Rev Dirk Gevers, the current Chief Executive Officer of the Bible Society of South Africa (BSSA,) was appointed as the new Secretary General of United Bible Societies (UBS), a world-wide network of Bible Societies operating in over 240 countries and territories, to succeed Michael Perreau on his retirement later this year. He is the first Bible Society official from Africa to have been appointed in this role.

Rev Dirk Gevers began his tenure at the BSSA in 2007 and has been the CEO for the past seven years. The Chair of the UBS Global Council, Elaine Duncan, affirmed, “We have a deep sense of God’s hand on this appointment, and look forward to the mission leadership that Dirk will bring to our Fellowship. Dirk is a wise, respected and experienced leader. He is passionate about Bible ministry and seeing people connect with God and experience life-transformation through the Bible. His gentle manner consistently communicates a love for God and for people.”

Dr Paul du Plessis, the Bible Society of South Africa’s Chairman of the Board, stated, “We have mixed feelings, but want to congratulate Rev Gevers with this new challenge in his life. We trust that this is within God’s plan for both the UBS and BSSA. Our loss is their gain. We pray that the Lord will use him and his wife, Louise, with much blessing for the spreading of the Word throughout the world.”

On his appointment, Rev Gevers expressed, “I am sad to be leaving the Bible Society of South Africa but grateful for the formative role it has played in my understanding of Bible Society ministry.”

The Board of Directors of the BSSA will, in the foreseeable future, discuss the appointment of a new CEO.