Switzerland is situated in western Europe.
It is bordered by Germany in the north, France in the west,
Italy in the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein in the east.

The population is approximately 8 million.
Bern is the capital.
Geneva is the largest city

DEMOGRAPHICS
Switzerland is divided into three distinct groups:
63.7%   German-Swiss   
20.4 %  French-Swiss                                
6.5 %   Italian-Swiss                   

FACTS
Switzerland is renowned for its great beauty.
The Swiss Alps are one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world

Switzerland is also the birthplace of the Red Cross

The Swiss have won more Nobel prizes and registered more patents for inventions
and technology than any other country.

HISTORY
The modern nation of Switzerland began in 1292 when The Old Swiss Confederacy
was formed as an alliance among the valley communities of the central Alps.

Switzerland was a major center of the Protestant Reformation.
Zwingli, John Calvin, and several Anabaptist sects all preached
and founded churches in Switzerland.

Switzerland has a long history of armed neutrality—it has not been
in a war since 1815 and did not join the United Nations until 2002.

CONDITIONS
Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world

Zurich and Geneva have been ranked as the cities with the second
and third highest quality of life in the world.

Despite its, armed neutrality Switzerland pursues, an active foreign
policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world.

Geneva and Zurich have developed as international financial centers.

Low birthrates and a rapidly growing aged population pressure the pension system
and require high levels of immigration, in itself a huge social issue.

Switzerland has a higher proportion of foreign nationals than any other
European country  

Over 22% of the population are foreigners, many from Muslim backgrounds.
Integration of these groups is often a problem

There has been growing political apathy and a reactionary presence of far-right
political groups.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
41.82 %   Catholic  
33.04%    Swiss Reformed Church
11.1%     Irreligious
4.26%     Muslim

Few Swiss today have any interest or understanding of real Christianity.

Indifference and a vague religiosity are the norm.

Many baptized as children retain no real link with any church

Enrolled church membership has dropped over the last 30 years.

The younger generation explores eastern religions and the occult as much as Christianity.

Because of immigration Islam is growing.

There is a growing movement of youth congregations

There are rapidly growing immigrant churches

Unity is increasing among churches of different backgrounds.

There is a spreading public presence of the gospel in TV, radio, Internet,
newspapers, seminars and conference events

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that the nation might be stirred again by the Holy Spirit.

Pray that people's eyes will be opened to who Jesus is.

Pray that the Swiss may find the true way in Jesus Christ

Pray that Muslim immigrants be exposed to the Gospel.

Pray for the churches that are committed to working with every
ethnic group and people.

Pray for the prayer cells throughout Switzerland and the impact
this is having on both Christians and those who don't know Christ.

Pray that congregational outreach may increase through personal
evangelism, home Bible studies and cell/house church planting.

Pray that the Body of Christ (especially the intercessors) in Switzerland
be ready to act as watchmen for Israel, the nations of Europe and the world.

Pray for the political leaders of Switzerland who must attempt
to preserve Swiss identity while guiding the country forward.

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