The Lord led our family to Bulgaria after many years of preparing us through pastoral ministry and a growing burden for the people of Eastern Europe. We were sent by Olivet Baptist Church (https://www.olivetbc.org/) in Westwood, Kansas, to proclaim the Gospel and establish New Testament churches in Bulgaria.

After arriving in Bulgaria in 2023, we dedicated ourselves to learning the Bulgarian language, adapting to the culture, and serving alongside an Independent Baptist church in Sofia. During these years, the Lord has allowed us to preach, evangelize, disciple new believers, minister to children, and gain valuable experience in the ministry.

As our understanding of Bulgaria and its spiritual needs has grown, the Lord has clearly directed us toward planting an Independent Baptist church in Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city. Our desire is to faithfully proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and establish a biblical, independent Baptist church that will equip Bulgarian believers to reach their own nation with the Gospel.

Although the majority of Bulgarians identify as Eastern Orthodox, only a small percentage attend church regularly or have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Bulgaria remains one of the least evangelized nations in Europe, with evangelical Christians making up less than 2% of the population.

Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe and is bordered by Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, Türkiye, and the Black Sea. It joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city with a population of more than 350,000, has a tremendous need for Bible-preaching churches. Our family is serving there with the goal of planting an Independent Baptist church, making disciples, and equipping Bulgarian believers to reach their own nation with the Gospel.

Our Goals for Bulgaria

1. Evangelize by faithfully proclaiming the Gospel through personal soul winning, literature distribution, community outreach, and building meaningful relationships with the people of Bulgaria.

2. Disciple new believers through personal Bible studies, using a structured, year-long discipleship curriculum that begins with creation and concludes with the end times, helping believers become firmly grounded in the Word of God.

3. Establish an independent, Bible-believing Baptist church in Plovdiv that is committed to biblical preaching, discipleship, evangelism, and worldwide missions.

4. Train faithful Bulgarian believers to serve in ministry and leadership so the church will become self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating, with the vision of planting additional churches throughout Bulgaria.

Our Testimonies

Dan

Although I grew up attending church and knew the Gospel, I spent the first twenty-four years of my life trusting in a profession of faith I had been told I made as a child rather than in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I knew in my heart that I was not saved and was living as a hypocrite.

In August of 2010, during a Wednesday evening prayer meeting at Smoky Valley Baptist Church in Lindsborg, Kansas, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin. When the invitation was given, I went forward, repented of my sin, and placed my faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Two weeks later I followed the Lord in believer's baptism.

Following my salvation, God gave me a growing desire to serve Him. I became involved in many areas of ministry, and over time the Lord called me to preach His Word. After serving in several ministries, I accepted the pastorate of Metro Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Looking back, I can clearly see that God was preparing me not only to shepherd a local church but also for the work He would later call our family to in Bulgaria.

Angie

Angie grew up in a Christian home and trusted Christ as her Savior during Vacation Bible School at the age of four. She was baptized shortly afterward and grew up surrounded by faithful missionaries who often visited both her church and her home.

Although missions always interested her, she never imagined that one day God would call our own family to serve overseas. Before coming to Bulgaria she faithfully served in children's ministries, music ministries, and many other areas of church life. Today she continues to use those same gifts while serving alongside me in Bulgaria.

Prayer Letters

Missionaries in Bulgaria