At the age of 24, Pastor Miguel Arriagada had a calling to serve wherever God sent him. His first years of serving were in his local church in northern Chile.
In 2007, Miguel and his wife, Marisol, moved with their three children to Geneva, Switzerland to begin a new stage of life. Despite the difficulty of adapting to a different culture, God was always present. His constant work in the family’s hearts resulted in a desire to start a ministry to the Latin American community in Switzerland, providing a place where people can gather and grow spiritually in their own language.
Starting a church from zero in a country with a different culture has not been easy. It has required patience, perseverance, and trust in God. Miguel says that God has reminded him that the Lord’s work unfolds in his timing, teaching the tiny church plant to rest in his will because he is the one who produces the fruit.
“From the years of preparation in Chile to our arrival in Switzerland in 2007, God has revealed each step at the right time,” Miguel says.
Depending completely on God has reinforced the lesson that true growth begins in the heart of people, where transformation takes place, as believers reflect the character of God more and more.
In October 2025, the church was officially recognized as a mission-type church.
The church has received great encouragement from Northern Europe Field Strategy Coordinator Pastor Antonie Holleman. His willingness to guide, strengthen, and encourage them through this process has provided the direction and motivation needed to continue working in the Lord’s ministry with responsibility and commitment. Its prayer is to see lives transformed, families restored, and a community reached by Jesus. The congregation loves the words of General Superintendent Doctor Carla Sunberg: “The best ministry is born from the overflow of God’s presence in our lives.
” The community in Geneva believes that when a person truly encounters Christ, not only is their story changed, but also the environment around them.
Please pray for transformed lives, for people in need of hope, for those in intercultural marriages, and for new opportunities to share the gospel. In Geneva. Pray that God opens doors in other regions of Switzerland and continues to guide this ministry.
-article by Sofia Rivera, Luxembourg
