ICF International Newsletter No. 6/2011

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HEARTBEAT FROM LEO UND SUSANNA BIGGER

Dear friends,

Overwhelmed and full of impressions we look back on the BIG15 conference in the Hallenstadion. These two days were a wonderful celebration where we honoured our faithful God! Full of thanks we are amazed that everything went well and how many people were able to experience God personally. Dozens of people encountered the saving love of Jesus for the first time and they found out that: “Jesus saves”. Hallelujah!

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you contributed to the conference. Hundreds of volunteers were on duty. Many of you didn’t experience what happened in the hall because you loyally stood at your posts and served the people. Thanks you so much!

A very warm thank you to all of you who invested in the ICF church in the past 15 years. God has made history with us and we celebrated this with dignity under the watchful eyes of the media and the public. For all of us believing in Jesus and fellowship are an adventure which continues in our small groups, at home, at work and in the celebrations. Jesus is faithful. He is with us every day until the end of the earth!

With a warm embrace
Susanna & Leo Bigger

CONFERENCE REPORT

BIG 15 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN THE HALLENSTADION ZURICH

Unbelievable: 6500 adults, 560 children and hundreds of volunteers celebrated 15 years ICF in the Hallenstadion Zurich at Pentecost. The slogan “Jesus saves” was presented in the most modern means. Everything ran like clockwork; from the setting up until the clearing up early on Monday morning. The atmosphere was full of exuberance, joy and enthusiasm.

Reinhard Bonnke surprised and “disappointed”. Although he hasn’t used his accordion for evangelism in years, he was ready to play a little tune. This instrument was presented to him without warning. Then he talked about his work in Africa and explained that he cannot heal, but that Jesus is the healer. He added that He is not dependant on special sermons or pastors, but that He heals when He wants to. He didn’t go any further into this topic after that, so those who were hoping for a healing show were “disappointed”. Instead the 71-year-old used his sermon to invite people to decide to follow Jesus and to acknowledge this. About one hundred people followed this call and came to the front, causing smiling faces and tears in the audience.

The speakers who followed also challenged the audience. Ed Young talked about how he speaks to his fishing and basketball friends about Jesus. He challenged with the statement: “Use your passion for God’s cause!” He continued by emphasizing the role of our conscience which he repeatedly symbolized with a quite whistle during his message. You can either choose to listen to it or to suppress it. He used the example of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s affair to illustrate this point. J. John from London caused a lot of laughter when he started pocking at his bellybutton. He warned about going to great events only to take care of one’s own well-being. He used the slogan “Praying, caring, and sharing” to encourage us to pray, care for others and share the Gospel with them. He jokingly kept saying that he is a very busy man and continued by saying that despite this, he can always decide how he invests his time.

12 years ago, Lilo Keller contributed to the start of the ICF Movement through a prophecy. On Pentecost Sunday she urged people to turn away from destructive behaviour such as adultery or unforgiveness. She told women that they have dignity: “Jesus restored the honour of the women! We can no longer be blamed for Eve’s deed. We were given a voice by God and it makes a difference if you use it or not!” Once again she told us a prophecy she had received: “God is telling you: ICF, your time has just begun. Because you have honoured me, I will honour you.”

The ICF-Band and Jeremy Camp with band from the USA led us into worship to our God with sometimes quiet, sometimes rocking sound. During the anniversary celebration a wonderful string ensemble played. The worship times touched very many guests. A young Italian who had been invited from the streets said: “The music is awesome!” In addition the attendees were invited to download the song “Take a Stand” which was composed for this occasion. “If 5000 uses do this, then it will enter the Swiss charts and will be played on the radio.” By Whit Monday the song was at number 1 on iTunes!

The doctor Ursula Köppel presented a live ultrasound with her pregnant daughter. The images of this lively 16-week-old embryo and further video clips vividly brought before our eyes what an amazing miracle the creation of a human being is! The “miracle of a human being” was the topic of Leo Bigger’s anniversary message. He explained us about the substance Laminin. This is a protein network which holds all the tissues together. A body could not function without Laminin. Visually the structure of the Laminin network is the shape of a cross. “The cross holds everything together,” explained Leo, “God works in you like Laminin; He holds everything together.”

Unfortunately the ICF founders Heinz and Annelies Strupler were not able to attend the event and therefore greeted everybody by video message. On the stage Niklaus Burkhalter from ICF Bern praised Leo: “Leo, you are an example to us on how to treat the work of men and women in the church with equality.” Sibylle Beck from ICF Karlsruhe added: “Susanne, you are the heart.” Both senior pastors thanked the couple Bigger and presented Susanna with a huge bouquet of flowers and an enormous bottle of red wine for Leo. “Just as bubbly and bigger as you are,” they remarked with a grin. As the final act a huge cross made of coloured glow sticks around the Hallenstadion was underlined with music, dance, break dance, and trampoline and acrobatics presentation. Cascades of lights and silvery foil strips flickered in the air as God was once again honoured with a big round of applause.

