Bulgaria

Most people can empathize with people in need, but it takes a special person to rejoice in the success of someone else.  Everyone is important!

TCM enables people to do the impossible.  Many people are trying to balance many loads and still keep smiling.  There are so many pastors and churches that do nothing but talk about others; we need to be proactive.  TCM models perspective and clear vision.  Many denominations model their own structures, rituals, and control, but we want to be people with heart and clear vision.  TCM enables people to do that.

TCM models authenticity of relationships – with God, with each other, and among churches.

TCM is modeling the right kind of knowledge – knowing Christ and living and teaching as He did.

There are 59 TCM students from Bulgaria, from ten denominations.  100% of these have fun and are influencing others to enjoy the Christian life!  40% of students are preachers, 30% are pastors, 20% teachers, and 10% work with para-church organizations.  Of these, 20% work with women and 10% work with children and orphans. There are many orphaned children in Bulgaria.  Some have no parents; some have one parent who is in prison, handicapped, or is abusive.  Human trafficking is a large problem.  Every third child in Bulgaria has tried drugs.

TCM students have fun as they minister to others.  One graduate, “Petsi”, who was to receive a certificate this year, is a very popular rock musician.  Whenever he performs, he always talks about his faith in Christ.

Grozdan works with Campus Crusade for Christ and is a chaplain.  Now he is in a church planting team, working with Muslims and motor bikers.  He was also involved in a concert for medical workers imprisoned in Libya.

George is on the board of the fellowship of pastors, and also works with youth group, “New Wave”.  They hold all-night prayer vigils, where 4,000 – 5,000 young people will gather to sing and pray all night.

Tony E. is the leader of a Bible school, a pastor, and is on the faculty of the Bulgaria Theological Institute.

Evgeniy, TCM National Director, showed pictures of several TCM graduates and the work they are doing.  He included pictures of his trip last year to Iraq for teaching.

Evgeniy’s desire and focus is to be attractive to others by developing relationships with them, having fun, being a friend, and showing others his joy in Christ.  He told about meeting Christians in Iraq who are persecuted, imprisoned, and in danger of their lives and their families’ lives.  Their faith is pure and they are firm in following the Lord.  It helped him to reorder his priorities.  He said he was almost “envious” of their pure faith in Christ.

Evgeniy showed pictures of TCM students working in a football league, sports ministry, camps for young people, and ministries to orphans.

He said, “Thank you for giving to the Lord and for being friends, even in difficult times.  Wherever people are, God knows!”