news

Archaeology Lecture: Which Jesus?

Fri, 2 Sep 2011 12:08:00 EST

Recently we had most of the members of the HARTA apologetics group over for a BBQ and fellowship time. It was great to be together and also talk about some of the plans for upcoming activities. This month HARTA is putting on a public event in Plovdiv, the 2nd-largest city in Bulgaria. Coinciding with the Bulgarian “night of the museums,” we will have a well-known Christian archeologist from Germany with us, who will give a lecture in the Plovdiv archaeological museum called “Which Jesus do we find under the layers of time?” Please pray for this lecture, that God will use it to open people's hearts and minds to the reality of Christ's life, death and resurrection.

HARTA will also use the opportunity of the public event to have an internal seminar/retreat together with some of the people in Plovdiv that we hope fill form the first HARTA-related group outside of Sofia. We have many ideas but not enough people so please pray together with us that God will raise up more people to join in the efforts of HARTA.

Baptism in Bulgaria

Wed, 3 Aug 2011 08:25:00 EST

Just over a week ago twenty five Roma (gypsies) from several different regions in the central part of Bulgaria made their profession of faith in Christ public by water baptism. It was a wonderful celebration with over 120 believers from these regions bearing witness to the grace of God in His ongoing redemptive work. These are Turkish speaking Roma many of whom live in what can only be described as abject poverty. While their physical conditions remain the same, their spiritual condition has changed eternally. They have been made rich in Christ, children of God and heirs of His eternal glory. Please pray that each of these new believers will grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting Him to supply all their needs and perfecting holiness in the fear of God so that they also may bear fruit for His glory.

Preaching and the Bulgarian Military

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 04:34:00 EST

My recent teaching trip in Bulgaria was more of a mission than anticipated. The course on the docket was Homiletics, which is the fancy word for “preaching,” and contained principles also useful for teaching. Little did I know that over half of the students whom I would engage would be military men, both active and retired.

Five of them are in UTF’s newly created Master’s program for military chaplaincy. This is the first such program in the entire country. Several of those retired are pastors, while several others are Bible teachers and evangelists.

While they most definitely are serious about their training, don’t let their looks fool you. Their camaraderie gave a unique flavor to the entire group. I can’t tell you what a joy it was to teach them.

Anghel (far right) has been instrumental in leading many military men to the Lord (including a couple of those pictured). He wrote a lengthy summary evaluation of the course. Here’s an excerpt in his own words (he wrote in English), “I serve as a pastor in a small town, in which the spirit of communism is still alive. In that place I should represent to the people the Word of God in a convincing way so that they receive God. Because of that for me two disciplines are important: Hermeneutics and Homiletics. For me the course [i.e., Homiletics] was refreshing. I am impressed by the absorbing way in which this serious material was delivered. So, firstly, I learned was the method—I understood how to deliver a serious material in a way in which it will be accessible and understood. The second important thing for me was the examples—the lecturer was very well-prepared not
only in the area of the theoretical Homiletics, but also practically he showed skills how to apply what we had learned. The examples which he gave us were building up and they help me in the ministry.”

All of them view themselves as in the Lord’s service to bring the hope of the gospel to Bulgaria. It’s was one of the most encouraging teaching experiences I’ve had thus far. Praise the Lord!

Eager Learners

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:34:00 EST

Recently a pastor in Sofia who is very actively starting home groups and churches and training his leaders asked if I could teach an introduction to apologetics at the monthly training meeting for his leaders on April 9. He said they are hungry to learn – something exciting for any teacher! He is interested in having me do a series of sessions on different apologetics topics that the people need/want to learn about – things they deal with regularly, like "why should we believe the Bible," "doesn't evolution do away with God," etc. Please pray that God will help me to stimulate their thinking and that the teaching and discussion will be very helpful to them and their ministry.

I No Longer Feel Alone

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:50:00 EST

Grace to you from back in Sofia. Some great conversations with 17 pastors in 14 days. Wow! To give you one snapshot, a seminary colleague and I met with a pastor and his wife in a little remote berg on the side of mountain. He's a sharp, young pastor, with a big heart for the Lord, and vision to match. After arriving a couple of hours late in typical Bulgarian fashion, we spent half the afternoon dreaming out loud about resourcing Bulgarian and Balkan Christian leaders.

