Switzerland: How simple churches are started among esoteric people
In 2007, a Swiss churchplanter named Alex, received a phone call of an esoteric friend. The Holy Spirit spoke to Alex to invite him for a healing course. A few days later he taught about healing, Jesus and repentance in a house full of esoteric people. Right now seven simple churches are birthed among the esoteric community in Switzerland. Alex tells how these churches started, how the people were discipled and about their strategy of going to of the esoteric people instead of bringing them to their own house. Read on to learn more how to muliply simple churches in a context of non-believers.
Through what he calls ‘a Spirit-led phone call’ in 2007, Alex, a Swiss church planter, was invited to a friend’s house to give a healing course for esoteric people. When he pointed them to Jesus the Healer, many came to faith. This led to the birth of a simple church network among esoteric seekers in Switzerland that now counts seven groups, with two new groups in the making. Alex told us his remarkable story.
How did God lead you to work with esoteric people?
“A friend of mine had continual computer problems and for seven years I helped him with that. He was a ‘natural doctor’, a shaman, who worked with acupuncture and homeopathy. During this period we never talked about Jesus. Then one day, he called me if I could help him fix his computer again. When I was about to answer, the Holy Spirit interrupted me and said: ‘Tell him you don’t have time because you are giving a course on Christocentric healing.’
When I said this, he was overwhelmed and wanted to know more about this course. He came over and we talked for four hours about healing, Jesus, visits from angels and other supernatural experiences. He wanted to join one of our Christocentric healing courses. But instead of inviting him over to our course, I asked him if he could gather his esoteric friends in his house, so we could give the course there. That same night he called me: ‘I have eight people who are interested, when can we begin?’ I gave the course and we talked about forgiveness, being born again, the power of the Holy Spirit and healing.”
What happened during this course?
“Most of the people who came were healed of physical illnesses and, after a few evenings, surrendered to Christ. They fell under the power of God and were filled with the Holy Spirit. It was crazy! Some of them even got healed without being prayed for. The Holy Spirit just touched them.”
How did you disciple these new believers?
“After the course we immediately started a new group in their home. We didn’t take them to our place, but intentionally kept them in their own environment. We built relationships with these new believers and helped them to follow Jesus in a practical, simple way. They were very hungry and wanted to learn more about Jesus. Jesus started to talk to them about their esoteric practices and slowly they stepped into freedom. Usually it takes two to three years for esoteric practitioners to become free.”
What does a meeting look like?
“Just like other simple church meetings. We eat, have fun, do some teaching, pray and sing. We emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit. We let God do his work and simply pray for the sick. Usually people get healed.”
What is your strategy in multiplying disciples and groups?
“We don’t really have a strategy. Most of the time I don’t know what will happen next. We ask the Holy Spirit to do His work. We listen to God, hear and obey what He says. We have a vision to plant new churches everywhere in Switzerland. I believe the ‘desert time’ is over, so let’s go out with boldness and bring the Kingdom of God in new areas!”
How does the Gospel change an esoteric practitioner? Will he or she still practice healing?
“Esoteric people are very open to the supernatural realm. They can move easily in healing, prophecy and other gifts of the Spirit. Most of them are also good evangelists. They tell everyone what happened to them! It’s amazing!”
What are things others can learn from you?
“Teach the Word of God very clearly, but not in a Christianised language. Be normal, be yourself. Share your personal testimonies with people. Tell them about healings, prophecies, but also about the struggles you faced. Demonstrate the power of God in healing and deliverance. And, exercise patience. People are not perfect, so you need to have the Father’s heart and patience for new believers.”
Source: Alex (real name known to Simple Church Europe, but withheld to protect his pioneering work in the early stages of development)
J Fokker