In its 41st year of operation, Agency C is launching a national Bible verse campaign: after Easter, 1000 posters in three different languages will be put up in the respective language areas with the Bible verse «Watch and pray». It is an appeal to the entire Swiss people.

«The world situation is so unstable. The distress is great. It's not enough just to look at the price of gasoline. It's about power on the one hand and desperate people on the other,» explains Peter Stucki, President of Agency C for 25 years. But why this appeal? «Agency C has never been meek. We have a great God. And in these troubled times of war and capricious weather, he has a message to people that is both uplifting and comforting.»

Nehemiah as a role model

Peter Stucki refers to Nehemiah in the Bible, who as governor made it possible to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem. Due to hostility from neighboring nations, he appointed guards to protect the people against enemies and ensure spiritual vigilance. Nehemiah is regarded as a wise, prayerful and courageous leader who acts faithfully in the service of God.

Peter Stucki also refers to the traditional song by Ernst Heinrich Gebhardt «Welch ein Freund ist unser Jesus» (What a friend is our Jesus) from 1875, which shows people the right attitude in crises: «When the enemy's power threatens us and many a storm blows around us, we need not fear, we stand in prayer with faith.»

Appeal to the Swiss people

The 1000 posters with the Bible verse «Watch and pray» are an appeal to the Swiss people. Peter Stucki: «Pray free Swiss people pray. We sing these words in our national anthem. By watching and praying, we protect ourselves from falling into temptation.» The name Jesus means «The Lord saves», says Peter Stucki: «Full salvation lies in Jesus Christ. No one else can save us.» His prayer is that «many more people will find Christ before we can no longer».

Over 40 years of poster media

«God's word in yellow and blue hits the heart exactly,» Peter Stucki is convinced. And he knows: «1.7 seconds is enough to read 13 words. Even those who don't want to read it will read the posters with the Bible quotes.» Bible verses on posters and public buses as well as lanterns during the Advent season are now part of the Swiss street scene, just like the summit crosses on the mountains.

Agency C's mission is unique: no one has been constantly using the poster medium with biblical messages for so long - more than 40 years since 1985. God's word is neither out of fashion nor empty. For over 40 years, the posters and advertisements of Agency C in Lyss have reached hundreds of thousands of people in Switzerland.

Agency C is an association and circle of friends of interdenominational Christians who care deeply about the Word of God. They are convinced that the words of the Bible are more relevant and tangible than ever. Thanks to its loyal donors, Agency C distributes Bible verses throughout Switzerland in three languages, touching hearts and cultivating Switzerland's Christian cultural heritage.

More information: www.agentur-c.ch

Agency C distributes Bible verses on posters in Switzerland. It commissioned its contractual partner APG|SGA 2022 to place advertising in and on buses at STI Bus AG. The transport company rejected this at the end of August 2023 and referred the agency to its contract with APG.

They also stated that they did not consider it necessary to issue a contestable ruling, as the agency had requested.

The agency's lawyer subsequently approached the Office for Public Transport and Transport Coordination of the Canton of Bern, which did not wish to comment on the matter. This is the result of a ruling by the Federal Administrative Court published on Thursday.

Not responsible

The denial of justice appeal to the Federal Office of Transport (FOT) did not help the agency, as the office is not responsible for handling the case and forwarded it to the Federal Administrative Court.

This did not occur, as the 30-day deadline for submitting such an appeal has expired. The court writes that the appellant, who was already represented by a lawyer in August 2023, should have submitted her appeal after the letter from STI Bus. The appeal to the Federal Supreme Court is now still open. (SDA/swi)