Over 1,000 attend open-air service uniting 13 free churches in Zurich

On Sunday 21 September, a total number of 13 free evangelical churches used the late summer weather in Zurich (Switzerland) to express their united worship of Jesus.

According to Swiss news website Livenet.ch, more than 1,000 church members from across the city went to the Turbinenplatz to pray together.

“Our city needs a lot of prayer”, said Peter Hasler, pastor of Zoe Gospel Church. “Let us raise our voices in unison”. Music was led by the band of ICF Church.

The highlight of the morning was to witness how 21 people publicly professed their faith in Jesus Christ and were baptised. Life testimonies were shared as well. “In the middle of Zurich, under the open blue sky”, emphasised Simon Spalinger, pastor of C3 Church.

These united worship services in public places are not new in the largest city of Switzerland.

Stephan Hörtig, of Buechegg Church, said he was “thrilled that over the years, this open-air service has been supported by more and more churches”. Rebeca Zünd of the Salvation Army, was delighted that the “visible sign of unity in Zurich” was especially valuable as “different traditions and backgrounds” were respected while keeping “Jesus Christ at the centre”.

Swiss Christians celebrate the Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer every third Sunday of September.

Just the day before, also in Zürich, participants from across Switzerland took part in the March For Life 2025 in the Oerlikon neighbourhood.

The efforts for united worship services are also happening in other countries. In Bournemouth (United Kingdom), a joint worship service at the beach in July saw the beach baptism of almost 100 people.