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 14 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 in her final classes 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 6-year-old (soon to be 7) boy. He loves Hot Wheels, monster trucks, and superheros! Jude also loves playing soccer, riding his bicycle or scooter, and being with friends. He has a great love for the mountains and goes on hikes with me any time he gets the chance. Jude began attending a private Canadian school this year and is loving it and the new friends he has been able to make. 

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Kate is our sweet and sassy 5-year-old girl. She loves sips of Daddio’s coffee and snuggles any time of the day! You can often find her coloring, playing with her baby dolls, or "mothering" her brothers. She also loves swinging at the playground and singing. She is in her final year of preschool and loves going to ballet! She was even chosen to do a duet during her Christmas performance!​

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Levi is now 2 years old and adds to the energy and excitement in our home. Levi running everywhere and able to talk in sentences and understands so much. He loves the attention he gets from his big brother and big sister. His smile and laugh are contagious! He loves music and instruments, anythings with wheels, and BLIPPI! He will begin preschool in the fall of 2025!

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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, 13 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!