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Nick Petrov served both in the
pastoral ministry of the United Methodist Church and in
various ecumenical and educational programs in Europe and in
the United States of America. He graduated from Martin
Luther College in Austria and earned his M.Div. from Candler
School of Theology, Emory University. In 2017 he received a
Ph.D. in Wesleyan and Methodist Studies from Drew
University. He serves at the Greater New Jersey Commission
on Archives and History and at the General Commission on
Archives and History. He is married to Stella and they have
two children, David and Evangeline.
A message from Nick
My name is Nick Petrov. I was
born in the beautiful town of Rousse on the Danube River.
Nobel laureate Elias Canetti, writing of his
turn-of-the-century childhood in the Bulgarian city of
Rousse captured the tranquility and diversity that
characterized the land of his birth: Ruschuk...was a
marvelous city... People of the most varied backgrounds
lived there; on any one day you could hear seven or eight
languages. Aside from Bulgarians... there were Turks, who
lived in their own neighborhood; next to it was the
neighborhood of the Sephardim, the Spanish Jews... and there
were Greeks, Albanians, Armenians, and Gypsies. I was
raised amidst this diverse culture. Later I served as senior
pastor of the Methodist Church in Rousse. The Church in
Bulgaria was founded 160 Years ago by American missionaries.
I am sixth generation Methodist. My father and grandfather
were Methodist ministers too. I have been happily married to
my wife Stela for 15 years. We have two beautiful children --
David 14, and Evangeline 6.
In 2000, I graduated Martin
Luther College in Austria with Diploma in Theology. In
2007, I earned the M.Div. from Candler School of Theology,
Emory University. In 2017 I received a Ph.D. in Wesleyan and
Methodist Studies from Drew University. My doctoral work at
Drew was an exciting and beneficial experience that will be
very helpful in my work at Millbrook UMC. In reading Dr.
Theodore Runyon's book The New Creation - John Wesley's
Theology Today, I discovered an epigram: In spiritual
experience, the experience produces us. Knowing transforms
the knower. I wish that our journey at Millbrook UMC will
be a great spiritual experience that will transform us into
courageous disciples of Jesus Christ.Prior to coming to
Millbrook UMC, I served at Hotanca United Methodist Church,
Bulgaria -- 1994 to 1996, Graz United Methodist Church,
Austria - 2000 to 2001, Varna United Methodist Church,
Bulgaria - 2001 to 2002, Rouse United Methodist Church,
Bulgaria - 2002 to 2007, Harmony United Methodist Church,
LaGrange, Georgia - 2008 to 2010, Port Morris United
Methodist Church, Landing, New Jersey - 2010 to present.
Now, I am very excited about
my appointment at Millbrook UMC and cannot wait to meet you
in person. There would be no greater joy than to see the
Church of Jesus Christ walking in the fullness of strength
and purpose which is available to all who long to glorify
Him. I am motivated to be a visionary leader. I have many
ideas for our congregation at Millbrook that will expand our
work in the community and throughout the area. I am
passionate to spread the word of Jesus Christ's
unconditional love wherever it needs hearing. God has a good
future for all of us at Millbrook. |
