BULGARIA
Bulgaria is a country of contrasts—rapid development in the cities and rapid depopulation in the rural areas; ancient history surrounded by modern conveniences; ancient traditions and rituals along with high-speed internet and materialism. The 20th Century was one of many changes—Ottoman rule, a monarchy, communism, and the modern republic. Since the beginning of the 21st Century, Bulgaria has become one of the most rapidly developing countries in Eastern Europe. It is a place where people believe in the spiritual, have a heritage of being a Christian country, yet are pulled toward the more materialistic culture of the West.
The false promise of happiness and peace found in a good job, a better car, or a nicer house is exposed as empty hope. There is a deep craving for real connection and deep friendships, and this is where we see opportunity to share the gospel. We see a growing longing for discipleship within the church and a desire for some kind of lasting hope from those far from the church. Our team, currently working in the capital city of Sofia and also the northern city of Ruse, seeks to serve the Lord by developing relationships in order to share Jesus with those who need encouragement and those who need eternal life.
MEET THE TEAM
Cary, Elisabeth
Elisabeth supports the efforts of the Sofia church-planting team in leading the English ministry and pursuing discipleship relationships
Elisabeth supports the efforts of the Sofia church-planting team in leading the English ministry and pursuing...
Culmer, Dave
Dave serves as Sofia's team leader, shepherding the team, working to cultivate healthy partnerships with Bulgarian national partners, and engaging in evangelism and discipleship efforts.
Dave serves as Sofia's team leader, shepherding the team, working to cultivate healthy partnerships with Bulgarian...
Dix, Taylor & Katherine
Katherine and Taylor support the work of the church in Bulgaria and serve in efforts to minister to those caught in human trafficking.
Katherine and Taylor support the work of the church in Bulgaria and serve in efforts to minister to those caught in...
Goeglein, Lydia
Lydia supports the efforts of the Sofia church-planting team as headmistress of Sofia Christian Academy and in various roles within the church.
Lydia supports the efforts of the Sofia church-planting team as headmistress of Sofia Christian Academy and in...
Heath, Jacob
As an intern in Sofia, Bulgaria, Jacob will serve alongside the team, helping in their student outreach and English-based evangelism programs.
As an intern in Sofia, Bulgaria, Jacob will serve alongside the team, helping in their student outreach and...
Hoot, Trevin & Ruthie
Trevin is the interim pastor of a church in Sofia and is the creator of a pastoral internship to help the church planting efforts of Bulgarian pastors. Ruthie serves as the language acquisition coach.
Trevin is the interim pastor of a church in Sofia and is the creator of a pastoral internship to help the church...
Huyck, Hannah
Hannah's internship in Sofia, Bulgaria, will focus on anti-trafficking work, English ministry outreach, and building relationships in the local church.
Hannah's internship in Sofia, Bulgaria, will focus on anti-trafficking work, English ministry outreach, and building...
GET INVOLVED
Join the Club: MTW’s EFL Ministry in Bulgaria Builds Bridges to the Local Church
What began as a way for one missionary to meet people has turned into one of the main outreach arms of MTW’s Sofia church plant.
SEE MOREAddicts to Pastors: The Gospel Transforms the Lives of Two Bulgarian Pastors
In early adolescence and young adulthood, two men were ensnared in the throes of drug addiction. Then the Holy Spirit flipped the script.
SEE MOREA Wedding, A Reunion, and a Reminder of Impact in Bulgaria
As I glanced around I treasured what I saw: a bunch of American missionaries, volunteers, and children who've served with us in Bulgaria.
SEE MOREBlessings Born Out of Relationships in Bulgaria
A Bulgarian friend, who doesn’t believe in any religion and didn't know how to pray, asked a missionary to pray with her for her family.
SEE MOREOne Day in Bulgaria with Lydia Goeglein: A Video
Follow along as Lydia Goeglein walks us through the streets of Sofia and gives us a glimpse into a day in her life as a missionary.
SEE MOREOne Day in Bulgaria with Dave Culmer: A Video
Spend a day with missionary Dave Culmer in Bulgaria, as he takes us around the city of Sofia where he is a jack of all trades on the team.
SEE MORESports as Missions in Bulgaria: A Video
Sports is a great way to build relationships. Interns spent part of their time playing baseball and lacrosse, opening doors to the gospel.
SEE MORE“I’m sorry that I can’t believe in God”
Her son had become a Christian, but she just couldn't get there.
SEE MOREVlado: A Life Transformed in Bulgaria - Video
Vlado, a former "Orthodox atheist" with a drug addition, is now a follower of Christ who is helping to plant churches.
SEE MOREMTW VIsion and Values: Making Disciples Among All Nations
Catch a glimpse of MTW's work globally as we interview missionaries and learn about their current ministry and vision for the future.
SEE MOREGoliath Must Fall: Two Gospel Stories
In a hard-to-reach, largely atheistic European city, these stories declare the gospel to be "the power of God unto salvation."
SEE MORE"I'm Forsaking Christianity"
At a New Year's Eve party in Bulgaria, an missionary met a guest who'd recently stopped going to church. He wanted to know why.
SEE MOREPray for the English Club ministry in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the Bible study that has sprung out of it. Pray that God will use this ministry to draw many to Himself.
Pray for Boris and Niki, two national partners from Bulgaria, as they move through a pastoral internship and into a new stage of ministry. Give thanks for God's work in their lives.
Give thanks for the many lives impacted by and among missionaries in Sofia, Bulgaria. Pray for the ministry to continue to multiply.
Pray for Bulgarians who are building friendships with missionaries to become interested in the gospel and drawn to Christ.
Pray for the MTW team in Bulgaria and for those they serve.
Pray for those in Sofia, Bulgaria, who will be exposed to the gospel through our sports ministry. Pray that many would be drawn to Christ as a result of relationships built with believers.
Pray for those coming to faith in Bulgaria. And for those who can't yet believe due to a background deeply rooted in communism and atheism.
Pray for Bulgaria, whose population is considered to be 95% "Orthodox atheist" (Orthodox in name only). Praise God for Bulgarians who are coming to faith and helping to plant churches!
Pray for women forced by poverty into sex work. Pray for MTW ministries around the globe seeking to rescue and minister to these women.
Pray for Europeans who have heard the gospel but are hesitant to fully commit to Christ. Pray that God would draw them to Himself.
Pray for two women, Monika and Andrea, who have recently come to faith against the odds in a hard-to-reach, largely atheistic European city.
Pray for Monika, that God would continue to heal her, give her a new purpose, and protect her life from physical harm, and for Andrea, that she would grow deep roots of faith and be a witness to those like her—unlikely subjects—of the reality of the grace of God.
Pray for college students in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria, to grasp God's deep love for them and surrender their lives to Him.
Pray for God to call more men and women to missions in Sofia, Bulgaria, both full-time and as a volunteer.
Your gifts will provide New Life Church with enough space to grow and to bless their neighbors.
In Bulgaria, biblically trained leaders are the foundation of a church-planting movement.
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