Overview

Please note that our Polymanga mission in Montreux isn’t running in 2024.

We hope to return in 2025!

Montreux is a beautiful town in Switzerland on the east of Lake Geneva and at the foot of the Alps. It is a popular tourist location (particularly during the summer) and people come from literally all over the world. 

Jesus said "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel" but at the kiosk in Montreux all the world comes to you! On an average summer day you could meet people from 50 countries. 

A Swiss Christian owns the Kiosque Biblique (Bible Kiosk) right on the lake front. Throughout much of the year, local Christians open the kiosk, which sells things like soft drinks, ice creams and souvenirs. However its primary purpose is to provide an opportunity to share the Gospel and give away/sell Christian literature. 

The kiosk has a stock of Bibles in 40 languages and leaflets in 80 languages. Various means are used to encourage people to stop and talk including tailor-made evangelistic leaflets, displays of Bibles and books, a map of the world, free helium balloons, question of the day and (at holiday times) games and activities for children. To find out more about the work of the Kiosk visit its page on Facebook. www.facebook.com/kiosquebiblique 

The local language is French. We also meet many who speak other languages especially Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Chinese. However, if you can only speak English, don't worry. Over half the people you will meet will speak some English. French is most needed for the Easter outreach and least needed for the August outreach.  

UBM is involved in three special outreaches based at the kiosk – at Easter (Polymanga) In July (Montreux Jazz Festival) in August (Tourist outreach). 

Our inviting church is Lausanne Free Church, an English-speaking church. The pastor (Alan Hill) lives near Montreux and is actively involved in evangelism at the kiosk throughout the year.   

Polymanga

This is a festival for young people that takes place over the Easter weekend starting on Friday and ending on Monday evening. Around 40,000 people attend the festival, and all will walk past the kiosk at least once over the weekend. 

Many of the young people are in fancy dress and there is a happy, friendly atmosphere - many carry a placard saying “Free Hugs” providing an easy opportunity to engage in a conversation. We use a special leaflet written for Polymanga called “Free Hugs”. 

Balloons and the question of the day are very popular. On Easter Sunday we also give away free drinks and have a large display of free Bibles in 40 languages. Many stop and ask “why are you doing this?” This opens the door to a good conversation.