Paul Haralan Popov
Paul was born in Bulgaria. He is the son of Haralan and Ruth Popov.
When he was five years old his father, Dr. Haralan I. Popov, a prominent Protestant pastor in Sofia, Bulgaria, was brutally arrested by the DS-communist Secret Police in July 1948. Paul wouldn’t see his father again until 15 years later.
Having grown up without a father in communist Bulgaria, Paul suffered many deprivations. His family was labeled as members of a convicted “spy” and therefore not to be helped. Anyone attempting to help the family risked interrogation and possible arrest. His mother, Ruth, (a Swedish missionary to Bulgaria) was not allowed to leave for her homeland or permitted to work, and therefore had tremendous difficulty to feed and provide for her two young children.
Paul’s family was finally able to immigrate to his mother’s homeland Sweden when he was eight years old. It was in Sweden that Paul committed himself to serve mankind and assist others like his own family who had suffered political and religious discrimination and poverty. He pursued an education in Political Science and Human Geography at the University of Stockholm.
When Paul’s father was finally released from communist slave camps he miraculously rejoined his family in Sweden. Although Paul’s work as a journalist at a daily newspaper engaged much of his time, he devoted every extra moment to help his father with the difficult and dangerous missionary work of smuggling Bibles into the country and smuggling out Samizdat (secret documents) from the Iron Curtain. He became indispensable to his father and the ministry.
As the work of the mission expanded, it became vital for Paul to join the mission full-time. In 1974, Paul emigrated to Canada where he started a branch office, Door of Hope Canada. In 1977 he became International Vice President and upon his father’s retirement in 1980 he moved back to Glendale, CA, USA, to take up the role of the International President.
Paul and his wife Agneta, have been married for 50 years and have two sons and one daughter.
Paul is available for speaking engagements
If you would like to arrange a meeting for him to speak at your church or your home fellowship please contact us at (877) 440-3644.
Listen to Paul on Crosstalk
