The Unrealized Spiritual Harvest of Bulgarian Churches in North America
….A closer examination of the ministry and structure of the network of Bulgarian churches in North America will give answers to essential issues of cross-cultural evangelism and ministry for the Church of God. Unfortunately, until now very little has proven effective in exploring, pursuing and implementing cross-cultural paradigms within the ministry opportunities in communities formed by immigrants from post-Communist countries. As a result, these communities have remained untouched by the eldership and resources available within the Church of God denomination. There are presently no leaders trained by the Church of God for the needs of these migrant communities. Thus, a great urban harvest in large metropolises, where the Church of God has not been historically present in a strong way, remains ungathered. Although, through these communities, the Church of God has the unique opportunity to experience the post-Communist revival from Eastern Europe in a local Western setting… (p.84, Chapter III: Contextual Assessment, Historical Background, Structural Analyses and Demographics of Immigration in a Paradigm for Cross-Cultural Ministries among Migrant and Disfranchised Ethnic Groups in America Today) Read complete paper (PDF)
How to Start a Bulgarian Church in America from A-to-Z
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
The Unrealized Spiritual Harvest of Bulgarian Churches in North America
….A closer examination of the ministry and structure of the network of Bulgarian churches in North America will give answers to essential issues of cross-cultural evangelism and ministry for the Church of God. Unfortunately, until now very little has proven effective in exploring, pursuing and implementing cross-cultural paradigms within the ministry opportunities in communities formed by immigrants from post-Communist countries. As a result, these communities have remained untouched by the eldership and resources available within the Church of God denomination. There are presently no leaders trained by the Church of God for the needs of these migrant communities. Thus, a great urban harvest in large metropolises, where the Church of God has not been historically present in a strong way, remains ungathered. Although, through these communities, the Church of God has the unique opportunity to experience the post-Communist revival from Eastern Europe in a local Western setting… (p.84, Chapter III: Contextual Assessment, Historical Background, Structural Analyses and Demographics of Immigration in a Paradigm for Cross-Cultural Ministries among Migrant and Disfranchised Ethnic Groups in America Today) Read complete paper (PDF)
How to Start a Bulgarian Church in America from A-to-Z
Sanctuary Gateway Cities for Eastern European Slavic and Bulgarian Immigrant Churches in North America
Since 1994 Cup & Cross Ministries International has assisted churches across the United States and has strategically planned and developed a process which incorporates Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in North America. The first success of this endeavor was the establishment of the Bulgarian Evangelical Church of God in Chicago in 1995.
The Bulgarian Church of God in Chicago followed a rich century-long tradition, which began with the establishing of Bulgarian churches and missions in 1907. (read the history) Consecutively, our 1995 Church Starting Paradigm was successfully used in various studies and models in 2003. The program was continuously improved in the following decade, proposing an effective model for leading and managing growing Bulgarian churches.
Based on the Gateway cities in North America and their relations to the Bulgarian communities across the continent, it proposed a prognosis toward establishing Bulgarian churches (see it here) and outlined the perimeters of their processes and dynamics in the near future (read in detail). Since 1995 twelve more Bulgarian churches have been started in strategic immigration gateways across the United States and Canada. For the past four years our team have been involved in the process of establishing Bulgarian congregations in Atlanta, Phoenix and San Francisco. Read complete paper (PDF)
Toward Context of Ministry Applications
In the beginning of the 21st century the Protestant Church in Bulgaria is entering a new constitutional era in the history of the country. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the political and economic challenges in Eastern Europe have strongly affected the Evangelical Churches. More than ever before, they are in need of reformation in doctrines and praxes in order to adjust to a style of worship liberated from the dictatorship of the communist regime. In order to guarantee the religious freedom for our young, democratic society, the Protestant Movement in Bulgaria needs a more dynamic representation. Such can be provided only by people who will create a balance between the old atheistic structures and the new contemporary, nontraditional style of ministry.
Similar is the case among Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in North America which also share analogue dynamics with congregations of Latin American immigrants. Several facts are obvious from such comparison. It is apparent that Bulgarian immigrants come to North America in ways similar as other immigrant groups. Large cities which are gateways for immigrants are probable to become a settlement for Bulgarian immigrants due to the availability of jobs, affordable lodging and other immigrants from the same ethnic group.
The emerging Bulgarian immigrant communities share religious similarities and belongingness which are factors helping to form the communities. As a result of this formation process, the Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in North America emerge. It also seems natural to suggest that as this process continues, Bulgarian Evangelical Churches will be formed in other gateway cities and other large cities which meet the requirements to become a gateway city. Such has been the case with Latin American churches. If this is true, it should be proposed that the Bulgarian Churches in North America follow a strategy for church planting and growth which targets these types of cities.
