George and Laura Gardev have been serving as pastors of the Evangelical Baptist Church (EBC) since 2006. The church was co-founded in 1864 by George’s ancestors and it was the first Baptist church in Bulgaria. George is also on the Board for the Bulgarian Baptist Union and serves as a vice-chairman. In 2024, George became the president of the Bulgarian Baptist Institute. Along with administrative work he also teaches Introduction to the New Testament and lectures on various books from the New Testament.

Laura works as project manager for a local company but is also involved in helping and organizing every ministry in the church.

The Evangelical Baptist Church, Kazanlak is known for its warm atmosphere and serving Jesus Christ through its support of the poor, orphans, and widows including:

• An onsite medical clinic offering free examinations and spiritual support for the patients. The clinic is visited by an average of 100 people a month.
• The adoption of the only orphanage open in the area, providing food, clothing, shoes, bed linens, and school supplies and spiritual support to the teachers.
• EBC partners with the local municipality to host a soup kitchen during the winter for the poor and needy. The partnership provides food for 50 people.
• The church organizes summer camps for children and youth and Youth Bible Weekends, for students 16 and over.

As a couple, George and Laura feel called to disciple young people. They meet twice a week to discuss faith topics, lead a Bible study and lead a “Book club” where they read and discuss Christian books. The last two years the Lord has laid it on George and Laura’s hearts to start a new nationwide ministry called “Come to the Cross, a time of repentance, worship and rededication.” The event is attended by young adults from all churches and denominations in Bulgaria.

Prayer requests:

• Pray for the spiritual maturity of the congregation of EBC Kazanlak – for them to realize the amazing privilege it is to be God’s people in the generation we live in.
• Pray that new Christians are discipled not just by the pastor but by the members of the church.
• Pray for open doors for evangelism as it is getting more and more difficult to reach the lost.
• Pray for the young generation to have heart for Jesus and to care for the elderly.
• Pray that our church leadership is not task oriented but are lead by seeking the Lord’s face and God’s will.