Jesus for Bulgaria

Have you ever considered that God entrusted us with material abundance so that we might win hearts for Him? The Bulgaria project is proof that God bestows His blessings when we dedicate ourselves to helping the poor and spreading the Gospel.

Bulgaria – a place of need

The Bulgaria Project was launched by the municipality of Speyer in 2012 and has steadily developed ever since. The project aims to provide both humanitarian and spiritual aid to people in Bulgaria.

Spiritual building up and material support

The economic situation in Bulgaria presents many people with major challenges: high unemployment and primitive living conditions characterize daily life. Children and elderly women, in particular, are often dependent on external assistance.

In this context, the Bulgaria project focuses not only on material aid but also places great emphasis on spiritual guidance. Through pastoral care and biblical instruction, children and young people in particular are to find new hope. This spiritual work supports them in developing values, gaining new perspectives, and building a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

A community is formed

A significant event within the project took place on October 4, 2024, in Belo Pole: Brothers Georgi Velichkov Mladenov and Milton Miltonov Genkov were solemnly ordained into the diaconate. Among those participating in the ordination were Brothers Viktor Folz and Peter Fast.

This special moment marks an important milestone in the spiritual development of the project. Such events demonstrate that the project goes far beyond material aid: sustainable spiritual structures are emerging that offer guidance and spiritual support to the local people.

The Bulgaria project is sustained by the dedication of many committed individuals, without whom this long-term support would be inconceivable. Prayer and financial assistance are of paramount importance to ensure the project's continued success.

The Bulgaria project is a living testament to Christian charity: it combines practical help with spiritual care and shows how God's love can become concrete and tangible – in the midst of the lives of those who most urgently need hope and support.

“My house shall be a house of God.”

In the Word of God, we read about a Shunammite woman who had a heart for the man of God. She recognized in Elisha a prophet who lived in the presence of God. Together with her husband, she decided to build a brick upper room so that Elisha could stop there and find rest during his long journeys. This couple thus became an overwhelming example of selflessness and hospitality.

We often ask ourselves: Do we still encounter such situations from the Bible today? Yes, absolutely! We had a similar experience with the Metodiev family from Bulgaria. With the words "My house shall be a house of God" and the desire to make their own home available for evangelistic and missionary purposes, we began work in the village of Dondukovo after a relatively short time.

Something new is being created

In close consultation with the Metodiev family, the renovation work on the house was divided into several phases. The first phase involved converting the upper floor, using mostly donated building materials. From replacing the windows and installing the electrical wiring to building a new bathroom, the result is accommodation that can now house up to twelve people.

The next step involved building an extension – with a common room and a fully equipped kitchen. Despite some challenges, this phase of construction was successfully completed thanks to a great deal of dedication. In the summer, the municipalities of Tostedt and Osterrode took over the work on the main building: the entire roof was removed and rebuilt. This created additional space in the attic, which will provide further overnight accommodation in the future.

The work is scheduled to continue throughout this year and – God willing – be completed. The house has already been used for group trips and missionary outreach. The local congregation has also been able to spend time there together in worship and praise.

Through faith in God's guidance and love, we can confidently expect that this house will serve many youth and evangelistic groups in the future – to the glory of God, to encourage the Metodiev family, and to bear witness to the people in the surrounding area.

Reinhold Betz,

Municipality of Speyer