Testimonials

Reports from Pastors in Bulgaria – 2019

 

from Anatolie Cerny, former pastor of Blagoevgrad Baptist Church:

It is an honor to write a few words of appreciation of the ministry of John and Sylvia Putman. They are uniquely gifted to bless, encourage, equip, and strengthen the people of God in Eastern Europe.

John baptized me in Moldova in 2000 and from 2009 to 2015 had been visiting me while I was pastoring a small church. There were occasions when our meeting was a rare sparkle of light in thick darkness that I looked forward to for months. I knew I could openly and safely share personal and leadership burdens with some who would understand, and that I could find comfort, wisdom, and exhortation.

John and Sylvia have ample experience as a pastoral couple, and I was confident that they understand the pressures I was facing in church context. Also, their life in Russia and Moldova gave them a good grasp of the culture so they could give meaningful advice.

Their grace-full approach and no-compromise commitment to Christ made it easy for me to open up and it also won the hearts of everyone in the church. Sylvia especially has a gift of quickly reaching to the hearts of the people around her.

For the past year, I have been observing how they provided the same ministry of encouragement and equipping to leaders and laymen all over Bulgaria, often in forgotten corners of the land with pastors and their spouses who have been neglected for years.  Their ministry also crossed denominational barriers and I am glad to see growing unity in the Body of Christ.

The seminars they teach are of greatest quality and relevance, and drive home much-needed, practical, and theologically sound Christianity.

However, I think that their greatest influence is beyond their words and work – it is in their example. The shortest of introduction is enough to open doors and challenge people to live for Christ: “They sold everything in America to come to live in Bulgaria”.

I saw John standing in the cold during the protests in December 2018. Evangelical Christians gathered in front of the legislature, in freezing temperatures, to protest a looming law that would have made Communist regime look tame. John’s figure stuck out in the crowd, with his Russian hat on. His presence was the embodiment of parakletos – standing alongside to help. Together with all the brothers and sisters in Bulgaria, I give thanks for the parakletos ministry through John and Sylvia.

from Victor Makarov, theologian, teacher and preacher, Christian singer-songwriter, interpreter, in Sofia:

Over the years of Communist rule and the subsequent wild decades of so called “freedom”, church leaders in Bulgaria have developed a grave condition, characterized by the following most prominent symptoms:
1) Anti-intellectualism – most pastors do not have a university degree and of those who have, most do not have any Theological training.
2) Severe autocratic inclinations in the leadership style, combined with fear of losing control.
3) A mindset of mistrust towards almost anyone but the immediate family members, who very often comprise the total of ministry coworkers.
4) Inability to build strong friendships which would allow openness and two-way sharing of personal struggles, fears and so on. This encloses many leaders in a dark room of loneliness, where the burden of spiritual combat becomes twice as heavy and sin is sometimes able to overcome the leader’s life.
John and Silvia Putman have been very successful in overcoming most of those by means of their ministry in the following ways:
1) John is organizing basic Theological courses, adapting the level of complexity to the intellectual abilities and practical needs of his audience. He is bringing into this process his expertise and rich experience as a teacher.
2) Together John and Silvia are able to befriend many leaders. The Putmans provoke those leaders to open-up, share, confess and so on. Thus they break up the wicked spell of loneliness with all its nasty effects.
3) John and Silvia build relationships simultaneously with leaders from different churches and denominations, often bringing those leaders (and their spouses) together. Thus John and Silvia become part of the Holly Spirit’s movement to mend the mistrust and tear down the walls between the churches.
In addition to this, unlike many other western missionaries, the Putmans are trying to adapt themselves to the Bulgarian culture, respecting it and listening to the ideas and needs of the Bulgarians with – and for – whom they work.
As a conclusion it should be observed that what John and Silvia are doing in our country is much needed and one could only hope and pray that it will grow and spread through the addition of many Bulgarians as full-fledged partners in that ministry.

from Stilian Mihailov pastor of the Church of God in Stara Zagora, bishop of Bulgarian Churches of God in the Stara Zagora region:

In the last year in my authority as a regional overseer of Stara Zagora Region, I had the opportunity to meet John and Sylvia Putman and to observe their ministry. Both of them show humility and servanthood character. We had opportunity to serve with them on a couple of different occasions and they have been a tremendous blessing for me and for the people who they serve. At one of the occasions, they organized a pastors/ministers’ conference for three days and they served the brethren not only with the Word of God, but with council and personal time. Their ministry in Bulgaria is not only local, but they travel around the country and meet, coach and encourage many pastors, ministers, and people in need. We recognize that they serve with all of their heart and with love and care. I highly recommend them and testify that they have been a blessing for many!

from Trif Trifonov, pastor of New Life Church, Varna (Free Will Baptists):

It was great for me to meet John, first, and then Sylvia as well. John has a servant heart and is a good listener. That’s something important for us pastors, to be able to talk to someone who listens, understands and has a lot of insights as to what to advise or how to help. I and my church have also benefited greatly from John giving a training on how to prepare a sermon. The seminar was very practical and very helpful in terms of us learning how to write and give better sermons. I was able to invite two prospective young preachers and hope that soon we will see fruits from this training. It was a blessing for my wife to meet with Sylvia, too, and participate in the pastors’ wives meeting. My wife is looking forward to the next meeting now. As a whole, I think that John and Sylvia Putman’s ministry among pastors in Bulgaria is very beneficial and I pray that God would continue to use them in this important ministry.

