Leaders of Bible Societies from across the Asia-Pacific region recently gathered in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to attend the 2026 Asia-Pacific Meeting. Organised by the Taiwan Bible Society, the event provided a vital opportunity for General Secretaries and CEOs of Bible Societies to take a brief break from the demands of their roles in their respective regions, gathering together to learn, pray and engage in strategic discussions.
Over several days in late September, participants shared updates on ministry in their regions, examined various opportunities and challenges at a regional level, learnt from one another, and strengthened relationships with colleagues and translation partners.
During the meeting, participants attended a range of presentations, workshops and strategic discussions, enriched by their respective cultural experiences and ministry contexts. Over the course of several days, participants engaged in intensive communication and exchanged experiences, offering mutual support and discussing new possibilities for collaboration.
One participant remarked that even whilst travelling by bus, participants would spontaneously share presentations with one another. This reflects their enthusiasm for making the most of every available opportunity to learn, share and encourage one another.
At this meeting, Joshua Poon, Finance Manager at UBS (United Bible Societies), was honoured for his 40 years of service at UBS. Although the official anniversary of his service is not until the end of October, the occasion was used to celebrate and pray for Joshua.
A Region of Extraordinary Diversity
The Asia-Pacific region is home to a vast diversity of languages, cultures and communities. This diversity presents both challenges and immense opportunities for Bible translation and distribution efforts.
Bible societies are, of course, aware that no single organisation is capable of responding to and serving this vast diversity on its own. As reflected in the Patmos Initiative, the ways in which each community engages with the Bible and their access to it vary greatly. The needs of each community are also highly diverse, ranging from large language groups that already have well-established translation resources, to indigenous communities or minority groups whose languages and cultural traditions face a higher risk of extinction.
A visit to Laiji Village, home to the Tsou indigenous community in Taiwan, serves as a powerful reminder of this reality. With a population of around 7,000, the Tsou community continues to preserve its customs, language and cultural identity. For those who visit this community, the experience offers a vivid illustration of why language is important not merely as a means of communication, but as an integral part of identity, heritage and community life.
In the ministry of the Good News, this diversity underscores the importance of an approach that respects local languages and cultures, whilst making optimal use of the resources, expertise and relationships available across the fellowship.
Collaboration to Multiply Impact
This meeting demonstrated the potential that can be achieved when Bible organisations are willing to work together, rather than tackling regional challenges in isolation. By sharing lessons learnt, models of ministry, technical expertise and experiences from diverse contexts, Bible societies can strengthen one another and avoid duplication of effort. A solution developed in one country may provide valuable insights for another.
The sheer scale of linguistic diversity across the Asia-Pacific region highlights that collaboration is essential to achieving progress.
70th Anniversary of the Bible Society in Taiwan
This meeting of Bible Society leaders in Taiwan coincided with the 70th-anniversary celebrations of the host organisation, the Bible Society in Taiwan. Consequently, all participants joined in the joy of the anniversary celebrations.
Throughout 2026, four thanksgiving services were held in various regions across the country to mark the 70th anniversary, with the final thanksgiving service taking place in Kaohsiung on 3 October. Participants at the gathering had the opportunity to attend the fourth and final service, whilst celebrating this milestone achievement of the Taiwan Bible Society.
This commemoration serves as a reminder that sustained Bible ministry is built across generations. Amidst changing circumstances and evolving approaches to translation, publishing, distribution and community engagement, the Taiwan Bible Society continues to serve churches and bring God’s Word to His people, both those living in Taiwan and beyond.
Translated from: ubscommunity.org
