December 10, 2017
On our last day in Varna, we met with two more pastors: Tryphon, with New Life Church, and, Nikolai, with River of Life church. As with the others, each man has a story of God’s blessing in ministry, with very real struggles along the way. Though far from our ministry home in Sofia, Varna has a strong evangelical presence, so we expect to visit them again next spring and bring them hope and encouragement. It was a blessing to be part of God’s work among them. Please pray for all the ministry that goes on in Varna and the surrounding areas. Pray that God’s chosen men and women will seek Him daily, that they may hear His voice and do His will. And may we have many more brothers and sisters in Christ come forth from their labors, and God’s grace!
December 7, 2017
On Wednesday, Vlady and John met with five church leaders. Alex is the pastor of a Baptist church just outside of Varna. Georgi is pastor of the Christian Evangelical Baptist Church in downtown Varna. Georgi is pastor of the Christian Center Salvation, also in Varna. Ventsislav is pastor of a Baptist church in Aksukhovo, a suburb of Varna. And Radu works for a trucking company, but also leads the Baptist Bible Institute working in four locations across Bulgaria this coming year. Each of these leaders shared how God has moved in their lives, their families, and their ministries, but each also has his struggles, and they all need our prayers. Please take this photo and their names and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you.
December 6, 2017
Arrived in Varna Monday evening, woke up early Tuesday morning to meet five evangelical pastors who pray for the city each Tuesday. They gather at a spot above the city, pray over it, then go to have soup together for fellowship before starting back to their church ministries. I and our interpreter, Vlady, also met with two pastors, Lubomir, and Milco. Both were very good talks with plenty to pray for, but also new friendships. I look forward to ministering to them next year. More pastors to meet today!
December 2, 2017
And so we begin…!
On Monday evening, John and an interpreter will fly to Varna, Bulgaria to meet with a number of pastors. On Tuesday we will share about our ministry with the Evangelical Alliance, a weekly gathering of Evangelical church pastors there. And over the next two days we will meet as many pastors as are available. Please pray that these meetings will begin strong relationships with the pastors and their families. And pray that each pastor we meet will see this as an opportunity for friendship, counsel, training, and vision. God will bless because this is what He wants to bless. Thank you for praying!
November 28, 2017
T&F International has always served both missions around the world and our local community. Our year-end campaign will begin on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28th. This year we want to be a blessing to a local church that has experienced great tragedy.
Earlier this month, the congregation of Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, just east of San Antonio, was victim of a mass shooting. Our hearts and prayers go out to the small Texas church that has captured the heart of our nation. May they be a bright shining light to the world of God’s sovereignty and goodness.
All special donations given through the end of the year will be allocated as: 50% to the church at Sutherland Springs, and 50% to Mission Bulgaria. This will allow us to minister to the Bulgarian pastors and their families, and give help to our community. Sutherland Springs FBC will need to rebuild and we can be a part of that effort.
You can donate by using the link below. The funds will be delivered by our board members in January. We ask that you prayerfully consider making a difference in the lives of others by making a contribution. May God’s goodness be upon you!
“Donate to T&F International Year-End Campaign”
November 27, 2017
Just a Monday in the life of a missionary in Bulgaria…
November 23, 2017
Happy Thanksgiving to You!
We are very thankful for the opportunity that the Lord has given us to be a part of His ministry here in Bulgaria. Though Sylvia and I are apart at Thanksgiving for the first time in 32 years, it is a small but necessary sacrifice. How much greater a sacrifice did God make when He offered His Son Jesus in our place! And how great a work has He given us to be in Bulgaria ministering to those who minister His Word and love to the Bulgarian people. May your family and friends be blessed during this time of Thanksgiving to our Father and His Son, Jesus.
Photo: Monument to Kliment of Ohrid, first Bishop of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Sofia University is named after him.
November 19, 2017
John visited two Baptist churches today, one in the Mladost district of Sofia, and one in Pazardzhik. Vlady Raichinov did all the preaching and John did all the driving. Glad to help him out – and we had time to talk about possible future (and past) ministry. Please pray for these two churches.
November 16, 2017
We celebrate the ordination to the Lord’s service of Nachko Zaitsev and his wife, Marusia, (both kneeling) with our friends, Pastor Stoicho Apostolov and Vlady Raichinov (on the right). We met Nachko and spoke at his church in Mladenovo, Bulgaria, in July. May God bless them as they serve Him!
November 11, 2017
Thank you for praying for Victor Makarov’s concert held this evening. It was a great success! There were well over 120 people, with both believers and other jazz music fans in attendance. Victor did a great job of standing firm in his faith in Jesus tonight, and blessing all of us with the excellence of his talented musicians.
November 3, 2017
This is Vitosha Blvd in Sofia, a pedestrian street where all of the Sofiantsi (Sofia residents) come to shop, eat, or socialize. It is a place where one can see a cross-section of the nation – a place where one can pray for those whom God loves.
We now have an easy way for those who would like to contribute monthly to the ministry of T&F International. PayPal now offers a recurring payment option on our “Contribute to T&F International” link, and you do not need your own PayPal account to do so. If you would like to donate $25, $50, or $100 per month to our ministry in Bulgaria, message either John or Sylvia and we will help you see how it is done.
October 30, 2017
Last night John attended the 500th Anniversary Celebration of the Reformation held at the National Palace of Culture here in Sofia. Protestants and Evangelicals make up a small minority in Bulgaria, so the was a very important event. And we were challenged to do greater things in the name of Jesus!
October 26, 2017
On October 26, 2017, John attended the Global Summit Conference held at the FBC Sofia, Bulgaria. Over 250 pastors, church and ministry leaders, and others attended. John was able to meet Pastor Nachko Zaitsev whom he met in July of 2016, and an invitation was extended to John to return to Lom to visit Pastor Nachko and his wife, Marusia, as well as others.
October 8, 2017
September 15, 2017
September 8, 2017
Pastors Who Lead
What are we talking about when we say our mission is to encourage, counsel, train, and enhance the vision of pastors and their families in Bulgaria? What will it look like? What will the result be?
Well, it will look a lot like one of our own T&F International board members, Pastor Aaron Pardue, who, since the rainy remainder of Hurricane Harvey flooded its way through the southeast coast of Texas, immediately took action to help his church members who needed help by activating those church members who could give help. He and others formed groups to help those whose homes had been flooded, by tearing out soaked carpet and wood flooring, so that the drying (and healing) could begin. Their love in action blessed the people so much, the usually traumatic experience of a ruined home had to take a backseat to open-jawed AWE. We personally know this to be true since John’s own parents, Jim and Carole Putman’s home was also flooded. What an awesome example for us to see just before we head to Bulgaria! May those we minister to become such godly men and women (and children) for their own churches, and in their own communities.
September 6, 2017
We want to wish all of our Bulgarian friends and those working in Bulgaria a Happy Unification Day! May the Lord bless you on this day, and may your nation remain strong and successful! Честит празник!
August 14, 2017
August 8, 2017
After returning from New York late Saturday evening in San Antonio, we spent Sunday morning in worship and the Word with our T&F Int’l board members, Doug and Debbie McQueen (center), at their home church, Strong Tower Christian Fellowship. Pastor Charlie Telemantez and his wife, Cindy (left), welcomed us, let us share about our ministry to Bulgaria, and encouraged us greatly after our long difficult time with the Bulgarian Consulate last week. The Lord’s timing is perfect! [We] shall wait upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised!
July 17, 2017
Worshiping the Lord in Bulgaria! Listen and recognize the tune. Sing along and be one with your Bulgarian brothers and sisters in Christ! – Video by Shawn Key
July 16, 2017
Сувенири – Souvenirs
As we prepare to move out of the house that has been our home for 6 years, and out of the country that has been home for the past 12 years, we’ve collected quite a number of “souvenirs” that are little more than paper and ink – yet, that still hold value – if only the sentimental sort.
As we move to Bulgaria in October, we find a land full of “souvenirs” in the form of ancient churches and monasteries (left). These are testament to a faith of a people of the distant past. Though many of them are in spiritual use today, for the most part, Bulgarians see these as ancient relics, “souvenirs” of the past.
We praise God that He is sending us, not to resurrect ancient structures, but to support and build up churches of “living stones” like the one on the right. Though many are small and new, the Masterbuilder Himself has designed them, and He will complete them and fill them with His own honor. They will be more than just relics; they will be true living gifts to those Bulgarians touched by them. We are excited to be helping the “construction crew”!
July 10, 2017
Yesterday, Alamo City Church in San Antonio, our home church, prayed for us, commissioning us to the work of ministry in Bulgaria. Here Pastor David Walker encouraged the church to support us in continued prayer, and evangelist Sammy Tippit prayed a blessing and the Lord’s protection over us. We praise God for His allowing such godly men and their wives to be our friends and counselors for over 30 years.
July 8, 2017
Today, from 12:00-3:00 pm, we will have our last Board of Directors meeting before we make the move to Bulgaria. Please pray as we meet, that all would come together in complete agreement, that each member would see his/her personal area of support of the ministry. May God use the ministry of T&F International in Bulgaria for His glory and for the salvation of many Bulgarians.
Shown: T&F International Board of Directors (left to right): Aaron Pardue, Jim Putman, Carole Putman, Velva Fallin, Monica Garza, Doug McQueen, Debbie McQueen, John Putman, Sylvia Putman, Jerry Martinez, Rosie Martinez, and Elise Putman (Media Assistant). Not shown: Kathi Chinni, Jeff Smyth, Malesa Smyth.
March 21, 2017
Please pray for Sylvia and I as we continue to seek out individuals, groups, and churches who will commit to pray for our ministry among pastors and their families in Bulgaria, who will support us financially, and who will partner with us themselves to come or send others who will minister alongside of us. Here we are speaking in our Alamo City Church’s Spanish-language service. May the Lord continue to open doors for the ministry He has called us to. We are ready and excited!
tandfinternational.org 