The Answer Has Been Given!
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob gave Nancy a call in 1972 while waiting in the Zurich airport to refuel the plane on which she was traveling. She was traveling to Israel with a group from her church. This was Nancy’s first time to be overseas—her first time to be on an airplane!
Thus began the journey to find out what this call of God meant.
That call given clearly to Nancy’s spirit, yet clear beyond a doubt, was: “NEAR HERE ARE THE PEOPLE YOU WILL SERVE.”
Many years pass without any additional guidance. The call seems dormant, but never leaves Nancy’s heart.
In 1982, Robert joins the journey when he and Nancy are married. However, they do not begin to pursue this call, with intentionality, until 2007 when they renewed a contact with a couple who were mutual friends of theirs. This couple was being sent by Robert and Nancy’s home church to England to serve with WEC. Because of that contact with a couple obeying God’s call to go, this call in Nancy resurrected and the Ver Beek’s begin a serious pursuit.
Robert and Nancy travel to Switzerland in 2008 and again in 2012 seeking God’s direction but both times returning without much direction, except in 2012, they receive inspiration to focus on English-speaking churches near Zurich. They continue to pray and seek God. In the meantime, Robert and Nancy become members of an organization entitled Worldwide Evangelism. The descriptive phrase for this organization is “Your Ministry Connected.” In 2013 while Robert and Nancy are attending the WE Global Round Table Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, a connection is made. This is a connection with a pastor of a church a few miles from the Zurich airport. Finally, there is a person, a place. Nancy communicates with him for a year by email—receiving prayer requests and praise reports and keeping connected with the church via the internet.
Could this be the people we are to serve?
The Holy Spirit directs us to return to Switzerland in November of 2014 to survey the land, to find the place and the people. We go, undergirded by prayer from many, believing HE is going to give us revelation. In preparation, we make arrangements to visit several English-speaking churches in addition to the one with which we are familiar.
To our surprise when we visited the last church on the list, God brought us confirmation that THIS was THE PLACE and THE PEOPLE. The place is PowerHouse International Church (PHC). It is 4 minutes from the airport where Nancy received the call. She had always felt that when God spoke to her NEAR HERE, that was literal! The people are the Pastors, Desmond and Sandy Frey and their congregation as well as the many other lives they are connected with in Switzerland and throughout Europe.
THE SEARCH IS OVER
Pastor Frey embraced the calling fully and offered to help us get there to PHC. With God’s help as well as his, we arrived in Switzerland on August 26, 2015 and returned to the United States on November 19 because of visa requirements. We could not stay more than 90 days out of 180 days. We had to return to our home country for 90 days before we could return to Switzerland.
In Zurich, we became actively involved in the congregation, serving wherever we were able and needed. It literally took three months to adapt to the culture of the country and the church. During this time, we truly came to love the people of PowerHouse International Church and they loved us in turn. The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes (Psalm 118:23).
Pastor Frey gave us a mandate to become familiar with a course (Freedom Course), designed to be a tool to lead believers to be freed from their past and equipped to live a life of Freedom in Christ Every Day. It is a Small Group Bible Study culminating in a ministry event. We were then to bring it to PHC. It originates from Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. PHC is a part of a group of churches under their umbrella referred to as GROW NETWORK churches.
SO—we went through the course and then were able to attend the retreat in December in Birmingham. Following this we joined a local Freedom course in a church near our home church in Indiana that is also a part of the GROW network. This allowed us to become even more familiar with the course.
We returned to Switzerland on March 29, 2016 through May 24, 2016 to begin preparations for a fall launching of Freedom at PHC. During this stay, we formed a team, planned a schedule for the course, and checked into the printing of the curriculum workbook in both English and German. We plan to return on August 30th to launch this course in PowerHouse Church International!!
We are excited about this Directive! Our hearts desire to see the Life of Christ come ALIVE in His children.
We returned to Switzerland on August 31st and the Launching of the Freedom Course was September 7th!!! This small group totaling 15 met from September 7th to November 16th. The Course was bilingual in the written material for the curriculum as well as the actual meeting times, English and German. During our final time together, the testimonies shared gave glory to God. Not only were there testimonies of release from bondages such as fear, rejection, and unforgiveness. Others shared about the truths they learned in the course that were basic Christian principles but new to them–such as knowing we have an Enemy we must “actively” resist, learning how we use the Word of God to do that, and the power of the Word of God and Worship. This verified the completeness of the content of this Course. Participants not only gain freedom in their Christian walk, but learn how to maintain that freedom in everyday life.
It is for freedom that Christ set us free. That’s what Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1, and Jesus Himself said that He came to earth so that we may have life and have it to the FULL (John 10:10). It is not for “SURVIVAL” that Christ died, but for “ABUNDANCE”!!!
