ENGLISH VERSION

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Regarding the ministry of apostle George P. Bakalov

“Do not admit a charge against an elder except

on the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

1 Timothy 5:19

 English Standard Version, 2001

“… that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those

who call themselves apostles, and they are not,

and you found them to be false.”

Revelation 2:2

English Standard Version, 2001

With this public testimony we, former members, leaders and supporters of Breakthrough Christian Center – Sofia, Bulgaria (known in Bulgaria as Prelom Church) would like to speak up and bring to the attention of the Christian community both in Bulgaria and the United States, the problems and the serious errors in the actions of apostle George P. Bakalov.

We’ve been active participants in his religious organization and witnesses of his ministry in Bulgaria. Some of us, 20 years ago, have participated and witnessed the very beginning of the Christian community, that he has founded, known today as Breakthrough Christian Center, Sofia, Bulgaria. In the past years we were sharing with George Bakalov the same faith in God, passion for purity and commitment to Christian values. Today, we have ended any relationship with him because we have lost any trust in his integrity and morals. It is our strong opinion that he traded the pure Christian values for massive financial ventures that he started to involve his church in, taking advantage of people’s trust in him as a minister of God.

In 2012 in the social networks many people started to speak up and publicly dissociate themselves from the leadership of George P. Bakalov. Some of these people revealed shocking facts. We think it is important to give publicity to these facts and inform the public about his personal conduct and  a number of practices we’ve witnessed  through the years that  we feel are unacceptable, alarming and completely against Christian morals.

Personal conduct

For years we have witnessed his arrogant and aggressive behavior, use of outrageous, rude, intimidating language and sarcasm against his opponents - former members of his church. His publications on the internet and his personal Facebook profile are overflowing with phrases like:  “sick brains”, ” zombies”, “rats”, “soft-headed Pharisees”, ”idiots”, “haters”, ”unworthy persons”, etc.

We’ve been witnesses of his rude, intimidating, humiliating attitude on many different occasions through the years. We’ve seen how this aggressive behavior brought about emotional hurts in many of his followers who had put their trust in him as in a spiritual leader, teacher, pastor and apostle.

Illegal recording and publication of confidential and private information

In the last few months we’ve witnessed one more extremely disturbing fact. On March 19, 2012 George Bakalov published on the internet an article against one of his opponents – Kalin Krumov, pastor of a Bulgarian church in London, UK. In this article Bakalov used secretly recorded private conversation with pastor Krumov. The record is authentic, made by GeogeBakalov five months before the publication. Pastor Krumov was not aware this conversation was recorded and later the recording was used without his consent.  In this case we have witnessed an utterly alarming fact –George Bakalov Illegally makes secret recordings of his conversations and uses them to compromise his opponents in his personal battles!

In another instance on April 11^th, 2012 in a public Facebook discussion between George Bakalov and D.V. (also a former member of Breakthrough Christian Center) many of us witnessed how Bakalov tried to intimidate his opponent with personal information which he was entrusted with confidentially as a minister 10 years ago!

We have enough observations and strong basis to think that actually this is a long-standing practice of George Bakalov and one more evidence of abuse of position of trust. Secret recordings and their publication on the internet, aside from being unethical and improper are illegal acts violating basic constitutional civil rights (according to the Constitution of Republic of Bulgaria article 32, section 2)!

As for the misuse of private information, this is an absolutely unacceptable violation of the moral code a Christian spiritual leader and a minister of God should have!

One more time we’ve been witnesses of a behavior which is certainly improper for a man calling himself “apostle of Christ” and claiming to be a spiritual leader with national and international influence!

Cursing of people

In the summer of 2001 many of us have eye-witnessed extremely disturbing events. Back then, in a series of church meetings for the members of Breakthrough Christian Center, George Bakalov dared to put curses over people, who do not obey his and his wife’s absolute authority. Many of us were there when during the church meeting George Bakalov publicly prayed disobedient people and their descendants to be cursed and to die.

Fraud by abuse of position of trust

In the last few years we have witnessed how George Bakalov abused his position of trust and took advantage of his influence over his followers involving them in suspicious business investments - some of them operating as financial pyramids and typical Ponzi schemes. He was the initiator and aggressive promoter of these projects in Bulgaria. We think that striving for personal financial gain George Bakalov set a goal to turn Breakthrough Christian Center and other Christian churches he has influence in into a financial pyramid with him on the top of the structure! We consider George Bakalov personally responsible for involving church members in suspicious schemes for fast profits in which he was personally benefited as a commissioner.

