Leaders who can’t see it
Leaders who can’t see it, probably won’t find it: Leaders without vision will fail. Leaders who lack vision cannot inspire teams, motivate performance, or create sustainable value. Poor vision, tunnel vision, vision that is fickle, or a non-existent vision will cause leaders to fail. A leader’s job is to align the organization around a clear and achievable vision. This cannot occur when the blind lead the blind.
Cup & Cross Ministries Offers Ministry Leadership Table
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)
Areas of Ministry:
|
Daily Ministry Reach:
|
Read also: Church of God Eastern Europe Missions: Leadership, Economics and Culture
The Road Ahead
Rewind 30 Years of Missions
Exclusive Report: Pentecostal Primitivism Preserved
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.
20 Year Challenge
January 20, 2022 by Cup&Cross
Filed under Featured, Missions, News, Publication
East Coast Bible College and Byrd Dorm
Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in Germany (2022 Report)
Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in Germany (2022 Report)
Koloniestraße 23, 13359 Berlin
P-r Trajan
Rathausstr. 13, 21502 Geesthacht
P-r Nasko
Zollhofstrasse 4, 67061 Ludwigshafen
P-r Asen
Ruhrort Apostelestr. 58, Duisburg 47053
P-r Dari
Kaiser Wilhelm Str. 255, 47169 Duisburg
Bremen Walle Heerstr 197
P-r Dimitar
Hofäckerstrasse 3 71732 Tamm
P-r Emil
Höfflerstr. 14 – Kaiserslautern 67659
P-r Todor
Franz Georg str 36, Trier 54290
P-r Krasimir i Bena
Kirschstr 45a, Montabaur 56410
P-r Ličo i Lejsti
Donauwörther str. 85, Neuburg an der Donau 86633
P-r Ličo i Cecka
Thiewall 9, Hameln 31785
P-r Vasko i Irena
Berliner Str. 77, 51064
P-r Mančo i Dari
Bahnhofstr. 4, Hagen 58095
P-r Miroslav
Oranien Str. 15, Wiesbaden 65185
P-r Sašo, „Šalom Visbaden“
Hinterbärenbadstr. 4, München 81373
Hafenweg 31, 48155 Münster
P-r Simeon i Pepi Vlačkovi
Sundays 7 PM
Goethering 9-11, Osnabrück 49074
P-r Gosho
Lange Str. 226, D-59067 Hamm
P-r Ivo
Zwickau (Sachsen)
Domashna grupa
Rosen
Bremen – Evangel. Gemeinschaftszentrum, Waller Heerstraße 197, 28219 Bremen
Seitenweg 13, 28309 Bremen
Jašar Atanasov
Duisburg
Die Brücke, Johannismarkt 7, 47169 Duisburg
Jašar Mihajlov
http://duisburg.incilbg.com/
Hannover
Lankwitzweg 56, D-30179 Hannover
Aldeniz
Frankfurt a.M.
Lotzstr. 54, 65934 Frankfurt-Nied
Asen Stefanov
Sundays 1:30 PM
http://www.iyihaber-frankfurt.de
Hamburg
Lichtinsel Veringstrasse 47: D-21107 Hamburg – Wilhelmsburg
P-r Ilhan
Sundays 2PM
Domašna grupa
Billstedter Hauptst. 43, 22111 Hamburg
Okšan
Kiel
Domašna grupa
Bilhan
Limburg
Offheimer Weg 50, 65549 Limburg
Ferdi Filipov
Offenbach a.M.
Waldstr. 36, 63065 Offenbach
Sali Ahmed 01771470903
Nedelja ot 17:30 http://www.iyihaber-offenbach.de/
Osnabrück
Goethering 9-11, 49074 Osnabrück
P-r Nazmi
Limburg
Offheimer Weg 50, D-65549 Limburg
Filip Filipov
Nedelja 18:00 č.