An extraordinary amount of radio and television channels sent journalists to this event. All channels were continually reporting about this event. The BIG15 was clearly a topic to talk about in advanced and also at Pentecost! A small group of Young Socialists and individuals held up some posters in front of the Hallenstadion and some Freethinkers distributed flyers. They warned against the “charlatan Bonnke”. No hateful battles took place, but various conference attendees spoke with the demonstrators asking them what their reason for doing this was and at the same time telling them their opinion in a clear and friendly manner. One visitor said: “This might help more than if we pay back in the same way and talk badly about these people.” Amen!

NEXT CELEBRATIONS

3^rd July 2011: Live CD/DVD recording during the usual celebration times

SUMMER CELEBRATIONS IN ALL LOCATIONS

10^th JULY – 14^th AUGUST 2011

As we are looking forward to summer, we can also hardly await this year’s Summer Celebrations.

In all the locations you can expect humorous, inspiring, adventurous and deep messages brought to you by men and women from the ICF Movement, other churches and from our own ranks. They all have something in common: Jesus is in their hearts and the sun is on their faces. This brings joy!

We will fly in a helicopter pilot, open the curtain for comedians and will bring you closer to God’s originals. All this for you!

Don`t miss it – see you in the summer celebrations!

NUMBER OF THE MONTH:

118

No, this has nothing to do with the emergency number of the fire department. The number represents the 118 people who came to the “Face to Face” for prayer on one single weekend!

How wonderful that we have an emergency number which is accessible day and night not matter what the concern is and that God’s help never comes too late.

Community

ICF autumn camp 2011

Two different camps under one roof: one hotel, just for us, right at the Adriatic beach – the ICF autumn camp 2011!

For singles and couples there will be parties, cool events and celebrations which will let us experience God. Families can be inspired by different topics, have a varied programme and go on excursions. We are looking forward to be able to welcome ICF Evergreens (age 50 and older) who will be pampered and be an asset to the fellowship. Of course the Chinderexpress will offer a great programme for the children.

Come and join this community camp which will have a long-term influence on the unity of our church.

Date: Saturday, 8^th till Saturday, 15^th October 2011

Location: Silvi Marina, Abruzzo, Italy

Further information: www.icf.ch/community/camps.html

ICF Awakening-Camp

What a weekend in May! Sorry for all of you who missed it – you cannot make up for it. However, in a bit less than one year you have the possibility of registering for the ICF sport awakening camp (at Pentecost!). Don’t miss it!

But let’s start from the beginning: the weather prognosis for the whole of Switzerland was rain and thunderstorms ... also in Valais. But we were blessed with nice weather, great fellowship, a view of the beautiful Aletsch glacier, a lot of sports and some muscle ache ;o) the next day. It was our wish to experience an awakening in body, soul and spirit and it was once again great to witness that God takes our wishes seriously and that He gives each one of us what we need. Some people experienced tranquillity and peace in their hearts, others spiritual healing and others were thrilled to give God the glory in sport and fellowship.

An ICF camp like this is just a great idea!

WORSHIP

New ICF worship single “Take a Stand"

At our BIG15 conference in the Hallenstadion we put our newest single “Take a Stand” on iTunes and other download platforms. The catchy song is about how we as a generation stand up, take our place and make history for Jesus! A strong song with a strong message! The song will also be the title song for the new live worship album which will be recorded in our celebration hall on Sunday, 3^rd June 2011. All proceeds from the single “Take a Stand” will be donated to a special project from ACTS.

"Take a Stand" at iTunes

COLLEGE

ICF COLLEGE Zurich expands

Our college has grown steadily in the past three years. Currently, 45 students are being trained and inspired every Friday.

Start of new semester: 26^th August 2011
Registration deadline: 15^th July 2011

You’re still thinking about it? Then come and check it out for a day. This is possible every Friday but just get in touch with us by e-mail before dropping in: college@icf.ch

Starting next semester we are also offering some new advanced and individual subjects (see below). There is surely something which is intended just for you!

Further information and registration: www.icf-movement.org/college/welcome.html

A statement from a student:

Justus, why is if worth it for you to come to the College?

"It feeds the passion, sharpens the tools, and revolutionizes life. This is what the College does for me!“ - Justus Plüss, College student

INTERNATIONAL

The “More than Chocolate and Cheese” day on 21st May 2011

What does a foreigner associate with Switzerland? Most probably chocolate and cheese! Switzerland is indeed famed for this but there is much more to this amazing country which God has blessed from the very beginning.

We from the “International” can certainly testify to that as we spent a day in the medieval town of Gruyeres.

