As we met with leaders of churches, movements, educational institutions, social works, hospitals, digital initiatives, and liberation projects, the same question kept coming up: how can we make 2033 not just a date to celebrate, but a path of conversion, unity, and witness in the concrete context of Pakistan?
The ten articles thus present a contrasting mosaic: a warm welcome from communities, a commitment to the formation of young people, concern for the poorest, the search for unity between denominations, the development of new tools (from digital technology to self-help groups), and constant attention to proclaiming the Resurrection in the heart of a predominantly Muslim society. This journey is not just a report; it appears to be a time of shared discernment, where the Holy Spirit already seems to be preparing a future harvest.
1. An amazing first day in Lahore
This opening day reveals a warm and determined Christian Pakistan. The nighttime welcome (at 2:30 a.m.!) by the leaders of the Presbyterian (Reformed) Church and the National Council of Churches heralds a spirit of brotherhood. Welcomed at the headquarters of the National Council of Churches by Obaid Khokhar, its general secretary, our discussions with him reveal the tension between urban education and rural precariousness. We then visited the Ecumenical Commission for Human Development, which is committed to justice and the most vulnerable. With the Bible Reading League, we rejoiced in the momentum toward personal faith among young people. The day ended with a vibrant worship service in a Presbyterian church in Lahore, centered on the joy of the Risen One.
2. Visit to the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan
At the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan in Gujranwala, we presented the JC2033 initiative as a call to unity. Olivier illustrated this with the image of the five rivers of Punjab converging towards the sea. Martin conveyed a message of solidarity from the Swiss Reformed Church and meditated on Luke 15, inviting us to walk toward 2033 in repentance and perseverance. The next day, at the invitation of Pastor Reuben Qamar, moderator of this Church, I preached in Lahore on the story of Emmaus, calling for trust in the midst of trials.
3. Gujranwala: building the future and healing divisions
In Gujranwala, our visit to the Christian Technical Center revealed a church committed to the vocational training of disadvantaged young people, offering a concrete future to those deprived of resources. The nearby theological faculty trains committed pastors who are sensitive to the mission. The meeting with Presbyterian leaders was a powerful moment, expressing a genuine desire for reconciliation between the four branches of this divided Church. Inspired by the vision of JC2033, this day showed the possibility of a path to unity based on humility, repentance, and the willingness to witness together to Christ in a difficult context.
4. Meetings with the Pentecostal Churches of Lahore
In Lahore, the visit to the Full Gospel Seminary and its director Liaqat M. Qaisar, and the exchanges with the Assemblies of God show the missionary passion of the Pentecostals. The students, immersed in the Book of Revelation, enthusiastically welcomed our testimonies about the living Christ who continues to reveal himself today. Discussions between Pentecostals and leaders of the National Council of Churches focused on interdenominational cooperation in preparation for 2033 and the development of a national strategy. A highlight was the prayer for a pastoral couple who were under threat.
5. An appeal to the Pentecostal churches of Pakistan
Olivier's address to the Pentecostals highlights both their missionary dynamism and the risk of unintended isolation due to their rapid growth. Referring to the MM33 project to plant a million churches, he encourages them to remain faithful to their calling while embracing a broader vision: to proclaim the Resurrection together in 2033. He calls on them to overcome paralyzing fear and to remain spiritual partners with all the churches in the country. His message emphasizes the responsibility to reach every inhabitant of Pakistan in a spirit of humility, unity, and mission.
6. Christian movements on the road to 2033
Our meetings with a few church movements show the creative diversity of Pakistani Christianity. The Bible Society is reflecting on its role in a national celebration of the Resurrection. Bible Groups emphasize the importance of small groups and "discipleship." The Focolare Movement embodies an open and fraternal unity between denominations. Youth With A Mission and the Billy Graham Association highlight the need for culturally appropriate tools. Through these movements, a desire emerges: to move forward together toward 2033.
7. A Christian hospital in Taxila: memory, faith, and service
In Taxila, the Christian hospital bears witness to faith in action. We are invited to a simple and fervent morning service, where I am reminded of the importance of serving "the least of our brothers." The director, Dr. Nadeem David, evokes the mission of the hospital in a context where public expression of faith remains sensitive. The memorial to the four women killed in 2002 is deeply moving: it inscribes the memory of martyrdom into the daily life of a place of care. Stories of recent violence also remind us of the fragility of Christians. Yet the perseverance of the staff expresses a tenacious faithfulness to Christ. The hospital becomes a sign of hope for a Church that has been tested.
8. Pakistan Partnership Initiative: liberating and bringing people together
Our meeting with Ashraf Mall, director of PPI, reveals a harsh reality about the state of the Church and extreme poverty. By freeing thousands of families from slavery in brick kilns, his association offers dignity and a future. Self-help groups develop financial resilience and fraternity. PPI supports many organizations and builds ecumenical bridges. It is also concerned about the departure of Christian youth and reflects on the social causes of these changes. The horizon of 2033 brings a new perspective: imagining a people freed from slavery celebrating the Resurrection.
9. An entrepreneur called to serve the Gospel
Kashiv Joseph's testimony recounts a radical transformation: from a successful leader, confident in his abilities, he became a servant of Christ, marked by a miraculous healing. After years of precariousness and prayer, he joined Media Impact International, convinced that digital tools can reach millions of people. His team produces content, accompanies people in their search, and supports churches. This vocation fits well with the horizon of 2033, which he sees as a unique opportunity to proclaim the Resurrection on a large scale in a young and connected country.
10. Rawalpindi and Islamabad: a Church on the move
The meetings in Rawalpindi and Islamabad reveal a structured Church that is aware of its responsibilities. We meet Ikbal Khokhar, president of the Evangelical Alliance, who explains that it trains and supports communities.
In Islamabad, we are happy to see Sharoon Sarfraz, ambassador for JC2033, who has launched technological initiatives such as PS91, which offer support and protection in the face of persecution. The director of the Council of Churches, Samson Sohail, presents us with a structured vision of governance and mission. Together with 12 pastors, we pray for unity, mission, and preparation for 2033. It is a very powerful moment, especially since four days later, one of the pastors will be murdered. These steps reveal a minority but deeply resilient Christianity, rooted in Easter hope.
Conclusion
At the end of this journey, we have discovered that the Church in Pakistan, although a minority and often vulnerable, is rich in valuable witness to the global Christian family. Through prayer and perseverance, the memory of martyrs, and social engagement, it manifests a faithfulness that challenges us.
The prospect of 2033 acts as a discreet but powerful lever, helping each person to re-examine their mission in the light of Christ's Resurrection.
This path is neither simple nor triumphalist. It involves an acute awareness of limitations, poverty, and dangers, but it is carried by a hope that refuses fatalism. If there is a "gift" to offer Christ for the 2000th anniversary of his Resurrection, it will undoubtedly take the form of a Church that is more united, closer to the poor, and bolder in its witness.
The visit to Pakistan suggests that this path is already underway.
By Martin Hoegger
Would you like to continue the journey to the heart of the Church in Pakistan?
