Bulgarian Evangelical Church of God in Chicago Celebrates 15th Anniversary
The Bulgarian Evangelical Church of God “New Life” in Chicago recently celebrated 15 years of existence. It is the only Bulgarian Church of God in the United States.
The anniversary was celebrated by religious and secular traditions on Saturday, November 5, 2011 in Christian Life College in Mount Prospect, Illinois. The church was filled with Evangelicals and Orthodox Bulgarians. The celebration was primarily in Bulgarian form.
A gala dinner and concert was themed “Fifteen Years in the Ministry of the Bulgarian Community.” The ministry team on stage are well known to many in the Bulgarian community. Those who attend Sunday services at “New Life” each week would recognize the ministry team led by Pastor Stanimir Tanev, Rumen, Rosen and Dimo Arnaudova, Asya Todorova, Anton Paunov, Emmanuel Spasov, Ventz and Sam Perfanov. A major difference in style for the Bulgarian Orthodox, but their community and culture brought them together to please the Lord God.
The Bulgarian Church has been given – a strong faith and character, good fellowship with each other, care and respect for human rights … “We will celebrate! Tonight our hearts are filled with joy … “Pastor Stan sings on stage with two other vocals.
After the concert Senior Pastor Vladimir Georgiev welcomed hundreds of people to join the church in the gym. There was a celebration of food and drinks for those in attendance.
“It is had to tell for a short time events life of a church for fifteen years”, he said. Then came a video presentation of the events and people from 1996 to 2011. Pastor Georgiev also noted that the Evangelical church “New Life” was never alone and will not be alone! And that “only when we are together with Orthodoxy will accomplish its mission to serve God and good people. Tonight is a witness that we will be together! …”
General Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria Simeon Stoilov, greeted the congregation and stated, “I congratulate you for being part of the history of the Church and thank you as a Bulgarian, that your dignity and talents every day in Chicago makes me proud that I am Bulgarian!”
Father Valentine of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church “St. Ivan Rilski – the Miracle Worker” In a gesture of Bulgarian unity came to witness the love and understanding with which Orthodox and Evangelical churches are in communion and fellowship here in Chicago, in the name of God and the people of they serve.
Pastor Don R. Chavis, Great Lakes Region Youth & Discipleship director noted that “the Bulgarian Church has made a huge impact in the Great Lakes Region Church of God family in such a short time. Many of the events and ministries of our region somewhere has an imprint of the Bulgarian church on it.”
Performing was the ensemble “Faithful.” In closing to the festive celebration, Pastor Mario Hristov, youth pastor of “New Life” and member of the Great Lakes Region Youth & Discipleship Board, passed the torch through prayer for the youth and the congregation for many successful ministries and days to come.
(Submitted article)