When we finished praying at the end of our time, Georgi told the Lord, "You know how often I've felt all alone out here, like an Elijah. But after talking with these brothers, I no longer feel that way. Thank you for sending them to us." Of course we talked even more after that, but as we were finally parting, he said, "You know, I was committed to meeting with you, but it was only one more meeting in an overwhelming schedule. But I can honestly say that after having met, I would not have missed this for anything. Today will carry me for months." Praise the Lord.

A Roma Worship Service

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:30:00 EST

A Roma pastor asked Scot to preach at his church. So on a recent Tuesday night, we joined them for their worship service.

Scot preached on materialism, which I was worried about, considering they are all so poor. But the people soaked it up. The pastor got up at the end and said the Holy Spirit knew just what he needed to hear, and several people shared during the testimony that it was something they struggled with. I've heard it said that the most materialistic people are the very rich and the very poor because money is all they think about.

Scot was also invited out to preach on a Sunday morning, so we all went as a family. I can't even describe it. We were driving through the slums on a cold grey day, listening to Amy Grant sing "Sleigh Ride." The houses looked like something out of Haiti, with corrugated metal roofs and tarps.

People were everywhere. We drove by an open air market, and there on this huge table right by the street, was an enormous dead pig surrounded by several men. I guess they were going to butcher him right there.

We came to a little two story house and went upstairs. It was bricked in but there was no insulation, siding or anything. Lots of chairs and a stove-type heater in the middle.

In the front was a man playing an electric keyboard and two women with microphones singing. No hymn books, no projector, no sheet of music. If you didn't know the song you were out of luck. We knew alot of them, but some of them were Roma songs which we didn't know. The gypsy music was fabulous and made you want to dance.

We sang for a long time. Scot preached for a short time. The pastor then talked about Scot's sermon. Then they had public confession and restoration--several people came forward and apologized to different people in the congregation. They hugged and made up.

Then we had communion--the old fashioned way--one cup. They started with Scot, and I thought they were going to do his side of the room first, which would put me at the end of the cup. Oh well. But actually the pastor served all the guests first, and said a prayer for every single person in the room as he gave them the cup and the bread. It was incredible.

Then the men and women separated into different rooms and had a foot washing ceremony. One or two women put on aprons and washed a woman's feet and prayed for her. And then that woman took the apron, got fresh water and washed another woman's feet and so on until everyone had been done. As they washed they sang, and it was just beautiful.

Rock (ing chair) band moves unbelievers

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST

Thank you for your prayers for the outreach concerts of Rocking Chair Band in December! At least from our human perspective, it seemed like God richly blessed these events. We had the best turnout ever at the Dec 11 and Dec 18 concerts, including many non-believers. The outreach at the small city church also drew a number of non-believers that said they enjoyed it and even hoped a regular rock-club could be set up at the church … And the Christmas concert/party at our church drew quite a few people from the neighboring apartment building, enabling new connections to be made.

I'm encouraged to see that these rock concerts can function to draw non-believers to come into a church or other Christian environment, people who often otherwise would never step foot in a church or come to something “Christian.” There remains for many in Bulgaria a suspicion of Protestant Christianity, so one important task is to break down the walls of suspicion and show people that Christians are “normal” people too. God used these events to do some of that and to bring people together. Thank you for praying!

God Moments - Uncomfortable but Good

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 04:30:00 EST

Every now and then you have some kind of encounter (we probably all do) that “spices up” your day (either for good or sometimes for bad) – and sometimes they're “God moments.”

Last week I was shopping and while I was weighing some fruit and veggies, an older man was by the scale, and asked where I was from. I told him from the US, and after some more conversation he asked what I do here (a common question). I said, among other things, I teach some subjects in theology. He answered “Aah, theology. Do you know how long we've had the church here in Bulgaria?” I replied, “Yes, I know.” “A lot longer than your nation has been around,” he said. “Why don't you go somewhere else instead of coming here and trying to give us advice?”

