My name is Darina Krasteva. Since 2007 I have been involved with the third level group of Entrust women’s training in the Sliven region, in the center of Bulgaria. This year I am continuing as a facilitator with the next group in Stara Zagora, where I live.

Compared to the revival in the first several years after the political changes of 1989, churches in Bulgaria are at somewhat of a standstill now. Evangelical Christians are unofficially persecuted in Bulgaria. It’s becoming more and more difficult to share the gospel here. In order to reach people we have to not only use new methods, but also to build good relationships of trust and show godly character.

When we advertised the fourth level of this training, we noticed that the evangelical Christians in the nearby smaller towns and villages were eager to study, perhaps due to the lack of training opportunities there. The church needs to be united on the basis of true teaching, acceptance, care and love in order to face the difficulties and use the opportunities for growth in the present economic crisis.

The training of women, able and willing to serve others by personal example, by teaching and friendship is really very effective because it has a multiplying effect and it touches our families, churches and communities. I am happy to see how women from different churches and denominations have become best friends, caring for, loving and supporting one another. Part of our success in starting the center in Stara Zagora is due to good teamwork. The participants like this training because it is very practical and useful in our personal lives, families, work and churches. It emphasizes serving others, not just obtaining knowledge. We learn not only from textbooks, but also from the personal example of our facilitators, which makes the training even more effective.

I am really thankful to study all the wonderful courses, some of them for the second time, because this training helps me to grow more and more into Christlikeness. I am also happy for the opportunity to serve others.