History
In 1970 several English speaking families in Geneva began to feel the need for an English language service, and an opportunity for their children to receive sound Bible teaching. Those families plus several young people, all from different church backgrounds, began meeting in homes for Bible study. They also prayed for guidance, specifically with regard to the possibility of the creation
of an evangelical church where they could worship together regularly. At the same time Derek and Beryl Adamsbaum, members of the French Baptist Church, who had been involved in two of these Bible studies, were studying at the Bible Institute of Nogent (Paris) with a view of working full time with the French Baptist Church of Geneva (FBC). The pastor of that church had been praying for 20 years that something might be done for the English speaking population of Geneva, and was, therefore, very happy about a possible collaboration with the FBC and Pastor Adamsbaum. It was decided to create an English language work, adopting the title of Evangelical Baptist Church of Geneva (EBCG). It was agreed that the FBC’s premises at 1 rue Etienne Dumont could be used following their own French service. The first service, with 35 people present, was held on Sunday, 6 September 1970. The rapidly increasing number of people attending the EBCG Sunday services soon rendered the space at 1 Etienne Dumont too small. On Sunday, 30 June 1974 the EBCG began holding its services at the Chapelle de l’Oratoire. Today under the leadership of Pastor Sam Fiore, EBCG gathers people from over 70 nations, meeting both in person (at the Temple of Carouge, and at the Oratoire) and online (livestream, online services), as well as through an extensive network of small groups and ministry groupings.