from Nachko Zaikov, pastor of Second Baptist Church, Mladenovo:

The Putman family has a fine ministry in Bulgaria. John and his wife, Sylvia, are a wonderful team. The pastors’ wives shared with me that they had a fine fellowship. We have had many kinds of useful meetings. For me, John is a fine pastor and theologian. He also knows how to work with pastors. Personally, he gave me some much-needed, trustworthy advice. He and his ministry are very well-accepted in Bulgaria. I want to have more time to converse. Our church wants to work and to fellowship together for many more years. For me, it is a privilege to learn from them. They are God’s blessed servants. Greetings from Bulgaria, from my wife Marusia and myself.

from Ken Morikang, pastor of Agape Faith United in Plovdiv:

When the Putmans arrived in Bulgaria, they encountered an environment where ministry is very divided along denominational lines. But they have broken through these barriers and have succeeded to create relationships with pastors and church leaders around the southern territory of Bulgaria. Their teachings are very helpful to pastors and church leaders because they are very Christ-centered without biased doctrines. John’s knowledge and experience has been very useful. By making friends with the families of pastors, they have been able to help with moral support. My family for example, has been greatly encouraged by the Putmans. They have visited us as a family and the small church where we minister. I am thankful for Sylvia and the relationship she has created with my wife Sveta and our three daughters. I’m also blessed by John, who is a very good and diligent listener. Pastors and their families are usually very lonely people (because of church activities), and the Putmans are providing a shoulder with which they can lean on. We thank the Lord for having placed them at this time in Bulgaria.

from Hari Atanasov, pastor of the Bulgarian Church of God (and former bishop of Kardjali region) located in Kardjali:

My wife Penka and I had the privilege to meet brother John about 3 years ago, before they came to establish their mission in Bulgaria, when he visited us for a meeting in Kardjali City.

Our real relationship started when John and Silvia came to work in Bulgaria like a missionary. We start to plan how we can help each other working for the Kingdom of God in Bulgaria, especially to help pastors and their work in the churches. We shared what is the situation with the pastors and the churches in our country. By the Spirit I found that John is a humble man with God’s grace in his heart and that I can trust him. Like an American, he understands very well the situation in an Eastern European Country like Bulgaria; the spiritual need of the pastors and how to give advice to them. His book about this [Practical Pastoring] is very useful. God encouraged me to continue in this communication with John and Silvia and to help them from my side in their service! We were also encouraged by them personally very much.

At the end of 2017 we joined together and started a very important pastors project for our region; teaching pastors in the basic things of the Christian faith. Our focus was on the need to give them understanding about the “Grace and law” problem in the practice of the Christian life. Brother John came up with the topic for the conference; “Freedom in Christ,” from the Letter to the Galatians.  In November, we organized the first pastors teaching, for 20 pastors from two large regions in Bulgaria, including the two bishops and myself. The teaching was from both sides together, both Bulgarian and American teachers, which was a unique practice, and we are very thankful that this happened. We realize that this is just a beginning of good things which God has prepared for us in the work together. From my personal experience, I see that brother John is a man who I can trust, serious in the Lord, not talking alot, but doing what is needed.  My wife, Penka, and I are artists and John and Silvia have prayed and encouraged us also in our art and helped in our personal life!

Thank you for sending John and Silvia to Bulgaria. I believe that they can continue to help the Bulgarian pastors in their work and life a lot.

from Orlin Tomov, pastor of Kozloduy Baptist Church:

Hello, John. In the first place, I am thankful that we have met.  We had some meetings together in which we were conversing and sharing things in common with the church and my personal life, more importantly, in our first meeting I was free to speak and to share with you.  This is what I do with everyone, but God showed me that those things we shared (together) I should raise them in prayer before God, and that is support and help for me as a servant (of God).  And I believe that in our next meetings I will learn useful things from your experience to apply to my ministry.  And again I will say that the meetings we had and the fellowship and prayers you raise before God for me, my family and the church for me is a great blessing!

from Minko Kazakov, deacon at the Bulgarian Church of God – Agape, in Stara Zagora:

I met John Putman and his wife Sylvia at a seminar on the book of Galatians, organized in the town of Kardjali. John was the person who made it possible to make this extremely useful training. He and his wife showed us, the participants in the seminar, a lot of respect, love and care, taking time for each of us to communicate not only about the topics in the seminar, but also about the personal experiences that help our mutual building.

In my conversations with John, I became enriched. In him and his wife I saw a good example of dedication, love and care. He told me a personal story of their lives, which had profoundly reflected their soul and their understanding of complex human relationships. This story made me think a lot and showed me unequivocally the attitude of God to us and His love, who does not expect anything in return.

