Russia should De-Escalate
“The escalation is real. We monitor all developments in this conflict on a daily basis. Our strategy for the first time has the idea of not being security consumers, but partners. Over the years, there are clear deficits in equipment in the Bulgarian army. We have different options – to prioritize the Bulgarian army, with Bulgarian troops, with Bulgarian command,” said Kiril Petkov.
The Minister of Defense further developed the idea of prioritizing the Bulgarian army.
“A Bulgarian battalion will be made and everything will be done through national communication channels. This means that this battalion will increase the pace of preparation. We do not envisage escalation. We do not envisage plans to defend national territory. Nor do we envisage plans for another team to go elsewhere, to a different place”, said Stefan Yanev – Minister of Defense.
The Foreign Minister pointed out that our country gives precedence to diplomacy.
“Obviously, Russia is trying to divide allies by dividing them into categories,” said Teodora Genchovska, the foreign minister.
Opposition party GERB expressed concern that our country may behave as a security consumer.
“We will support you if you stop raising dust with phrases such as ‘national interest’. For us, the national interest is to be a strong member of NATO. GERB governments have done a lot for our defense capabilities – we paid for ‘Cougars’ and ‘Spartans’, you will order and pay the next F-16s. If you offer us a meaningful position – we are ready to support you,” said Daniel Mitov of GERB-SDS.
“The only thing to say whether we are a consumer is how we set our priorities. Our priority is the Bulgarian army with Bulgarian troops,” said Kiril Petkov.
The political party Democratic Bulgaria expressed concern over the state of the Bulgarian army.
“The mission of the Bulgarian army is constitutionally set, but we are all aware of the degree of readiness of obsolete equipment and delayed modernization,” said Hristo Ivanov.
The opposition party Movement for Rights and Freedoms outlined the best solution to the problems in this crisis.
“Through discussion, transparency, and everything that leads to military action. What would be the economic consequences?” Mustafa Karadayi said.
“The main risks are in the energy sector,” Kiril Petkov replied.
And the coalition party “There Is Such a People” focused on the possible economic consequences of escalating tensions.
“Is there a scenario for the energy sector?” Victoria Vasileva of TISP asked.
“We have a clear plan and we are in communication with the EU on how this can happen. Bulgarian households and businesses will be able to count on it,” said Kiril Petkov.
The Bulgarian left welcomed the ruling party’s decision to de-escalate tensions.
“The key for Bulgaria is to maintain its position in this hysterical situation. Bulgaria will not engage in hostile and military action,” Christian Vigenin from the Bulgarian Socialist Party said.
The nationalist Vazrazhdane (Revival) party asked the prime minister if he thought Russia posed a threat to Bulgaria‘s national security.
“There is an escalation of hysteria in Bulgaria. Russian troops are just doing standard exercises. This is being used in the domestic political debate. We are not just a consumer of security, we are using security as a maneuvering ground,” party leader Kostadin Kostadinov said.
Russia has launched Military Maneuvers near Ukraine and in Annexed Crimea
Bulgarian PM: Bulgaria’s Sovereignty is Above Everything
“We have no master. No one can say otherwise,” said Kiril Petkov.
