Bulgaria Annual Conference

After years of trials and tribulations, the Bulgaria Annual Conference, comprised of Bulgarians, Roma people, Turkish-speaking people, Armenians, and 24 local churches with a total of 1,250 members, is working together in faith to overcome challenges and move towards renewal with a commitment to prayer, fasting, and financial self-sufficiency.

The Struggles of Protestant Believers in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an Eastern Orthodox country. Dr. Daniel G. Topalski, Conference Superintendent, said, by default, if you’re Bulgarian, you must be orthodox. As a result, protestant believers must spend time explaining that their faith is an authentic and legitimate expression of Christianity. Additionally, decades of Communism have left many Bulgarians wary of whom they trust, making it even more challenging for our friends in Bulgaria to live as disciples.

Strengthening the Church Through Prayer and Study

To strengthen and equip the church to make more effective disciples, the conference has developed a special document based on Acts 2:42, encouraging local churches to deepen their study of the Bible. During worship services, congregations engage in scripture readings, ensuring they listen to and reflect on God’s word as much as possible.

Since February 10 of this year, the conference has called on its churches to pray and fast for renewal. Each week, a different district is responsible for daily prayer and fasting, with every district participating for a total of three weeks. This initiative was prepared through their national prayer gathering, where the entire church gathers at one local congregation to pray for its ministry and its development. Topalski described this as a meaningful way for everyone to know what’s going on within different parts of the connection, to meet new people, and to build new relationships.

To further encourage prayer, Topalski and the presiding elders are each responsible for recording a week of morning prayers and devotions, which are shared on their Facebook, website, and SoundCloud. This daily practice has been instrumental in fostering a deeper commitment to prayer within the conference.

Additionally, the conference has old-fashioned Methodist classes, recognizing this as the best way to train their lay members to take responsibility for the ministry of the church. These classes emphasize practical biblical holiness, encouraging members to pray and fast actively every Wednesday and Friday, not just in times of need but as a regular spiritual discipline. Topalski said members enjoy it so much that they don’t even need a reminder to go.

Breaking The Cycle of Financial Dependency

Since the arrival of the Methodist missionaries in the mid-19th century, financial dependency has been a major challenge for the church. The church has relied on external support rather than fostering self-sufficiency. However, the transition to the Global Methodist Church has provided the opportunity to break the cycle.

In partnership with the Mid-Texas Annual Conference, Bulgaria has executed an ambitious five-year plan to achieve financial independence. Though some have considered this daunting, this initiative has already shown remarkable success. Bulgaria appreciates the opportunity to have an international partnership with Mid-Texas, considering it a vital element in their development. Before joining the GM Church, there were talks about their connectional global nature, but they rarely experienced it. Now, they feel it through their shared mission and the support of Mid-Texas.

Topalski has made it clear to the conference that it’s the local church’s responsibility to work for the future of their church. His message to the church was simple: everyone must do the maximum from the beginning. The church responded with action. One church in the first month met 100% of its financial contribution, far surpassing the goal of 10%. Over the past year and a half, they have consistently surpassed this goal, giving gladly because they see financial self-sufficiency as possible.

Empowering the Roma Community

The conference is committed to strengthening marginalized communities, particularly Roma families, by helping them become spiritually free and encouraging them to dream and do bigger things.

Two children’s centers play a vital role in integrating Roma children into an educational system with the help of retired teachers providing guidance and support.

Additionally, local churches serve as crucial social centers in Roma neighborhoods. Pastors play an important role in supporting and organizing their communities. The conference has been identifying and training Roma pastors. They integrate them with other local pastors. Topalski says they have well-prepared Roma pastors. One pastor from a Turkish-speaking minority in the neighborhood is now serving as vice chair of the connectional council on the annual conference level and has a degree in theology. They try to use these people as role models to say you can achieve spiritual freedom.

The last church plant, now four years old, is a vibrant church with mostly Roma’s. In many neighborhoods, the church is the only stable, constantly present type of institution. They are also social centers for them because the pastors are trusted and respected.

A Fresh Start

Joining the GM Church has been an opportunity for Bulgaria to make a statement about their faithfulness to the traditional Biblical values and rebuild the church from scratch. Topalski says the greatest challenge for them is convincing people that while they remain the same community, the church itself has changed. Topalski said the GM Church has done many things to make them aware they aren’t the same church anymore.

Topalski shared that the annual conferences are now celebrations rather than boring events. Before, it was difficult to find candidates to serve as delegates. Now, the church enjoys attending because the atmosphere is completely different. They are talking about their hopes and dreams for the future instead of giving dull reports that leave attendees disengaged.

Morgan Howe is a Communications Specialist for the Global Methodist Church.