Your Kingdom Come: Church Planting in Switzerland
Union Mission is excited to be partnering with a church planting movement in Switzerland. Aaron Stutz from Lucerne encourages us to pray for a fruitful harvest as Heaven breaks in!
Switzerland. The country most like many people’s idea of Heaven … at least in its natural beauty.
You might think that in the majestic Alps and breathtaking scenery people would easily recognize the glory of God, as Paul describes in Romans 1:20. But of course, nature does not reveal the whole gospel of Christ; and the realities of the culture and people of Switzerland are far from heavenly.
Officially, Switzerland is a Christian country. According to the last population census from 2020, just over a quarter of the 8 million inhabitants described themselves as evangelical protestants, although this proportion is declining. Looking at the reality of Swiss church life reveals a less optimistic picture. Most protestant churches are ageing and noticeably empty. Many church buildings are empty on Sundays because congregations are merged with neighbouring ones in order to be able to celebrate meaningful services at all. 31 % of the population claimed no affiliation to any religious community.
At the same time as many churches are emptying, there is a sea-change in our society. Many people are desperately searching for more than their eyes can see. Spirituality is a common word, but not often used in Christian contexts. People everywhere are looking to alternative therapies when they feel stressed or feel that conventional medicine can't help. Though people are desperate for ‘spirituality’, they rarely visit churches to find it.
Nevertheless, despite these challenging times, we believe that what Jesus said to his disciples is still true: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37).
So, what would our little country of Switzerland look like if we had labourers who were truly willing to bring in the harvest? What if the Body of Christ in Switzerland was confident to demonstrate how the gospel of Jesus Christ transforms every area of life? The gospel is so much more than a ticket to Heaven. Its impact on every aspect of our lives here on planet Earth is so much greater, deeper, more glorious, and grace-filled.
It is beyond exciting that over the past 4 years, more than 20 church planting teams have been sent out with and through M4 Church Planting Training, in partnership with Union Mission. Each church is unique and beautiful. We believe that Switzerland is not dry ground, that Switzerland is not hopeless, and that Switzerland is ready for the Gospel!
We believe that Switzerland is not dry ground, that Switzerland is not hopeless, and that Switzerland is ready for the Gospel!
Will you pray with us?
We long to see “Heaven” in Switzerland: not just in the mountains, but in the hearts of all its people. Please pray with us as Jesus prayed: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
“We long to see “Heaven” in Switzerland: not just in the mountains, but in the hearts of all its people.“
Please pray for…
A new revelation and deeper understanding of the Gospel within the Swiss churches.
Unity within the body of Christ (within all parts of Switzerland and worldwide).
Hearts that break for the lost, eyes that see the harvest that is ready, and hands that do what Jesus does.
Endurance for all the new Church planting teams.
Can you give to support church planting work through Union Mission?