A Calling to Serve All Churches
Dirk Gevers opened the meeting by recounting his background. A pastor in the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (in the process of unification), he served in pastoral ministry before joining the Bible Society of South Africa in 2007. After serving as its CEO for eight years, he became Secretary General of the United Bible Societies in November 2022. This dual experience—pastoral and biblical—gives him a deep understanding of the diversity of the churches and their collaboration in spreading the Scriptures.
Olivier Fleury explained that, in each of the approximately sixty-five countries visited by JC2033, the meetings include leaders from the major churches, missionary movements such as Youth With A Mission, the Focolare Movement, and Alpha, as well as national Bible societies. These organizations hold a special place as they naturally work with Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical, and Pentecostal churches. Martin Hoegger, himself a former general secretary of the Swiss Bible Society, recalled the numerous visits made to Bible Societies in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, which made it possible to present the vision of JC2033 and to open a promising dialogue.
Celebrating the Living Christ
Dirk Gevers then expressed a desire to better understand the goal of JC2033. Olivier Fleury clarified that the aim is not merely to commemorate a historical event. For twenty centuries, churches have celebrated Christ’s resurrection in their worship services. The challenge today is to make this anniversary a visible testimony to the entire world.
This celebration is therefore not limited to regular worship services. It can take many different forms: Marches for Jesus, festivals, social outreach, concerts, neighbourhood meals, cultural events, or local initiatives tailored to each country. The goal is not to impose a single model, but to offer ideas that allow each people to express their gratitude to the Risen Christ according to their own culture and resources.
JC2033’s vision is not to direct other organizations, but to encourage them to offer what constitutes their own unique calling. Every church, every movement, and every ministry already has a calling received from God. The question, then, is what specific gift can each contribute to this global celebration.
A Natural Contribution from Bible Societies
Olivier Fleury then presented the three “core elements” of JC2033: Christian unity, witness, and celebration. Bible Societies are already contributing to the first two through their ability to serve all Christian families and through their work in translating, distributing, and helping people engage with the Scriptures. The third aspect—celebration—opens up new possibilities.
As the conversation unfolded, Dirk Gevers explored several concrete avenues. Rather than producing commemorative Bibles, he envisioned the development of Bible outreach programs centered on the resurrection. These resources could help churches deepen their understanding of the Gospel narratives while reaching out to those who have drifted away from the faith, particularly younger generations.
He believes that the vision of JC2033 aligns with that of the United Bible Societies: “The Bible for Everyone.*” The goal is not merely to distribute the Scriptures, but to help everyone discover their message and live by it. Dirk Gevers also emphasized that the next World Assembly of the United Bible Societies, scheduled for around 2030, could be an important milestone in mobilizing Bible Societies in preparation for 2033.
A Path of Discernment
In conclusion, Dirk Gevers welcomed the JC2033 initiative. He announced that he will present these ideas to his strategic team before submitting them to the governing bodies of the United Bible Societies. Both parties agreed to continue their discussions in order to discern the most appropriate initiatives.
The meeting concluded with the shared conviction that a celebration of this magnitude can bear fruit only if it remains guided by the Holy Spirit. The 2033 Jubilee represents an exceptional opportunity to remind the world that Jesus Christ is risen, that he continues to transform people, and that he unites Christians in a common hope.
Martin Hoegger
Do you have dreams and ideas for celebrating the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection? Are you leading an initiative for 2033 and would like to connect with other leaders?
Add your piece to the divine puzzle!
