SERVING IN SOFIA

The city we call home is a beautiful and broken place that serves as the capital of Bulgaria and is home to almost 2 million Bulgarians. We are serving here with the goal of helping to start churches that become part of a church planting movement that we believe God has in store for this great city. Our family believes that the Kingdom of God is coming in Sofia, Bulgaria, and we are excited to be a part of the redeeming work of Christ as it transforms one neighborhood at a time all across this great city.

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Katie and I have been married for 13 years and they have served in the Church of the Nazarene since that time. Katie grew up in Manchester, Tennessee, and prior to becoming a Nazarene missionary, graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a teaching degree. She taught elementary education for 5 years in Tennessee teaching 3rd and 4th graders English and Social Studies. She also served as the NYI secretary for the East Tennessee District for many years. Katie is currently enrolled at Trevecca Nazarene University where she is completing her Bachelor's in Christian Ministry as part of her journey to Ordination in the Church of the Nazarene. She loves spending time hosting in our home, baking, and sharing life with friends. Katie is currently a huge part of our ministry here in Sofia where she teaches the children each Sunday during church. She is also charge of the mission finances for Bulgaria. 

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I (Joshua) grew up in Cleveland, Tennessee, graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary, and spent 10 years pastoring and church planting on the East Tennessee District. I love to read a good book, explore my surroundings while running, and I enjoy having coffee meetings with friends. Since living in Bulgaria, I have found a love for hiking and being in the mountains. I am currently pastoring the first church plant here in Sofia, Домашна Цьрква (The Home Church), and spend a lot of my time preparing sermons, translating materials, and discipling new friends.

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We are blessed with three of the greatest children in the world!

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Jude is our energetic 5-year-old (soon to be 6) boy. He loves Hot Wheels, monster trucks, and basically anything with wheels. Jude also loves playing soccer or basketball outside, riding his bicycle or scooter, and being with friends. He loves to sing and showcases his voice as loud as possible in the car on the way to school.

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Kate is our sweet and sassy 4-year-old girl. She loves sips of Daddio’s coffee and snuggles any time of the day! You can often find her coloring, reading a book, or playing with her baby dolls. She also loves swinging at the playground and singing. The Frozen soundtrack or movie is always on repeat in our house.

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Jude and Kate attend preschool here in Sofia and have made amazing friends. They are improving daily in their knowledge of Bulgarian language and traditions. Each day when they are picked up from school their teachers brag about how much Bulgarian they are using and how well they are progressing in all of the subjects. We are so thankful that they are immersed in the culture and learning new things every day! 

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We also added a new addition to their family on Christmas Eve in 2022. Levi is now 1 year old and adds to the energy and excitement in our home. Levi is sleeping through the night, pulling up and walking around object, loves to climb the stairs in our home, and loves the attention he gets from his big brother and big sister. His smile and laugh are contagious and he always has something to say. We all continue to be smitten and can't wait to see how he grows in this next year of his life.

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In our first year of marriage, we felt called to serve in Bulgaria as volunteer missionaries as a part of my education with Nazarene Theological Seminary. We served in Razgrad, Bulgaria, for 10 months. When we left Bulgaria, it was with a passion for this place, the people, the culture, the language, and the ways in which we experienced God moving. That passion never died. We are overwhelmed that now, 12 years later, we get to live in this wonderful place with our dear children, and participate in the movement of God all over again.

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We are passionate about church planting and believe that God’s favorite way for individuals, families, and neighborhoods to discover the love of Christ is to discover the love of the Body of Christ; the church! We have a passion and a vision to see local expressions of the body of Christ penetrate and begin to transform the city of Sofia, one neighborhood at a time. We cannot wait to see what God will accomplish while we continue “Serving in Sofia”.

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We want to say an enormous THANK YOU to everyone who prays, gives, and supports the mission of God through your partnership with the Church of the Nazarene. We believe in the movement of God through the people of God and are excited to be a part of it. Thank you for all the ways you enable missionaries, like us, to serve. Would you continue to pray with us and for us as the Kingdom comes in Sofia, Bulgaria!