Missionaries Bulgaria

Free Will Baptist International Missions was challenged to open Bulgaria as a field in 2005. A fact-finding trip confirmed the need for evangelization in the former Communist Bloc country. The Board of FWBIM approved opening the country to missionary service in December 2005.

Our first missionaries for Bulgaria, Tim and Lydia Awtrey, were appointed in July 2006. Their story is told in two feature articles in the December/January issue of  ONE Magazine.

Geography and Climate

Part of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe. Squeezed between Romania to the north and Turkey to the south, Bulgaria borders the Black Sea to the east. Greece, Turkey, Serbia, and the Republic of Macedonia form additional boundaries. Portions of biblical Macedonia are located within Bulgaria’s borders.

The mostly mountainous terrain boasts the highest peak on the peninsula, 9,596 feet. The temperate climate has hot, dry summers and cold, damp winters.

Population

About 84 percent of the 7.5 million people populating Bulgaria are ethnic Bulgarian. Turks (almost 10%) and Roma (4.7%) comprise other major ethnicities.

Most Bulgarians (about 83%) are nominally affiliated with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. However, 45 years of communist domination yielded two generations of people devoid of knowledge of Jesus Christ. Islam claims the second highest percentage (12%) of adherents. Less than one percent of the population is evangelical Christian. A 2005 poll revealed only 40% of Bulgarians believe there is a God.

History

The first Bulgarian state was formed when the Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late seventh century. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans. By the end of the 14th century, the Ottoman Turks overran the country. Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908.

Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990. Multiparty elections and a privatized economy are two steps taken toward membership in the European Union.

Current Conditions

The fall of communism in 1990 opened Bulgaria to an influx of cults, as well as opportunities for Christians. A massive spiritual vacuum left many searching for truth, and westernized promotional techniques enabled Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Hare Krishnas, and others to draw people into their ranks.

Christian groups have been active in the country for almost 15 years, yet there is little or no growth in most existing churches, Additionally, many of those characterized as Christian hold extreme views, representing a “health and wealth” message. There is an undisputed need for discipleship, leadership training, and church planting. A 2003 report indicates 22 of Bulgaria’s 28 provinces have no evangelical church of any kind.

Although 99 percent of Bulgarians are literate, there is not an accurate Bulgarian language translation of the Bible. This provides another major hindrance to the spread of the gospel.

Free Will Baptist Ministries

Free Will Baptists plan to begin missionary efforts in Svishtov, a town of 30,000 people on the Danube River in northern Bulgaria. The population of the town swells to 40,000 when the local university is in session. Most missionary efforts of other organizations have centered in the capital city of Sofia.

A handful of believers in Svishtov have requested training and leadership that will allow them to reach their town with the gospel.