"Seit 1962 entwickeln sich die Change Camps stetig weiter. Sie verbinden tiefe Gemeinschaft, starke Gotteserfahrungen und das Eintauchen in andere Kulturen. Durch kreative Outreaches mit Sport, praktischen Einsätzen, Worship und Prayer Walks wachsen wir in einen evangelistischen Lebensstil. Unsere Vision ist, Jesus in verschiedenen Nationen bekannt zu machen und Jugendliche für ein Leben zu begeistern, das Gott ehrt. Wir wollen lokale Kirchen unterstützen und ein Segen für Menschen vor Ort sein. Ein Change Camp soll das Leben der Teilnehmenden nachhaltig verändern, ihr Herz neu für Gott entfachen und sie mit Leidenschaft für Mitmenschen, Regionen und Nationen erfüllen – damit sie diese Begeisterung auch in ihren Alltag tragen."
Last fall, another group traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina to serve there—days filled with encounters, work, joy, and faith. Together with the local missionaries, the team was able to lend a hand and support them in their daily work. Once again, it became clear that God's love is not only shown in big words, but also through practical help.
In all these moments, it became clear how much God's love connects us. Between joint worship services, times of praise, and devotions, faith was strengthened. Challenges from everyday life were shared with one another, and there was space to pray for one another. Thus, this trip became a time of service, learning, and growth in faith.
For the local missionaries, the group's visit is always a great blessing. This time, the team was able to build a new table and a new staircase, among other things—practical help that will make their everyday lives easier and remain visible for a long time to come. The long-standing relationship between the group and the missionaries is a great gift for both sides: trust has grown, friendships have developed, and time and again, everyone involved experiences how God works and encourages through this connection.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
"Seit 1962 entwickeln sich die Change Camps stetig weiter. Sie verbinden tiefe Gemeinschaft, starke Gotteserfahrungen und das Eintauchen in andere Kulturen. Durch kreative Outreaches mit Sport, praktischen Einsätzen, Worship und Prayer Walks wachsen wir in einen evangelistischen Lebensstil. Unsere Vision ist, Jesus in verschiedenen Nationen bekannt zu machen und Jugendliche für ein Leben zu begeistern, das Gott ehrt. Wir wollen lokale Kirchen unterstützen und ein Segen für Menschen vor Ort sein. Ein Change Camp soll das Leben der Teilnehmenden nachhaltig verändern, ihr Herz neu für Gott entfachen und sie mit Leidenschaft für Mitmenschen, Regionen und Nationen erfüllen – damit sie diese Begeisterung auch in ihren Alltag tragen."
On December 11, we at Missionswerk MSD enjoyed our Christmas dinner together at Restaurant Rohrbach. We started with a delicious aperitif, followed by a wonderful three-course meal. Since I don't often get to attend team events, it was especially nice for me to spend the evening with everyone from the team. All of our spouses were there too, so we ended up being a large and diverse group. The room was filled with pleasant and meaningful conversations, lots of joy, and the aroma of delicious food. The nice thing was that we simply had time to talk to each other. Since we are in the office on different days as a team, it was all the more enjoyable to simply have time with each other and for each other. I myself am in the office about once a week and am always fascinated by the openness, warmth, and above all appreciation with which everyone treats me. I am wholeheartedly grateful to be part of the team and to be working with such wonderful people. I am constantly reminded of how Jesus is at the center of all processes and decisions, and how the mission work of msd is carried out through God's grace, glory, and greatness.
Later in the evening, things got a little emotional and we were able to thank God together in prayer for the year 2025, give him all the glory and look back on how he has guided us on all our paths, carried us through challenges and was always there with us in the most beautiful moments. Afterwards, we gathered around Kusi and Silvio Z. (co-leaders of msd) and blessed them in all their tasks, for their faithfulness and their servant hearts that they put into the mission work. Mascha expressed it so beautifully in prayer and gave thanks that we have two such great role models who take courageous steps forward. We wish them both God's rich blessings and much wisdom for the time ahead and all that is yet to come.
