By Eddie StreetWith Mario Hristov

Leadership

Relational leadership

Major Concepts

Continuing Education

Stay Encouraged

Mario HristovYouth Minister, Associate Pastor, and Regional Youth Board Member

Has spent over 15 years in youth ministry. Most of those at the Bulgarian Evangelical Church of God in the Chicago land area.

Mario Hristov

He has been an associate pastor, worship leader, and member of the regional youth board.

He is originally from Bulgaria and moved to America to answer God’s call to start a skate boarding ministry.

What Caused you to get involved in ministry and leadership?

After I got saved I felt the call to

ministry. I started sharing about

Christ with my skater friends and

from there grew into involvement

in youth ministry. Later I started

preaching as well, and I started

working on a project to reach the

skaters in Bulgaria with the Gospel.

A pastor from Delaware heard

about me and invited me to come

to the states to help him start and

lead the skate park ministry he

wanted to launch. After two years

in Delaware I relocated to Mount

Prospect, IL and became the youth

pastor for the Bulgarian

Evangelical Church of God.

I graduated from two YWAM Bible Schools in Bulgaria. After moving to the states I wanted to further my education by attending Christian Life College. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in Biblical studies and a Minor in Youth Ministry. I also went through the MIP program and have been licensed by the Church Of God.

What is your background in terms of education and experience?

My simple definition of leadership is to be a servant and lead by example

What is your definition of Leadership?

Seeing opportunities where others see obstacles, ability to turn valleys into victories, an amazingly contagious passion that gets volunteers on board, and a great lover of people!!!

In your opinion, what does a leader do that distinguishes him or her from others?

Relational leadership is the key

What is your personal philosophy of Leadership?

I believe that building relationships has helped me as a leader to create a team and include others.

What skills have you acquired that have been most helpful to you as a leader?

Having good people skills.

Also the ability to inspire by trying to be a good role-model and having good communication skills that enable the leader to clearly communicate expectations, goals and vision

What I do have are a very particular set of skills,

skills I have acquired over a very long career.

Bible school

How did you learn Leadership?

Trial and error

You can never stop learning

Not getting discouraged!!!

What do you think is the most difficult aspect of being a leader?

Do not expect gratitude or reward from people. Serve solely for the Glory of God!!!

What advice would you offer for leaders of the future?

Mario Hristov is a great friend and mentor. He is always there to encourage you when you are down. He is always willing to be a friend and watch a ball game with you. He cares deeply for his family and the youth. For him, building relationships is one of the most important parts of ministry. He spend a lot of his time hanging out with and being apart of important events in the lives of his youth.

What I learned from Mario Hristov

Mario believes strongly in including everyone

Relational leadership

No kid should feel left out

Be apart of the youth’s life

Make sure they know you care

Never stop having fun with them

Mario has never stopped growing and trying to learn.

Continuing Education

He has gone to 3 different Bible schools

Has been trained and licensed in two different denominations

Mario feels that the live of a leader, especially a youth minister can be a difficult one. Because of his relational approach he feels strongly about the importance of staying connected with other ministers. So that they can encourage and be there for each other.

Stay Encouraged

Thank you for viewing my presentation on Leadership with Mario Hristov