Mönchengladbach
Domašno sabirane
Jakub Jakubov
Saarland / Ramiz Ognjanov
New Bulgarian PM pledges U-turn on North Macedonia’s EU ambitions
Bulgaria’s new prime minister has signalled that Sofia will finish its obstruction of North Macedonia’s bid to affix the EU as soon as his new authorities takes workplace within the coming weeks.
Kiril Petkov, who was confirmed as premier by the nation’s parliament on Monday after his social gathering took the most important share of the vote in November’s elections, made the pledge as he reaffirmed Bulgaria’s dedication to Nato and the west. “We’re on the best facet of Nato and EU insurance policies, 100 per cent,” he instructed the Monetary Occasions in an interview earlier than he was confirmed as prime minister.
“We are going to suggest a brand new course of [on North Macedonia], very quick, with a restricted timeframe, simply six months lengthy,” he mentioned.
Sofia wished sure points to stay on the desk, he famous, together with either side pledging to combat hate crime towards the opposite and North Macedonia referring to its historic connection to Bulgaria in its structure. However he indicated compromise was doable. “Let the 2 populations begin speaking about the advantages of working collectively.,” he mentioned. “As soon as we put the upsides on the desk . . . discussions about compromises are a lot simpler to have.”
The prime minister added: “As soon as that is all achieved . . . I consider we will fortunately signal Macedonia into the EU.”
The U-turn comes after Bulgaria final yr vetoed its neighbour’s EU accession talks amid disputes over historical past and identification. Critics on the time accused Bulgaria’s former centre-right chief Boyko Borisov of resorting to nationalism to distract consideration from months of protests towards organised crime and corruption on his watch.
Borisov was ousted in April elections, however failure to agree a coalition led to recent polls in July and once more in November, when Petkov’s centrist We Proceed the Change (PP) social gathering received a few quarter of the vote.
We search an lively and dedicated function for Bulgaria each within the EU and in Nato. We not need to be the dangerous child behind the classroom
Petkov and his coalition companions — the Socialist social gathering, “turbo-folk” pop star Slavi Trifonov’s anti-establishment ITN, and the liberal Democratic Bulgaria — accomplished the primary draft of a coalition settlement final Monday.
Also Read Greenwich-based GXO Logistics to hire 9,000 workers for the holiday season across North America
The brand new authorities’s rapid problem can be tackling the nation’s coronavirus disaster. Bulgaria has among the many world’s highest demise charges and lowest vaccination charges.
“We now have to extend vaccinations for certain,” mentioned Petkov, whose social gathering campaigned on a pledge to eradicate corruption and streamline the state. “We are going to put up a ample finances for promotion . . . I’ll invite consultants, go to hospitals and present the scenario. It’s as a lot a well being program as an financial program. We can’t shut Bulgaria once more.”
The incoming prime minister may also face a fancy overseas coverage balancing act at a time when Russia is taking part in an more and more assertive function within the area.
Petkov instructed the FT the brand new authorities would put discussions with North Macedonia on a recent footing. “We are going to use working teams . . . to hash out options on points like joint financial exercise, infrastructure, tradition and historical past,” he mentioned.
North Macedonia, which first known as itself the Republic of Macedonia, emerged out of the previous Yugoslavia and was granted EU candidate standing in 2005. Its software was held up for years by Greek opposition to its unique identify, which Athens complained implied a territorial declare on the Greek area of the identical identify. The difficulty was resolved in 2019 when the qualifier “North” was added.
In the meantime relations between Sofia and Skopje deteriorated, with many Bulgarians rejecting the idea of a separate Macedonian identification and language, and disputes over occasions relationship again to the second world battle.
North Macedonian particular forces participate within the 2021 parade celebrating the nation’s independence. Many Bulgarians reject the idea of a separate Macedonian identification © Robert Atanasovski/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Nonetheless, Petkov faces a problem in framing his authorities’s North Macedonia coverage. The enigmatic ITN chief Trifonov has cultivated a picture rooted in romantic nationalism — which in Bulgaria encompasses the declare that North Macedonia is ethnically and culturally Bulgarian. His social gathering has nominated the coalition’s overseas minister and power minister.