Some of these “businesses” which we know of include: Bridge, KM (Kingdom Marketplace), TIRN and Forex trade involving the businessman Paul Traxel.

The failure of these business projects brought about big financial losses for many believers in Bulgaria and abroad. The victims in these business initiatives claim that the overall losses of the participants amounted hundreds of thousands of dollars. Besides the financial losses the failure of these initiatives and the fact that George Bakalov refused to take any responsibility, caused deep disappointment, emotional destruction, financial bankruptcy and even renouncement of Christian faith in some cases.

In February 2012 an information connected with the financial activity of George Bakalov in US as a CEO of Integrity Dominion Funds LLC was published in the American press. According to the articles Integrity Dominion, co-founded and co-managed by Bakalov, is now in a legal battle for millions of dollars. The news of these events brings out a logical and very alarming question – is there a connection between financial losses of Bulgarian church members who trusted Bakalov and the millions of dollars he invested in the US?

Erroneous teaching about tithing

By spreading erroneous teachings and manipulation of spiritual concepts George Bakalov requires and receives personally for himself 10% of the incomes of pastors, businessmen, Christian companies and churches. This is an ongoing malpractice. Even though this financial commitment is consensual we think it is completely wrong because it is based on a false doctrine, manipulation and abuse of believers’ trust and faith.

А) The malpractice encouraged by Bakalov consists of the following: pastors and ministers who accept his spiritual authority are convinced to make a “financial covenant” with him, giving their tithes personally to him.

Even the way of collecting the tithes is wrongful itself. Kalin Krumov - a pastor who supported Bakalov in the past, testified that by Bakalov’s idea he gave his own debit card along with the PIN number. This way “the apostle” received pastor’s tithes unaccountably (and most likely with no report of this income to IRS).

B) In this “financial covenant” with George Bakalov are involved churches from Bulgaria, Europe and USA. Bakalov gave the idea and convinced them to wire on monthly basis 10% of the donations they

collected to the banking account of George Bakalov Ministries International (GBMI) – a non-profit organization owned by Bakalov.

C) Except for pastors and ministers George Bakalov is convincing businessmen and people with high income in Bulgaria and abroad to give him their tithes. In many cases he convinced people to give him tithes not only of their personal income, but from their businesses. Many people testify that they were talked into donating 10% of their company’s turnover or profit! He assured his donors that in return he is providing “apostolic covering” and heavenly blessings for their businesses and this way they could be sure their business initiatives will be successful and profitable!

In most cases George Bakalov presents his right to receive personal tithes as “establishing divine order” in the relationship between him and his donors. He convinces them that by giving him 10% of their income they will benefit from his apostolic covering and will have access to a special apostolic grace bringing spiritual and material blessings. Personal tithing is also a part of Bakalov’s concept of “spiritual fatherhood” – he is the “spiritual father” and his donors are the “spiritual sons”.

Manipulative arguments Bakalov uses to convince his donors that this concept is based in the Bible can be seen in a letter addressed to pastor Kalin Krumov in London, UK.

We think the practice of personal tithing, which encourages believers to give their tithes not to their church but directly in the bank account of certain ministers contradicts the established way of tithing in the church and takes advantage of believers’ desire to serve God!

Appropriation of the building of Carmel Prayer Center

Back in 1999 George Bakalov presented to believers in Bulgaria one of his “supernatural” projects – the idea of creating a Prayer Center in Sofia, Bulgaria connected with the World Prayer Center in Colorado Springs, CO, USA. The idea was that believers could present their prayer requests to a place with 24/7 connection to a international prayer network. For the purposes of this project he mobilized the members of Breakthrough Christian Center to raise the money and buy a building in Sofia’s city center (on 26, Vesletz Str.) which was going to be equipped with special prayer cabins and technical equipment.

The fund raising campaign called “Gideon givers” became a leading project with hundreds of donors from Bulgaria. In some cases people sold their property, gave all their savings and even their last money believing that they are creating something unique and godly. Thanks to the believers’ dreams of creating a Prayer Center in Bulgaria and to the mutual efforts of many Christians the building was bought and remodeled, but the project of creating Prayer Center was never accomplished for unknown reasons.

Instead of this the ownership of the property (which is now estimated to almost 1 000 000 dollars) was transferred to a private foundation called Bulgarian-American Bridges of Fellowship (BAMO) where majority owners are George P. Bakalov and his wife. The ownership of the building was not transferred to the church as it was supposed to be.

Today George P. Bakalov travels the world and presents this fund-raising project as one of his personal  business achievements. We consider this as a severe manipulation, seeking of personal financial gain and abuse of the trust and motivation of those who invested in this unaccomplished project with pure intentions. All the sacrifices believers made were mocked and ridiculed.

