Europe was the first continent after North America where Seventh-day Adventists began missionary work. In 1864, the first Adventist to set foot on European soil was the unofficial missionary, Michael B. Czechowski.

He first worked in the Waldensian Valleys in northern Italy and later in Switzerland where, in 1867, he founded the first Adventist church outside North America, in Tramelan.

In 1874, John Nevins Andrews, the first official Adventist missionary, arrived in Switzerland to continue the work of Czechowski. [Image credits: Courtesy of the Ellen G. White Estate, Inc]

Today, Switzerland is part of the Inter-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This territory includes twenty countries with almost 200,000 Adventists. There are Adventist publishing houses, schools, media centers, hospitals, and other institutions within this region.

In Gland, Switzerland, an Adventist summer camp, called La Plage [lah plaaj], has operated seasonally for years. This camp has been instrumental in changing the spiritual lives of Swiss young people. Arnaud came as a camper when he was a kid. The influence of this camp inspired him to live a life of service.

“I left Switzerland to be a volunteer in Egypt, at Nile Union Academy. I spent the year teaching English and taking care of the kids in the preschool. I can say without any hesitation that last year changed my life because I came back with the wish to study theology. I am now a student of theology, something that I would have never have thought about doing before.”

Arnaud acknowledges that the spiritual environment and support during his younger years at La Plage were foundational in his later decision to serve in Egypt. Because of those positive experiences as a camper, he has come back as a camp leader over the past few summers.

“I think this place led me to many other activities and opportunities that led me to be a volunteer.”

“Meeting the people that I met here and living those amazing experiences were the things that motivated me to continue. I remember with friends we used to make jokes on the videos that we were making for a recap every day, and we are making many jokes. Seeing this after many years still brings me a smile. I think the people that I met here and the camps, the activities motivated me a lot.”

The camp is limited by its facilities. It can only operate in the warmer months due to the piping and plumbing. In the colder months, the pipes freeze, making the kitchen and bathroom areas unusable. Another limitation is the kitchen. This small space needs an update with an area for proper food storage, a better layout, and new appliances. With these improvements, the camp would be able to operate year round, opening new opportunities to serve.

“There's one thing that I realized when I was in Egypt and when I came back—that Switzerland doesn't have many volunteers around the world. This place could become a center of formation and a center to help people find their vocation in the service of mission, in Switzerland or outside Switzerland. I know that in the churches here we have many young people that don't really know what they want to do with their life. Having a center, having a place like this with the trainings, with pastors here to help them would be a great chance for them to understand what they want to do with their life. I can take me as an example. I never thought I would study theology before. My purpose is defined. This place could become a great place for young people to understand the mission and purpose that Christ is asking us to follow.”

This quarter a portion of your 13th Sabbath Offering will go to the renovations of La Plage. Your contribution will allow more programs to occur year round and expand to more age groups.

Please pray for this project in Switzerland. Thank you for your support of the offering that makes a difference in the lives of people like Arnaud.