Also Read Glover given early shower as Kings lose spite night
A latest Gallup Worldwide ballot discovered fewer than 10 per cent of Bulgarians help North Macedonia’s EU aspirations outright, and greater than 70 per cent again upholding Bulgaria’s veto on Skopje’s accession talks till the bilateral disagreements are settled.
Petkov mentioned ITN was a constructive companion in coalition talks and that areas of concern mentioned in latest months would stay on the desk. “For instance, within the Macedonian textbooks Bulgaria shouldn’t be known as fascist,” he mentioned, alluding to Macedonian descriptions of Bulgarian troops occupying — or in Bulgaria’s view, liberating and managing — what’s as we speak North Macedonia throughout the Forties.
The prime minister aimed to win either side spherical with sweeteners, together with monetary funding, infrastructure and cultural tasks and a publicity push. “We’re prepared not simply to speak the discuss but in addition put some cash on the desk,” he mentioned.
Sofia may also must tread rigorously at a time of intensifying tensions within the Black Sea area, the place Russia is more and more flexing its muscle tissue following its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Bulgaria wished to finish its dependence on Russian power, Petkov mentioned. The nation obtains practically all its pure fuel from Russia. A pipeline operating by way of Greece to Bulgaria that would carry different provides has been beneath building for over a decade.
Petkov famous Sofia had already signed contracts for provides of Azeri fuel by way of the Greek route and pledged to finish the Bulgarian a part of the work as quickly as doable.
Also Read North Halsted Street Mainstay Yoshi’s Café Set To Close This Month After Nearly 40 Years In Business – CBS Chicago
Petkov mentioned his overseas coverage would deal with averting armed battle “anyplace within the neighbourhood” however that the nation remained anchored within the west.
A remark by his political mentor, President Rumen Radev, throughout an election debate in November — when Radev sparked concern amongst worldwide allies by saying “Crimea is . . . at the moment Russian” — had not signalled a change in Bulgaria’s stance, Petkov argued. The president merely meant to name consideration to the truth on the bottom, he mentioned.
“We’re treating Crimea as a part of Ukraine, there isn’t any doubt about that,” Petkov insisted. “However we need to be sure to make use of all diplomatic means to keep away from army battle.
“We search an lively and dedicated function for Bulgaria each within the EU and in Nato,” he added. “We not need to be the dangerous child behind the classroom.”
2022
As Pentecostals historically (and as a movement)
![51DUWeyraBL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_[1]](https://cupandcross.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/51DUWeyraBL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2TopRight10_SH20_BO1204203200_1.jpg)
We have been looking for power when we should have been seeking after His presence
We have been looking for gifts and signs and wonders, when we should have been looking for fruits of the Spirit and of character
We have been looking for preachers and prophets to follow, when we should have been looking for God’s presence to abide in
We have been looking for prophetic words and utterance, when we should have been taking more time in personal prayer
We have been growing, when we should have been going
And going when we should have been learning in the Spirit
We have been looking for more ways to build, when we should have been looking for more ways to move and go
We have been looking for ways to influence the world, instead of looking to be uninfluenced by God
And in our desire to be leaders and influencers, we have forgotten how to be led by God
And for a long time as a movement, we have existed at the borderline, at the verge and at the danger of gaining our rightful place in human history, but loosing our royal position in the GLORY of GOD
BUT ONE THING WE DID GET RIGHT: The Baptism with the Holy Ghost (watch the full message)
Read also: Last Days Great REVIVAL
This study was first published by Cup & Cross Ministries International on March 1, 2018
Information Regarding the Questionnaire and the Church of God Statistics
The survey was developed by Dr. G. D. Voorhis in 2005 with the hope that it might contribute in some small way to ascertain certain trends which appear to be developing in the Church of God (headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee). The primary emphasis was on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, with the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.
