1949 - Today

In 1949 the International Baptist Theological Seminary was formed in Rüschlikon. Ten years later, a chapel was built on the seminary campus and it is in this chapel that IBCZ worships.

IBCZ first existed as the Sunday evening worship service (in English) of the local German speaking congregation that was largely comprised of people associated with the seminary. In 1989, IBCZ was formed as a separate church and moved to Wädenswil, another Swiss town located along the shore of Lake Zürich.

In the mid-1990s, the seminary moved to Prague and the seminary property (excepting only the chapel) was sold. Shortly thereafter, the Rüschlikon and Thalwil German-speaking Baptist churches merged and IBCZ accepted an invitation to return to the seminary chapel.

For many years, IBCZ was served mostly by a series of pastors who could remain in Switzerland for only 6 to 9 months. These short term pastors were necessary because IBCZ was unable to get a work permit for its pastor. In 1998, the church finally was able to acquire a work permit for a pastor.
In 1997, IBCZ amended its constitution to change from leadership through church council to a plurality of elders. The IBCZ constitution provides that any paid pastor of IBCZ shall be an elder.

IBCZ is very diverse. On any given Sunday, there will be many nations and denominations represented. Approximately 50% of the congregation is long-term - either Swiss or expatriates with an intention of remaining. The rest are families who settle for only 1 to 5 years due to jobs, schooling etc. English is a second or third language for many of those who attend IBCZ each Sunday!

IBCZ presently has approximately 60 members. Sunday worship attendance modulates up and down according to the seasons. In the summer, there are probably 50-60 adults plus 10-15 children in attendance on Sunday. When school restarts, these numbers increase to 100 or more adults and approximately 25 children.

The IBCZ Sunday worship service begins at 10:30 am and generally lasts 90 minutes. There is a very active children’s ministry and the children are in the worship service for only the first 15 or so minutes. Usually, during that time, special attention is given to the children in the form of a mini-sermon or other activity.

At IBCZ, worship music is a mixture of praise music plus the more traditional hymns. We have been blessed to have excellent pianists. From time to time, a variety of other musicians participate in the worship service.

There are a number of home groups within the church, but this number rises and falls with the high turnover of the congregation.

IBCZ is a member of and participates in the Association of Baptist Churches in Switzerland. IBCZ also maintains an association with the European Baptist Convention.