Apostles and Prophets for the Balkans

I was praying Saturday (Feb, 8th 2020) for God to raise up an apostolic/prophetic group in the Balkans that will make covenant with each other to identify and encourage anointed evangelist, teachers and pastors. These would be men and women that have been tested by fire and walk in their office with power. These would be men and women that do not fight against flesh and blood but know how to walk in dominion over the enemy. They would be the ones that know how to fight along with the armies of heaven to bring forth God's glory. They can be trusted with the finances of heaven and actually desire to suffer so the Kingdom can be established on earth.

Let me give some definitions. These are my definitions, so I don’t expect others to adhere to them.

Prophet:
a.    The Office – Speaks for God to open doors for moves of God. Confirms the vision of the Apostle. Can announce a major shift in earthly ministry, clarifying direction or correcting direction. Seasoned man or woman of God.
b.    The Gift – forthtelling, encouraging words and direction to individuals and churches. All believers can exercise this gift. b.    1 Corinthians 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

Apostle:
a.    The Office – Person of Vision. They can see how heaven can be established on earth. Usually have a broad view of how the Gospel can impact a country or region. They can recognize giftings in people and they know how to raise up and align these people into their calling. They have been tried in the fire and there is a God-given respect they walk in.
b.    The Gift – Love to encourage others to fulfill their calling. Knowing how to love people into their calling. I feel most local pastors move in this gift.

In my sphere of ministry, how does this apply?

God has made me an intercessor to the Balkan countries. That is not for me to boast in but to be faithful to. For over forty years I have been praying for the countries and people in the Balkans.

I can’t explain this now, but the Apostle and Prophet work together to move the Church forward. An apostle and a prophet that can work together smoothly is a lethal threat to the devil. God will put them together to steward a move of God. Usually their combination offices will come forth when God is about to pour out mercy on a region.

So, in my prayers for the Balkan region, I am praying for these apostles and prophet to come forth. Two big questions; is God’s mercy ready to be poured out on the Balkans and how can these offices come forth.

I feel there are two things that hinder these two offices from coming forth and being effective. First is the reluctance of local Christians to accept the Apostle and Prophet. There is a lack of honor for these offices. Second, those that have been called to be apostles and prophets are timid and don’t want to step into their authority.Of course we know these offices have been abused.

How can those hindrances be overcome in the Balkans? These apostles and prophets must walk in humility. From what I see, both offices are birthed out of humility. Especially when signs and wonders are following them, and divine appointments are leading them. These signs and wonders should verify their calling and create a healthy respect from fellow Christians. Usually these are men and women that have been through much trials and tribulations.

What I envision from my prayers is apostles and prophets across the Balkans that have a genuine respect for one another, coming together often to pray and learn from one another. They are united for the Kingdom. From what I read in the New Testament and letters from early church fathers, there was a healthy flow of ministry between them. You see them carrying letters back and forth, the counsel in Jerusalem and sending disciples to each other’s cities to help in the work. Even in our modern day there are some international ministries that are already doing this.

My prayer is that God would raise up from the Balkan churches these biblical offices to usher in a mighty move of righteousness on the Balkan peninsula. I am believing for apostles and prophets that will help the evangelist, teachers and pastors find their place in the Balkan Church. Holy Spirit, I ask for Your divine help to accomplish a mighty transformation across the Balkans.

Stolden Car

Stolen Car

I have never had a car stolen before. It was really a shock when we came out of the restaurant in Sofia, Bulgaria and our car was not there. First you try to think of where else you would have parked it. But slowly it sinks in, it is gone. At least our host pastor had not left yet so we begin the process of contacting the police. 

Filip contacted the police and they had us come to their station rather than them coming to us. At the police station we filled out all the paperwork. The police were not very encouraging. They said what usually happens is the car is hidden away, they will make contact with you and then offer a ransom for you to get it back. If you do not pay the ransom, then it will be disassembled and sold as parts.