I am grateful to God for meeting the Putman family and I hope in the future to have the opportunity to converse more because it is difficult to find good spiritual mentors and John Putman and his wife are a good example of such.

from Hristo Denev, lay leader, Second Baptist Church in Varna:

I am extremely grateful to God for sending you to Bulgaria and using you for His glory!

John, from your ministry, I learned a lot – it helped me a lot to prepare for writing the expository sermon.  I learned that I must spend serious time in prayer, reading, thinking and writing.  I preached chapter nine of the gospel of John in the village of Verino, the Beatitudes from the gospel of Matthew in the town of Silistra, and other short messages.  You helped me extend my thinking in the preparation and writing of the expository sermon.  I wll be glad to see you again and to learn even more new things.  May God abundantly bless you!

from Milko and Silvia Milkov, pastor of Christian Center – Varna, in Varna:

Thank you very much for the opportunity to share our hearts about you and your ministry in Bulgaria, as you understand the typical pastor’s family has specific needs. One of those needs is wisdom from the Holy Spirit how to run the ministry. And the other area which is more important is to find trustful friends who understand those needs. For the short time that we have known you, with assurance we can confirm that my wife and I have found in both of you friends and ministers who are supplying those two needs for us as a pastors family. We want to use the moment to express our gratitude for your ministry to the people that support you. With love and respect.

from Radi Asenov, interpreter, lay minister with Navigators:

This ministry in Bulgaria among the pastors is something very necessary for the leaders of churches not only here. I actually asked myself if there other people doing it, or why our leaders from the Evangelical surroundings waited so long to be part of something like this.

During visits with you I had the privilege to see the real /hidden/ inside world of those people and their families – I mean the pastors. I did not think they have so much needs and worries – I thought they have, but it is more than I expected. Mainly the biggest need is the comfort that there are some people who stand next to you, have sincere interest in you and are willing to pray for you. The encouragement this people get is critically low. I hear all the time that they got their encouragement from God, from the Bible. We both know that God uses people, driven by his Spirit to do the work. It is sad those leaders never had the chance to discover that not just mentally, but in reality.

I believe that what John and Silvia do is of great importance.  If they can pass the same to those leaders, our country will be a different place after 10-15 years.  And I pray that this will happen and those people will grow as they walk alongside them towards the purposes of the Lord for Christ’s church here in Bulgaria.

from Natalia Georgiev, city council member of Lom, wife of Georgi, deacon of First Evangelical Baptist Church in Lom:

As for Sylvia’s women’s ministry, I will say that, for me, it was very useful in several aspects.     I became acquainted with women from other evangelical churches in Lom, through the suggestion of Sylvia, who requested that I organize an informal meeting.

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We shared with each other some problems in the churches and those who wanted to shared some personal ones.  We prayed together about each problem. We also had lunch and enjoyed being together, which helped us feel closer, even though we were from different churches.

We planned another meeting for the spring.  We became acquainted with Silvia, despite the short time, and personally I think she is a spiritual woman, intelligent, and obedient to God, and I would like to see her again.

from Liubomir Shivarov, pastor of Zion Christian Church in Varna:

We are grateful for John and Sylvia’s desire to connect with pastors and churches outside of Sofia.  Their friendship and meetings are also valuable to us.  They with their sincere ministry are good advisors and friends.  The time with the pastors’ wives and the time with us was valuable for our family. The sermon preparation course was also useful for people from the different churches.  We are grateful for their ministry in Bulgaria and especially in Varna.  We hope during the year 2019 to have more joint projects together.

from Boris Aleksandrov, pastor of a Pentecostal church in Mladenovo:

God bless John and Silvia!  For us, it is a great joy that God sent you to Bulgaria.  They are a great example for us.  God, through them, has opened our eyes wider so that we should work as a team with our wives.  We will be glad for them to remain in Bulgaria, so that they can serve us with the gifts that they have.  God bless them.

from Georgi Georgiev, deacon of First Evangelical Baptist Church in Lom:

I am delighted that we have gotten to know John and Sylvia.  This friendship is unusual, and most likely you are wondering why, but it is because in the midst of our relationship stands Jesus.  I am grateful to God and to John and Sylvia that they have spent their time in fellowshipping with us.  We are thankful to them for the warm feelings and fine times together. I cannot overlook the Practical Pastoring handbook; this manual still serves me today and I intend to use it for a long time.

I also want to thank you for the seminar organized by John and Sylvia. This seminar for us as the pastors’ group was very useful and sufficiently practical.  This training we later found applicable in our churches.  The practical advice and recommendations apply among the brothers successfully.  I am grateful to John and Sylvia for everything they have done for my family and our brothers and sisters in the churches.  They are always welcome in our church and in our city of Lom.

from Vergil Boshkov, pastor of the First Roma Baptist Church in Mladenovo:

I am grateful to the Lord for my brother John.  He is a wonderful example of faith and a wonderful brother.  Besides this, it is very necessary and helpful to teach us how to be more efficient in the ministry in the church.  With lessons for proper preaching and structuring of preaching by oneself, John is a great example in this.  And he personally helped me with excellent advice for my relationships and my attitude toward the brothers and sisters.  We need our brother John and we ask the Lord for his long-term residence in Bulgaria.