One might think that the charismatic movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s, with its effect on mainline interdenominational churches, would bring an upsurge in traditional Pentecostal churches as individuals experienced this infilling of the Spirit, but this was not so in the Church of God. This survey, with the confounding variables it might contain, along with statistics supplied by the General Headquarters of the Church of God, proves without a reasonable doubt that the Church of God is rapidly becoming a non-Pentecostal organization.
The statistics alone, supplied by General Headquarters, show that during the period of Sept., 2003 to August, 2004, we had 266,419 conversions, but only 60,926 that were baptized with the Holy Ghost. This downward trend in Holy Ghost baptisms has been continuing since 1960 (which was as far back as we could go in computerized records), up until the present time. In fact, the 2003-2004 statistics compute to a 23% decline in the Holy Ghost baptisms in this one year alone….
Going back to Portrait and Prospects, [Dr. J. D. Bowers, Ph.D., editor] the only survey ever authorized in the history of the Church of God (and I think one of the best things of this type ever coming from Headquarters), Mitchell W. Flora, D.Min., stated on page 35, “Also, while elements of Pentecostal spirituality may be present, the survey does not reveal the regularity of these occurrences, nor does it reveal the extent of these practices. The real question is how many of those who attend our churches are sanctified or filled with the Spirit.”
In the same writing, “Dr. John Maxwell’s assessment that our denomination is prone to the rigors of a slow death,” we again quote page 80: “Church of God ministers, with which of the following are you very satisfied? Spiritual life: 42% of the Church of God answered ‘yes’, but 68% of other Pentecostals reported ‘yes’.”
Well under half of our ministers are paying the price of prayer, fasting, and devotion to the Word of God to feel satisfied with their spiritual life. We are outdone by other Pentecostals by 26%. Another quote we should mention is on page 88: “Innovative pastors and others desiring to change to achieve greater effectiveness exhibit a tendency to disconnect ministry development and practice from their Pentecostal identity and faith”….
Based on this, and on the statistics from the Church of God General Headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, as well as the computations that were done from the surveys by Gary Anderson (an engineer in computer and mathematics, as well as a member of Central Church of God), who put in countless hours perfecting the statistics as much as possible from the data available, I must concede that the Church of God, based in Cleveland, Tennessee, is rapidly becoming a non-Pentecostal organization. All that can change this trend is a miracle of God such as the Cane Ridge Camp Meeting or the Azusa Street Mission. We need a last-day revival, accompanied by a great outpouring such as happened at Pentecost in the book of Acts.
If I read my Bible correctly, this is not promised universally; however, this does not keep churches from paying the price in prayer and consecration to experience local revivals and enjoy great Pentecostal experiences, in spite of the last days before the coming of our Lord to rapture His church and send His judgments on this wicked, sinful earth. “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
Within Holy Ghost Baptisms:
Within 44 years, Holy Ghost baptisms grew by 54.22%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.98950%, less than 1%. The ratio between church members and NEW HOLY GHOST BAPTISMS DROPPED 17.6% to 6.1% currently. Currently, only 6% of our members have the Holy Ghost baptism. (Dr. G. D. Voorhis, Experiences in Pentecost: 33 A.D. – 2005 A.D., p.311-16)
I myself have preached the Pentecostal Way of Salvation since age 16. I will soon be 50 years old with over 30 years invested in ministry with the Church of God. You have probably invested even more. I didn’t respond to the Heavenly Call to put all this work into the Kingdom, only to find out 30 years later that 90% of our church folk don’t even know who the Holy Spirit is. We simply cannot claim, as a movement and as a church, that we are Pentecostal if most of our members have never experienced His Baptism with tongues and fire.
For this reason, I am re-committing myself and ministry to revival and restoration of the Pentecostal Message through praying, fasting and preaching:
- salvation of the sinner’s soul and entire sanctification through the Blood of Jesus
- baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire with initial evidence of speaking in tongues
- supernatural gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit
- healings, deliverance and signs following
- pre-Millennial return of Christ and pre-Tribulation Rapture of His Church to glory.