It is encouraging, at the same time, to observer that one of the positive estimates provided by our doctoral project is also coming to reality. In 2002-2004, based on analyses provided by the New Religious Immigrants Project, our research suggested that the next Bulgarian Evangelical Church will be established in the last of the Seven American Gateway Cities which was still without a Bulgarian Church, namely the city of San Francisco. Our resent visit in the area of the Bay Area showed that this prediction is already progressing into a reality as the Bulgarian Diaspora there is already producing a Bible study group out of uniting Bulgarian college students from Barkley and young computer professionals in the area.
Geographical Location of Bulgarian American Churches and Gateway Cities.
Currently, Bulgarian Evangelical Churches are located in cities which have a high concentration of foreign-born immigrants. Such cities are called gateway cities, a large immigrant point-of-entry city to the United States. Immigrants typically enter the United States through one of these cities and settle there. Such cities contain over half of the foreign-born population in the United States. There are Bulgarian Evangelical Churches active in six of the seven gateway cities as follows:
Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in Gateway Cities
| Gateway City | Foreign Born | Percent of Foreign Born | Bulgarian Church |
| 1. New York, NY | 3,657,269 | 18.7% | Yes |
| 2. Los Angeles, CA | 3,944,828 | 27.1% | Yes |
| 3. Houston, TX | 460,380 | 12.3% | Yes |
| 4. Washington, DC | 578,786 | 8.6% | No |
| 5. Miami, FL | 1,072,843 | 33.6% | Yes |
| 6. Chicago, IL | 914,58 | 11.1% | Yes |
| 7. San Francisco, CA | 1,250,693 | 20.0% | No |
Several facts are obvious from the above comparison. It is apparent that Bulgarian immigrants come to North America in ways similar to other immigrant groups, channeled through the listed gateway cities. Large cities which are gateways are more probable to become a settlement for Bulgarian immigrants due to the availability of jobs, lodging and other immigrants from the same ethnic group. The emerging Bulgarian immigrant communities share religious similarities and belongingness which are factors helping to form the communities. As a result of this process of formation of Bulgarian immigrant communities, the Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in North America emerge. It also seems natural to suggest that as this process continues, Bulgarian Evangelical Churches will be formed in the remaining two gateway cities (Washington, D.C. and San Francisco) and other large cities which meet the requirements to become a gateway city (for example, the city Atlanta). If this is true, it should be proposed that the Bulgarian Churches in North America follow a strategy for church planting and growth which targets this type of cities. With all this in mind, the Unrealized Spiritual Harvest of Bulgarian Churches in North America remains unforgiving in history…
Resources for Further Study:
- Seven Churches of Revelation
- How to Start a Bulgarian Church in America from A-to-Z
- Bulgarian Churches in North America: Contextual Assessment
- Bulgarian Churches in North America: Statement of Problem
Christmas Book Sale: Bulgarian Congregations in North America
In the past five years since 2011, we have authored over two dozen books related to our ministry and mission work in Eastern Europe. As several of the prints are now almost exhausted and second/third editions and several new titles are under way, we are releasing all currently available editions in a Christmas sale through the month of December. All titles are available at up to 30% off and Amazon offers free shipping and extra savings for bundle purchases.
Our book available on sale today is:
Bulgarian Churches in North America: The Unrealized Spiritual Harvest as a Paradigm for Cross-Cultural Ministries among Migrant and Disfranchised Ethnic Groups in America Today
….A closer examination of the ministry and structure of the network of Bulgarian churches in North America will give answers to essential issues of cross-cultural evangelism and ministry for the Church of God. Unfortunately, until now very little has proven effective in exploring, pursuing and implementing cross-cultural paradigms within the ministry opportunities in communities formed by immigrants from post-Communist countries. As a result, these communities have remained untouched by the eldership and resources available within the Church of God denomination. There are presently no leaders trained by the Church of God for the needs of these migrant communities. Thus, a great urban harvest in large metropolises, where the Church of God has not been historically present in a strong way, remains ungathered. Although, through these communities, the Church of God has the unique opportunity to experience the post-Communist revival from Eastern Europe in a local Western setting… (p.84, Chapter III: Contextual Assessment, Historical Background, Structural Analyses and Demographics of Immigration in a Paradigm for Cross-Cultural Ministries among Migrant and Disfranchised Ethnic Groups in America Today) Read complete paper (PDF)
How to Start a Bulgarian Church in America from A-to-Z
Bulgarian Churches in North America: The Unrealized Spiritual Harvest as a Paradigm for Cross-Cultural Ministries among Migrant and Disfranchised Ethnic Groups in America Today
….A closer examination of the ministry and structure of the network of Bulgarian churches in North America will give answers to essential issues of cross-cultural evangelism and ministry for the Church of God. Unfortunately, until now very little has proven effective in exploring, pursuing and implementing cross-cultural paradigms within the ministry opportunities in communities formed by immigrants from post-Communist countries. As a result, these communities have remained untouched by the eldership and resources available within the Church of God denomination. There are presently no leaders trained by the Church of God for the needs of these migrant communities. Thus, a great urban harvest in large metropolises, where the Church of God has not been historically present in a strong way, remains ungathered. Although, through these communities, the Church of God has the unique opportunity to experience the post-Communist revival from Eastern Europe in a local Western setting… (p.84, Chapter III: Contextual Assessment, Historical Background, Structural Analyses and Demographics of Immigration in a Paradigm for Cross-Cultural Ministries among Migrant and Disfranchised Ethnic Groups in America Today) Read complete paper (PDF)