First Freedom Group – Fall 2016
UPDATE 2017
On February 23, 2017 we arrived in Zurich in preparation to facilitate our second Freedom Course. This time it would include not only first time participants, but a group who would take the Course again and be trained to do their own Freedom Group in the future.
We had 8 new participants and 4 co-leaders. We met with the co-leaders each week on Sunday mornings following the group meeting which was on Wednesday evenings from 7 – 9 p.m.
The group of new members was quite varied with married, singles, a converted Muslin, and ages ranging from 30’s to 70’s. God helped us as we moved through the course to plant seeds and plow up hearts to be ready for His Spirit to point out needs in each individual—hindrances from the past, lies of the Enemy, or misconceptions about God or themselves. Each co-leader facilitated one of the lessons as well as shared in prayer and other responsibilities that go with leading a small group.
All of the lessons were building up to the Retreat day—a Saturday set apart for personal prayer, worship, and teaching. The Holy Spirit met us there and we know each one came away experiencing more Freedom in their walk with God. The final meeting, which was the last lesson, but also a follow-up to the retreat, included not only testimonies of help received from those who had taken the course for the first time, but also from the co-leaders.
Praise God for this privilege of being ones to deliver HIS message of Freedom to His children near Zurich, Switzerland!
Second Freedom Group – Spring 2017
We returned August 23, 2017 to facilitate our third group. Each group is unique and we must lean on the Holy Spirit to meet each person’s needs and guide us in how to participate with Him.
This time we had two ladies join us from a church located along Lake Zurich, Metropolis Church. They were attending so they, as leaders, could bring the Freedom Course to their congregation.
During this course, we saw believers strengthened and refocused. We also witnessed the healing of broken hearts—particularly one who had been disillusioned and hurt from the miscarriage of a child. This child of God was restored and renewed in their faith. Hallelujah!!
Third Freedom Group – Fall 2017
UPDATE 2018
On February 20, 2018, we returned to PHC to take our fourth group through the Freedom Course!
This group included, once again, a unique blend of old and young coming from varied walks of life. One person in particular began the Course in a state of depression and anxiety. We witnessed God’s intervention. The obvious change at the final meeting together was truly a testimony to all of us.
During this season, the gals from Metropolis took their first group through the Freedom Course.
What a joy to see them step out in faith and excitement to lead this group. We were able to be there for them as a support. They gave a good report of how God had worked in this group.
Praise be to God for all He has done and will do as we plan to return for our fifth group on August 22nd.
Fourth Freedom Group – Spring 2018
In the FALL of 2018, we had an exciting, as well as challenging, dimension added to our Freedom Group. We had our regular meeting at PowerHouse International Church but we had two ladies join us by Skype for the course. This was quite a challenge but God enabled Robert and one of our group who had taken the Course previously, Aris, to make it happen. These two ladies live in Sardinia, an island off the coast of Italy. Birgit, who is a missionary PHC has supported, desires to take the Course to Sardinia. She and her roommate, Lea, took the Course with us. Something that was quite precious about this group is that Aris’ brother Giovanni was with us as result of Aris telling him about the Group AND the Holy Spirit stirring his heart. Giovanni’s daughter, Laura, also joined us.
God met each person where they were and brought them a step closer on their journey to Freedom in Christ.
Fifth Freedom Group – Fall 2018
UPDATE 2019
On the last Sunday in February of 2019, PowerHouse International Church merged into the much larger church, Buchegg Church. Buchegg Church has been in the city of Zurich for over 50 years and is one of the largest churches in Europe. This merger had been slowly taking shape. PowerHouse Church had been looking for a larger place to meet for some time. In 2017, Pastor Frey began to work part-time at Buchegg church and as time went on, a possible merger came into view as a possibility. This actually took place on February 24th. Buchegg has been so gracious to welcome the PowerHouse congregation and it is an historical moment in Zurich. It is a rare thing for two churches to join together. We give God praise.
Buchegg Sanctuary Seating Capacity 683
So, our sixth Freedom Group or our First Freedom Group at Buchegg Church, began on February 28th, 2019. It was a place of transition, but we had wonderful assistance from those at Buchegg. Our group was made up of a mixture of people from former PowerHouse church and Buchegg church. We were blessed to see God move in these lives. One of the participants is going to take the Course again in the Fall as a Co-Leader and will also serve as our translator from English to German. However, she desires to take Freedom to Spain. Hallelujah. God moves and we are given grace to move with Him through transitions and changes. As our Translator in this new group at Buchegg expressed in testimony, it is so rewarding to observe the changes in people from the time they begin the Group and at the final meeting. The Truth truly does set people Free.
