When you are born into a materialistic society, shaped by an educational system and youth organizations whose goal is to make you fit its mould, you quickly become assimilated. Your dreams and visions get shattered as they hit the waves and come up on the shore of reality. You have to dismiss your zeal and convictions and instead embrace your role as an average person.
This happened to most people living under the Communist regime during the period of 1970-1990, when I grew up, trying to find my destiny. I kept searching for real meaning and truth. Somehow, I knew that there would be an open door for me – and all I would need to do would be to enter!
Before the fall of the Iron Curtain I worked as a professional driver in an ammunitions factory. Being a military facility, the factory required all employees to become members of the Communist party. I had to read books by Karl Marx and the Communist Charter. Initially, I totally agreed with their philosophy and decided to join the Communist party. However, I soon realized that it had no power to change circumstances and people. I continued searching. Someone gave me a Bible and I was shocked to find that much of the Communist philosophy had been taken from the Bible and twisted to fit the party’s aims. God was replaced with the ‘party’ and the Saviour and biblical teachings and characters were replaced with Communist slogans and heroes. I compared the Bible to Communist beliefs and decided that Communism was a delusion.
In 1989 I was one of the first people in my town to start my own business. I became successful and popular in the circle of business people and political parties. God was changing the nation and changing me.
One day I had to lead a political campaign for the town mayor. We visited every major institution in Tryavna. Somebody suggested that we should visit the local church. I didn’t expect much of it because I thought that only a few elderly people who would not be politically active would be attending the meetings.
I was surprised to find a smiling young pastor and his wife. There were many young people who listened attentively to what we had to say. They posed important questions which helped us with our plans for governing the city. I thoroughly enjoyed my discussion with these positive and energizing people. My heart was thrilled as I excitedly shared my experience with my wife that evening.
The political campaign went well and our candidate was elected as mayor. More important than that was my choice to get closer to the Lord and to get to know Him personally. I was well received by the pastor and congregation and could feel God’s love flowing to me each time I stepped through the door of the church. My whole view of life was changing. I was hungry to find things in the Bible which I could apply to my life and business. I attended each church service and was eager to hear what the pastor had to say.
My family supported the idea of attending church and our daughter found many friends there. My friends didn’t take my change seriously at first but soon became worried about losing me as a companion and political and business partner.
My business went through a crisis when my partner decided to leave because we disagreed on how to run the business. Up till now; business had meant taking advantage of others and exploiting their weaknesses. I was ill prepared to handle this crisis and faced great challenges. I had to earn a living for my family, but was also under pressure to prove to my colleagues and friends that I was capable of handling this situation. I was hoping to get clear direction from the pulpit but most of the sermons dealt simply with being a godly man, husband and church member.
Trying to dedicate more time to church, and fighting to rebuild my business, estranged me from my friends and political leaders. Some people told me that this was good – leaving the past behind and not keeping in touch with those people. I denied what I felt in my heart. Although politicians sought my advice, I kept telling myself that this was not my field of work. I didn’t understand that God was leading me to a higher level.
One day my wife introduced me to some Christian businessmen from Kazanlak who actively encouraged other business people in their community to become Christians and be successful businessmen as well. I had never heard of such a thing and was delighted when they invited my wife and me and to attend their annual meeting. I was impressed to see what the Lord was doing in other parts of Bulgaria. The whole atmosphere and the testimonies made it clear to me that I was in the right place, and that God was speaking directly to me about the calling He had on my life. I was invited to give testimony. I told them of my commitment and calling to return to my old partners, business and political leaders, and look for opportunities to witness and be influential in their lives. Now I know my calling, and, although it is not easy, I am in the place where I feel the Lord is using me to help others.
God is changing my country and He is changing me. He has connected me with people from the National Union of Christians in Leadership. I now help my fellow workers, political and business leaders in the city where I live. The Lord does not divide people into churches, parties or cultures. He loves us all equally. He has placed me in a team which includes medical doctors, engineers, businessmen and others who want to work for their city in spite of political or ethnic differences.
God has shown me that happiness does not depend on what we have in the material realm.
Twice in my life I went bankrupt. The first time I was not a Christian; the second time I was a new believer. I didn’t obey the voice of God even though He called from heaven ‘Stop!’ Instead I did things my way. I was looking here and there for help, knocking on everybody’s door. One day the Lord spoke to my heart: ‘You are seeking everywhere, looking for this and that. Why do you not ask Me to become part of your business?’ First and foremost God wants to be our God and Saviour and if we invite Him, He will become our business partner as well. Sometimes God will change our course. In the above situation, my wife Camellia and I sat down and agreed in prayer. Then we decided to give up this business and to start a new one. After only a month I became manager of the biggest GSM operator ‘Globul’ in Bulgaria. After a successful 18 months in this job, we are faced with a bigger challenge – a new opportunity. God is leading us to take the next big step – because He has set before us an open door which no man can shut.
