From the Field

August 2012

PRAISES:

Our first elder will be ordained at the district assembly in October – Zhana Georgieva. Other ministers will be ordained in subsequent years.
We (the Manns and I) have closed the district office to free up more funds for church growth and development on the district as we move ever closer to becoming a Phase II district. Until the Sofia center is built, the converted garage at the Mann’s house will serve as the district office and I’ve converted my guest room to a personal office as well. All this went relatively smoothly and despite many obstacles was completed with the help of the 3 TNU Immerse summer interns.
Eastridge, CA, Work & Witness team coming to complete the Stubel church building 05-13 September, 2012.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Unifying vision on the Bulgarian district
Upcoming District Advisory Board meetings on September 1st and 2nd
Upcoming District Assembly on October 27th
Elena (our first future Bulgarian faculty member) as she begins her Master’s studies. Pray that she will encounter God in an amazing way in each class while learning to balance schooling with work, family, and ministry.
The transition to indigenous leadership and the DAB as they assume more and more decision-making responsibilities with regard to finances, teams, and district ministry.
The Stubel day camp led by myself and the Stubel teens 07-12 September

PRAISES:

A successful move to Lyulin (the neighborhood where we’ll build the building). I’ve been enjoying getting to know people in the community and network with them.
After years of offering Theological Education classes, Zhana Georgieva (a young church planter) has only 5 classes left and will be ordained next fall at the district assembly. This is a huge step towards indigenous leadership. We have other students who have graduated or who will graduate and are preparing for the harvest of our labors – largely the Sunberg labors in Bulgaria.
The beginning of the transition process to national district leadership.
Being with other believers at a recent conference.
Two new families attending the Sofia church plant – one of which is getting very involved in the ministries of the church.
The peace in the Montana area and love between the churches and leaders.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Cezarina who has now graduated from EuNC and has been denied a visa to return to minister in Italy. She’ll be going to Albania for now. As such, she’ll need to find work and adjust to life in her home culture where she hasn’t lived for more than 6 years. Pray for God’s guidance in her life and His peace.
The Sunberg family as they transition to ministry in Budapest and the deep sorrow that they and all of us feel at their moving.
The Mann family as they transition to Bulgaria, learn the language, and for their children as they adjust to life in a new place.
Conflict that’s happening in NE Bulgaria among some of our most influential leaders.

PRAISES:

God’s provision of a new apartment and the upcoming move to Lyulin.
Good progress on the construction preparation for the Sofia church building.
South Salem, WA, USA Work & Witness team coming to work on the Stubel building in August 2011.
Successful completion of one of the church audits on the district and significant process to healthly district financial procedure development.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

The pastoral team and our continued work together in Sofia. We have been really sad to have lost two team members (Jake & Tyler) due to visa issues. Pray that God will continue to give us strength as all involved are working full-time and ministering part-time.
Unity on the Bulgaria district among different leaders and churches. Pray for peace and reconciliation in the Montana area.
Please pray for Sara & Cezy’s re-entry to Italy and the continuation of their ministry in that place. Sara has finish her studies this month and Cezy will finish her’s in May. (These are two students from Italy who are preparing for ministry at the European Nazarene Bible College and who have been supported by the deputation offerings you have given.)
In January of 2011, Zhana’s planning on starting another home church in the village of Edro Poleay. Pray for this wonderful minister that God will give her strength for all that she does.
Work & Witness teams
God’s direction as we meet with our pastors, create the discipleship seminar schedule, and train teachers to equip the people.
The Sofia pastoral team: Galin, Ani, Petar & Petra, Jay & Teana, and myself.
The pastors of the churches in Western Bulgaria: Zhana, Valeri, Geroika, Malin, and the Sofia Pastoral Team.
The missionary team in Southeastern Europe: Jay & Teana Sunberg (directors living in Bulgaria), Daniel Psaute (in Slovenia), Doug & Jenn Mann (in Kosova), Steve & Rachel Beiler (in Albania), and Michael & Tammy Hudson (in Romania).