Petri Merenlahti Elected to the United Bible Societies Fellowship Council
Petri Merenlahti, Executive Director of the Finnish Bible Society, has been elected to the Fellowship Council of the United Bible Societies (UBS) for the 2026–2030 term. The election took place this summer, when Bible Societies around the world selected ten new members from different regions to serve on the international governing body.
The Fellowship Council is one of the key decision-making bodies of the United Bible Societies. Its role is to strengthen the shared vision and cooperation of Bible Societies worldwide. The new Council will begin its four-year term in November 2026.
The election is a vote of confidence not only in Merenlahti personally but also a recognition of the Finnish Bible Society’s active role in international Bible mission work.
– The United Bible Societies is a global fellowship in which Bible Societies from different countries support one another and learn from each other. It feels meaningful to be involved in building this kind of cooperation. It is especially valuable at a time when a sense of belonging that transcends borders is far from self-evident in our world, says Merenlahti.
Petri Merenlahti, Doctor of Theology, became Executive Director of the Finnish Bible Society in June 2023. Before joining the Bible Society, he served as Theological Special Adviser to the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and as Senior Theological Adviser and Head of Church Work at Finn Church Aid. Known as a researcher, priest, and non-fiction author, Merenlahti has combined biblical scholarship, the Church’s social engagement, and international cooperation throughout his career.
Anniversary Year for a Global Network
The Finnish Bible Society is one of the founding members of the United Bible Societies. Today, UBS consists of 156 Bible Societies working in more than 240 countries and territories. The network is engaged in Bible translation, literacy promotion, and supporting churches in the use of Scripture around the world.
This year, the United Bible Societies celebrates its 80th anniversary. The network was founded in 1946, in the aftermath of the Second World War, to strengthen international cooperation and make the Bible available in more languages and to more peoples. The Finnish Bible Society was among its founding members.
Over eight decades, this shared mission has grown into a worldwide network through which billions of people today have the opportunity to read or hear the Bible in their own language.
According to Merenlahti, membership on the Fellowship Council will strengthen the international visibility of Finnish Bible work. For example, the new Finnish Bible translation scheduled for publication in 2028 will be the world’s first translation made directly from the biblical source languages with digital platform use built into its guiding principles from the outset.
– The Finnish Bible Society is an active and productive part of the global Bible Society movement. Our shared mission is the same as it was 80 years ago: to bring God’s Word closer to people, Merenlahti concludes.