Dear Friends and Supporters of George Bakalov Ministries:
A huge part of my ministry in the last 20 years has been dedicated to our flagship church in Bulgaria -- Breakthrough Christian Center. However, the last season of the church has been rather challenging. I am glad to say this season is over and new one has begun.
I have just returned to Minnesota from my latest trip to Bulgaria and some changes have taken place, which I thought you might want to know about.
SOME BACKGROUND
Seven years ago I was led by the Lord to relocate our family to the United States and to begin to travel internationally. This resulted in number of developments and it impacted profoundly the completion of my formation as a minister. I really feel as if the last 20 years of ministry have been simply the time and the season for the Lord to form me as a leader and a minister. At 40 I feel ready for some things, while at the same time I feel less confident in my carnal self. I think this is a good place to be. read more..
Hi George,
I recognize in your testimony that the Lord truly has re-ordered and re-focussed your steps and prepared you and leadership as new vessels for the new season. But it will be a season like we have never seen before!
What we see in Holland in the established churches is a tremendous shift especially in current leadership and not because of sin per say but it is really happening. People in leadership, some even in the close circle of the set man are leaving their church turf with much tears and hurt!
God at work and shaking in and out! We are tested and challenged. I shared this with Romero the other day because I felt in my spirit a strong sense of the new wine and new skins. It is really going on. And it hurts like never before but is necessary. Some symptoms ministers are facing are: a to the bone tiredness, a sense of 'I'm I really called to do this', Secret thoughts to give in or to give up, been hurt by others especially in the inner circle etc.
So I encourage you to push and proceed with a new fervency as you have never been pushing before. New spiritual territory with new anointings, new giftings is ready for you and leadership for the take.
Let the new Wine flow ...
Many blessings,
David
Herbert Hiatt commented on 03-Oct-2009 05:11 PM
This is definitly a tough time. Transistions go well with some and difficult for others. We have transistions into a strong network of solid leaders but was hell getting here. It took a lot of dying and about 4 years. I believe in you so much and would do anything possible to help in your transistion.
your friend and fellow laborer
Herb
Sian Loh commented on 03-Oct-2009 07:53 PM
Dear George,
Thanks for sharing! The LORD bless you in this new season.
God is good. He seems to be emphasizing realignment lately - and it seems that you have made this shift. I believe it will be positive.
May the LORD bless you in the next steps and the Apostolic Reformed church in Bulgaria.
Just a comment, I agree with what David Rakers shares in the comment above, it is about new wineskins. Ps Richard Williams from History Maker International (Apostolic & Prophetic network for evangelism and discipleship mainly among youth) just shared with me the same about the partners (pastors) and often key people in their churches - many have left, but it was necessary. God is doing something to prepare for the new wine. Trust that encourages you.
Sincerely with blessings, Sian
George Bakalov commented on 04-Oct-2009 04:18 AM
Thank you EVERYONE for the encouraging words! I am inspired to see that more and more Christians are realizing how serious this whole thing is and more and more maturity is coming to the Church.
Cheryl D commented on 04-Oct-2009 09:13 AM
George - I want to tell you how much of a blessing you and Wanda are --you have continued to stand with whole-hearted firm integrity and we appreciate your steadfastness, and your open and honest communications to the Body (just as the Apostle Paul wrote letters to the church), this is very powerful, demonstrating your commitment to God and love for the Body, to do whatever is Godly and necesary to destroy confusion and bring clear understanding and unity. I admire your transparency - which is honorable and demonstrates humility. I stand with you in prayer in Jesus name.
Cheryl
Our team ministers in Razgrad, Bulgaria. This predominantly Muslim city
is a regional center for the Bulgarian Islamic community in the
north-eastern part of the country. Our vision is to plant 50 churches
in the region. We have partnered with pastor Sunai. Ethnically he is
Turkish, formerly a Muslim himself. However, Sunai was educated in a
Bulgarian school and preaches both in Turkish and in Bulgarian. Today
he leads a church called "Perfecting The Saints" and ministers in the
region around Razgrad. read more..
Sofia, BULGARIA -- Justice 21 - a civil initiative of Breakthrough Christian
Center based in Sofia, Bulgaria, together with Legal Aid Foundation, hosted
a public discussion at the cultural center "The Red House". read more..
SOFIA, Bulgaria - On Friday, October 31st, Sofia City Court sentenced to 5
years in prison Alexander Ginchev (20, pictured right) from Sofia for his racially
motivated attack against Muiwya Kolauale (Mike) from Nigeria on January 20,
2007. read more..
On October 9, 2008 I was officially banned from entering Belarus. Only a few
days later the same scenario was repeated with long time Belorussian minister
bishop Benjamin Brukh. I had the priviledge of meeting bishop Brukh in 2006
when I visited Belarus for the first time and I can assure everyone he is one
very fine person and minister of the Gospel. read more..
WASHINGTON, D.C -- Belarusian Christian attorneys Sergey Lukanin and Sergey
and Dina Shavtchovy took part in the 5th World Meeting of Christian Lawyers
«Advocates International», which took place from the 6th to the
12th of October in Washington, DC. Around 1,500 delegates from 150 nations took
part in the worldwide gathering aimed at education and equipping Christian legal
professionals with practical knowledge related to justice issues and freedom
of religion. read more..
Minsk, BELARUS - The Government of Belarus has banned me from entering their
country. On October 10, 2008 I flew to Minsk with three of my associates from
Bulgaria on a four day visit. Upon entering Belarus from Vienna at the Minsk
airport on a tourist visa, the group was told I will not be allowed in the country. read more..
We're in Madrid, Spain and it's awesome to watch what God is doing
among the Bulgarian immigrant community. To our knowledge, this is the
only real functioning Bulgarian church in Madrid, planted by pastor
Yanko Strehin and his wife Vania in
2004. They started as a small group of believers seeking fellowship. read more..
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