In this episode of Christ the Center, we’re joined by Kurt Vetterli, pastor of an ERKWB congregation in Basel, and Florian Weicken, pastor of an EPCEW congregation in Zürich, for a rich conversation on the legacy and ongoing work of the Swiss Reformation.

We begin with a guided historical survey of the Reformation in Zürich and Basel, highlighting key figures such as Huldrych Zwingli, Johannes Oecolampadius, and Heinrich Bullinger. From the Affair of the Sausages to the formation of the Second Helvetic Confession, we explore how these cities shaped the theology, worship, and church life of the broader Reformed tradition.

Turning to the present, Kurt and Florian share about their ministries in Switzerland today—what gospel ministry looks like in a post-Christian context, the challenges and encouragements they experience, and how the Reformation heritage still speaks into their work.

We conclude with a call to pray for the Reformed churches in Switzerland and to consider how listeners might support or participate in this important kingdom work.

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Chapters

• 00:07 Introduction
• 06:50 The Historical Context of the Swiss Reformation
• 21:01 Challenges Facing Confessional Swiss Churches Today
• 24:21 The Legacy of Zwingli in Zürich
• 30:33 The Reformation in Basel
• 39:25 Heinrich Bullinger in Zürich
• 44:25 The Second Helvetic Confession
• 47:45 The Loss of the Reformation in Switzerland
• 52:52 The Swiss Church’s Present Needs
• 57:16 Conclusion

Participants: Camden Bucey, Florian Weicken, Kurt Vetterli

Mark Bube and Kurt Vetterli speak today about ecumenism and inter-church relations. Mark Bube, general secretary of foreign missions in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, plays an important part in the OPC’s ecumenism because the OPC collaborates with other NAPARC denominations in foreign missions, supporting the missionaries of other denominations and receiving support for their own missionaries. Kurt Vetterli is a pastor in Basel, Switzerland, in a reformed church connected to the OPC. Links:

• NAPARC
• International Council of Reformed Churches
• OPC Foreign Missions
• Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche Westminster Bekenntnisses (Evangelical-Reformed Church, Westminster Confession)

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Kurt Vetterli, Mark Bube