letter from Bulgaria
Over 500 years of tension and hostility have existed between Turkish Muslims and national Bulgarians in the town of Gotze Delchev in Bulgaria. Thirty years ago, a small group of believers commenced a Christian witness there.
This has resulted in the salvation of many Muslims and a Turkish church has been formed. The House of Prayer of the ‘Bulgarian’ Church became too small for all the believers. Also, the Turkish brothers and sisters felt the desire to hold the worship services in their own language and sing songs, pray and share the word of God in the Turkish language. Today, the church has 70 adults attending, and many more children and teenagers. A great number of young people have started to regularly attend, and the work is growing!
Plans were made to undertake the building of a church (or House of Prayer), and a site was duly purchased and developed. Many have already contributed to this, but much work remains to be done. Further plans are now underway to develop the third floor of the church building for a Christian Hope Centre, which would reach out to the local community, and particularly families who are needy and vulnerable. Much has already been accomplished but the project is ongoing, as the rest of the building is developed for ministry and evangelistic outreach. It is estimated that between 50 and 70 families will be able to be supported through the Hope Centre ministry alongside 20 to 25 vulnerable widows. The Slavic Gospel Association (SGA UK) is seeking to invest in this ministry for God’s glory. Please pray that it will provide a faithful testimony amongst the Muslim community and that many more will be added to the church.
