MISSION DURCH MIGRATION

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cals grow at a rate at least twice that rate and in some countries three times that fast. In
contrast, Swiss churches on the whole stagnate or have at the very best a slow growth
rate. Evangelicals do not exceed 2% of the Swiss population, are officially not recog-
nized and have hardly any notable influence in politics. Simplistic comparisons and expla-
nations by Latin migrants are often the result. Lack of vision and prayer, worldliness, and
indolence are supposed to be the basic problems of Swiss Christians, which often serves
to confirm their own attitude of spiritual superiority and conviction, that without their
help, revival will apparently not come.
Thirdly, they love the Bible, but have only a superficial knowledge of it. A num-
ber of astute evangelical observers are deeply troubled with the lack of internali-zation of
biblical values. Secular virtues like machismo and sexual double standards for men dan-
gerously characterize too many believers. Pious language among believers and biblical
and pseudo-biblical names for all kinds of objects, shops, cars and restaurants are widely
used. But superficiality and a lack of dynamic and systematic teaching of the Word of
God contextualized and applied to daily lives, seem to characterize Latin believers in
Switzerland as much as in Latin America.
Fourthly, and coupled with point three, is a critical shortage of biblically trained
leaders. Because of the restrictive Swiss visa regulations, there are hardly any qualified
Latin Christian workers or missionaries in the country. The fact is, that Latin evangelicals
desperately need committed creative, passionate and biblically trained leaders. Most be-
lievers are unqualified evangelicals, trying to make sense of the Bible in their migratory
context.
Fifthly, they have difficulty with unity in the body of Christ. As in Latin Amer-
ica, there exists a proliferation of independent groups and churches. There is a call and