However, before we start the new year, we are looking forward to a wonderful and peaceful Christmas season. For me, Christmas is something special every year. When you look out of the window, you see all the beautiful lights, many households have decorated their windows or house facades beautifully, put up a Christmas tree and decorated it with beautiful baubles and lights. Everything is so beautifully lit up, and especially in winter, when it gets dark so early, it's just lovely to see all the lights. Sometimes I wonder if people are also so full of anticipation for Christmas and, if so, for what reasons. I simply wish that not only all the apartments and houses would shine, but that people would also carry the light that Jesus wants to give them within themselves, shine it outwardly, and pass their light on to other people. As it says in Luke 11:36: “If your whole body is full of light, with no part of it dark, then it will be as if a lamp were shining on you with its bright light; everything will be illuminated.”
So during the Christmas season, let us remember that Jesus Christ came into the world for us and gave us the greatest and most beautiful gift. No gift in the world comes even close to what Jesus has done for us, and we want to give him all the glory for it and tell people who do not yet know Jesus about it. You probably have someone in your circle who is alone at Christmas. Someone who does not yet know Jesus. Be courageous, take up the challenge, and invite that person. There is a chance that you can pass on the light that you carry within you to someone else. We wish you a blessed Christmas season from the bottom of our hearts!
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
"Seit 1962 entwickeln sich die Change Camps stetig weiter. Sie verbinden tiefe Gemeinschaft, starke Gotteserfahrungen und das Eintauchen in andere Kulturen. Durch kreative Outreaches mit Sport, praktischen Einsätzen, Worship und Prayer Walks wachsen wir in einen evangelistischen Lebensstil. Unsere Vision ist, Jesus in verschiedenen Nationen bekannt zu machen und Jugendliche für ein Leben zu begeistern, das Gott ehrt. Wir wollen lokale Kirchen unterstützen und ein Segen für Menschen vor Ort sein. Ein Change Camp soll das Leben der Teilnehmenden nachhaltig verändern, ihr Herz neu für Gott entfachen und sie mit Leidenschaft für Mitmenschen, Regionen und Nationen erfüllen – damit sie diese Begeisterung auch in ihren Alltag tragen."
Change Camps is one of our major projects at msd Mission. They have been an integral part of our work for over 60 years. Of course, the format has changed, but the vision has remained the same throughout the years: we want to build genuine community and courageously follow Jesus step by step – even across borders and nations.
Just as the camp's work has changed over the years, so too have the generations. Everyone can see it – they dress differently, have different tastes in music, read different books (if they read books at all) and even their language is slightly different. When it comes to design, the younger generation also likes things to be strikingly different, fresh, colorful, and dynamic.
The Change Camps website has not been graphically updated for several years, even though the generation that is primarily targeted by the camps has changed. So, over the past few months, we have worked passionately to develop a website that suits the younger generation as described above. It was a real team effort – the graphics team took care of the design, our web professionals programmed everything, and the leaders involved in the camp work polished the texts. Everything was ready just in time for the new year and the website is now online – take a look: www.change-camps.ch
Are you coming to a camp yourself this year or do you know someone you can recommend a camp to? Just a little while longer to wait, registration opens on January 15 – be ready!
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
"Seit 1962 entwickeln sich die Change Camps stetig weiter. Sie verbinden tiefe Gemeinschaft, starke Gotteserfahrungen und das Eintauchen in andere Kulturen. Durch kreative Outreaches mit Sport, praktischen Einsätzen, Worship und Prayer Walks wachsen wir in einen evangelistischen Lebensstil. Unsere Vision ist, Jesus in verschiedenen Nationen bekannt zu machen und Jugendliche für ein Leben zu begeistern, das Gott ehrt. Wir wollen lokale Kirchen unterstützen und ein Segen für Menschen vor Ort sein. Ein Change Camp soll das Leben der Teilnehmenden nachhaltig verändern, ihr Herz neu für Gott entfachen und sie mit Leidenschaft für Mitmenschen, Regionen und Nationen erfüllen – damit sie diese Begeisterung auch in ihren Alltag tragen."
