Bolivia

Bulgaria

Mexico

India

Romania

Ukraine / Moldova

United States

To God be the Glory

 

Articles Of  Faith
    

Recent Updates
 

Facts About Our
Founder

CBM Our Story

Disclaimer
 

updated 3-9-2010

Audio

Updates from Eastern Europe

Summary of the Work in Bulgaria and Romania 2010

 Dear Praying Friends,

We trust this letter finds you rejoicing in the goodness of God.  Though in this world we have tribulation, we are of good cheer because He overcame the world; and we rejoice because our names are written in Heaven.  We rejoice also because His works are manifest here.  What an encouragement to know that our God’s work has not stopped, nor has He stopped working!  To the contrary, His work continues to expand.  And so, with thankful hearts to a gracious God, we thank all of you, who by praying and giving have supported His work.

Presently the Lord has birthed over 100 churches in Bulgaria and Romania: 22 churches in South Eastern Romania, and 85 scattered throughout Eastern Bulgaria.  Most of these meetings are in house churches.  Our services are simple and biblical: we sing, pray, testify and preach; and the Lord blesses His word and adds to the work.  Throughout the summer of 2009 four baptisms were held, and over 150 Adult Gypsy Turks publicly professed their new found faith in Christ.  In the past year the churches have grown from around 1,500 families to approximately 2,000.

Our main emphasis is the evangelization of the Turks.  After 30 years, Sr. missionary Ralph Cheatwood finished translating the King James Bible into the Turkish language.  These hand stitched Bibles are printed in Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, then distributed to our national pastors.  One of our main evangelistic tools are preaching CD’s and DVD’s.  They are recordings of our church services, complete with singing, testimonies, and a gospel message, all in their own language.  The effect these CD’s, and especially DVD’s have had is inestimable.  They have gone places, and reached people, we never would be able to otherwise.  We have heard testimonies of our CD’s being played over loud speakers to factory workers in Istanbul; to people holding services by them in the Netherlands.  They have gone all over Europe. 

A number of our local churches also house feeding centers, where widows and the poorest children are fed and clothed.  There are 12 churches supporting feeding centers in Romania, and 20 such centers in Bulgaria.  Bro. Larry Leach was able, (through supporting American churches), to distribute 200 winter coats, 300 pairs of socks, and 25 pairs of shoes to the neediest of children in his churches through these centers.

In addition to looking after the widows and children, we have endeavored to support our poorest church families with food and firewood through the difficult winter.  This has been an especially cold and snowy winter in Bulgaria.  But in addition to the weather, this has been a terribly difficult winter for many due to the devastating economic conditions of Eastern Europe.  Many of our Turks were not able to secure lasting work in 2009, while others were forced to relocate out of country to find work.  Because of this, we assist those in need of food with a 110 lb. sack of flour, and 5 liters of cooking oil (for about $25/family); and those in need of heat, firewood.  (A cord of firewood costs about $150).

But all of the above work could not be done without the help of our national pastors.  They labor with hearts full of love for their people, both saved and lost.  Recently, one of our nationals, Bro. Hasaan, had a stroke while preaching.  He was so excited to see the start of a new work, that he overexerted himself.  He is well now, having recovered for the most part.  But, he is characteristic of all our national pastors.  They give themselves completely, entirely, without reservation or hesitation to whatever God’s work requires.

Currently we have seven missionary families and one single man working in this area.  Since the westernization of Eastern Europe every thing has gone up in price and our missionaries need more support.  Also, due to church growth, we lack enough support to sustain some of our poorer families through the winter.  We need around $1,000 a month with which to help our national pastors.  We try to help each pastor offset the cost of their groceries and gas (gas is presently $6.25 a gallon).  Most of our men look after 5-10 churches and several more than that.

We thank you for your faithful giving and praying.  Without your support this work could not get done.  Please continue to pray for our needs, that God would meet and exceed what is required as He continues to grow the work.  May God fill you with the riches of his goodness and grace.  To God be the Glory!   In Christ, Rev. Mike Nixon

 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”  1 Cor 13:13