Moving forward together in ministry, growth, and prayer

Dear Friends,

Summer always brings a special sense of excitement for SIP Bulgaria. It is the season when months of preparation and prayer become a reality—camps filled with children, new friendships, and life-changing encounters with God.

In this issue, we would like to give you a glimpse of what has been happening behind the scenes and share why we are looking forward to this summer with such great anticipation.

We'll tell you about our experience at this year's National Coordinators' Meeting in Hungary and why each gathering sends us home with fresh ideas, renewed vision, and greater motivation. We'll also take you to Kavlak, where exciting developments are underway as the camp facility is being expanded to welcome even more children and teenagers in the years ahead.

We believe that each of these stories is part of a much bigger one—the story of how God continues to work through SIP, through those who serve, and through you, our faithful partners who stand with us.

NCM 2026 – United in Ministry

NCM 2026 – Together in Ministry

From April 22–26, representatives of SIP Bulgaria once again had the opportunity to take part in the annual National Coordinators' Meeting (NCM) of Youngstars International, a global network that brings together ministries like SIP with a shared mission of reaching children and young people with the Gospel.

This year's meeting was hosted by the Hungarian team. SIP Bulgaria was represented by Anastasia Mihaylova, Chair of the Board, and Nikola Popov, Technical Assistant.

The event brought together 34 participants from nine countries. As every year, the programme was thoughtfully balanced, including Bible reflections and testimonies, personal quiet time, small-group discussions, a prayer walk with reflection stations, workshops, games, a cultural evening, fellowship, and the Youngstars International General Assembly, where participants discussed the organization's development and future plans.

Every two years, Youngstars International organizes a fundraising initiative to support the ministries of its member countries. The format changes each time, and this year it was a sponsored fun run. Each participant ran for 30 minutes on a 400-metre course after securing sponsors beforehand. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Anastasia and I raised nearly €240. We were delighted that, through the combined efforts of all the participants and their sponsors, the overall fundraising goal of €20,000 was reached.

One of the most memorable evenings was the international food festival. Each country prepared a traditional dish for everyone to enjoy. Bulgaria was represented with gyuvech, a traditional vegetable and meat casserole. For me, it was quite a challenge, as it was the first time I had cooked such a large quantity of food over an open fire. Beyond the delicious meal, the evening was filled with teamwork, conversations, and opportunities to experience the richness of one another's cultures.

The cultural evening was equally enjoyable. Our Hungarian hosts introduced us to their traditions and folk dances and shared more about their ministry. One of my personal highlights was the chance to drive a Trabant—a long-time wish finally fulfilled!

Throughout the week, the Hungarian team showed exceptional hospitality. Beyond the official programme, some of the most meaningful moments came during meals, around the campfire, and in our free time. Those informal conversations are where friendships grow, ideas are exchanged, and we gain a deeper understanding of how God is working through different ministries across the world.

For me, NCM is always a source of inspiration. I came away with fresh camp themes, creative activities, and practical ideas from the various teams. I returned to Bulgaria with renewed enthusiasm, a desire to keep growing, and the assurance that God is working in the same faithful way across different countries through people who serve Him with one heart.

I think many of us found it difficult to say goodbye because it was such a peaceful and joyful time together. As Winnie-the-Pooh wisely said:

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

I am already looking forward to next year's meeting in Italy. I hope to reconnect with friends from different countries, hear how God is working through their ministries, and return to Bulgaria with even more ideas, experience, and inspiration for SIP's ministry.

Nikola Popov, Technical Assistant

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Kavlak Is Growing: Soon to Welcome Up to 150 Guests

A Conversation with Hans-Georg Gerster, Leader of the SIP Association

If you've been to a camp at Kavlak in recent years, you've probably noticed that things can get a little crowded—especially during the summer, when every camp is filled to capacity. That's exactly why Kavlak is currently undergoing a major expansion. I sat down with Hans-Georg Gerster, leader of the SIP Association, to learn more about the vision behind the project.

Why was there a need to expand the camp?

The answer is quite simple: we've run out of space.

