A City of Influence

Switzerland - February 10, 2006

We recently had the opportunity to spend some time in the city of Lausanne, Switzerland. Throughout our time spent in this city, we were amazed to find out how this town of 150,000 has been an epicenter of influence throughout the world.

For generations, some of history's most influential individuals have come to this city, and as a result produced some of their most prolific work. Below, you will see several recognizable individuals that this city has inspired. Francis Schaeffer - Schaeffer is recognized internationally for his work in Christianity and culture. He founded L'Abri Fellowship international study and discipleship centers (the original is near Lausanne). Schaeffer's influence and legacy continues worldwide after having touched the lives of future leaders and visionaries, and leading many to Christ. Mark Twain - Twain rested in Hotel Beau Rivage in Ouchy. Some of his most famous works were published after his time near Lausanne. John Calvin - The birth of Protestantism started near Lausanne and affected Christianity forever. Calvin's Reformation was started in Geneva, and he held a famous debate in Lausanne. His writings and Protestant work ethic changed even the city of Lausanne. Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church recently gave a fantastic message on the modern Calvinism vs. Arminianism position called Modified Calvinism. Winston Churchill - Churchill sought refuge and rest in Lausanne. Lord Byron - This English poet, who was the main precursor to the wave of Romanticism in the nineteenth century, wrote his work in Lausanne. Ernest Hemingway - Hemingway used his experiences in Lausanne as a backdrop to his famous novel A Farewell to Arms. Edward Gibbon - Arguably the most famous historian of all time. While in Lausanne, he finished Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a monumental piece of work that still influences the way history is understood today. William Wordsworth - Wordsworth's most famous poems were also a precursor to the influential Romanticism Era. His poem "Prelude" was written after his first time in Switzerland, and he returned to Switzerland later to finish all his work. Many of Wordsworth's stanzas describe his feelings and thoughts about being in the Swiss Alps. Voltaire - A one time resident of Lausanne, Voltaire was a French philosopher and writer whose works epitomize the Age of Enlightenment, often attacking injustice and intolerance.  Loren Cunningham - Cunningham founded YWAM as a young man, and his very first base was in Lausanne. He said God called him there, even though by all practical purposes that made no sense to anyone (since Lausanne is expensive, and seems more like a vacation spot, not a ministry place). As a result of this calling, YWAM is considered to be one of the most important and effective movements in Christendom today.