An ancient future country, and ancient future faith

As Teddy Oprenov reflects on the history of his country and the history of his church, he sees both a blessing and a challenge. "The Bible had been translated into Bulgarian long before it was translated into English," said Oprenov, the pastor of the Baptist Church of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. The earliest translations took place in the 9th century, several hundred years after the initial Christian presence in this eastern European country. However, with such a deep-rooted relationship between Christianity (of the Orthodox Church) and the culture, there is a challenge for newer, mission-based movements like the Baptist Church. "Because of this [cultural] pride," Oprenov said, the country "does not take kindly to foreign intrusion," including the presence of missionaries.

Bulgaria does indeed have a history of foreign domination and liberation -- the most recent being the transformation of the country from a Soviet-imposed communist state into a nation, which joined the European Union at the beginning of 2007. At the same time Bulgaria has a fascinating history of cultural inclusion and diversity, and responsiveness to the Christian message, which explains the rapid growth and renewal of the Bulgarian Baptist Union since the ending of communism.

Read this fascinating story of Bulgaria -- with the ancient capital of Sofia, the cultural diversity and resilience of its ethnic Roma minority, and most of all the powerful testimonies of women in ministry as American Baptist women prepare to visit this summer.

--Marlon Millner

Out now in the Vital Woman June 2007 issue. TO get a copy, please call 800-4-JUDSON, ext. 2038. For videos resources on Bulgaria, call 800-ABC-3USA, ext. 2178