We, the MSD team, shut down our office in Frutigen for a day and met up with our friends at CLZ Spiez for the MSD retreat. We can look back on an encouraging day with gratitude. I would like to give you a brief insight into what we were able to experience together on that day. Three things in particular stuck with me:
Firstly: the team. Once again, I felt a deep sense of gratitude towards the MSD team. We are not “just” colleagues, but above all friends. The warm, authentic, and cordial atmosphere makes a day like this here in Spiez particularly enjoyable. With this team, discussing vision, deadlines, and strategies during the retreat is not a tedious chore, but a joy and a privilege. We are different, with different talents, views, and interests. But what unites us is the desire to connect people with God. It is a great gift to be part of the MSD team.
Secondly: our friends. We deliberately chose not to hold the retreat in our own homes, but at the home of our friends at CLZ Spiez. In God's kingdom, we are not “loners,” but are allowed to walk together. In this “walking together,” we can learn from each other. I was encouraged to hear from Markus and Joel Bettler, the pastors of CLZ, on this day. They shared their vision, strategy, and challenges with us. The exchange was enriching and inspiring. An important insight was that the external forms—that is, “how” we build the kingdom of God—are less important than the vision that drives us. Why do we do what we do? – a valuable question for the retreat – and perhaps for you too?
Thirdly: humor is an important and healthy part of a team. I really appreciate the relaxed, family atmosphere at MSD. At this year's retreat, this was expressed through a somewhat unusual lunch. All employees were asked to bring a tin can of their choice – without a label. In return, everyone was allowed to explain why they had chosen that particular can. Between funny and profound stories, a colorful bouquet of narratives emerged before we ventured into the somewhat challenging task of planning the menu. In the end, we sat close together and enjoyed a meal that was as diverse as our team.
We can look back on our retreat with gratitude and encouragement. It was not a waste of time – on the contrary. We were encouraged anew and were able to focus on what is essential: our God, who unites us. Our vision remains to connect people with this God as well.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
"Seit 1962 entwickeln sich die Change Camps stetig weiter. Sie verbinden tiefe Gemeinschaft, starke Gotteserfahrungen und das Eintauchen in andere Kulturen. Durch kreative Outreaches mit Sport, praktischen Einsätzen, Worship und Prayer Walks wachsen wir in einen evangelistischen Lebensstil. Unsere Vision ist, Jesus in verschiedenen Nationen bekannt zu machen und Jugendliche für ein Leben zu begeistern, das Gott ehrt. Wir wollen lokale Kirchen unterstützen und ein Segen für Menschen vor Ort sein. Ein Change Camp soll das Leben der Teilnehmenden nachhaltig verändern, ihr Herz neu für Gott entfachen und sie mit Leidenschaft für Mitmenschen, Regionen und Nationen erfüllen – damit sie diese Begeisterung auch in ihren Alltag tragen."
On 6 December 2025, the fourth move event took place in Aarau. 380 young people from different denominations allowed themselves to be challenged, inspired and moved by God to try something new. We can look back on a successful event. Participants were challenged to give their whole lives to God and to do what God personally calls them to do – no matter what the cost – in order to bring the good news of His kingdom to people who have never heard it before.
Making yourself available to God The move event was opened by Manuela. Having grown up in a country in East Africa, she used the biblical story of Isaiah to explain what it means to be open to God's plan. Nate gave an impressive account of how the prophet had to go through great challenges. Nate himself experienced how the call he heard from God did not turn out as he had imagined. But God also guided him through this phase of his life and brought something beautiful out of it. Nino, part of ‘Eden Music’, created space with a young band to worship God and listen to him.
God's mission Jana, Rebekka, Patrick and Sonja talked about what mission can look like in everyday life in a round of interviews. Whether it's in your daily work in a nursing home, on the street with people you don't know, or in the preparations for a mission abroad. In various workshops, participants received inspiration on how their own identity relates to their calling or how they can discover their mission in everyday life. Nicole and Simon gave an insight into how they came to the decision to move to Kenya and what surprises and challenges the early days brought. Finally, Boppi invited the younger generation to engage personally with the topic of mission. ‘God is pursuing his mission in the world. The question is, are you an active part of his mission?’ Boppi followed this with an invitation to ‘shalomise’ the world, to bring God's peace to the world.
