History
Bulgaria is located in what is known as the Balkans region of Europe. Its
people are descended from Slavs who arrived in the region in the 500s AD,
Bulgars who came in the 600s and Turkish immigrants – who make up
only about ten percent of the population. Bulgaria fought two Balkan Wars
in 1912 and 1913, and participated in World Wars I and II. In each war,
Bulgaria lost territory and prestige and became one of the most impoverished
countries in Europe. The Communist Party took control in 1946 and quickly
outlawed much of the people’s social and religious freedoms. The Communist
Party began to industrialize the country and much of its rural population
moved into the cities to find work. Communist rule ended in December of
1989 when the government passed sweeping reforms. Today, the party of once-exiled
King Simeon governs Bulgaria.
Church
History
Nearly 90 percent of Bulgaria holds membership in the Bulgarian Orthodox
Church, although most of them aren’t faithful church attendees. Many
Bulgarians suffer from a broken spirit because of the failed enterprises
of democracy and strict atheistic Communism. Assemblies of God missionary
Nikolai Nikolov, a native Bulgarian, organized the Pentecostal movement
in Bulgaria in 1926. Nikolov had to flee Bulgaria when the communists took
over, but his work planting churches and strengthening the fellowship helped
the church endure 50 years of communist rule.
The
Movement Today
Bulgaria is on the verge of a spiritual awakening. In the decade following
Communist rule, 35 churches multiplied to over 500. The Assemblies of God
again sent missionaries to Bulgaria in 1992 to continue Nikolov’s
work of spreading the Gospel. Since then, over 300 ministers have graduated
from Bulgaria’s first Pentecostal Bible School since the Communist
occupation, Sofia Pentecostal Bible College. The Pentecostal Assemblies
of Bulgaria reports the following statistics: 550 churches and outstations,
over 50,000 members and adherents, 150 national pastors, one Bible School
with 23 enrolled students, and an extension program training 150 students.
Additional
Facts About Bulgaria
Capital:
Sofia
Area:
110,994 square miles
Population:
8,128,000
Agriculture:
Wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets,
grapes, tobacco and milk
Industry: Machinery, processed foods, metal
products and textiles
Mining
: Salt, sulfur, lead, kaolin and copper
Language: Bulgarian. |
