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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...

Hundt, Alexander

Alexander will serve as summer intern in Bulgaria, helping the missionary team in Sofia in any way he can.

Alexander will serve as summer intern in Bulgaria, helping the missionary team in Sofia in any way he can.

Lielbriedis, Aaron

Aaron will be serving on an MTW internship this summer in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he will be partnering with local missionaries, learning from them, learning the language, and engaging the community there in order to be a light for the gospel.

Aaron will be serving on an MTW internship this summer in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he will be partnering with local...

Support needs are met. Praise God!
VIEW PROFILE

Sale, Zachary & Joy

Zach and Joy are excited to be a part of the team in Bulgaria reaching out to the student community and building relationships.

Zach and Joy are excited to be a part of the team in Bulgaria reaching out to the student community and building...

Teuton, Scott & Shaunna

The Teuton family is excited to serve in Sofia, Bulgaria, for two months in August and September 2024.

The Teuton family is excited to serve in Sofia, Bulgaria, for two months in August and September 2024.

Webb, Jacob & Suzanne

Suzanne and Jacob work alongside and support a Bulgarian church planter in Ruse, Bulgaria.

Suzanne and Jacob work alongside and support a Bulgarian church planter in Ruse, Bulgaria.

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GET INVOLVED

The Well: Reach out broadly, dive deeply
Summer Internships
Teacher: Sofia Christian Academy
English Outreach
Mentored Internships
1–11 Months
Administrator

A 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.

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Blessings 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.

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One 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.

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One 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.

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Sports 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.

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“I’m sorry that I can’t believe in God”

Her son had become a Christian, but she just couldn't get there.

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Vlado: 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.

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MTW 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.

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Goliath 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."

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"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.

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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.

Sofia Christian Academy Expansion

Funds needed for renting an additional space, purchasing curriculum, and hiring a national teacher/administrator.

Spring of Hope

Extending the love of Christ to the exploited and trafficked in Bulgaria

Elias Riggs Center for Biblical Studies

In Bulgaria, biblically trained leaders are the foundation of a church-planting movement.

Bulgaria Translation & Publication

Equipping Bulgarian believers with biblical literature.