As I was considering how to end this already long letter, I came across the following statement one of my students made in a final paper:
“I hope this is a section where I am allowed to be real. Here I would like to answer the question, ‘How will the study of the Book of Acts change the way that you think or live as a Christian?’ I write this with tears in my eyes because I don’t know how to be filled with the Spirit in such a way as Steven or Paul. I’m sitting at my desk wondering how I can become so filled with the Spirit that I am not only willing to die for my faith, but that I can do so with the peace that Stephen had?”
Please consider the URGENCY of this generation!
- Call us and let us reason and plan what we can do together to change this rapid decline.
- Revival will not come without preaching!
- Revival of Pentecost will not come without preaching the Message of Pentecost.
For the Kingdom,
Rev. Dony K. Donev, D. Min.
20 recent Pentecostal articles in light of the upcoming Pentecostal Sunday celebration:
- The Forgotten Azusa Street Mission: The Place where the First Pentecostals Met
- Diamonds in the Rough-N-Ready Pentecostal Series (Complete)
- 95th anniversary of the Pentecostal movement in Bulgaria
- Toward a Pentecostal Solution to the Refugee Crises in the European Union
- Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals
- Pacifism as a Social Stand for Holiness among Early Bulgarian Pentecostals
- The Practice of Corporate Holiness within the Communion Service of Bulgarian Pentecostals
- Sanctification and Personal Holiness among Early Bulgarian Pentecostals
- First Pentecostal Missionaries to Bulgaria (1920)
- Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals
- The Everlasting Gospel: The Significance of Eschatology in the Development of Pentecostal Thought
- Online Pentecostal Academic Journals
- What made us Pentecostal?
- Pentecostalism and Post-Modern Social Transformation
- Obama, Marxism and Pentecostal Identity
- Why I Decided to Publish Pentecostal Primitivism?
- Historic Pentecostal Revival Tour in Bulgaria Continues
- The Land of Pentecostals
- Pentecostal Theological Seminary Address
- A Truly Pentecostal Water Baptism
I keep on repeating this through the years, but the need for the constant repetition comes from the simple fact that among new doctrinal teachings and Hillsong style of worship the True Message of Pentecost remains long forgotten
- Salvation – That a man must be saved while the hour of grace is still upon us has been that teaching of every protestant evangelical since the Reformation. Why people attend church all their lives without getting saved is beyond me. But I do know that the commitment of the CHURCH to REVIVAL brings people to SALVATION.
- Sanctification – The Wesleyan teaching of sanctification resolves that the sanctification of the believer is definite. This means that though it may progress and evolve through time, as the believer gets closer to God in his/her daily walk, sanctification must become ENTIRE i.e. allowing NO sin to abide in the believer’s body, soul or spirit. Without ENTIRE sanctification resulting in holiness, no one will ever see God (Heb. 12:14).
- Holy Ghost Baptism – The doctrine of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost means that when baptized we speak in one tongue with God because we are ONE with His Spirit. Not just in us or upon us, but that we are IN the Spirit as John was on the day of Revelation.
- Healing in the Atonement of Christ belongs to every believer. This means you, your family and your church members. The healing provided in the Atonement is for ALL believers – no exception. It is also for ALL sickness, disease, viruses, infections, tumors and cancers. But that it belongs to does not yet mean that it has been received by the believer. For this reason, God does not stop healing neither in this age nor through eternity, as the leaves of the Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem are still and forever for the healing (Rev. 22:2)
- The Second Coming of Christ for Pentecostals is not simply pre-millennial, but also pre-Tribulation. There have been MANY teachings on the End Times until today. Post-millennials claim we live in the Millennium even now anticipating the return of the Lord; a-millennials that there will be no Millennium at all. Post-tribulationists expect his return at the end of the Tribulation, mid-post-tribulationists in the middle. But in Pentecost, we expect Christ to return before the Tribulation that we may be saved from the hour of trial (Rev. 3:10) and before the Millennium so we may reign with Him 1,000 years. Any other message is no message of hope for the Church of the Living God.
