Happy New Year 2025!
We wish everyone at Original Free Will Baptist Church endless joy, success, and cherished moments as we continue working together in God’s service. As we step into this new year, may we walk confidently, knowing that God is always by our side.
In the final week of 2024, we hosted a conference at the church. Among the attendees, there were people who had never stepped inside a church, except for Orthodox holidays. The entire hall was filled with people of all ages. At the end of the service, we called out to those whom God had touched in their hearts, and around 15 people accepted Christ as their personal Savior in that moment!
We believe that these individuals will continue attending a living church, though some live far away. We plan to follow up with them, calling to check on how they are doing, and staying in touch through social media to guide them and answer any questions they may have.
Our town, Varna, needs a revival. It is far from the capital, Sofia, and many people still carry the mindset shaped by the communist era. Despite the freedom of speech in our country, we are praying that the hearts of those in our town, especially those who are hurting or closed off, will be touched by God’s love, and that they will accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.
During Christmas, we saw the church filled with people, each carrying their own emotions. It reminded us of what our parents, Kosta and Hristina, who have passed into the glory of God, longed to see – their work in the church and in our hearts, reaching others. Just a few days ago, I noticed my wife seemed a little quiet, so I asked her about it. She shared that it’s strange sometimes to feel both joy and sorrow at the same time. The joy of knowing we are walking in the Lord’s way and that our time and energy invested in church activities are not in vain, but bear fruit through God’s grace. The sorrow comes from wishing our parents could have seen the fruit of their labor, especially how quickly their grandchild is growing. I didn’t feel the need to say much, but just hugged her and reminded her that one day, we will all be reunited in the presence of our Lord. That alone is a source of encouragement. In the end, this is what the Bible teaches us to hope for: the hope of eternal life, which gives us perspective on how to live here on earth. This hope, lived out through faith, colors our experiences and interactions with others. As Isaiah 40:31 says: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
We wish you joy and abundant blessings in this new year, trusting in God’s plan for us. This is what Scripture teaches and encourages us to do—trust in His promises and plans. As Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Blessings to all from us!
Mitko and Elizabeth
