The Terraz in geneva
In the Footsteps of the Reformers
Introductions Dear readers, With this brochure, we would like to introduce ourselves, share with you the dream that God has given us for Geneva and the French-speaking world, and give you the opportunity to join in what God is doing in this city.
ThiÊry After completing a carpentry apprenticeship in La Chaux-de-Fond in the canton of Neuchâtel, I worked as a builder for several years. In 2005 I did a Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Burtigny. Very quickly, I understood that this training would be a turning point in my life and that I had a call into missions. Growing up I never imagined that I would be a missionary, but at the age of 27 I realized that this call had always been there.
During the past seven years in Burtigny, I have learned so many things that it is difficult to name them all. I was trained in the area of communication and design, I added a few more arrows to my quiver in regards to construction, but I have mostly grown as a leader. God showed me that I am truly His son and has built a solid foundation in my life. I have really developed a heart to teach believers how to apply Biblical principles in their everyday lives. I want to see Christians have an influence in every sphere of society - whether it is arts, education, economy or the government.
Rebecca I was about six year old when I heard about the genocide in Rwanda for the first time on the radio. The commentator spoke of the dramatic situation and all of the children who would grow up without parents. I remember very clearly saying to my parents, “I am going to be a missionary in Africa and become a mother for those children!” Despite my desire to be a missionary, I completed an apprenticeship in business
and it was in 2004 that I went to South Africa to complete a Discipleship Training School. I then continued with two secondary schools with YWAM: The School of Music in Missions and the Children at Risk School. While doing my outreach phase of the CRS with children in Rwanda, I was reminded of what I had said to my parents so many years before.
During these six years in Burtigny, I also had the the opportunity to serve for three years in the finance department, as well as helping to manage practical areas in the community. It was in Burtigny that I met Thiéry, who lived in the room next to mine, and we pledged to make our journeys one on July 14, 2010 in a beautiful little church in Epalinge in the canton of Vaud.
In 2008, I became a member of the staff at YWAM Burtigny with the goal of training others to help marginalized children through the Children at Risk School. Since then, I have had the privilege of training a dozen students in this area and returning to Africa several times.
Today, I can say that God has more clearly defined my childhood dreams. My heart for Africa is still there, but I also really want to help families in need around me, to create support groups for mothers, and, of course, to be a mother for my own children.
Vision Geneva We believe that God has called YWAM to begin to open doors in this city. We also believe that God has called us as a family to establish ministry there during this time. Why Geneva? Because of the presence of powerful organizations such as the United Nations, business enterprises, NGO’s, or branches such as the WHO, no city in the world has as much influence as Geneva. With more than 50% of the population hailing from around the world, Geneva is truly an international city and boasts an exceptional heritage left by an exception man: John Calvin.
He and his partners in the Reformation believed that putting into practice Biblical principles could transform a nation. They preached the Word each day to the people of Geneva, and thus began the reform whose fruits are still visible today in many nations. Bible Our desire is that the Bible is again recognized as having authority to teach the nations. We want to see each sphere of society transformed by the immutable principles of God, to Geneva, and to every nation.
Family We believe that children are the truly the center of our society and that the traditional family is the only model that ensures prosperity and stability. It is the place where the love of God and his principles can be experiences and where children receive the tools that will help them make wise decisions later on. For these reasons, it is on our hearts to live out Biblical values in our home and to organize training in this domain. We want anyone who visits or those that live with us to feel the love of God, and we want to be a model to other families that we meet.
“Our desire is to make God known in Geneva, in Switzerland and in the nations� (with a focus on the French speaking world).
Worship We desire to organize times of interdenominational and intergenerational worship regularly in our village. We want to live out on earth a piece of what is to come in heaven: that all people will bow before the throne of God to worship Him.
Network In Geneva, we want to build a relationship of trust between our mission and the local church in order to bridge the gap between the Swiss churches and the numerous ethnic churches in the city. We want to reinforce the unity and testimony of the Body of Christ in Geneva.
French speaking world For more than 30 years, YWAM ministries have existed in the French-speaking world, and today we can see much fruit thanks to the seeds planted by the early pioneers of the era. However, the French speaking community is still poorly represented within the University of the Nations (UofN), and it is on our hearts to encourage, to help, and to support various ministries in need, particularly in the areas of communication, arts, and the family.
* the UofN is part of Youth with a Mission
YWAM Youth with a Mission was founded in 1960 and has diversified over the years to truly become a “family of ministries”. Present in more than 150 countries in the world and with over 20,000 staff, the work of YWAM can be divided into three major branches: evangelism, training, and mercy ministries. Youth with a Mission is solely comprised of volunteers of all ages. Each member of the movement - leaders, staff, and volunteers - must raise their own financial support as they receive no salary from the organization. Called to live on personal support, YWAMers depend on the God’s provision for their salary, generally through donations from friends, support groups, or churches. They do not live without money, but do not have a fixed salary from an employer.
This type of support has several advantages: • • • •
a close network of prayer 100% of support goes to the missionary support from a variety of sources a special relationship between missionary and donor
Partners Do you resonate with this vision and want to know how to get involved in what God is doing in Geneva and the nations? There are many different opportunities available:
Intercession Such a vision requires faithful intercessors in order to produce fruit. Would you be willing to commit to praying for us regularly?
Monthly Support As you read on page 6, we receive our salary in the form of donations. If you want to help our ministry, you can support us monthly.
Specialized Gift Our ministry requires us to travel abroad to provide various kinds of training and visit different projects. A donation to our “ministry fund� helps us to finance these specific needs.
Time You can also lend us your hands or your skills for several hours or several days. Contact us to know more about our practical needs.
Contact Would you like to become a partner in what God is doing in Geneva and around the world? Contact us as soon as possible!
Terraz ThiĂŠry et Rebecca Route des Matagasses 32 1268 Burtigny
Mobile: +41 79 752 22 24 Email: thiery.terraz@gmail.com
CCP 23-03415-8 IBAN CH62 0900 0000 2301 5034 8