Bulgaria
Church-in-Formation
Origins
Free Methodist work in the Balkans began in 1997 when missionaries Michael and Maria Long moved to Thessaloniki, Greece. From this strategically located base, the Longs traveled extensively in Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia assisting with relief and development efforts, connecting with existing church networks, and encouraging believers. In Bulgaria good relationships were established in the towns of Sandanski, Petrich and Samokov, as well as in the capital city of Sofia.
Present Ministries
In April 2007, missionaries Al and Diane Mellinger arrived in Bulgaria to begin leadership development ministries. A church plant has been started in the southern Bulgarian city of Petrich, and relationships are being formed with a network of Bulgarian churches as they host regular workshops for the pastors. As part of developing leaders, a youth training conference is held each summer and weekend events for teens take place in the fall and spring.
