Meet the Team

Lizzy has served in Sofia since November 2014. She co-leads the English Language ministry with Lydia Goeglein. Lizzy also assists with the music and women’s ministry at New Life Church and is involved in mentoring interns during the Well, our team’s summer internship program.

Dave moved to Sofia in 2006 after serving as a family doctor in the US for a number of years. He currently serves as our team leader and is involved in supporting church planting, medical and evangelistic ministries, and directs The Well, our team’s summer internship.

Taylor and Katherine both served in Sofia as singles, Katherine for 7 years and Taylor for 2. After completing degrees in theology (Taylor) and counseling (Katherine) they returned to Sofia in May of 2023 to work in church planting and helping equip the church to care for people who have been oppressed through being trafficked.

Cailin is serving with the team as a 6-month intern. Her primary role is in assisting with English language ministry and developing friendships with university students.

Boyan has served with our team since 2011. He is the main coordinator for our publishing house and is involved in selecting texts, overseeing translation, publishing, and distributing Christian texts—both on theology and on Christian living. Fani teaches at Sofia Christian Academy. Boyan and Fani are both highly involved in New Life Church.

Lydia has been serving in Sofia since December 2010. She helps run a school for the children of missionaries from several missions orginizations, is a part of the planning team and women's, children's and worship ministries of New Life (our church plant), and co-leads our English ministry.

The Hoots arrived in Sofia as long-term missionaries in March 2019, although both served as interns here before their marriage. Trevin is working with the development of leaders in our church plant, New Life Church, and hopes to help plant more reformed and covenantal churches in Sofia. Ruthie recently took on the role of language coach for the team, where she assists all of the Bulgarian learners in how to more effectively learn language. She is also looking for ways to be involved in community outreach to moms. 

Vlado has served with our team since the fall of 2007. He is on New Life Church leadership and works with our short term teams and internships as well as maintaining an administrative role. Poli is also involved in New Life Church and serves as the chairman of the board of Spring of Hope, an outreach ministry targeted to reach victims of sex trafficking.

After a summer with the Well in 2022 and then a 2 year stint as a long-term intern from 2023-2025, James returned to Bulgaria in June of 2026 to the work in Bulgaria for a longer period. He serves our team in an administrative / organizational role and in Bulgaria by participating in sports ministry with the goal of building relationships with locals through soccer.

Owen is currently serving with the team as an 11 month intern. After graduating from Cal Poly SLO in June with a Bachelors in English, he will be teaching English literature classes at Sofia Christian Academy, working with the youth group at our church, and forming relationships with Bulgarians through our English language outreach ministry.

Does it seem like God is calling you to Bulgaria? Our team has an open seat! Click the button to see some of our specific needs.