‘move’ continues In 2026, there will be various opportunities to get involved in Switzerland and abroad. The move event team encourages everyone who wants to take new steps with God, have unforgettable experiences and be a blessing to others to participate. Everyone is invited, regardless of whether they attended the move event in Aarau or not. Further information on move assignments can be found at www.move19.ch, as well as a wide range of other opportunities, including longer assignments, at www.mission.ch.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
"Seit 1962 entwickeln sich die Change Camps stetig weiter. Sie verbinden tiefe Gemeinschaft, starke Gotteserfahrungen und das Eintauchen in andere Kulturen. Durch kreative Outreaches mit Sport, praktischen Einsätzen, Worship und Prayer Walks wachsen wir in einen evangelistischen Lebensstil. Unsere Vision ist, Jesus in verschiedenen Nationen bekannt zu machen und Jugendliche für ein Leben zu begeistern, das Gott ehrt. Wir wollen lokale Kirchen unterstützen und ein Segen für Menschen vor Ort sein. Ein Change Camp soll das Leben der Teilnehmenden nachhaltig verändern, ihr Herz neu für Gott entfachen und sie mit Leidenschaft für Mitmenschen, Regionen und Nationen erfüllen – damit sie diese Begeisterung auch in ihren Alltag tragen."
Sometimes a journey takes you deeper than expected. That was certainly true of these three weeks in Africa, which were full of challenges, surprises, and moments of hope. Here is an insight into what I experienced.
Hello!
Yes, I arrived safely in Switzerland on Monday, November 17. As always, I returned with many impressions, and I would like to share a few of them here. If you would like more details or have any questions, just send me an email.
Africa remains turbulent, complicated, and yet full of hope! Africa continues to be plagued by real scourges and tragedies. Even a three-week visit and various encounters in just a few countries were enough to remind me vividly of scourges such as injustice, violence, counterproductive systems, political instability, persistent poverty, and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
My trip to Togo got off to a rather bumpy start when I suddenly realized at the airport in Kigali that the bilateral travel agreements in Togo were no longer valid. No more express visas at the airport. I had to apply for one immediately, and it took four days for the application to be approved.
But during that waiting period, I came down with a severe flu that felt like a mixture of malaria and Covid. Fortunately, I was allowed to stay with my sister in Kigali, and her family took good care of me. So the trip via Rwanda turned out to be God's plan. What a clear reminder of God's providence!
But when I finally arrived in Togo, everything went very well. The visit to a Togolese colleague in central Togo was particularly inspiring. One of his many tasks is to train future farmers. It was encouraging to talk to the seven young men who had just completed a nine-month agricultural course. They confidently showed me what they had learned about growing vegetables and fruit and raising small livestock. They presented plans for their planned microfarm projects. I had the opportunity to encourage them to analyze the market and plan well in order to make their microfarms profitable.
I saw so much potential and was once again impressed by the realization that they could make a difference in their home regions if they received the necessary resources to implement their projects. The kind of support they need is exactly what we at PLENTIFUL GARDEN want to provide.
When I returned to Rwanda a week later, I did the same with two men from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite all the major challenges they face, they are motivated to train others and help them set up urban farming projects to feed their families, sell nutritious food throughout the city of Bukavu, and improve their livelihoods holistically. I hope that we can enable them to realize some of these dreams there in 2026.
My stay in Rwanda naturally gave me the opportunity to visit our small farm in the east of the country, where my brother and I were able to sow thousands of new seeds… seeds of pasture grasses and various multipurpose trees.
Many thanks to everyone who prayed for me during this whole endeavor.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
"Seit 1962 entwickeln sich die Change Camps stetig weiter. Sie verbinden tiefe Gemeinschaft, starke Gotteserfahrungen und das Eintauchen in andere Kulturen. Durch kreative Outreaches mit Sport, praktischen Einsätzen, Worship und Prayer Walks wachsen wir in einen evangelistischen Lebensstil. Unsere Vision ist, Jesus in verschiedenen Nationen bekannt zu machen und Jugendliche für ein Leben zu begeistern, das Gott ehrt. Wir wollen lokale Kirchen unterstützen und ein Segen für Menschen vor Ort sein. Ein Change Camp soll das Leben der Teilnehmenden nachhaltig verändern, ihr Herz neu für Gott entfachen und sie mit Leidenschaft für Mitmenschen, Regionen und Nationen erfüllen – damit sie diese Begeisterung auch in ihren Alltag tragen."
