From Generation to Generation
Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. (Proverbs 22:30)
Every person is shaped and influenced by the previous generation, and has an impact on the next generation. Although I was born in communist Bulgaria, I remember my mom prayed when she thought nobody was watching.
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior while at university. God answered her prayers! Then Vanya and I got married and after graduation, we became staff-workers for a Christian student organization. We served among university students for 17 years. During that time, we were blessed to learn how to be disciples and to disciple others by reading great Christian books, attending memorable conferences, but also from the personal example of many fine people we met in the ministry.
All these people and resources taught me not only how to prepare sermons, do inductive Bible studies, lead, plan and motivate others but they also taught me how to be both a Christian husband and dad. That was God’s best school for me. So, no wonder I wanted all these blessings to be available to our kids when they arrive.
Our first child, Deborah, was born in the first year of our ministry. Then came along our second daughter, Monika, and our son, Stefan. Since they were babies, they have seen many students coming to our home for Bible study, discipleship, or fellowship. Our kids have attended Christian conferences and camps with us and interacted with many committed young Christians. This had a tremendous impact on their lives.
I remember one day when we were coming back home with Debbie from the kindergarten, she asked us, “Who are you meeting with today?” Our kids were used to being around students all the time. That was a blessing for them but could create some tension. We were aware of the pitfalls of raising kids while doing full-time ministry. That’s why from the beginning we decided that our ministry would not be at the expense of the family. As a young father, I set a goal to stay at least three nights at home per week and spend quality time with my kids. I also led regular family Bible studies and devotions. I didn’t always get it right, but, thanks to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the assistance of a godly wife, I did learn along the way.
Later, when we started our church plant with IM in Varna, our teenage children joined us in the ministry. In the first weeks, there was only one more family with small kids in the church, so our children served as both our worship and multimedia team. They also helped with loading the car and carrying the equipment to the hotel conference room and then back home every Sunday. They have invited their friends to church. They have cleaned, painted, and done all kinds of errands for the church. Those years helped in shaping their character and acquiring the skills that they are still using as they serve in their own churches today.
As a Christian father and head of the family, my prayer for my kids has always been for us to be able to teach them about good and evil, encourage them to make God number one in their lives and make good choices in their lives, and use their gifts for God’s glory.
Today, Debbie, my oldest is now married; she and her husband are serving alongside us and the IM Bulgaria team. Our son-in-law, Brenton, is also a child of missionaries with OMF in Japan. Debbie and Brenton met at Welch College and after graduation, they moved to Bulgaria to work with IM in the city of Shumen. They are using their gifts and skills for the Kingdom. Brenton preaches, shares his faith, and disciples guys he meets at the American football practice. Debbie helps with the translation of books and materials, interpreting sermons, and organizes church events and the Sunday school. They both lead the worship team and use a lot of creativity to do outreach events. I think that we can learn from them now!
In addition, they are doing a great job as parents! Similar to his parents, our one-year-old grandson is already used to being around many Christian believers. Without realizing it, he is also serving with his mom as she meets with other moms and kids at the children’s playground. In a way, there are three generations of us serving on the field.
Our second daughter just got engaged and is getting married to a guy who is serving alongside us at the New Life Church in Varna. She is leading the worship team and interpreting the sermons for English speakers. He is helping with video recording and studying at the Apprenticeship Program at our church. They both have served together in the student Bible study group, too. To them, serving at the church is also a natural thing to do.
Our youngest has just finished high school and is applying to study at university. He is helping with the multimedia and using his gift of music in the worship team.
Today we are thankful that all our children are committed Christians. They have given their full support for our ministry and have been actively involved in it. God has graciously answered our prayers the same way he answered my mom’s prayer. The witness of our family inspires the people who come for the first time to church and many of them come again because of it.
In a few years from now, we do not know where our children will live and where they will work. Sometimes we worry and wonder whether God would provide for all their needs. However, He has always been faithful! So, I keep reminding myself that. We don’t know what the future holds but we know Who holds the future.
Our prayer is that they would stay close to Him and that they would always serve Him together with their families. And be, in their turn, an example to the next generation.
Written by: Trif Trifonov, IM Missionary in Bulgaria. To learn more about their ministry or partner with them monthly, click the button below.