After several nights of inspiring performances and heartfelt messages, the evangelistic event Life on Stage concluded on Sunday in the Bernese Oberland, drawing around 10,000 attendees according to reporting by livenet.ch. The campaign featured true stories presented through musical theater and a clear gospel message shared by evangelist Gabriel Häsler.
Ueli Willen, president of the Evangelical Alliance Thun and lead pastor at Pfimi Thun, called the turnout a blessing.
“I’m incredibly joyful that so many people came,” Willen said. “We’ve seen a harvest, and church members invited many guests. It shows an awareness within God’s people.”
Reawakening unity through evangelism
This was the first large-scale evangelistic campaign in Thun in over a decade. Yet, despite efforts toward unity, theological differences within the region’s Christian community were noticeable.
“It’s unfortunately no longer easy to get the majority of churches in the region on board for such a clear evangelistic format,” one pastor remarked at the kickoff night.
Still, 12 churches partnered directly with the event, and 10 more supported it as sponsor congregations. The collaboration encouraged leaders like Willen.
“The cooperation across the 22 churches was impressive and unforgettable,” he said. “I’m very encouraged by what the campaign moved forward.”
Even before the public performances began, Life on Stage helped mobilize local believers. The campaign offered training in evangelistic living, while congregations prayed over the region in preparation.
“Even before the events started, it was already worth it,” said Pastor Matthias Welz of BewegungPlus Thun. “Preparing helped us refocus on our core mission. Many in the church were already on fire before it even began. That’s a blessing for the region.”
A message that resonates
The stories performed on stage reflected real-life journeys of struggle and redemption. Each musical led into a message from Häsler, centered on the freedom found in the gospel.
“What I appreciate about Life on Stage is that the central truths are at the forefront: human lostness, the need for repentance and the cross,” Welz said. “These are things we need to talk about.”
Many audience members responded by coming forward to the cross, expressing a desire to follow Jesus.
But Welz emphasized that the significance of the event extended beyond just conversions.
“I don’t see Life on Stage only in terms of conversions,” he said. “It’s amazing that we are proclaiming the gospel again. Gabriel preaches with the legacy of past evangelistic movements in the Bernese Oberland. He stands in the blessing line of previous revivals. There has never been a revival without clear preaching. And yet, we must do it in a way that speaks to today. That’s what Life on Stage does. Mass evangelism is not outdated.”
Prayer and participation
The campaign was supported by over 500 volunteers, including counselors, stewards, security staff, and prayer partners. During the events, the designated prayer room was so full that additional space had to be arranged.
Local businesses with Christian owners also sponsored the campaign, with many using the opportunity to invite unchurched friends.
The initiative is led by Netzwerk Schweiz, a nonprofit Christian organization committed to gospel outreach in the German-speaking world.
“I’m truly impressed by the professionalism — both of the musicals and of the organization,” said Florian Krebs of the Christian Life Center Spiez and a member of the event’s leadership team. “Netzwerk did a remarkable job putting everything together.”
With the Thun campaign concluded, Life on Stage is preparing for its fall tour. Events will be held Oct. 24–26 at Theater 11 in Zurich and Nov. 6–9 at Millennium Hall in Braunschweig, Germany. The campaign will also host smaller “tour stop” events Nov. 21–23 in Gossau, St. Gallen, and Nov. 28–30 in Brugg.
Stories of transformation
The impact of Life on Stage is perhaps best captured in the personal stories shared by volunteers:
“A young man with a background in group homes and many difficult experiences — alcohol, verbal outbursts, even violence — came to the event. The stories touched him. At his second visit to the musical, he came forward to the cross and gave his life to Jesus.”
“A young single mother was deeply stirred by the musical and message. She gave her life to Jesus at the cross. Her friend, who accompanied her, is now bringing her to church. Together, they will soon attend a faith course in their congregation. God is writing their story.”
“A young Kurdish man was deeply moved emotionally and stepped forward without hesitation. He was a Muslim and said he had never experienced such joy. It was a gift to have that conversation with him. Our God is so good.”
