From the mission field: Getting to know Bulgaria

The Rev. Arthur Bojinov (center), a pastor in the Confessional Lutheran Church of Bulgaria, displays the stole he received following his ordination on Feb. 18, 2024, in Brasov, Romania. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is working to support the sharing of the Gospel in Bulgaria. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

This month’s update comes from the Rev. Jordon Andreasen, LCMS missionary to Romania.

“Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18).

Do you remember being asked, “Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?” Now imagine that your church has closed, and there is no sister church for 250 miles. What would you do? Would you just find something “close enough” theologically, or would you “continue steadfast in this confession … rather than fall away from it”?

Your Bulgarian brothers and sisters, in faith, have done the latter. In Bulgaria, we have the unique situation of working with Lutherans from past mission work that was ended. Sadly, this does happen from time to time. However, these people have remained faithful. We are grateful to be able to continue the work that was begun to serve these saints.

When I go to Sofia, Bulgaria, I am able to preach in English. It is like something out of the Book of Acts. The service is in Bulgarian, but when the sermon comes, I preach in English, and the members understand what is said. If something is unclear, we stop, and their pastor, the Rev. Arthur Bojinov*, translates. Many of the members have worked with many English speakers in the past, so they understand more than they can speak.

Just as you would treasure a visit from fellow Lutherans if you were so isolated, these visits are important for the faith of our Bulgarian brothers and sisters and for ours. Please pray that we are able not only to be connected but to extend the Gospel more and more in Bulgaria.

*Bojinov studied for the pastoral ministry through the Luther Academy in Riga, Latvia, and was ordained by LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison (pictured above behind Bojinov) during a building dedication in Brasov, Romania, on Feb. 18, 2024.

Learn more about the work of the Rev. Andreasen and his wife, Alison, at lcms.org/andreasen .

Posted March 19, 2025