How to Start a Bulgarian Church in America from A-to-Z
15th Annual Conference of Bulgarian Churches in North America Building Bridges to Church and People in Bulgaria
8 Things Christian Believers and Churches Can Do in Light of Recent SCOTUS Ruling on LGBT
1. State Level
- Contact your congressman/senator for available options. Write your governor without hesitation
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill allowing clergy to refuse to officiate same sex ceremonies
- Texas Attorney General fights back against Supreme Court
- First Amendment Defense Act Sen. Mike Lee of Utah introduced
2. Personal Level
- Inform yourself and your family of the clear Biblical principles for love and holiness applicable in this situation
- Pray daily for the protection of your family and the salvation of many souls
- Be faithful to your husband/wife and children
3. Corporate Level
- Hold on to your Christian standards for doing business
- Support other Christian businesses
- Forgive and forget, but watch and pray
4. Local Church Level
- Join in corporate fasting and praying in the Spirit
- Uphold the Biblical standard of holy living
- Preach the truth as you have received it
- Adopt local church resolutions on the sanctity of the family
5. Denominational Level
- Adopt resolutions on the sanctity of the family applicable to all your churches internationally (not just North America)
- Adopt resolutions on same-sex marriages, transgender, abortions and all similar issues applicable to all your churches internationally (not just North America)
- Stand along members, ministers, local congregations and Christian schools under attack for upholding the Biblical standard of holy living
6. Christian Alliances Level
- Stay informed of all legal protests and options
- Learn about upcoming IRS changes and alternative exempt options
- Consult with legal council about your rights and obligations under the law
- Join with other Christians in legal measures for upholding the Biblical standard of holy living
7. International Organizational Level
- Beware of what Christian churches are doing internationally to protect their members, ministers, local congregations and Christian schools
- Examine your current tax status and consult your CPA, attorney and insurance agents about the various possibilities to protect your church and ministry
- 2015 ANGLICAN CHURCH Communique
- Methodist church Faces Schism Over Same-Sex Marriage
8. Get good insurance with adequate coverage and experience in the matter
• A good example from Brotherhood Mutual Ins.
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2004 Prognoses about Bulgarian Churches in North America 10 Years Later
With the present rates and dynamics of immigration, the growth of Bulgarian immigrant communities across North America is inevitable. As it has experiences a great increase in the past fifteen years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Bulgaria immigrant community is has not only first-generation, Bulgarian-born members, but second-generation of Bulgarian Americans born in North America.
As the community and the churches within it continues to deal with the cultural dilemma, they will discover that that a new generation of immigrants will be eventually assimilated within the American culture. As North American cross-cultural dynamics in the beginning of the 21st century tend to preserve ethnic belongingness rather then assimilate it, they will perhaps present the Bulgarian American churches with an intergenerational opportunity for ministry.
Such change is a historical precedent, which demands preparation from both Bulgarian and American sides. In the past, the children of the immigrants have usually changed the ways their parents lived their lives. However, this dynamics have been reversed to a lifestyle that contains the old immigrant identity. The effect of such metamorphoses is overwhelming, since second generation immigrant must balance between the heritage of their parents and the reality of the new world in which they live.
In a religious context, the new generation is retaining or rather reinventing the old ways of worship inherited from their parents. Thus, while the secular world offers a context for assimilation, the religious community provides an atmosphere for preservation of culture. At the same time, second generation immigrants may switch to a congregation with that promotes a more American style of worship, role of women and social services. Such dynamics provide the context and reasons for church splits.
In their short modern history of the 1990s, the American Bulgarian churches have already experienced a number church splits. Some of the congregations have experienced even more than one split. Such experiences have been painful, but at the same time have brought sense to the reality of church dynamics and have sources of learning for both pastors of congregations. As the Bulgarian American churches grow in number and influence, the second generation immigrants take a more significant role in the church’s life and dynamics. In such context, programs for identity formation and church split prevention must become the focus of the church’s discipleship process.
Annual Conferences of Bulgarian Churches in America
In the summer of 2002 the pastors of the Bulgarian churches in North America came together for their first meeting in Dallas, TX. As a result, an organization called the Alliance of the Bulgarian Evangelical Churches in North America was established as a first step toward networking between the churches. The churches within the Alliance has met over Memorial Day weekend every year since then as follows:
2002 – Dallas
2003 – Chicago
2004 – Minneapolis
2005 – Los Angeles
2006 – Dallas
2007 – Chicago
2008 – Minneapolis
2009 – Los Angeles
2010 – Houston
2011 – Las Vegas
2012 – Chicago
2013 – Dallas
2014 – Minneapolis
2015 – Las Vegas
2016 – Houston
2017 – Chicago
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