Answers to Prayer

1 The development of a trans-denominational vision for saturation church planting in the nation

2 A strong, growing prayer movement which is raising expectancy for revival

3 Continued Swiss commitment to world evangelization

Challenges for Prayer

1 The great reformers, Calvin and Zwingli, expounded the truths of Scripture in this land, but few today have any interest or understanding of what real Christianity is

2 The falling away of the Swiss from the churches is gaining momentum

a) Prayerful men and women of God in both the leadership and the congregations may be used to bring revival to the whole Swiss nation

b) There may be a deeper level of unity in prayer and vision among evangelical leaders

c) Congregational outreach may increase through personal evangelism, home Bible studies and cell/house church planting

3 Renewed vision is being generated

a) The Swiss Evangelical Alliance, Free Churches and other agencies are working on a renewed vision for the evangelization of Switzerland

b) Denominational goals

c) There is a nation-wide initiative of outreach using Alpha courses

4 In the Catholic cantons, predominantly in the south and centre of the country, the small evangelical witness is growing

5 Young people are being lost to the churches, which has serious implications for the future

a) Outreach through agencies such as CCCI, OM, YWAM, BESJ (Jungschar) and the Cevi

b) Specific ministries to young people:

c) The ICF Church in Zürich has grown, triggering a wave of new youth congregations being launched

6 Bible training is provided by a number of institutions

a) German-speaking seminaries:

b) French-speaking Bible schools:

7 The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Evangelischer Missionen (AEM) was formed in 1972 to strengthen and coordinate missionary vision and outreach

8 Peoples and areas where the evangelical witness is small:

a) Cantons

b) The 30 or more foreign communities

9 Local radio and TV stations are well used by several Swiss Christian agencies, and have great potential for reaching the population

Geography

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Area 41,293 sq.km. Mountainous land; 26% agriculturally unproductive.

Population (2000) 7,385,708 +0.67%AGR

Capital Bern (admin) 327,000.

Peoples

Indigenous 78%.

Foreign residents 22%.

Literacy 99%. Official languages German, French, Italian, Rheto-Roman. Languages with Scriptures 4Bi 3NT 3por 1w.i.p.

Economy

A strong and wealthy industrial state. HDI 0.914; 12^th/174. Public debt 36% of GNP. Income/person $43,060 (137% of USA) – one of the world's highest.

Politics

Confederation founded in 1291 and federal state in 1848.

Religion

The federal constitution guarantees religious freedom, but relationships between cantonal governments and the churches are decided locally.

Churches in Switzerland

Missionaries from Switzerland

1,481 in 90 agencies to 113 countries

Missionaries to Switzerland

556 in 44 agencies from over 30 countries

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