Bulgaria

The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual integration into the EU. The country joined NATO in 2004.

YWAM in BULGARIA:
Since 1970, many YWAM teams have ministered to the underground churches and through friendship evangelism. The permanent presence of YWAM in Bulgaria began in 1991 in Chirpan, through an initiative from YWAM Norway, and started DTSes and planted over 20 churches in that area. YWAM Bulgaria established several businesses which produce income for individuals and the ministry here. Hristo Cholakov led the work until 2000, when he handed over leadership to Wolfgang Jani, who re-established the national office in Sofia.

Family Camps, Kings Kids and church planting teams work among Bulgarian, Turkish and Gypsy peoples in some eight different locations.

prayer needs:
- for the nation's ongoing recovery from its communist past, poor economy, and widespread corruption.

- for relations with the Orthodox Church which has traditionally viewed other churches as sects.

- for churches to develop relevant ministries for local needs.

- for more staff and for the continued healthy development of YWAM in this nation.