ICF was born out of a desire to see a vibrant church that is dynamic, attractive and relevant for the people of today.

1990 in Zurich ...

In August 1990, an interdenominational worship service takes place at St. Annakappelle in Zurich. Heinz Strupler is the initiator of this new service called ICF (International Christian Fellowship). Up to 300 people, from all sorts of free evangelical backgrounds, join the evening services. The English name ICF is chosen to appeal to an international audience. The movement changes location a number of times and lacks a clear vision and structure. Heins Strupler leaves ICF at the end of 1995.

1996

« ICF-church» is created in May by Matthias Bölsterli, Leo Bigger and Micky Conod. ICF's vision is to create a vibrant church that is based on the Bible, and where people are encouraged to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
ICF soon becomes the largest church in Switzerland (1996 = 70 people, 1997 = 400 people, 1998 = 800 people, 1999 = 160 people, 2000 = 2500 people).

1999

In January, ICF-church becomes «ICF-Zurich». During that year many other ICFs are planted in various cities. Between then and 2005, about 30 ICF churches are planted across Europe.

... and in Geneva

In November 1999, Serge Piguet and Dominique Thur start the first small group in Geneva. Four people meet in a living room! Despite great efforts, ICF-Geneva grows very little.

2003

20 people form two small groups. The association of ICF-Geneva is founded on 1st November 2003. That same year, Serge Piguet requests a break and then leaves ICF a while later. A dozen people remain and pray for a new Pastor.

2004

After 12 years of ministry in Zurich, Matthias and Barbara Bölsterli, along with their two daughters Deborah and Damaris, decide to leave Zurich and commit themselves to ICF-Geneva. In October they start forming teams for ICF-Geneva.

2005

In February 2005, ICF runs its first services with 20 people, every Sunday night, in a small room in an arts school, near Geneva's train station.

2006

In January, ICF moves to the Salle Centrale de la Madeleine with 80 attendees. However, this beautiful theatre is not always available, and ICF move about often or have open-air services in the Parc des Bastions. ICF grows to about 120 people.

2007

The Xperience camp in April starts a revival among the teenagers. The first service for 15-19 year olds, ICF-ONE, takes place in September with 70 people. ICF grows to 200 people and employs its first two full-time Pastors, Adrien Zucchello and Noah Arango.

2008

In the course of this year, ICF-Geneva goes from one to four services: ICF-One for 15 to 19 year-olds, ICF-Morning for families and internationals, ICF-Kids for children aged 0 to 12 and ICF-Night, for people of all ages to gather. The church counts 300 people by the end of the year.

2009

In May, the church finds out they will be settling down to meet in one place as of September. Young volunteers spend three months in the summer renovating a 3-hall cinema complex to make it suitable for hosting shows and services. Over one million Swiss francs are put together to finance the renovations. Uptown Geneva S.A. company is created in order to run the building and make the new events centre available to the city of Geneva.