Reflections on visiting Bulgaria & Greece
A busy, inspirational and humbling week
The People
We were a team of six (the ‘Sofia Six’!) comprising four from Hamilton Road Baptist Church in Bangor: Andrew and Heather Browne, Esther Hylands and Karen McFerran. Also on the team was Stephen Adams, IBN Hon. Secretary and Philip Browne, son of Andrew and Heather, who lives in Germany, where he is working for a Christian refugee charity. We gelled as a team immediately. On arrival in Sofia at lunchtime on 25th April, we were met by a smiling Tedi and Didi Oprenov, complete with a Renault people carrier. Tedi is the President of the Baptist Union of Bulgaria, which has 2600 members meeting in 60 churches.
Everywhere we went, we were greeted with wide smiles, warm handshakes, and hugs from young and old. Tedi and Didi had arranged for us to visit seven Bulgarian churches in four days and take part in their meetings. Each one was unique, but all were full of people who loved the Lord and said a hearty “Amen” to our talks and prayers. The hospitality we were shown was second to none. From full meals to homemade cakes and pastries, our hosts were always generous.
We heard many stories, some relating to the time when Bulgaria was under a communist regime. Older folk told of their love for the Lord and His Church in the face of stiff opposition. These reminiscences were immensely moving and humbling. We listened with tears in our eyes.
The Churches
On Sunday 26th April we went to First Sofia Baptist Church, which meets in their impressive Renewal Conference Centre. Karen brought greetings and introduced the team, also presenting the church with a 2027 calendar showing Irish scenes. This was repeated in each of the churches we visited and was very well received. Philip preached at this service with Tedi interpreting. After lunch there we joined a workshop on home groups.
Tedi then drove us to a church-plant in Pazardjik, which met in a former shop. It was a small church but full of people enthusiastic about their faith. Andrew preached and we had a time of fellowship with God’s people there.
Tuesday 28th found the six of us in a mid-week meeting in Sandanski. Once again, the people welcomed us and the Oprenovs very warmly and provided refreshments. Esther and Heather spoke and then it was off to the next church.
This was a gathering of Roma people in a visibly poorer part of the town, but their praise was uplifting and accompanied by talented musicians and singers. They raised the roof with their rendition of “Power in the blood,” “When the saints go marching in” and other more modern worship songs. Tedi performed an infant dedication, and after Stephen spoke, the pastor prayed for each of his congregation by name. They shared cakes and pastries with us and then we all walked up the hill to a derelict site where they hope to obtain permission to build a new church. Standing in a large circle and holding hands we prayed for their future plans to be realised.
On Wednesday 29th we divided into two groups and visited three churches in Gotse Delchev. We all attended the first venue and when one of their worship group noticed us joining in the singing of “How great Thou art,” Esther, Karen and Heather were handed a microphone and brought onto the platform. I do not think any of our Bulgarian friends noticed that we sang the same verse three times! Andrew and Heather then went with Didi to the second church while the remainder of the team travelled to another church, with a new building, with many of the congregation coming from Türkiye. Each one quite distinct, but all in the same town and pastored by older women. Didi was slightly disconcerted to hear (after Andrew had spoken) that they were expecting the service to last for two hours! Both Didi and Heather then had to speak as well: we learnt to be flexible and expect the unexpected! A fellowship meal followed with the leaders of all three churches, and we listened to their testimonies of God’s goodness and faithfulness in their lives.
The Places
We covered 800 miles during the week, travelling south from Sofia and into Northern Greece. We were told that the whole area would have been part of ancient Macedonia.
Monday was spent in Sofia seeing something of the city centre and its Roman history and visiting orthodox churches. We returned to the Renewal Conference Centre for lunch. It was opened in 2015 and every floor is utilised. They have church offices and additional space on the top two floors to rent out to local businesses. The level of detail and the scrupulous adherence to good and fair practices is a very practical way of witnessing to those who might never enter a church building otherwise.
Tuesday saw us heading south and up into the mountains to visit Rila monastery. This was also an opportunity for Tedi to give us a much-needed grounding in Bulgarian history!