Just then we were interrupted and separated by another shopper trying to weigh some groceries. Of course I felt a bit put off, but then I felt I should say something more. I inched over to him and added, “You know, it's one thing to have a long Christian history, but it's another for people to actually have a relationship with God and to live their faith.”

Then his attitude seemed to change, because he started asking where my church is, whether we have any literature. There we were, in front of the cabbages, me scribbling down on a scrap of paper our church address and my phone number that he wanted too. He said he'd call me, said it would be interesting to talk and learn things “from the other perspective,” even wondering about a Bible. I said I could get one and asked “But would you read it?” and he said, "Yes."

I went on shopping, thinking, “What just happened here?” Who knows whether he'll call, but in any case I felt like it was a little God moment – the kind that, while not always comfortable, are encouraging to my faith.

Men's Group

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 08:50:00 EST

This past year I enjoyed many good discussions in the “faith discussion group” that met in our home weekly. Many times unbelievers came and the conversation was more apologetics or outreach-oriented.

Over the summer I met primarily with I. and V., and the focus turned more toward discipleship – living our Christian faith. It has been great to see how much V. has changed in the past year, from a pessimistic and cynical young man to one who is excited about his faith and full of hope for the future. I am glad God has allowed me to play a part in V's life.

Given the significant need here in Bulgaria for Christian men to have fellowship and grow in active faith, I am planning to transform our small group into a weekly men's group open to more men, both from our church and elsewhere. While the goal will be discipleship, I hope that we can create a group to which those who don't yet know Christ would also be interested in coming. Please pray for God's guidance in all the details – what to study, when and where to meet, etc. - and that a good group will develop.

School Project Leads to Salvation

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 01:15:00 EST

Students in both our residence program and extension programs around the country are growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and sometimes there is an obvious connection between their coursework training and their effectiveness in ministry. One student from the extension program in Varna, Bulgaria turned in the write-up of her final project for the Pastoral Counseling course I taught a short while ago. As her counseling session progressed, it became obvious that the foundational need of her counselee was forgiveness that comes only by faith in Christ. How wonderful to read that her session resulted in new birth. Accounts like these are numerous, and I trust they encourage you as they do me.

Family Camp Blesses Bulgarians

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:40:00 EST

While on Home Service last year, we realized a burden to help strengthen Bulgarian families and marriages. Many families are first generation Christians and have not had good role models of how to lead a healthy and godly family. Old communist ideas about the state's role in raising the children still permeate the Bulgarian mindset. Many marriages are struggling seriously with no idea where to find help. We realized that if we want to help build a strong church, we need to help build strong families too.

When we returned to Bulgaria last fall, we started a weekly family study group and Tanja held a weekly mom’s group at our house. The study groups culminated with a summer family camp including teaching, family fun and fellowship, and rest and relaxation.

God surprised and blessed us by bringing more families than we had ever thought, filling every single bed in the hotel.

When we arrived, some of the beds and rooms had not been cleaned, we didn’t receive anything to drink with our evening meal, the night session turned out somewhat chaotic, the hotel manager complained that some of the kids had already broken things, and the next morning we had no running water. As organizers we felt very responsible for the camp and just thought to ourselves, “What have we gotten ourselves and our friends into?” We prayed asking God to lead and work.

Later that morning things turned around. The kids had a wonderful program while the parents got to soak in Steve Demme’s wonderful messages. It was transforming and just absolutely what everyone needed to hear. In the afternoons we all as families went on hikes to a high waterfall as well as the seven beautiful Rila lakes (at one point piling 19 into a jeep).

One afternoon Steve P. organized an Olympics for the children which some of the dads helped to run as well. We decided to turn our evening sessions into outside family games in which most of the fathers participated with their children.

So was the start of a wonderful five days together. The kids ran free with their friends, making forts in the woods, playing soccer, exploring the surroundings, and making up games. It was a highlight to watch all these kids, most of them 4-7 year olds, developing friendships.

One night some of the dads and kids gathered and chopped wood from the forest and we had a bonfire with singing and fellowship. One random bystander commented, "I sense very positive energy here." Not exactly the way we typically describe God's Spirit at work, but it'll do!

This work, play and learning together as families and community was an incredible bonding experience and witness to the non-Christian families that attended.