In the chocolate factory of Callier we were educated on the history of the successful chocolate empire Callier and learnt what makes Switzerland’s chocolates the world class standard that it is. And believe me, we were absolutely in heaven when each of us got to choose from over 20 platters of irresistibly creamy and delicious chocolate!

After lunch in the town of Gruyeres and a short hike, we visited the Gruyeres Cheese factory for another tour of how the famous Gruyeres cheese was made.

The group was blessed and everyone was pleased about the day full of wonderful fellowship, getting to know new people and great atmosphere. In fact, they were pumped for more! More than chocolate and cheese? I would most certainly think so! - Noeline Kong

ACTS

Kita: Welcome Manuela!

Dear Manuela, we are so happy that you accepted the job as the new leader in the day care centre “Chinderinsle”! We hope you have a good time settling in and a lot of fun getting to know the children, parents and the team!

“I am really excited about what is to come and look forward to the challenges which await me. Before I started work at the “Chinderinsle” I worked in Aarau as a group leader for a year. Before that I had worked at the ABB nursery as a group leader and deputy nursery leader. In my free time I like to go out with friends and I am adventurous. I also like to read.” - Manuela Hofer

Blood donation campaign

Once again we are having a blood donation campaign in the celebration hall. As the blood reserves are always getting smaller we look forward to having your small group come and donate your juice of life.

Monday, 4^th July, 2011, 5 – 8.30 pm

No registration is needed.

You can find out all you need to know about donating blood under: www.blutspendezurich.ch

MOVEMENT

Big Bang ICF Stuttgart

“Stuttgart, welcome to the ICF family! On the 15^th May 2011, you celebrated your Big Bang with us in an amazing way. ICF Reutlingen came to celebrate with you as a whole church. Some ICFer from Augsburg and the Movement also came to experience you making history. With 640 attendees you got off to a great start. The slogan “God believes in you” ran through the varied programme – from the dance group over to a soul singer on to a personal message and continued with giant balloons which floated through the room.”

Dan and Karin Schmid, senior pastors from ICF Stuttgart, and their team have realized their dream of starting a new kind of church and will positively change Stuttgart from now on.

ICF WINTERTHUR

Interesting and diverse

Whether the morning or the evening celebration, small group or ministry; what we offer in ICF Winterthur is interesting and diverse. In the morning you can experience pleasant unplugged worship or have much richer sound in the evening. We can also welcome a different pastor, such as Nic Legler or Andi Pantli, every week. They always present the message topic in an inspiring way.

Recently an attendee fittingly put his whole experience in our church into one sentence: “I feel at home here”. We do everything we can so that you can feel at home in ICF Winterthur.

Dominik and Gloria Laim

ICF RAPPERSWIL

Integral

Our church is moving more and more from the initial Sunday celebrations to a church which is important during the whole week. Small groups are multiplying, (Inside) courses are taking place regularly and friendships are getting deeper. Every second Monday morning mothers and children meet for “Morning Tea”. Being able to share, encourage and have good fellowship are great conditions for a good beginning of the week.

Since we are becoming more multicultural – our attendees come from Australia, Africa, Asia and Chile – we are now offering English translation in our morning celebrations. It is important to us that we can make God’s word accessible to everyone.

We look forward to further steps towards a church at the heartbeat of our time and which is relevant to our society in and around Rapperswil.

Maese and Gisi Hager

ICF ZÜRCHER OBERLAND

We continue to dream

A year ago a lady from the Oberland had such a big dispute with a friend that they completely broke off their contact. A hopeless try to get in contact again and reconcile was not even taken seriously. The relationship seemed to be destroyed forever. Recently, the woman dreamt that her friend asked her for forgiveness and for a new beginning. Three weeks later she received a letter saying that her friend did want to have contact again and she asked for forgiveness! It is so great when divine dreams come true.

We pray and hope that our dream will continue to become reality: we dream that people encounter Jesus and can experience true love and fellowship in ICF. For this reason we are always happy to be able to welcome new people in ICF. So that this can be made more possible we are planning on starting a second morning celebration. This will hopefully start in autumn. We invite you to dream this dream with us.

Ursula and Jani Schmitter

BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS FOR DONATIONS

ICF Zurich:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 89622.47
IBAN: CH85 8148 7000 0089 6224 7
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ICF Zurich, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich

ICF Rapperswil:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 89622.50
IBAN: CH04 8148 7000 0089 6225 0
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ICF Zurich, Rapperswil, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich

ICF Winterthur:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 89622.24
IBAN: CH27 8148 7000 0089 6222 4
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ICF Zurich, Winterthur, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich

ICF Zürcher Oberland:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 89622.43
IBAN: CH96 8148 7000 0089 6224 3
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ICF Zurich, Züri Oberland, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich

ACTS:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 96475.41
IBAN: CH91 8148 7000 0096 4754 1
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ACTS Stiftung, c/o ICF Zurich, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich