International Bible Fellowship (IBF) was founded in September 2002 with the purpose of providing a place for internationally minded Christians to meet together for worship, Bible teaching and fellowship in English. Two years later we added a separate Spanish fellowship. IBF is located in the Rhine Valley in the town of Buchs in Canton St. Gallen. Our church is centrally located in Buchs directly across from the new Migros and only a ten-minute walk from the train station. (See map)

Our congregation is made up of many different nationalities from all over the world. We have expats, who are in the region on short to medium term assignments with some of the larger local companies, and we have permanent residents whose first or second language is English or Spanish and who enjoy the international atmosphere of IBF. The Bible says in Revelation 7:9 that in eternity, people from every nation, tribe and language will stand before the throne of God and at IBF we get the chance to experience a taste of what that will be like while we are here on earth.

IBF is a safe place for people to come to. We are all sinners saved by grace and we are part of a greater family called the church. We believe that God has gifted everyone with talents and abilities and that He has a place for each of us to fill. At IBF we try to live this in practice by accepting and loving everyone who comes through the front door. Through teaching and involvement in the ministries of IBF, we encourage and help people to discover the call or place that God has for them. IBF has sent and supports a number of missionaries in other countries.

We have had an active outreach to refugees who are fleeing war or persecution and who have sought asylum in Switzerland. IBF has had a Coffeehouse ministry where asylum seekers experienced acceptance and felt welcome in a foreign land.

Following 1 Peter 3:15-16, we believe it is important to help believers become grounded and mature in the Christian faith so they can share the “Good News” of Jesus Christ with our generation by living lives of integrity and confidence in the saving message of the Gospel. Therefore, we offer many Bible studies, seminars for building strong marriages, workshops on sharing the gospel with people from other faiths such as Islam, seminars for women, breakfasts for men and we are open to new ideas and other possibilities for building strong relationships and for maturing believers.

1 Peter 3:15-16

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. NIV

IBF may be different from your previous church experience so you need to be prepared for an international environment. We have people from many different Christian backgrounds and cultural experiences where we have had to learn how to work and walk together as believers. Our common denominator is Jesus Christ and the differences tend to make IBF more interesting than a single culture church fellowship. Our pastor is from Columbia (as in South America), which also explains the Spanish aspect of IBF. Pastor David Rivera met his wife Renate (who is Swiss) at Bible College in Belfast, Ireland. They have three children, two girls and one boy, which keep them very busy. IBF has an active and growing children’s ministry.

So if you are looking for an English or a Spanish speaking church, come and visit us. We would love to meet you and welcome you to IBF as a church home in the Rhine Valley.

Click on the link below to read the statement of faith from the European Evangelical Alliance which we endorse.

European Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith