Rolf Schneider is a French-Swiss guitarist, singer and songwriter who has led the music department of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Yverdon-les-Bains since 1975. He founded the band Visa that same year, has written more than a hundred worship songs, and released his first solo album, "Jusqu'à la fin," in 2005.
Rolf Schneider joined Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in 1975 and became head of the organization's music department in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. That same year, he founded the Christian rock band Visa, with which he performed for more than thirty years in schools, prisons, churches and public squares across France, Belgium, French-speaking Africa, Canada, and even New Caledonia. A guitarist, singer, songwriter, teacher and evangelist, he shares his ministry between worship, evangelism and training, alongside his wife Maryse.
After thirty years of service, he released his first solo album, "Jusqu'à la fin," in 2005, produced by Franck Renaudier. "Au-delà des mots" followed in 2012, then "Rédempteur" in 2022, recorded live the year before and carried by the single "Mon rédempteur vit," whose official video was directed by Luc Freymond. The author of more than a hundred songs, including "Ton nom" and "A toi l'honneur," he has also translated many for French-speaking churches.
- Origin
- Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland), within Youth With A Mission (YWAM)
- Style
- Worship, blending pop, rock and folk and blues sounds
- Active since
- 1975 (YWAM and the band Visa), 2005 for his first solo album
- Good to know
- head of YWAM's music department in Yverdon, founder of the band Visa, author of more than a hundred worship songs
How did Rolf Schneider get started?
In 1975, Rolf Schneider joined Youth With A Mission and became head of the organization's music department in Yverdon-les-Bains. That same year, he founded the band Visa, with which he toured for more than thirty years through schools, prisons, churches and public squares in French-speaking Africa, France, Belgium, Canada and New Caledonia.
It was only after three decades of collective ministry, within YWAM and Visa, that he released his very first solo album, "Jusqu'à la fin," in 2005, produced by Franck Renaudier. This record marked the start of a recording career under his own name, without ever leaving his role as music director and trainer within YWAM.
What makes Rolf Schneider distinctive?
His ministry isn't limited to the stage: Rolf Schneider is also a teacher and evangelist, and travels regularly to train worship leaders, especially in French-speaking Africa. His songs, more than a hundred to date, are designed as simple tools that local congregations can easily pick up, in keeping with what he passes on during his training sessions.
His albums bear the mark of this hands-on journey: "Rédempteur," recorded live in 2021 and released in 2022, blends classic and rock sounds with touches of blues, folk and pop, a reflection of the many contexts his music has moved through since the 1970s.
Where should you start with Rolf Schneider?
Start with "Mon rédempteur vit," a song inspired by the book of Job whose official video was shot by Luc Freymond: a declaration of faith that has become a reference point in French-speaking churches. Then you can listen to "Je t'ai trouvé," one of the most widely sung tracks from his catalog in congregations.
To trace things back to their roots, "Jusqu'à la fin" (2005), his first solo album after thirty years of ministry, and "Au-delà des mots" (2012) give you a good sense of his whole discography.
songs
Mon rédempteur vit
Official video directed by Luc Freymond, inspired by the book of Job: a proclamation of the Redeemer's victory, taken from the album Rédempteur (2022).
Je t'ai trouvé
A song about encountering God, among Rolf Schneider's most widely sung compositions in French-speaking churches.
A toi l'honneur (Roi souffrant)
Taken from the album Jusqu'à la fin (2005), a worship song centered on the suffering and kingship of Christ.
Discography
- 2022Rédempteur
- 2012Au-delà des mots
- 2005Jusqu'à la fin· First solo album, after thirty years of musical ministry within YWAM
- 1996La trompette sonne ! (En public)· Collective album with Louange Vivante and Sylvain Freymond
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Rolf Schneider?
Rolf Schneider is a French-Swiss guitarist, singer and songwriter who has led Youth With A Mission's music department in Yverdon-les-Bains since 1975. He founded the band Visa that same year and released his first solo album, Jusqu'à la fin, in 2005.
What is Rolf Schneider's best-known song?
"Mon rédempteur vit," inspired by the book of Job, is one of his most widely sung songs. Its official video, directed by Luc Freymond, accompanies the album Rédempteur, released in 2022.
Where can you listen to Rolf Schneider?
His albums are available on his official YouTube channel, on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and through the catalog of his label, JEM Éditions.
Is Rolf Schneider a Christian?
Yes. He has served since 1975 within Youth With A Mission as head of the music department, sharing his ministry between worship, evangelism and training worship leaders.
What is the band Visa, founded by Rolf Schneider?
Visa is a Christian rock band founded by Rolf Schneider in 1975. For more than thirty years, it performed in schools, prisons, churches and public venues across Europe, French-speaking Africa and North America.
How many albums has Rolf Schneider recorded?
Since his first solo album, Jusqu'à la fin, in 2005, Rolf Schneider has released Au-delà des mots (2012) and then Rédempteur (2022), in addition to his part in the collective album La trompette sonne in 1996.