Who we are

English-speaking

Although we come from many different countries and speak a variety of languages, we have chosen to worship the Lord in our common tongue -- English.

Church

We are a local part of the universal Christian church, leading our members in worship, prayer, Bible study, fellowship and outreach, and encouraging relationships with fellow Christians in all churches.

Inter-denominational

As Christians, we come from many different church traditions, but we agree to concentrate on the basics of Christianity that unite us rather than divide us.

Evangelical

We emphasize the Bible as the Word of God and preach and teach the Good News of personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son.

Beginnings

BIEC is an evangelical, interdenominational church serving the international English-speaking community of Bern. In December 1998, God gave us the vision to form a church that would offer Bible-based teaching, spiritual support and freedom of worship, so we started the Bern Christian Fellowship (BCF).

In April 2001 we founded a church with the new name "Bern International Evangelical Church". Our desire is to glorify God and to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

Our vision

The Bern International Evangelical Church is situated near the heart of the picturesque city of Bern. On clear days, views of the mountains from bridges on the north side of the city form a perfect backdrop to the old city skyline.

This photo is in the opposite direction. It shows the Aare River leaving Bern on its long journey to the North Sea via the Rhein River, through Germany and Holland. Photo (by HLD) taken from Kornhausbrücke (facing W-NW).

With so many visitors and short term attendees at BIEC, we have come to see that our calling is to be here for others. We have learnt to be outward looking.

We sow the Good Seed into the hearts of those passing through - and even though they may not stay long, we expect God to bring the increase, not only when he wants, but also where he wants!

We drop the seeds at the river bank and whenever those seeds are caught by the river and go downstream and round the corner, we will continue to believe for a harvest!

Our services at BIEC are wonderful opportunities to invest what we experience of God's love and Jesus' words of life into the lives of those who pass through. Our Small Groups (home get-togethers) are also open to short term visitors.

Our vision is that if you stay with us for a while (or use this website), the Good Seed will be multiplied in your life wherever you go, which, because we are an international church, could be just about anywhere!

We believe that one day we will discover all that God has done here, as each one of us seeks to bless the others, whether we are at BIEC for a shorter or a longer period.

This vision movie is symbolic in character. For example, a seed of wheat does not become bread until been buried in the ground, has fully developed, been harvested, ground into flour and baked in the oven. This all takes time, but planting the seed happens in a moment. In years past, farmers planted their seed after the river had overflowed its banks and fertilised the soil.

Merchants would send their wares by ship down the river to other places and await a fruitful return on their investment. Thus, this is a prophetic picture that has significance for each one of us, not only for BIEC as a church.

Here is a suggestion: look up the Scripture verses used in the movie (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 and Isaiah 30:20) and ask God to explain them to you by His Spirit, as they are significant for the personal life of every believer.