It has been 2 months since we ordained two deacons at Awakening. Our next step in the process of growth of our ministry which involved ministerial development
was the ordination of br. Stefan Zlatarov in the position of presbyter (or epyscopus). The two ministerial positions which the Bulgarian Church of God recognizes are the ministry of deacon and a presbyter as mentioned in Paul's pastoral letters (see 1 Tim. 3:1-13).
Brother Stefan Zlatarov is married and has two sons. He has been ministering as a deacon in the Church of God since 1994. He as been raised in a Christian family and since childhood has been going to church and was involved in the life of several congregations in variety of ways. Br. Zlatarov has been devoted to the ministry of Awakening since its very beginning. In fact he is one of the founders of the church.
Because of his great burden for hurting people, br. Stefan Zlatarov has been assigned as a director of the Social ministries at Awakening. He is also the coordinator of a ministry called “Create a Smile”, a ministry that is aiming to assist children in different orphanages in and around Stara Zagora who have minor health problems. He motivates different people to donate towards minor surgeries which would bring back smiles on the face of children without parents. Through the years br. Zlatarov has shown incredible integrity and maturity of character. He has become an example and a pillar of faith for the Awakening community. His care and love for the 
hurting is contagious. It has inspired many to look into the life of those who are left out and abandoned. That is why his ordination as bishop was a natural development of his growth.
Ordinations in the Bulgarian Church of God are still performed through a ceremony of laying on of hands – just as in the New Testament times, the presbyters of the church (both local and regional). Through the laying on of hands the presbyters recognize the divine work in the life of this man in front of the congregation to which he ministers. It is God who appoints, the church only recognizes it.
We thank God for rising men and women of faith among us, who have committed their lives to leading His church. We are proud that br. Zlatarov is one of them. We gladly follow his example.