Speaking in Tongues in America Prior to the Azusa Street Revival of 1906
April, 1906 – The Azusa street revival swept the globe starting with California
January 1, 1901– The initial phenomenon of speaking in tongues occurred at Parham’s school in Topeka, Kansas
January 6, 1900 – Frank Sanford’s Shiloh school reported that “The gift of tongues has descended”
1896 – Over 100 people baptized in the Shaerer schoolhouse revival conducted by the Christian Union in the North Carolina mountains
1887 – People falling in trances and speaking in tongues were reported at Maria Etter’s revival meetings in Indiana
1874 – Speaking in tongues occurred during healing meetings reported in New York
1873 – William H. Doughty and the Gift People of Rhode Island spoke in tongues
1854 – V. P. Simmons and Robert Boyd reported tongue speaking during Moody’s meetings
FURTHER READING:
Church of God (Cleveland, TN)
- Alive, alive! (A personal testimony)
- Church of God Primitivism
- Bulgarian Church of God
- J.W. Buckalew
- Why revival came? by Dr. Charles Conn
Azusa Street Revival of 1906
- Lucy F. Farrow: The Forgotten Apostle of Azusa
- The FORGOTTEN ROOTS OF THE AZUSA STREET REVIVAL
- Azusa Street’s Apostolic Faith Renewed
- Azusa Street Sermons
- Pentecostal Primitivism Preserved
Prior to Azusa Street Revival of 1906
- First person to speak in tongues in the Assemblies of God was William Jethro Walthall of the Holiness Baptist Churches of Southwestern Arkansas
- The Work of the Spirit in Rhode Island (1874-75)
- Speaking in Tongues in America Prior to the Azusa Street Revival
- WAR ON THE SAINTS: Revival Dawn and the Baptism of the Spirit
- How Jezebel Killed One of the Greatest Revivals Ever
The Unforgotten: Historical and Theological Roots of Pentecostalism in Bulgaria
SEE MORE at Amazon.com by clicking this link
The Central Church of God Ministry Center in Sofia (Bulgaria) Today
At the end of each year, we have made it a tradition to share the projects completed in the past months of hard work and labor for the Kingdom. But as we are approaching now 20 years of ministering and teaching with the Church of God denomination together, we have decided to recall some more long-term projects.
Exactly 20 years ago, my wife landed in Sofia, Bulgaria for the first time on a snowy December day. In fact, it was so cold that my mother worrying she would be coming from a much warmer subtropical climate, bought the biggest winter jacket she could find, so we could wrap her with it on the way from the airport. Not the most glorious meeting or welcome party as I recall it today.
I was eager to show her my Church, the Bulgarian Church of God, then second to none in the country with 32,000 membership strong and 400 congregations. Many of them newly started and 28 of them in the two-million people capital alone. The Central Church of God in Sofia, where I preached and ministered in 2001-02, had almost 1,200 people at that time. Its main meeting place was the multifaceted Church of God Ministry Center in a prime location in the growing European capital – a project we had undertaken in 1998 with the faithful will and support of some two dozen Church of God congregations from Florida. The documents from my personal archives tell the story best:
December 2, 2001 – I had just returned from Romania bringing with me World Missions Director Lovell Carry and Field Director (Central/Eastern EU/CIS) Dieter Knospe. They were in Bulgaria on a special visit to transfer the new building to the ownership and operation of the Central Church of God in Sofia per the contract signed with our overseer in the Spring of 2001.
The days of Ministry Weeks 17-19 that followed in December, 2001 and which my wife recorded here: https://cupandcross.com/2001/12/ are excruciating to even remember today. Sunday service with Sunday School and preaching, then again on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Then special Saturday services in Pravetz and many other places. Similar schedule plus the traditional celebration services in the following Christmas week. Repeat again for the New Year’s week. And all of these done in extremely cold weather and tons of snow on the ground – so much that my wife was delayed for days leaving for the States mid-January with all flights out of Sofia cancelled as the ice never melted enough to clear the runway and defrost the airplanes.
