Our Mission

     Our mission to Bulgaria began several years ago when we began the process of adopting our beautiful daughter, Elise.  In the course of those proceedings, we had to travel to Bulgaria twice.  The first trip we primarily spent in the small town of Turgovishte in central Bulgaria, where Elise had been in an orphanage; the second trip was spent primarily in Sofia, the capital.  While there, we were able to experience a great deal of Bulgarian culture; we walked through the streets and marketplaces, we ate in small, non-tourist restaurants, we even spoke to many people we came into contact with.  We found Bulgaria to be a warm, inviting, and fascinating country, but one with a very secularized and worldly society that desperately needs Jesus Christ.

     On our second trip, we were blessed to be able to worship with a small Church of Christ in Sofia that is led by minister Christo Arnaudov and his wife Vania.  Christo and Vania are dedicated servants of God, tireless workers for the kingdom.  In their congregation of approximately 35 members, they have a great number of pensioners who are largely unable to contribute to the working of the congregation.  In December 2012, they were blessed with the ability to rent a facility in which to meet, with a meeting hall, a classroom, and an office where Christo can meet with people for Bible studies.

     Upon our return to the US, we of course were absorbed in the changes that a new child brings to the family.  But both of us continued to have Bulgaria on our minds, and in particular the needs of the church.  Jeff had already been working toward a Master of Theological Studies degree, and so as time went on it became increasingly clear that God was guiding us toward Bulgaria.  We began to think about the ways in which God has prepared us specifically for this ministry.  We both enjoy trying new things and being in new experiences.  We both grew up moving a lot, living in many different contexts.  Both of us have had some success in learning foreign languages (and indeed, had even already worked on Bulgarian enough that we were able to move around Sofia and function on our own).  Jeff has his theological and education training; Lisa her extensive dietetics and food science experience.

     Our ministry is centered around, but not limited to, the Renaissance Church of Christ.  We will be working with the young people of the congregation; we will evangelize as God grants us opportunity.  It is our hope to be able to gain entry into an orphanage, so that we may serve the needs of Bulgaria's most disadvantaged children.  Part of our mission is simply to be a presence as a Christian family, something that is not the norm in Bulgarian culture.

     All of our support currently comes through working at the American English Academy.  Much like the apostle Paul used tentmaking to support himself, we are able to sustain ourselves primarily on our salary from the Academy.  We are seeking, however, congregations in the US willing to support us in part, so that Jeff can devote more time and energy to Kingdom work.

     We're also open to the guidance of God through the Holy Spirit in our missional approach.  There may be doors open that we can't yet imagine, and we pray that we will have the wisdom and courage to recognize and pursue them.  God's plan for Bulgaria, and for us, is bigger than our plans!  Please pray for the people of Bulgaria, and for us as we minister to them.