Sure enough, they, through some odd circumstances , contacted our host pastor. The thieves wanted 2,500 Euros (about $2,700) to return the car. Also, the plan was to meet a man who would take the money, give us the keys and an address of where the car would be parked. This seemed really risky.

So Zuzanna and I begin to think through what this all meant. Of course, we just wanted the car back and we felt really violated and defrauded that there was a price to pay. People were telling us to just pay the ransom and some were saying not to. So many emotions were swirling around us. We decided we really needed advice from our NGO board and our spiritual leaders. So, we sent messages to them to contact us. As we waited for them to call, we begin to process the spiritual implications.

What would be the right thing to do? Three aspects in play here. 1) We really want this car back because we like it and need it. 2) Having to pay a ransom is money down the drain. 3) By paying the ransom, we are participating in a criminal coverup. The more we thought through it, number 3 is the one with deeper spiritual implications. How can we be praying against corruption in the Balkans if we participate in it? We felt this is a test allowed by our Father to see if we would stand worthy of advancement. 

A few weeks earlier we had been talking about needing to trade in the 2011 Peugeot for something younger. So, by time our leaders contacted us, we had decided we would never pay for the car’s return. They confirmed our decision.

In the “no” reply, I stated that we would pray God give them mercy and I quoted “Fear God and live”. And, by the way, they have now lowered the ransom to 1,000 Euros. 

We must remember 1 Cor, 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Peter 1: 6. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7. that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8. whom having not seen you love.

1 Peter 1:6-8 seems to be the scripture reference that fits our situation and the growth we need to walk in; faith being tested by fire. We do believe in God’s economy: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty [return].

I love the way God talks to me and leads me through the adventures of life. Such wisdom our Father has.

URGENT - Pray for Bulgaria

Bulgarian evangelicals alarm about religion law “threatening rights and freedoms of churches” 

The European Evangelical Alliance and the World Evangelical Alliance issue statements calling to stop a legislation that would give “huge and unnecessary powers to the Bulgarian State to interfere with faith communities”.

Bulgarian evangelicals have called international bodies to respond to a new legislation that could severely restrict religious freedom and the rights of faith minorities.

“The Bulgarian State is wrongly assuming power into the internal life of religious communities”, the Evangelical Alliance Bulgaria (EAB) denounced in a letter sent this week to the European Evangelical Alliance.

“Almost every single article in the newly proposed bills erroneously and unfairly claims political authority over religious life”, writes Pastor Rumen Bordjiev.

In the last months, the parliament has discussed a new legislation that will enable a “state policy of interference into church affairs”, the President of the EAB says.

WHAT DOES THE NEW LEGISLATION SAY?

These are the main problems with the new legislation:

 - Only Bulgarian citizens will be able to carry out liturgical activity if they have had theological training in Bulgaria or their foreign school is approved.

- Only Eastern Orthodox & Muslim believers will be able to train clergy and run schools.

- A foreigner will only be able to preach if doing so with a Bulgarian ordained minister.

- Foreign donations will only be allowed for building construction or social aid and will need government approval. No salaries of pastors for example could be paid from abroad.

- No religious activities can take place outside of buildings designated for them.

- Only religious groups with +300 people will have legal status.

ALL RELIGIOUS GROUPS OPPOSE THE LAW

After receiving the “green light” in its first reading in parliament last October 4, a period for possible objections and discussions was opened. The parliament has allowed an interim period for possible objections that will end on November 16. In the meantime, a task group comprised by politicians and religious representatives is supposed to work on the wording of the suggested articles. By now, however, the task group has not yet started its work.

After carefully analyzing the law, the Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance has said the legislation “is so flawed, amendments cannot solve the problems - Instead, it should be scrapped”.

“Literally no religious community has expressed agreement with the proposed changes”, the Bulgarian evangelical body said. In fact, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Muslim religion, all Protestant denominations, the Armenian community, the Jewish community, and the Catholic Church, have all issued statements of protest.