And all through this, the building never stopped. Regardless of all difficulties, we were all working eagerly and anticipating greater results. The multifaceted Church of God Center in downtown Sofia was to encapsulate all our ministries and many more, giving our young freedom generation the opportunity of a lifetime to make a difference for the Kingdom…
Today, when the building of our Ministry Center is being sold and it will be used for something the will of the donors never intended it to be, our Church of God denomination in Bulgaria is split to no less than 12 fractions all registered since 2005. All of them still carry a variant of the Church of God name and consist of the same people I grew up with under the Communist Regime of Bulgaria. We were promised a democratic leadership formed by indigenous people, but instead ended up with mini-bosses, regional micromanaging oversight, multiple splits and everything that characterizes a very typical colonial type of missions.
With the church organizations split time and again until torn into pieces, many of my peers chose alternative paths. Some left the ministry, others were hurt or divorced, a few even died and many simply gave up and moved on. With the rest, I have an appointment at the End of the World!
But none of this gives any pleasure or satisfaction to share. Especially when reminded that the dreams we all once dreamed are now hang on the willow trees by the rivers of Babylon. When reaching those waters of deeply troubled cross-cultural crises of faith and conviction, all bridges to people have sunken with no hope to recover again. God’s Kingdom has no gain in any of this!
Our prayer has hence turned into a prophetic protest for a new reality – not merely for a new mission paradigm, but one of a whole new mission… A Spirit-led ministry that forgoes all man-made politics and business-like models, but instead aims to build a New Church that is nothing less than the very cross-road where we encounter God and others in the Spirit of Pentecost.
CONFESSIONS of a Pentecostal Preacher
To Mark Alan
We know not why good people have to die,
but we do know we must tell their story…
Chapter I: Beyond the Church and into God
Be without fear in the face of your enemies.
Be brave and upright that God may love thee.
Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death.
Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong.
That is your oath.
~Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Separation of church from politics of false religiosity
The phone rang heavy and long. It was 4 AM in Bulgaria, but I was already up. A friend on the other end of the line was calling from South Carolina with a warning of some bad situation. The following morning, I was going to be contacted by the Director questioning why we were ministering in churches outside of our denomination.
The truth was we had ministered in some 300 local churches across the Balkan country of Bulgaria crossing all denominational boundaries and gathering youth from just about every confession. God had used us not only to reach and minister and to lead, but to step into an untouched spiritual realm, to undertake an unfamiliar ministry paradigm and to approach a brand new dimension of reality where He was to be the center of it all. And we had obeyed without questions. Now it was time to pay the price!
* * *
Our denomination, the one to which I remain both critically loyal and loyally critical, spreads over some five generations. Through its century old existence, the struggles and tension between theology and praxis has been in the center. And there, in the very essence of Pentecostalism itself, while some are always celebrating and being celebrated in the office or temple, others are always pushed in the periphery of normal life, hidden from the world behind closed doors and seeking a much deeper experience with God.
These modern day mystics are not only forgotten, but often forbidden. For their riot for righteousness cannot be conceived, contained and controlled by the religious norms of organized officiality. They speak as prophets to a world they so fervently try to escape from, about a reality that does not exist in the normal believer’s mindset. A stage of spirituality that cannot be preached without being lived in the social existence. And a relationship of God that goes far beyond common relationism and into God himself. That God, Who does not abide in offices and temples, but on the cross outside of the city walls…
But I knew nothing of this until that cold winter morning when the phone rang through darkness of the night. Knowing what is coming, rarely changes what we have done to get here.
7 Years in Bulgaria: CONFESSIONS of a Pentecostal Preacher
by Dony K. Donev, D.Min.
Upcoming Releases for United States (October, 2020)