"The biggest challenge is that we simply don't have enough room—especially during our teenage camps," Hans-Georg explains. Over the years, interest in the camps has continued to grow, but the facilities have not grown with it. SIP wants to give more children and young people the opportunity to attend camp and experience all that it has to offer. Expanding the site became the natural solution.

Will the camp itself change very much?

Here's some reassuring news: don't expect a construction site full of new buildings. The goal isn't to build from scratch, but to make better use of the space we already have. In other words, Kavlak will keep the same atmosphere everyone loves—just with a little more room for everyone to enjoy it.

What's happening at the moment?

Quite a lot, actually! Several projects are moving forward at the same time:

• A new main tent has already been delivered and put in place—one of the first major milestones.

• The barn used for evening meetings had become one of the biggest bottlenecks, especially during the teenage camp, when it was simply too small for everyone. A larger barn is now being renovated and adapted, providing a much more spacious meeting place that will comfortably accommodate many more participants.

• The shower facilities are also being upgraded. More showers are being added, and the water system is being improved to provide better water pressure. The goal is to allow more campers to shower at the same time without long queues after activities.

• A new toilet block has already been delivered and is ready to be installed.

  
  

What will the new capacity be?

The numbers speak for themselves. Once the expansion is complete, Kavlak will be able to accommodate up to 150 people, a significant increase from its previous capacity of around 80–90 guests.

In practical terms, this means nearly twice as many children, teenagers, and leaders will be able to experience camp at Kavlak without the space limitations we've faced in recent years.

Will everything be ready in time?

The new tent and toilet facilities have already arrived, so those parts of the project are well underway. The team is working hard to complete the remaining improvements before the teenage camp begins, as that camp is the main reason for the expansion and the priority for this summer.

The training camps taking place beforehand may not benefit from every improvement, but because they have fewer participants, this is not expected to cause any significant challenges.

It's exciting to see Kavlak growing alongside our ministry—not only in size, but also in its ability to welcome more people with open arms. For our teenage camps in particular, where space has long been a limiting factor, this expansion is a much-awaited and encouraging step forward.

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Join Us in Prayer This Summer

As our summer camps draw near, SIP Bulgaria is entering one of the busiest and most exciting seasons of the year. Behind every day at camp, every game, every conversation, and every child's encounter with God are months of preparation, dedicated volunteers, and, above all, God's faithfulness.

This summer, we are looking forward to welcoming children and teenagers to Kavlak for the SIP Camp, SIP 2, the Teen Camp, and leadership training camps. We believe that camp is much more than a week of games and activities. It is a place where children can feel accepted, encouraged, and experience God's love in a personal way.

We would like to invite you to be part of this summer season through prayer. Please join us in praying for:

The children and teenagers

Pray that God will prepare their hearts even before they arrive at camp. May these days be filled with joy, new friendships, and life-changing encounters with Him.

The leaders and volunteers

Every camp depends on people who generously give their time, energy, and love. Pray that God will grant wisdom, patience, strength, and unity to everyone who will be serving this summer.

The teams and preparations

Pray for every practical detail—from planning and travel arrangements to programmes and teamwork. May everything be done with excellence and with a heart to serve each participant well.

God's presence throughout the camps

More than simply running a successful programme, our greatest desire is that children and young people will encounter God's love and be encouraged in their faith.

We are also deeply grateful for everyone who supports SIP—through prayer, financial giving, volunteering, or words of encouragement. Every contribution is part of the greater story that God is writing through this ministry.

"One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." John 4:37–38

Thank you for walking alongside us. Together, we look forward with anticipation to all that God will do during the summer of 2026.

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As you've seen, this summer is full of activity—from international gatherings and the expansion of Kavlak to the most important preparation of all: prayer. Each of these stories reminds us that ministry is never the work of just a few people or a single organization. It is the work of a community that serves, gives, and prays together.

Thank you for being part of that community. Whether you support SIP through prayer, volunteering, financial giving, or simply by following and sharing in these updates, you are part of the story God is writing this summer.

Together, let us look forward with faith and joy to all that God has in store for the summer of 2026.