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"The Lab" in Geneva
Eight volunteers show the world that being a Christian is not boring.
By: Jean-Claude Verrecchia
The Lab" is an innovative evangelistic project targeting unchurched university students and young adults in international, cosmopolitan Geneva, Switzerland. "The Lab" is a play on words stemming from "The Labyrinth," an activity developed by the group, and "The Laboratory" because the project is a new experiment.
The idea was borrowed from a similar project in Germany. The French-Swiss Conference, in partnership with the Campus Adventiste du Salève and the Center Jose Figols for youth ministry research, developed the project. It was initially called One Year for Christ-1Y4C-and is to be renewed every year, for at least three years.
Participants in "The Lab" take first-year theology classes and live on campus. They also attend training sessions like Church Planting seminars and Alpha course conferences. Besides reaching out to Geneva, a second objective is to enable participants to start evangelistic projects of their own when they return to their home churches.

 

 

On September 1, 2004, the current project started with eight participants from France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Holland and Brazil, who dedicated one year to work for Christ. They are between the ages of 18 and 28, have a passion for Jesus, and want to show the world that being a Christian does not mean being bored. And they want to change the way to do evangelism. Today's fast-paced society, especially in cosmopolitan Europe, does not respond well to big evangelistic
campaigns or satellite Christian television. The challenge facing this group of eight was to find a way to present the gospel in a way that is relevant and appealing to the unchurched population of Geneva.

So what have "The Lab" participants done so far? A number of activities have been developed and contacts made.

The Labyrinth is a meditation journey, reflecting on what stops or interferes with our relationship with God, and what impact that has on the way we should live our lives. Originally written in English, the Labyrinth had to be translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Catalan, Italian and Dutch.

The Alpha Course, used by many denominations, introduces people to the basics of Christianity, like "Who is Jesus?" and "Why and how should I read the Bible?" This course brings people together for dinners and small-group discussions. By the end of the ten weeks, friendships have been formed, and the people who decide to integrate into the church will already have friends to welcome and accept them.

 

Alternative Worship is designed to share the love of Christ in a way that anyone can understand, without the specific "church" vocabulary that means nothing to someone who has never attended church. So the group uses mime, sketches, video and power-point presentations, music, and interactive activities as a way to share the gospel.

These are only a few of the activities “The Lab” has developed. It's not an easy road, and there is still a lot of work to be done, but the seeds are being planted, and by the grace of God next year's team will be doing a good amount of reaping!

Jean-Claude Verrecchia is the Academic Dean of the Theology Department of Saleve Adventist University and the supervisor of the volunteer project.
Back row (top):
Sergi Tejel, pastor in Geneva; Gaelle Bourguinon, Volunteer from France; Quentin De Meyer, Volunteer from Belgium; Student of the language school (name unknown); Silvia Murk, Volunteer from the Netherlands; Patricia Miranda, Volunteer from Brazil; Fabien Matthieu, Volunteer from France; Eloi Comabella, Volunteer from Spain.

Front row:
Student from the language school (name unknown); Delphine Burnier, Volunteer from Switzerland; Manuela Casti, Director of the Jose Figols Center, Collonges France; Ana Julia Grave, Volunteer from Portugal.
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