Zürich, Switzerland

After the return of Pastor Will Colledge to South Africa, and with some time before his prospective replacement could begin, the International Baptist Church, Zürich, Switzerland, were in need of an interim pastor. Jim McVicar came very highly recommended. Placing their lives, as always, in God’s hands, Jim and Anne prayed for His direction and in early July 2017 arrived in Zürich, Switzerland. God knew that this dear couple were needed at IBCZ.  Jim became heavily involved, alongside deacon chair Susy Hunziker, in leading the search committee.

As their time here expanded, so did their involvement in all aspects of the church, including a church weekend away, the relaunching of a women’s ministry (which Anne was very involved in), baptisms, pastoral care, and of course wonderful, challenging and uplifting sermons on Sundays.

Anne was the main speaker at the recent IBCZ Women`s Conference which was well organized by the women`s ministry team. It was a blessing to all who attended.

The pastoral search committee received more than 80 applications for the position of pastor, and with much prayer, the PSC and Elders unanimously agreed that Bob Weniger stood out as the pastor that God intended for IBCZ. The church family confirmed this. As Bob and his wife Daniela prepared to move to Switzerland, the church looked forward to welcoming them and prepared, in a variety of ways, to help them settle into their new environment. It continues to be a time of transition for them, moving to a very different culture to the one they have become used to, but God is unchanging and His family is international.

Now nearly a year later, Jim and Anne have returned to the U.S., where they can begin their retirement in earnest. But it’s very difficult to imagine them even now finally putting their feet up. We thank God so much for bringing this couple to our church for a season, and for sending Bob and Daniela to take their place.

Jane Burns