EVANGELICALS STAND UP IN DEFENSE OF FAITH EXPRESSION

Evangelical Christians are one of the minority faith groups that would see their rights and freedoms affected. This is why the Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance “insisted on being invited to the committee discussing the amended articles of the law (…) We have also demanded a special meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Mr. Boyko Borisov in order to express our explicit refusal to agree with such an intervention of the government into religious affairs”.

Furthermore, “various NGOs are also considering joining efforts and possibly even taking legal actions, led by the unanimous opinion that the law is discriminatory, anti-constitutional and unjust”.

PEACEFUL RALLIES AFTER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

This coming Sunday afternoon, November 11, evangelical Christians all over the country will go out on the streets after their worship services in peaceful rallies for their right to practice their faith. Churches from various denominations in the towns of Sofia, Ruse, Burgas, Silistra, Dobrich, Kotel (among others) mobilize their members to join the street protest.

They will carry signs, saying “The new bill on religion brings us back to communism!”, and “Religious freedom in Bulgaria is in danger!”

‘WRITE LETTERS TO THE BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT’

The Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance has also called fellow believers to take the following actions: “pray” for the situation; “alarm” other Evangelical Alliances about the situation in Bulgaria, contact “European institutions, Members of the European parliament and international human and religious rights organizations”; write letters to the Bulgarian government.

EEA: SITUATION IN BULGARIA IS “ALARMING”

In response to the letter of Bulgarian evangelicals, the European Evangelical Alliance expressed its concern over the “alarming developments in Bulgaria”.

According to the body representing millions of evangelical Christians in the whole continent, the new legislation would give “huge and unnecessary power of the Bulgarian State to interfere with all faith communities”. Therefore, “if the Parliament wishes to continue discussions, then representatives of the churches should be involved”.

The EEA calls “to pray and encourage others to pray” and to “contact the Bulgarian embassy in your nation and write to the politicians in Sofia. Write a short letter/email explaining the main problems in the proposed legislation as outlined above. Politely but firmly ask why Bulgaria would introduce legislation that is so excessive and also harmful to all faith communities. Demand that the legislative proposal be scrapped”.

For those in European Union Member States, the EEA encourages to “write a short letter to the MEPs of your nation, explaining the main problems in the proposed legislation and asking them to speak urgently to their Bulgarian colleagues to ask why Bulgaria would introduce legislation that is so excessively controlling and would cause great difficulties for all faiths. Click here to find the MEPs of your nation”.

WORLD EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE: STRENGTHEN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

The World Evangelical Alliance’s also reacted to the letter of Bulgarian evangelicals.

Secretary General Efraim Tendero said: “At a time when governments worldwide face the challenge of strengthening freedoms while maintaining security, we call on Bulgaria and other democratic countries to lead by example and to strengthen the right to religious freedom rather than to weaken it”.

The WEA’s statement added: “We call on the Bulgarian authorities to reconsider its draft legislation aimed at amending the Religious Denominations Act (...) And we call on evangelicals worldwide to accompany our brothers and sisters in Bulgaria in prayer as they dialogue with their political leaders to identify the best path forward”.

 

See more: http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/3983/Bulgarian_evangelicals_alarm_about_religion_law_threatening_rights_and_freedoms_of_churches?fbclid=IwAR2Xy7tIagFxWbPWuUNLM8ESQHFd4oH_qKzHxoBgcipv4BjBOaDXb55RN5k

Update 11-24-18: http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/3936/Despite_vehement_protests_Bulgarian_state_moves_new_religious_legislation

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http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/4017/Bulgaria_religion_law_3000_members_required_for_faith_group_to_obtain_judicial_entity

http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/4000/Bulgarian_evangelicals_The_testimonies_of_faith_of_our_brothers_and_sisters_who_suffered_before_us_are_still_strong_in_our_memories

http://evangelicalfocus.com/multimedia/3988/Rallies_in_Bulgaria_Religious_freedom_is_in_danger

http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/3983/Bulgarian_evangelicals_alarm_about_religion_law_threatening_rights_and_freedoms_of_churches