Sixth Freedom Group – Spring 2019
Our second FREEDOM small group at Buchegg was a blessing. Most all in this group have leadership roles in the church. However, they all were hungry for a closer relationship with God. They all received help. One felt she had reached a standstill in her spiritual life. We saw her AWAKEN. Another was under oppression, and by the end had received deliverance. Another received a revival of the Holy Spirit’s guidance in her life.
One of the pastors at Buchegg and her husband journeyed with us through this course. They were not able to be in the group picture. They spoke highly of the Course and will be able to share with participatory knowledge with the leadership team at Buchegg.
We were able to see these dear members of Christ’s Body strengthened, healed and encouraged. Yes, Strengthen the Church, Reach the World. We were delighted once again to witness the truth setting people free. Best of all—freed people, free people.
Seventh Freedom Group – Fall 2019
Update 2020
We were not expecting what took place in 2020. We returned to Zurich to begin the eighth FREEDOM Group in March at Buchegg church. For three weeks, things were moving along as usual at the church.
But, then, COVID-19 became advanced in Europe. Switzerland closed its borders to all surrounding nations which stopped us from coming because we live in Germany. In Switzerland churches and all but “essential services” were put on lockdown. BUT, God’s Kingdom cannot be put on lockdown! We quickly made plans to go virtual with our group. We were going to try this ourselves but God had a much better idea. Anthony Bello, who has an Information Technology Specialist Degree, volunteered to host our FREEDOM group online. This was truly the hand of God!! Anthony had taken the Course before and was helped very much.
We were surprised as something else developed. Pastor Monica had taken the Course with her husband in the Fall of 2019. As the lockdown was occurring, she called me and asked if we would do an intensive FREEDOM course online that would run alongside the one that had already began. This would be for Small Group Leaders. Since she was the overseer of Small Groups at Buchegg church, she saw this as an opportunity to train leaders for what she foresaw as an influx of souls into God’s Kingdom. The course for them would be 4 weeks instead of the normal 10 weeks, meeting twice each week and also doing extra homework. We prayed and knew this was something God wanted us to do. This was the ninth FREEDOM Group.
To God’s glory we saw Him work in beautiful ways during this time and the testimonies at the Follow-up meetings were so wonderful. We saw it in reality— the translation the Holy Spirit gave me for COVID—Christ’s Overcoming Victory In Disruption. AND the total number of participants we had was 19. This is COVID-19-Hallelujah!!
We returned home to the USA on May 14. Some were doubtful that we could leave, but God was with us and our journey home was indeed different –with masks and social distancing, but we arrived safely.
Update Fall 2020
As the time drew near for our flight back to Zurich the last of August, we were realizing things were not looking good for Americans who desired to travel to Switzerland. We were on a high-risk-country list and it became a fact that we were not going back.
So –here again—God is not hindered. Anthony once again stepped forward to help us do a Buchegg FREEDOM group. Another dear sister who had taken the course twice, once for herself and then to be trained to be a leader—-agreed to help with translation. Since in Switzerland, the situation had improved, small groups had started back, but not full force.
We started with 9 participants but finally settled out with 5. Those who needed translation dropped out, but Anita stayed to help in other ways. It would have been very difficult for us to have done this group without the onsite help of Anthony and Anita. The group met both onsite and online. We, of course, were online each time. Anthony’s expertize enabled us to see and hear the participants at each meeting as well as teach the group virtually. God’s grace and help were abundant. It was just amazing.
Another surprise, sort of– Our Pastor had wanted us to lead a FREEDOM group at our home church. But, we were not able to do this since we were in Zurich in the spring and the fall; the same time small groups take place at ELEVATIONindy Church. WELL, because of COVID, we were NOT in Zurich in the Fall of 2020. So, we had the huge blessing of taking a group at our home church through the Course.
It was a delight and we were able to meet onsite at the church. Everything was going well until the end. We were on Week 11 of 13 and an “outbreak” of the Virus hit our church. We had to close down all activities and that included small groups. We found this out on Monday and our group met on Monday evening. We scrambled to communicate and see if the group could switch to an online meeting that night. Most of them could!!! We completed this group online including the RETREAT. God was so-o- faithful once again and we witnessed CHRIST’S OVERCOMING VICTORY IN DISRUPTION.
HIS KINGDOM IS INDEED —U N S T O P P A B L E
Update Spring 2021
In the Spring of 2021, it was made clear after wondering for a while at the beginning of the year, we were NOT going to go to Zurich. In Zurich, they were still not permitted to meet in person, but in Indiana, we could. So, again, we did an online course for those in Zurich who signed up and an in-person course for those at Elevation Church.
