The Battle for Fathers Hearts
In families and communities, men have a lot of power: they can promote changes or hinder them. Among the Roma communities in the slums of Bulgaria, we sadly encounter many families whose men neglect their children and spouses.
“We are fighting for the hearts of men for their own sakes and for the sakes of their families. We want to encourage and teach men to grow up as God intended them to be,” says Roumen Ivanov, director of Mission Possible’s work in Bulgaria.
When men change, families and communities change.
The transformation in the slums starts in the church: Training Roma Pastors.
The pastors shepherding Bulgaria’s churches in the slums have grown up in poverty themselves and under the traditions of their people. Now, they are serving wholeheartedly by faith where God has called them, but they have not had opportunities for higher education and Bible study. Knowing this, we have provided training designed specifically for these pastors and their wives over the past several years, and leaders from more than forty churches have taken part.
In addition to biblical teaching, we emphasize the importance of educating men and women in the church, praying that harmful cycles – like marrying too young and not finishing school – will be broken.
Pastors and their families are examples to their communities. We are encouraged by their spiritual growth and acquisition of knowledge, devotion to their calling, and the commitment their spouses have made to serve their villages.
“When are you going to organize something for us men?” we were asked.
“Last year we held the first national men’s event! We have been organizing women’s events for years now, but hosting men’s events is something we’ve been in prayer about for a long time.
“The interest from men was even greater than we expected. A month prior to the retreat, all accommodations at our Dobromirka activity center were booked, and others desired to come that we didn’t have room for,” says Roumen.
We plan to hold men’s retreats twice a year. Men of all ages, from different backgrounds, and from various churches get to know each other, be encouraged, and spend time in prayer.
Following these retreats, participants have shared testimonies of healed family relationships, conquered sins, and hearts rededicated to the Lord.
NEW IN BULGARIA: RETREATS FOR MEN!
The popularity of men’s events, which have now been held three times, continues! The teaching sessions have been inspiring, direct, and tailored to the needs of the audience. The teachers are pastors from different churches as well as guest speakers from other countries.
The theme of the September event was “How to grow as a man, husband, and father according to God’s purpose.” The next retreat is eagerly anticipated.
I Forgave My Parents
Attending a men’s retreat made a huge difference in the life of Bogdan (17 years old).
“My parents are divorced, and we do not have a close relationship. I’ve never heard them say to me, ‘I love you.’ I so much needed my father’s love and example, but he didn’t care...
Here, I was able to pour out my pain to God and feel His loving presence. I decided to forgive my parents and asked God to make me a father someday who can tell my children, ‘I love you.’”