Conclusion

We would like to strongly emphasize on the facts above and state our conclusion that George P. Bakalov became too interested in his own financial success and deviated from the essence of Christian faith, doctrine and ethics. Besides, he did not put serious effort in transforming his moral standards and dealing with his arrogant irresponsible behavior, which brought so much pain and devastation in the lives of many people. Today the bitter fruits of his ministry are broken trust, hurt souls, damaged faith and great financial losses for many people.

Today we are strongly convinced that this man is not worthy to call himself apostle, spiritual leader and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

With this public testimony  we would like to:

·   Bear witness and warn the public both in Bulgaria and worldwide about the results  George Bakalov’s negative influence have had on individuals and whole churches!

·  Disassociate ourselves from his activity and from the wrong image of a Christian believer and minister of God he created in Bulgarian Christian Community.

·   Call on all Christian leaders in Bulgaria and abroad to inquire for themselves all the facts presented above, take a stand and declare their position on this important matter concerning our common faith in Jesus Christ!

·  Appeal to George P. Bakalov to show honesty and give up the ownership of the property on Vesletz  Str. located downtown Sofia which he obtained in a fraudulent manner.

·    Appeal to George P. Bakalov to repent publicly for his sinful actions and behavior which are inappropriate for a minister of the Gospel. We appeal to him to admit the truth, to take his responsibility and step down from active ministry as a preacher and a church leader!

Our position presented in this letter is provoked by our concern for purity in the Body of Christ. Our hope is that George P. Bakalov will repent and receive forgiveness from God and from the people he has hurt! All of us, who support this letter, remain in faith with God, whose justice always triumphs!

Important notice: The claims in this public testimony are supported by the people that have signed it and by additional documents now available only in Bulgarian. All the additional materials /emails, publications by George P. Bakalov, Facebook postings on his official Facebook profile, etc./ are attached as links in the Bulgarian version of the text. All documents will be translated in English and attached to this public testimony as well.

Truthfully in Christ,

1. Julian Timnev – co-founder with George Bakalov of Breakthrough Christian Center /initially known as Truth from Zion Church/, church member for the period 1990-1991

2. Anna Bulgaranova - church member for the period 1990-1996

3. Gergina Gyukendjieva - church member for the period 1991-2001, member of the Praise&Worship team

4. Mario Ivanov - church member for the period 1991-1998, volunteer/usher in Breakthrough Christian Center

5. Evgenia Hristova - church member for the period 1990-1995, employee in the church’s office /office assistant/

6. Vladimir Zahariev - church member for the period 1991-2012

7. Lena Zaharieva - church member for the period 1991-2012

8. Dimitar Velichkov - church member for the period 1991-2002

9. Stefanka Penova - church member for the period 1992-2009

10. Veselka Gencheva - church member for the period 2003-2009, leader of the prayer ministry in Breakthrough Christian Center and Apostolic Reformed Church

11. Tsvetomir Genchev - church member for the period 2002-2009, pastor of the Praise&Worship team, pastor and preacher in Breakthrough Christian Center

12. Mariela Stoyanova - church member for the period 1991-2001, volunteer/usher in Breakthrough Christian Center

13. Lyubov Churilkova - church member for the period 1991-2001, leader of the Praise&Worship team

14. Dimitar Rusev - church member for the period 1990-2008, preacher in Breakthrough Christian Center

15. Milko Tzonov - church member for the period 1990- 2011, leader of the Praise&Worship team, co-founder with George Bakalov of Breakthrough Christian Center /initially known as Truth from Zion Church/

16. Emil Shikov - church member for the period 1991-2011, employee in the church’s office /manager of the publishing house/

17. Vania Shikova - church member for the period 2000-2011

18. Alexander Ermenkov - church member for the period 1991-1996

19. Gergana Ermenkova - church member for the period 1992-1996

20. Roza Kircheva

21. Evelina Dimitrova - church member for the period 1990-1994, co-founder with George Bakalov of Breakthrough Christian Center /initially known as Truth from Zion Church/

22. Ivaylo Yanev - church member for the period 1992- 2011, volunteer/Audio&Video department, employee in the church’s office

23. Vyara Yaneva - church member for the period 1991-2011

24. Simeon Gaydarov

25. Tomislav Vichov - church member for the period 1990-2000, Breakthrough Christian Center /initially known as Truth from Zion Church/, member of the Praise&Worship team

