Along this path, the JC2033 movement has played a pioneering role, inspiring numerous initiatives and actively collaborating with them today. From its inception, JC2033 has held a simple yet powerful vision, to celebrate the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s resurrection on a global scale, placing the proclamation of the Gospel and Christian unity at the center. This insight, long considered prophetic, is now widely shared. Numerous international networks have embraced this vision, creating a convergence unprecedented in the recent history of Christianity.
“The Gospel for All by 2033”: A Global Evangelical Mobilization
A defining moment of this mobilization was the World Assembly of the Evangelical Alliance (WEA), held in Seoul in October 2025. More than 1,300 leaders from 146 countries strongly affirmed their commitment under the slogan, “The Gospel for All by 2033.” Spurred on by figures such as Rick Warren and Botrus Mansour, the call was clear, every Christian is invited to become an active witness to the resurrection. For Rick Warren, if all believers share their faith, it is possible to fulfill the mission entrusted by Christ. Botrus Mansour, the WEA’s general secretary, emphasized the urgency and collective responsibility to widely proclaim the good news by 2033.
However, this goal cannot remain a mere slogan. Rick Warren himself warned against superficial mobilization. He called for concrete coordination of missionary efforts and genuine collaboration among churches. Unity appears here as an essential condition, not uniformity, but complementarity, within the diversity of traditions, in order to reach all cultures and sensibilities.
The “2033 Roundtable”
The “Roundtable 2033” has been gathering annually in New York since 2022, bringing together some thirty key leaders from churches, missionary networks, and global Christian organizations. Initiated notably by Billy Wilson (president of the World Pentecostal Fellowship and the Empowered21 movement), it aims to coordinate missionary efforts leading up to 2033. These leaders have expressed strong unity in diversity, adopting the “New York Commitment”, to collaborate, pray, and invest more resources so that every person has access to the Gospel.
For JC2033, this participation confirms its role, not only to support this mobilization, but also to carry the dimension of a global celebration of the resurrection. These gatherings reveal an historic opportunity for a united Christian witness on a global scale.
An ecumenical convergence toward the “Jubilee of Jubilees”
This convergence is not limited to the Evangelical and Pentecostal world. On the Catholic and Orthodox sides, strong signs are also emerging. In October 2025, in Istanbul, Pope Leo XIV issued a significant call to walk together toward Jerusalem in 2033 to celebrate the 2,000th anniversary of the Redemption. In an ecumenical context marked by the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, he invited all the Churches to embark on a common “spiritual journey,” oriented toward greater unity. This call aligns with the vision of JC2033. As Olivier Fleury, director of JC2033, emphasizes, “This is a confirmation that the movement is part of a dynamic inspired by the Holy Spirit.” The prospect of a gathering in Jerusalem, preceded by a spiritual journey, gives a concrete dimension to this hope for unity.
At the same time, numerous initiatives are developing in various ecclesial circles. The Catholic charismatic network “Charis” serves as a platform by bringing together various actors committed to 2033. Figures such as Tom Forest had already, as early as the year 2000, sensed the importance of this jubilee. Today, movements such as “Global 2033,” the Focolare Movement, and the “John17 Movement” contribute to this momentum by emphasizing mission, prayer, and relational unity.
Just like JC2033, the Alpha Course, initiated by Nicky Gumbel, is also part of this momentum by widely mobilizing churches around the proclamation of the Gospel.
All these actors share a common conviction, the resurrection of Christ is the heart of the Christian faith and the foundation of unity.
The Significance of the Year 2025
In this context, certain intermediate steps take on particular significance. The year 2025, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, has been identified as a key opportunity to move toward unity, notably through the “Pasqua Together 2025” initiative, with which JC2033 is collaborating. Driven in particular by the “Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy,” this initiative calls for a common celebration of Easter by all Churches, a visible sign of a shared faith.
At the JC2033 global gathering in Geneva in February 2025, Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, emphasized that the path toward 2033 must be marked by a real growth in Christian unity: “We must never stop praying, walking, and working together.” For him, unity is not an abstract ideal, but an essential witness “so that the world may believe.” He also emphasized that a wounded world needs to see Christians united, committed to justice, reconciliation, and peace.
JC2033, A Catalyst
Thus, through these many initiatives, an unprecedented global movement is taking shape. JC2033, far from acting alone, is at the heart of a network of fraternal collaborations. Its role as a catalyst and a link among the various Christian traditions appears essential today.
As 2033 approaches, a major challenge remains, transforming this momentum into concrete, visible, and lasting actions. If Christians succeed in bearing witness together to the resurrection, in unity and love, this anniversary could become an historic moment of renewal for the Church and for the world.
The “Jubilee of Jubilees” will not merely be a commemoration, but an invitation to live more deeply the central mystery of the Christian faith, Christ is risen, and he calls his Church to bear witness to this, together.
By Martin Hoegger
