News & stories The Bulgarian Spiritual Light newspaper reopened publication with assistance from EMM workers Lamar and Pat Myers. EMM supports different news slant through Spiritual Light newspaper KARDJALI, Bulgaria – After a year of “darkness” the January-February 2007 issue of Spiritual Light has just rolled off the press. “We believe strongly that Spiritual Light has been a strategic tool for sharing the gospel in non-threatening ways with Muslims, atheists, and nominal Christians alike,” said Lamar and Pat Myers, Eastern Mennonite Missions workers in southern Bulgaria, who worked closely with the editorial team to restart the paper. Last year, due to lack of funds, this popular 16-page bi-monthly newspaper ceased publication. But now, with funding through EMM, 4,200 copies are printed and beginning to be circulated. Editor-in-chief Hari Atanasov uses the new release's lead article, “Aggression around us,” to introduce the focus of the paper. Other articles examine stories of aggression from history and in contemporary society. Still others speak of servanthood and the way of Jesus. During its ten years of publication the paper has been filled with articles promoting religious and ethnic tolerance – based on biblical principles. There have been articles on “The Bible and the Koran” and “Jesus and Mohammad” as well as articles about care, respect, and love for all persons regardless of ethnic or religious differences. The newspaper has also addressed the concerns of the disabled, orphans, prisoners, and the elderly. It includes testimonies about God at work in Bulgaria and gives an inoffensive witness of the living Christ through the stories of people who have believed in him. Myers reported that the company that printed this unique paper liked it well enough to print 100 extra copies for their staff and another 100 copies free of charge simply as a donation to the cause. The newspaper has been mailed, along with an introductory letter, to a wide spectrum of pastors and church leaders across Bulgaria. In addition to paid subscriptions, there are plans to distribute the newspaper free of charge in 30 Bulgarian and Turkish Muslim villages in southern Bulgaria. The editorial team is aware that single copies have been read by as many as 40 people. In a village several years ago, Atanasov handed out several papers – and two years later learned that several people had accepted Christ through its influence. “It has been very fulfilling for us to see this paper reopen,” Myers said. “There is a great dearth of Christian literature here. We are excited about the path we are on to help the paper become strong and self-sustaining in the next two and a half years.” EMM invites contributions to assist the newspaper as it works to become self-sustaining. Many readers echo Myers' joy. As one wrote, “You truly spread the light of God among people – Christians, Muslims, believers and unbelievers, even atheists. It reaches them because it is stronger and brighter than anything.” A businessman wrote, “I get depressed when reading other newspapers and can only read about half, but this newspaper I read from beginning to end. I found answers to questions I could not understand before. I feel much better in my soul. I await with eagerness the next edition. It is unfortunate that it will be published only every two months; it must be more often.” A government employee added, “For me this is maybe the most different newspaper, but at the same time, this is a very useful newspaper for spiritual healing in the community. This newspaper can help us get out of the moral crisis we find ourselves in, and help us restore Bulgarian values, including faith.” -Jewel Showalter Back to news and stories