Truth and Hope

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” - Matthew 28:19-20a

Brief History

The vision over the years to help heal the brokenhearted has not changed, yet the plans on how to accomplish this vision have grown and matured into what the ministry is today. In 1991 the Lord first impressed upon Cherie’s heart (the founder) to start a ministry to help women heal over the issue of abortion. It was also her desire to teach the truth about purity to teenagers. After much prayer and preparation the Lord opened the door to the ministry in 1993. The ministry began by holding post-abortion workshops for women and purity seminars for teenagers.

It was also during 1993 that Cherie went on her first missionary trip to Bulgaria, Eastern Europe were the Lord opened the door for her to teach the truth about abortion at a church service. A couple who were expecting their fifth child were there. Upon the advice of their doctor they were considering abortion, yet deep within their hearts they desired to know what God’s Word said concerning this issue. Therefore, it was their question about abortion which opened the door for Cherie to teach. After the teaching they decided to keep their child and this touched Cherie’s heart deeply for Bulgaria. She continued the ministry in America and took short-term missionary trips yearly to Bulgaria to teach the truth wherever God opened the door.

In 1999 the Lord led Cherie to write a book, leader’s manual and student workbook titled Go in Peace! on the subject of post-abortion which was 100 percent biblical since all the other post-abortion materials that she was aware of included man’s philosophy and man’s psychology.

Soon many women who had never had an abortion were asking to attend the workshops for other issues, such as rape, molestation, incest and abuse. Plus many women were taking their husbands through Go in Peace! after they completed the workshop. Thus the Lord expanded the ministry to help others heal over any hurtful issue. In view of this, the leader’s manual and the student workbook of Go in Peace! were rewritten in 2004 to minister to both women and men for any deep heart hurt.

Also during this time God was expanding the ministry in Bulgaria and soon Keith, Cherie and their two daughters moved to Bulgaria to live for one year as missionaries (2000-2001). During this year they opened The Truth & Hope Foundation, a legally registered non-profit foundation in Sofia, the capital city. While there they trained up Bulgarian nationals in how to disciple others over any deep heart hurt.

Once back in the States they couldn’t get Bulgaria out of their hearts and they moved back to Sofia in September 2003 where they continue to teach, disciple and train up others for the ministry. This includes weekly Bible studies, seminars and retreats. They have found that it is in the regular ministry of weekly Bible studies and retreats that they meet the people who have the deep heart needs. This opens the door to minister to those in need through individual discipleship or weekend workshops.

The ministry in America continues as well and workshops are available for those in need. If you have a need or would like more information please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

 

Our Bios

Keith & Cherie Fresonke were married in 1983 and are still best friends. Currently they are living in Sofia, Bulgaria as missionaries where they are training up national leaders. Cherie is also currently writing her next book Clothed in Righteousness. They have two daughters who are just beginning their lives as young women. Lindsey is currently at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, CA and Jessica is attending Coastline Community College via the internet while serving the Lord alongside of her parents in Bulgaria. Jessica hopes to be a Registered Nurse and desires to attend Biola University in the Fall of 2005.

 

Our Staff

Violeta Krumova Rasheva graduated English Philology at Sofia University where she received her MA in English and American Literature and Linguistics in 1979. She always desired to work with people. From 1979 to 1996 she was a High School English teacher. Villie accepted the Lord in 1992. She was the secretary for Blaga Vest Church in Sofia from 1996 to 2000. The Lord answered her prayers to counsel women and in 2001 she started working for The Truth & Hope Foundation. She has two sons who have grown into strong Christian young men. They both are completing their degrees at universities in Sofia while working in ministries at Blaga Vest Church.

Snezhana Ilieva Slavkova came to Christ at the age of 27, just a month before “the changes” * in Bulgaria. At that time she was a student of English philology at Sofia University. She was married in 1992 and received her MA in English and American Literature and Linguistics in 1995 (after the birth of her two children in 1993 and 1994). In 1997 both she and her husband started studying theology at the Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute (BETI) and finished their studies in 2001 receiving a Bachelor’s in Theology. Snezhi’s desire since she became a Christian has always been to counsel women. So it was like a dream come true when she started working for The Truth and Hope Foundation in 2001. Currently, while working at the foundation, she is continuing her studies in a two-year extension Master’s program at BETI in Pastoral Counseling. * The changes – refers to when communism fell, November 1989.