IREC Switzerland
IREC Switzerland (International Reformed Evangelical Church Switzerland) is part of the International Reformed Evangelical Church under the governance of its synod. Located in Bern, Switzerland, the congregation was initially established and inaugurated on 15 November 2009 under the name Persekutuan Reformed Injili Indonesia Bern (PRII Bern). It was later reaffirmed as Majelis Reformed Injili Indonesia Bern (MRII Bern) on 15 March 2015.
As of 16 September 2025, the church is officially registered in the Canton of Aargau under the legal name International Reformed Evangelical Church Switzerland (IREC Switzerland)
Pastor: Rev. Billy Kristanto
27 December 2008
The origins of IREC Switzerland trace back to a fellowship of Indonesian Christians who shared a longing to gather with fellow believers of the same nationality and cultural background. This fellowship was informally established in 2008.
However, the desire for cultural familiarity was only a secondary concern. The primary motivation behind the founding of this fellowship was a deep and earnest longing for sound, theologically rich teaching—particularly Reformed theology. This burden was borne by the founder, who, after visiting several churches across Switzerland, found that his spiritual needs were not being adequately met.
In response, he initiated a Christian fellowship grounded in Reformed theology and sought affiliation under the oversight of the Synod of the International Reformed Evangelical Church (IREC / GRII). The fellowship began with a small group of approximately ten individuals, united by a shared commitment to biblical truth and theological depth.
15 November 2009 – Establishment of PRII Bern
On this date, the fellowship was officially established under the oversight of the Synod of the International Reformed Evangelical Church (IREC/GRII). The dedication service marked a significant milestone in the life of the community and was attended by approximately 40 individuals.
15 March 2015 (MRII Bern)
The transition of PRII Bern to MRII Bern marked a significant stage of maturity for the congregation. Although the number of members decreased from 40 to 20, this change represented an invitation to grow in faith and responsibility as MRII Bern. It was indeed an important and meaningful step.
While we may not fully understand what God intends to accomplish through this process of maturity, we continue to move forward in faith. By God’s grace, within two years the church experienced growth not only in spiritual depth but also in number, with the average attendance increasing to approximately 42 members.
16 September 2025 (IREC Switzerland)
The church is officially registered in the Canton of Aargau under the legal name International Reformed Evangelical Church Switzerland (IREC Switzerland), with the registration number CHE-43.060.542.
Chairperson of the board : Pdr. Billy Kristanto (Berlin DE)
Member of the board : Martinus Abednego ( Wettingen CH)
IN COMMUNITY
What makes IREC Switzerland unique is that it is the only Indonesian church established in Switzerland. This is no small thing. Commitment to the local church is not to be taken for granted. Only about one-third of the IREC Switzerland congregation lives in the city of Bern, where weekly services are held. The remaining two-thirds live in other cities—many as far as 80 to 115 kilometers away—yet they remain faithful in their attendance and participation.
What draws and sustains this body is not merely proximity, but the deep hunger for the Word of God. The same longing that stirred the founder of this fellowship still burns in the hearts of its members: a desire for sound, rich, and faithful biblical teaching. This shared hunger unites us as one body in Christ.
Another gift from God to IREC Switzerland is the warmth of the fellowship—something that cannot be denied. As written in Psalm 133, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” This fellowship has become a tangible reality among us. In a secular nation where faith can feel fragile and under pressure, we are grateful that God has provided us with a spiritual home, a place where we can gather to worship and be strengthened in Him.
We also pray that God would use us not only to minister to Indonesians, but also to reach the Swiss people. Though the steps have been small, the vision remains. One such step is the IREC Switzerland Christian Youth Club—a ministry aimed at reaching Swiss youth through young people who have grown up in the country, are theologically minded, and think critically about their faith. It is indeed a difficult mission, but we are only His servants. The work is His.
Soli Deo Gloria,