Raising First-Generation Disciples in Bulgaria

With little spiritual legacy to lean on, Bulgaria’s first-generation Christians are being rooted in faith through bold discipleship resources.

Previously a communist state under Soviet rule, Bulgaria was closed to the gospel. Up until 1991, Christians in Bulgaria were oppressed and even in the following ten years, there was little freedom for believers outside of the Orthodox Church.

Meet Niki, a pioneer of faith for the nation of Bulgaria, and Messenger’s coordinator for Bulgarian resources.

Niki grew up under communism and remembers a day where people were afraid to smile. This communist-spirit hovered heavily over the people of Bulgaria, even after Soviet occupation ended. In the years after the Soviet Union fell, many evangelists entered Bulgaria and the country began experiening a spiritual revival. It was during this revival that Niki became a Christian.

In 2001, Niki established a publishing house. He spent more money than he was making to publish his first books: The Fear of the Lord and Bait of Satan both by John Bevere. Over time, he began purchasing each piece of printing equipment needed to run his shop.

Today, Niki has a team of 6 translators and proofreaders that help him publish Messenger’s resources, having already completed 16 books (with The Awe of God in production as their 17th).

Believers in Bulgaria today are almost all first-generation Christians, with no leaders or mentors to look to for development. As some of the first Christian resources in Bulgarian, the books that Niki is publishing are laying the spiritual foundation for the Christians around the nation.

“These books help us establish roots of faith. We don’t have spiritual fathers and mothers. But once we are trained, we can train others.” —Niki

Niki has seen the spiritual hunger in the people of Bulgaria, and works diligently to feed that hunger. After the books are produced, Niki and a team strategically distribute them at conference meetings every month as well as at local church gatherings. Churches of all denominations—including baptists, 7th day adventists, charismatics, and orthodox—are reading Messenger’s books and being impacted.

“I don’t know any other ministry in Bulgaria that blesses the body of God like Messenger International. People want more than a watered-down gospel message. Messenger resources are sharp and don’t compromise the truth.” —Niki

Although there is a cultural disinclination to smile in Bulgaria, Niki has broken through that barrier when delivering discipleship resources. Seeing the joy in the pastors’ eyes and on their faces is what keeps Niki on his mission.

Messenger has helped to raise up, to teach, to inspire, and to build up Christians in Bulgaria. We couldn’t do it without Niki. He stands with us and multiplies everything we put in his hands.

We also couldn’t do it without you. The faithful generosity of our partners is what allows Niki, and thousands of others around the world, to get life-transforming truths into the hands of people hungry for God.

Published October 6, 2025

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Dr. Joseph Serwadda's Story

Over the past decade, numerous pastors and leaders from all over the world have been crying out (and even begging us) for discipleship resources in their language. This may sound extreme, but in America we have an abundance of books and resources that are available to us that are often taken for granted. In many ways, we have access to excess.

In some developing nations, people have never seen a book in their language. When leaders from these nations are given a book, they treat it as sacred gift! They even hand-write books and Bibles word for word so that they can spread this message of hope to others in their sphere of influence.

Dr. Joseph Serwadda, a leader from Uganda who oversees a group of churches that number approximately 27,000, echoes this need among pastors and leaders all over the world: “Our biggest need is not money or bigger buildings, but solid teaching. We lack literature for people to read and study on their own. The more people we have in church who are less instructed in the Word of God, the less solidity we have. Come and help us preserve the harvest. This is a Macedonian call!”

Pastor Yassir's Story

Over the years, Cubans have long suffered under the oppression of a single message: communism. Despite this challenge, Yassir is committed to sharing a new message with his people, a message of transformation that can lead to national revival.

Cubans, in general, have been conditioned toward communistic consumption. That’s why Yassir wants his people to embrace a new identity: a life defined by what they can give. This shift requires growth and maturity that can only come through a new perspective.

He explained, “The Cuban church is strong and filled with passion. But I believe it’s important that we shift our mentality. We need to see how the Gospel goes beyond our own needs. Ultimately, we need to take responsibility for ourselves and our nation, and not just wait for outside intervention.”

There aren’t many Christian resources in Cuba. So, Pastor Yassir’s church, along with many other churches throughout Cuba, have been profoundly impacted by the resources Messenger International has provided for them in their own language.

In our conversations with Pastor Yassir, he often cited an ancient proverb: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you’ve fed him for a lifetime. He sees MessengerX as a tool both to feed his people and teach them to fish.

It’s become evident that after many years in our ministry, the most effective way to transform a village or town is not to construct a church building. This just keeps the local leadership dependent on us.

We are much more effective if we give the indigenous leaders such as Pastor Yassir spiritual knowledge that will empower them to influence their village, town, or city. Such knowledge helps produce the faith needed to grow and sustain the work, which, if necessary, will include buildings and other resources.

Stories like Pastor Yassir’s fuel our mission, because we believe that everyone deserves to know life-transforming truth!

Nura's Story

Before Nura became a follower of Christ, her life was a living hell.
After the death of her husband—from whom she endured many years of abuse and suffering—she became a widow with four children. In search of peace and inner healing, she sought solace in religious places and practices, which only led her deeper into depression and financial debt.


Her last resort was Jesus.


“I came to the Christian church and begged for help! I accepted Christ after I heard of the promise of peace and healing that is found in Him,” Nura wrote. “I slowly began to recover, but there was one thing hindering my healing—unforgiveness.”
Filled with regrets, Nura struggled to forgive her husband. But the grip of offense began to weaken when her pastor handed her a copy of The Bait of Satan.


“I forgave my husband after I learned how much I, too, needed forgiveness,” shared Nura. “Now I am healed, and I have peace for the first time in my life. Some even say I look ten years younger!”

 

Pastor Raphael's Story

Pastor Raphael was raised in Kenya, immersed in a culture of darkness. As a child, he lacked affection because his father believed that strong men don’t show love. He continually witnessed his father beat and belittle his mother. Everywhere he looked, insidious behavior was practiced toward women and infants—families were being destroyed and lives were ending before they had a chance to begin.

This was the destiny Raphael was headed toward.

But everything changed when truth entered the scene. The first area to be transformed was Raphael’s heart—which, in turn, transformed his marriage and his family. And with a strong and healthy family, his whole outlook toward life has changed.

“Through the resources of Messenger International, a relentless passion was ignited in me to see the people of my country free from lies,” shared Raphael. “I discovered my purpose to train up others and bring God’s transforming truth to remote villages.”

Raphael has trekked miles through mud and rain to reach people, often rising early and returning late. He would travel over 50 miles a day with his bicycle—but through the generosity of the MessengerX community, he was given a motorcycle, which has enabled him to double his efforts while easily transporting the resources and supplies he needs to facilitate his classes. Raphael has seen over 200 of his students graduate in the villages he serves.

“Thank you for investing in my people,” expressed Raphael. “Each day tribal warriors are transformed into children of God, marriages are infused with love, and the innocent are protected. Your generosity has given us the tools we need to rewrite our story and reclaim our humanity.”

Dahlia's Story

Formerly a Muslim, Dahlia fled to Turkey after she was expelled from her Iranian school and excommunicated by her family. Her crime? Becoming a Christian.

You can now find Dahlia in a refugee camp, far from what she once called home. But despite the upheaval, she has found purpose in her pain. On a daily basis, Dahlia walks through her makeshift town and prays over the people. They have become her people—the audience of her message.

Dahlia has become a messenger, and she is often spotted lovingly serving those around her and sharing her faith with them. Despite language barriers, people are drawn to her because they see something different in her. And what’s amazing is that she’s not only reaching the people in her refugee camp, she’s also impacting those she left behind in Iran.

“I’ve had calls from Iran,” writes Dahlia. “People who mocked me because of my faith now believe in Jesus and want to know more. So, I tell them about MessengerX, which has a lot of translated discipleship resources.”

As we continue to provide people like Dahlia with life-transforming truth in their own language, we’re helping them grow in their faith and discover their purpose—and we’re equipping them to make a difference in their world.

“I am beyond thankful for all of the books that I’ve been able to read in my language, such as Driven by Eternity, translated in Farsi,” shared Dahlia. “I read them again and again. The messages keep me company in this lonely season, and they inspire me to reveal Jesus to the hurting people all around me.”