In the late 80s of the 20th century, God began to move on a group of Christians from the Evangelical Pentecostal Church in Burgas and they started meeting and seeking God in prayer. Three Christians from this prayer group – Stoyan Zhelev, Marin Todorov and Christo Kosev were sent by the Holy Spirit to work on the Lord’s field. They started visiting the towns surrounding the city of Burgas – Kameno, Bulgarovo and Dolno Ezerovo. They started home cell meetings with the small groups of Christians in these places. The three brothers separate their work - since Stoyan Zhelev is originally from Bulgarovo he continues ministering there more often. On the other hand Marin Todorov ministers in Kameno and Christo Kosev in Dolno Ezerovo. In this way, three new churches were almost simultaneously planted in those towns.
The birthday of EPC – Dolno Ezerovo is considered to be 31.10.1990. This is when the church held their first open meeting. There’s something worth mentioning and it’s the fact that this first general meeting was on The Day of the Reformation – the day when we remember how mankind turned from the darkness of ignorance to the light of God’s Word.
When God gave birth to this church, He fulfilled a promise given by the Holy Spirit to sister Slaveyka Georgieva in 1977, who was a resident of Dolno Ezerovo. The prophetical word was given in the time of the Communist regime. Back then, the Lord spoke and said that there will be a church in this town – it looked impossible at that time. But for God all things are possible. He raised the church in Dolno Ezerovo to be a lighthouse that would spread the light of the Gospel after the dark times of godlessness in the Communist era. He makes a way, where there’s no way. God turned things around and the church began to meet in the former club of the Communist party. In the place where atheism was taught, the Gospel of God’s salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ was now being preached.
The first leader of the church was Pastor Stoyan Zhelev. He served in the church only about three months – 31.10.1990 to 31.01.1991. Though he spent just e few months in the church, he managed to lay the foundations of God’s work in Dolno Ezerovo with lots of love, fervor, commitment and arduous labor. Afterwards, he was sent to pastor the church in Rudnik.
Before leaving, Pastor Stoyan Zhelev appointed a new leader in church – Deacon Christo Kosev. He served in the church for the next 9 months – 01.02.1991 to 31.10.1991. That’s when the believers began meeting in a classroom at the old school – it was the former school building that was abandoned after the new school was built. The new place for the church services was an answer to a month of prayer and fasting before God. After being repaired and refurbished, the former classroom was fit for church meetings and the church holding its services there until April, 2004.
After deacon Christo Kosev resigned from his place, the pastoral work was delegated to Deacon Plamen Kapralev. He served in the church for about 4 year and 2 months – 17.11.1991 to 06.01.1996. During the years of his leadership the church experienced a time of revival. The church started youth meetings. They also started a Sunday school ministry for children – that’s where Plamen’s wife Vladka Kapraleva had a major role. She worked as Bible teacher and Sunday school educator.
Pastor Simeon Krastev was appointed to be the leader of the church on 12.05.1996 and together with his wife they’ve been serving in the church to the present day.
In 1996 the church drew the plans for construction of a church building. In 1997 the church received a construction permit from the Burgas council and the building process could be started.
Though the local authorities gave their consent for the construction of the building, the work was delayed because of the lack of funding. From our human point of view, it was impossible to raise this building. The church congregation is small and financially the church can barely provide for the pastor’s salary and church utilities. We had some funds raised for the building but the money wasn’t enough even for laying of the foundations…
But God didn’t leave us alone. On 28.05.1998 during a time of prayer and seeking God’s face, the Holy Spirit spoke to the heart of Pastor Simeon Krastev:
“I’m giving you the gift of faith to be manifested and it’ll work in you so the church building of the congregation in Dolno Ezerovo would be raised. I only call you to be humble, stand humble and continue to be a man of humble heart. Then, you’ll see how my hand is miraculously at work in this deed. This is the day when I begin to stir the things and advance them.”
This was the way whereby in 1998 the church began building in many prayers and trusting God. We know that things take place step by step. In 1999 God moved the hearts of Christians in Switzerland that desired to help with the building. God has been working supernatural financial miracles and He’s been providing the funds needed for the construction so far. Most of the funds came from the Swiss Pentecostal Mission – SPM. The advancement of the construction was recognized from the church members as a sign of God’s love to our local church and His special plan for us and this neighborhood of Burgas.
All through the years since the church was planted the members of our church have not stopped to witness about the mercy of God and the redemption plan of God. The residents of Dolno Ezerovo are hearing about the Lord Jesus Christ and How God provided salvation from sin through His Son. Our services have never been stopped rather the believers are faithful in the “the teaching of the apostles, fellowship in the breaking of the bread and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
Having the Lord Jesus Christ as our head, founded on the Holy Scriptures given by God, and filled with the Holy Spirit, our church will continue to be “the pillar and foundation of the truth” – a place where the local residents can know God, worship and serve Him.
The successes of the church in Dolno Ezerovo are not the fruit of the work of skilful and capable leaders or an accomplishment of its congregation but a work of God. We can say that, “Thus far has the Lord helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12). We give Him all the glory! May the Lord help us to stay faithful – till the coming of our beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We pray that He’d help us in reaching and harvesting the precious souls of many men and women in Dolno Ezerovo. Amen!
Last updated 6.11.2005