On the following day we toured the picturesque village of Melnik and made a short visit to Rupite.
On Thursday we said a brief goodbye to Bulgaria and travelled into Greece. Arriving first outside Philippi at the riverside where Lydia had met to pray that Sabbath morning so many years ago was incredibly special. We were told that Philippi was the site of the first church (and home group) in Europe. After drinking in the significance of where we were standing, I was asked to lead the team in prayer: what an incredible privilege that was.
We then drove on to the very impressive ruins of Philippi where our local guide was waiting. To sit on some ancient steps in the forum, close to the prison where “Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns” and listen while Philip read from Acts chapter 16 was another of the many highlights of the trip. We then drove to the port of Kavala (ancient Neapolis) where Paul landed in Europe and from there; in pouring rain, we moved on to Thessaloniki.
Another guide met us early the following morning and from then until lunchtime we walked around her city viewing the ancient Roman ruins, churches and monuments and hearing the history of which she was so proud. In the afternoon we headed back to Sofia for a final dinner with Tedi and Didi before heading to the airport in the early hours of the following morning.
Bulgaria is a beautiful country with spectacular mountains and friendly people. The Baptist churches we visited were vibrant and welcoming.
It was an unforgettable trip, for which we thank Tedi and Didi. Please pray for them and the Baptist churches of Bulgaria, particularly those of the Roma community. It is good to be encouraged and to be an encourager.
“After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.” (Acts 16v40)
PRAYER POINTERS:
CAMPS:
Please pray for the camps organised this summer. We expect approximately 250 children and young people to participate across the camps, many coming from non-Christian families: Families 22–26 July ; Children27 July–1 August; Teens 10–15 August; Young Adults 14–19 September.
Some of our regular volunteers are unable to attend; we will need to train many new helpers, which will require additional time, energy, and preparation.
CONFERENCES:
Please pray for several conferences and events scheduled to take place between now and the end of September, including services, conferences, training seminars, and children’s concerts:
PERSONAL:
The Oprenov family has been heavily involved in various ministries, and we are feeling rather stretched at the moment. Alongside our church responsibilities — including preaching, pastoring, leading worship, counselling, and administrating the Renewal Centre in Sofia — we are also involved in the following:
Teddy is recording a series of 26 evangelistic programmes (30 minutes each) with the largest Christian studio in Bulgaria, which will be used to reach people with the Gospel of Christ.
Didi is deeply involved in organising the camps, particularly the teaching programmes and event schedules, coordinating volunteers, and mobilising and training new helpers.
Ami has almost daily rehearsals and teaching sessions with choirs and individual musicians in music and worship. She is also participating in a specialised course in media, voice dubbing, sound engineering, and related areas to further develop her skills and expertise.
We are considering, pending approval from HTB Brompton Alpha Course, for doubling and adapting their newest Marriage Courses into Bulgarian for use in Bulgaria. Please, do pray for this as it will also require funding to be done well, so it can be used widely.
Sophie and Andy are also both very involved in the media and worship ministry at the church, alongside our full-time ministry couple, Steffie and Mitko Georgiev.
Please pray that all these efforts would bear fruit for the Kingdom of God, with many coming to know Christ personally.
HUMANITARIAN:
The church’s social and humanitarian ministries include:
Feeding homeless people (approximately 120 people, four times a week)
Bringing orphans and vulnerable children to the family camps and summer initiatives
Refugee ministry — continuing to provide accommodation for several Ukrainians, as well as ongoing ministry among them through Russian translation during Sunday morning services
PRACTICAL:
We are currently trying to secure a home for Andy and Sophie, who have been renting a small apartment in Sofia. We have found an unfinished house not far from where we live. Although it still requires significant work, it is within the financial range of what we may be able to obtain through a bank loan. The three families are involved in this together, and we are currently in the process of acquiring the property. Please pray for wisdom and guidance from the Lord, in all of this.
Please also pray for our small glass studio Zhar Art: Fairs we have booked throughout the summer, which help support the families financially. Sophie has rejoined us in the glass workshop and has become a vital addition.
Many thanks for your prayers, support, encouragement, and friendship.