At the end of our time together no one wanted to leave and a number of them said, “Let’s make this a tradition. We would love to help plan for next year.” Many families said that they felt like the topics shared were just for them. They viewed Steve Demme as a father figure/role model as he had shared so deeply from his personal experience. It was really touching to see the men be drawn to him. And so, we will try to make this family camp a yearly tradition organized and led alongside Bulgarians. We are so excited and just thank God for pouring out his blessings even more than we could have ever imagined.

Rocking Chair Band

Fri, 9 Jul 2010 08:40:00 EST

Recently the Rocking Chair Band did a concert in the Rhodopi Mountain region – the audience were locals from the area as well as the children and parents of a cultural exchange camp put on by American teens and leaders. Afterward I talked with a lady who asked about our song lyrics, noticing we sing about God and spiritual things in some of them. She said "I have spiritual questions, this is interesting to me." There are people all over that are searching for God - Please pray for her and other God-seekers and for God to reveal Himself to them.

Down Syndrome Ministry - Live on BTV

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 04:50:00 EST

Going live! Tanja and two others from the Down Syndrome Association gave a TV interview this morning on BTV, probably the most popular TV station in Bulgaria. The special was about DS children and their potential and it was a great opportunity for Tanja and the others to have an influence on a lot of regular Bulgarians who don't know much about DS and who may have some pretty antiquated ideas. Please pray for good results from this interview.

Down Syndrome Seminar

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 08:45:00 EST

Saturday, May 22 was an exciting day for our Down Syndrome association as we organized for two ladies from the U.S., a speech and special education specialist and parents themselves of D.S. children, to do a seminar for the Bulgarian parents and some therapists. One of them came to pick up her adopted Bulgarian D. S. son. What an incredible witness and message to the Bulgarians! Our children are valuable and wanted.

Their seminar was incredibly educational and valuable to everyone who attended including the therapists who were able to hear from professionals’ mouths some of the up to date practices that they have been rejecting such as parents attending sessions with their children, the beneficial use of sign language etc. I have to continually defend myself for wanting to sit in on the sessions with Jaden. Over and over I hear how I must be a fearful mom and that they think I’m questioning their authority. It was so refreshing for these American specialists to share that this was a practice 30 years ago in the U.S. but that experience has shown that therapy sessions with child and parent are indeed the most effective and now the standard practice.

The same was shared regarding the use of sign language. Therapists kept on telling me that if I use sign language with Jaden I will delay his speech. Anyways, the women shared updated statistics and studies that show the very beneficial use of sign language and renounced the myth that it will delay speech. All the parents had a chance to hear these updated methods of therapy and we are hoping to do a little sign language seminar at one of our next sessions.

The icing on the cake was when these ladies distributed boxes and boxes of speech tools and developmental toys to the Bulgarian families with Down Syndrome children. It was such a joy to see their faces and gratefulness for these women’s hearts and all those that donated the items to our group.

We are hoping this is only the beginning of our partnership and are already planning with them a seminar for both parents and medical specialists here in Bulgaria for next Spring.

Apologetics Challenges Europe

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 08:55:00 EST

Recently I was in Hungary at the European Leadership Forum (www.euroleadership.org), a 5-day conference with Christians from all over Europe and from many different spheres – artists, theologians, pastors, scientists, apologists, Christian counselors and so on. It was a very refreshing and intellectually and spiritually stimulating time, as we learned lots and were challenged to live and share the Christian faith in our context. I was in the apologetics network, but aside from that attended many seminars on other topics such as Islam or church planting. I also enjoyed spending some time with other Bulgarians who attended, including two from HARTA, the Bulgarian apologetics group.

We discussed the idea of getting more Bulgarians involved in the Forum, and to organize a conference in Bulgaria and invite some Forum speakers to help train and challenge more people here to expand our horizons for what God wants us to do in Bulgaria. I very much believe in the vision of multiplying and training, to see more Bulgarians well-equipped and passionate about reaching their world.

Please pray that God will open doors, lead me and the others in HARTA, and bring Bulgarians together in the task of making Christ known in a country where there's lots of spiritual confusion and darkness.