Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

 

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

Bulgarian Lutheran Church

With the arrival of five missionaries in 1993, tracts were translated and distributed. Bible information classes began. A Christian Information Center was opened in Sofia.

One year later, the first worship service was held. Sunday school classes and humanitarian aid work began. The church was registered in 1994 with the Bulgarian government.

In 1996, the Lutheran Bible Institute and Seminary of Bulgaria opened. The work spread to Lozenetz in 1997, to Boyana in 1998, and to Varna in 1999. The first Bulgarian pastor and the first deaconess were ordained in 2000.

Two of our congregations are located in Sofia (Lozenetz and Mladost), one in Varna, and two in Dunavtzi (Vitbol and Gurkovo).

In March 2011, one more national pastor graduated from the seminary and was ordained as a pastor of the congregation in Varna. Now we have three national pastors. One of our Bible students is assisting the ministry in Dunavtzi, where we have two congregations. He also is serving in the newly opened CIC in the town of Vidin. In September 2011, a VBS was organized in Dunavtzi where more than 30 children participated.

In addition, the church carries on a pro-life ministry. This ministry includes personal counseling of pregnant women and women who have had abortions and need post-abortion healing. Presentations are also given in schools, youth summer camps, churches, women’s conferences, and seminars. The pro-life ministry also trains women who want to do this ministry. We participate in TV and radio programs concerning abortion.

Church Body Statistics

Baptized Members: 310
Communicants: 240
National Pastors: 3
Bible Institute Students: 2
Congregations: 4
Preaching Stations: 8

 

Contact Information

Pastor Strahil Naidenov
Sofia 1421
“Kapitan Andreev” No.4 str
Bulgaria
E-mail 
Alternate E-mail  
Telephone: +359 2 9634244

Deaconess Lyudmila Popova
E-mail
Alternate E-mail

 

 

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference is a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran church bodies, committed to the teachings of the Lutheran Church found in the Book of Concord of 1580. Established in 1993 with thirteen churches, the CELC has grown by God’s grace to include thirty-four church bodies today.

Every three years, representatives from CELC churches gather for fellowship and theological study at an international convention. Regional meetings are held in alternate years. These gatherings provide spiritual encouragement for confessional Lutherans who often find themselves quite isolated. Visitors are always welcome at these gatherings

Joint work of the CELC includes the writing of The Eternal Word: A Lutheran Confession for the Twenty-First Century, which testifies to the unity of doctrine enjoyed by CELC churches. The CELC also has a commission to help coordinate and improve theological training in CELC churches.

Speaking about the heart and core of the CELC, former President Gaylin Schmeling wrote:  “The CELC stands ready to give answer to the confident hope of salvation in Christ that is within us. It is a refuge for those seeking confessional homes and a beacon shining the light of the Gospel in a sin-darkened world. Here the central truth of the Reformation, justification by faith alone, continues to be proclaimed. We are declared righteous by nothing we do or accomplish, but alone on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work which is counted as ours through faith in the Savior. He accomplished salvation for all on the cross and announced it to all by His resurrection, declaring the whole world righteous in Christ. This treasure is brought to us personally through the means of grace and is received by faith alone in the Savior which is worked through those very means of grace.”

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