In our promotion for the group in Zurich, we made an appeal to those who would like to be trained as leaders of their own FREEDOM group in the future, to consider taking this online course.
We were delighted that three people decided to do just that. Adriana and her husband, Kay and Vanessa. In addition to these trainees, we had six others. One of the six was Anita who was used to help two ladies who needed help with the German and also some personal explanations of the material. She did this in her own time. What a blessing she was as a true Co-Leader with us there onsite in Zurich. This was her fourth time to journey through this group with us. It was amazing how the trainees were able to not only lead but do it online with all that goes with “presenting” online. This was also Robert’s first time to take the reins of online presentation from our end as well. I would say we were ALL stretched. Working in two time zones and different lessons, two different days a week plus doing online training extra stretched me too. But it was a blessing and we definitely experienced God’s grace and help. We praise Him for every victory experienced in this group.
At Elevation, our group was small, but very important. We were able to meet the entire time onsite at the church. Marika, who had already been previously trained to lead a group of her own, was with us. She had agreed to take the group if we were allowed at some point to return to Switzerland. She graciously stayed on as Co-Leader and was a blessing indeed.
Everyone received help. One person, especially had a glorious victory. This person had struggled for many years and was set free from shame. Praise God, HE wants us free and doesn’t give up on us even if it has been years.
FREEDOM Group Buchegg Church, Zurich, Switzerland – Spring 2021 (Online)
Update Fall 2021
After an entire year, in the Fall of 2021, we were able to return to Zurich. It was a shaky time of constantly checking to see if we could come.
We were able to meet in person with a few restrictions. Masks had to be worn and we were not permitted to eat or drink inside. So we enjoyed our snack outside (with our coats on) It was a wonderful group and many victories were won. They were able to become aware of needs and lay them at the foot of the cross and receive FREEDOM. It was such a joy to be able to be near them and talk with them — see them, pray in person with them. Thank you God.
An added thrill was an ADDED FREEDOM GROUP at Buchegg Church in Zurich. Vanessa Teoh, whom we shared was one being trained to lead her own group——-led a group during the time we were leading ours. Anita joined her as a Co-Leader. We were there to support them as they launched this new FREEDOM group. They had a successful group with significant breakthroughs. Praise God for multiplication!!
Update Spring 2022
In the spring of 2022 we had a group of half participants and half leaders. Robert and I plus our translator, Adriana, were three of the five. The other two were Alex and Diana who were Leader Trainees. They have a vision to take the FREEDOM Course to Spanish speakers.
It was a joy to journey through the weeks seeing participants receive wonderful freedom in their relationship with Christ and to observe these leaders in action. Praise God!
This was a group of God’s children who were very hungry to receive truth and freedom and they were the FIRST to have perfect attendance as a group
FREEDOM Group Buchegg Church, Zurich, Switzerland – Spring 2022
Update Fall 2022
The fall of 2022 was a very interesting group. Three of the group of eight had Russian as their heart language. Annabelle agreed to assist us with German translation since each of these three were fluent in German. Only one of the three had difficulty with the English at times. So translation was not word for word as the lessons were presented each week, but only “on demand” if needed.
A wonderful joy for us was to have Viktoriya joining us in this group to be trained as a Leader of her own FREEDOM group. She was a part of the first group we facilitated at Buchegg Church in 2019. She is from Ukraine and desires to take this Course to Russian speakers. It was a delight to see her step forward in leadership and to also help those in this group with Russian-related questions in regard to content, etc. Praise God. He is making the way for the spread of this Course!!
FREEDOM Group Buchegg Church, Zurich, Switzerland – Fall 2022
Update Spring 2023
In this Spring Freedom group in 2023, there was a beautiful dynamic. This group was a mixture of ages and walks of life from late 20s to over 65 years of age. It is amazing that in God’s Kingdom, age is not a barrier. The mixture of countries of origin was not a problem either as we had 4 from African roots, 2 from European roots, 1 from India, and Robert and me from the USA!!
Fruits of God’s moving in the Course through the Curriculum, His Word, group interaction and prayer included: miraculous freedom from fear of standing before groups, help in the area of forgiveness, new-found awareness and confidence in recognition of what is coming from God as Truth and what is coming from Satan, the Father of lies. There was also sweet friendships experienced for one who had been hurt in the past with a church-related group.
God is so good—so-o faithful!! He works in such wonderful ways to reach those who are desiring a closer walk with Him; a walk of FREEDOM and fullness. We praise HIM!!
FREEDOM Group Buchegg Church, Zurich, Switzerland – Spring 2023