26. Maria Ilieva - church member for the period 1990-2000

27. Zlatko Iliev - church member for the period 1990-2000

28. Diana Borisova - church member for the period 1990-2003, leader of the Praise&Worship team

29. Maria Tzonova - church member for the period 1991- 2011, member of the Praise&Worship team, leader of the prayer ministry /1999-2001/

30. Tatyana Popova - church member for the period 2001-2009

31. George Velichkov - church member for the period 1991-2001, member of the Praise&Worship team

32. Dasha Dimova - church member for the period 2006-2012

33. Kalin Krumov - church member for the period 1992-2002, pastor in London, UK /2005-2012/

34. Valentina Evtimova - church member for the period 1999-2008

35. Yavor Raychev - church member for the period 1991-1996/ 2000-2007, George Bakalov’s business partner

36. Maya Kebede - church member for the period 1993-2003, leader of the Praise&Worship team

37. Gebeyehu Kebede - church member for the period 1998-2003, лидер на молитвеното служение

38. Vladimir Todorov - church member for the period 1993-2008, member of the Praise&Worship team

39. Stanislav Gulubov - church member for the period 1990-1999

40. Yana - church member for the period 1990-2000, co-founder with George Bakalov of Breakthrough Christian Center /initially known as Truth from Zion Church/, member of the Praise&Worship team

41. Evgeniya Dimova - church member for the period 1992-2011

42. Vyara Platova - church member for the period 1998-1999

43. Lilyana Daskalova - church member for the period 1991-2007

44. Victor Burnev - church member for the period 1990-1992

45. Pepy Kunchev - church member for the period 1991-1992

46. Parvoleta Barclay - church member for the period 1991-1997, 2000- 2001

47. Teodora Graham - church member for the period 1990-1992

48. Dimitar Dimitrov

49. Stanislav Krumov - church member for the period 1992- 2012, usher, member of the Praise&Worship team, part of the leadeship team of the youth ministry

50. Toni Krumova - church member for the period 1999-2012, interpreter, editor, member of the Praise&Worship team

51. Lyudmila Ancheva - church member for the period 1991-2009, разпоредител

52. Plamen Glojenski

53. Dimitar Alexiev

54. Stanislava Krumova

55. Simeon Stoyanov - church member for the period 1992-1998

56. Dragomir Radulov - church member for the period 1991-2007

57. Trifon Yotov

58. Kiril Stoyanov - church member for the period 1992-2001, usher

59. Dimitar Sergilov

60. Jeni Monova

61. Rumiana Nehrizova

62. Boris Georgiev

63. Rangel Mladenov

64. Ivanina Mladenova

65. Denitsa Hristova - church member for the period 2007-2009

66. Todor Dimitrov - church member for the period 1992-2008, employee in the church’s office /financial manager/

67. Galina Dimitrova - church member for the period 1991-2008

68. Krasimira Ermenkova - church member for the period 1991-2009

69. Ivanka Sergilova

70. Valery Stavrev

71. Dobriana Eremieva

72. Nikolay Kolev

73. Vesela Banzurkova - church member for the period 1990-1996, co-founder with George Bakalov of Breakthrough Christian Center /initially known as Truth from Zion Church/, missionary

74. Borislav Yanev - church member for the period 1992-1997, usher

75. Slavyanka Stambolova - church member for the period 1991-2009

76. Edward Kourian - church member for the period 2003-2008, member of the Praise&Worship team, employee in the church’s office /IT, web designer/

77. Kalin Petkov - church member for the period 2000-2008

78. Anita Dimitrova - church member for the period 1991-1997, 2008

79. Ventsislav Yordanov - church member for the period 1991-2005

80. Anisia Ivanova - church member for the period 1992-2001

81. Iskren Zahariev - church member for the period 1991-2012

82. Alice - church member for the period 1991-1996, administrator, editor, interpreter, missionary, leader of the Praise&Worship team, George Bakalov’s personal assistant

83. Daniela Yordanova - church member for the period 1991-2012

84. Peter Ivanov - church member for the period 1990-2007, pastor in Slovakia and Vienna, Austria /until 2007/
85. Kalin Vasilev
86. Elena Stoyanova
87. Hristo Hristov
88. Desislav Kaloyanov
89. Sofia Bliznakova
90. Svetoslava Georgieva Stoyanova - involved in financial pyramid schemes initiated by George P. Bakalov, personal financial losses 4000 BGN /approax. 2650 USD/
91. pastor Yanko Dobrev - Silistra, Bulgaria
92. Ivelina Stoyanova
93. Ivelina Nenova Georgieva
94. Milan Kotev
95. Veselin Gerov