UBS Fellowship Event 2026:
Celebrating 80 Years of Ministry
A Legacy of Purpose, A Future of Possibility
Join us in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 7-11, 2026, as we celebrate our history and shape our future, together.
UBS Fellowship Event 2026
Continuing the Mission
The UBS Fellowship Event 2026 marks a significant milestone: 80 years of the United Bible Societies movement, while also offering a unique opportunity to look with hope toward our next 20 years of shared mission and impact.
Our programme centres around four dynamic and interconnected areas critical to our ongoing impact and future growth:
Our programme centres around four dynamic and interconnected areas critical to our ongoing impact and future growth:
Integrated Bible Ministry
Aligning our efforts for deeper reach and lasting transformation
Mission-Minded Leadership
Fostering healthy, mission-driven teams and environments
Sustaining the Mission
Strengthening the financial foundations that support long-term ministry growth
Connecting the Word
Exploring how we connect meaningfully with those we serve
What to expect...
Sharing Together
Morning Plenaries
Be inspired by stories and case studies from Bible Societies across every region. Morning plenaries will showcase mission projects, innovative tools, and powerful lessons.
Strengthening Relationships
Collaboration Café
Build meaningful and lasting connections through dedicated spaces for networking, collaboration, and encouragement, such as our International Support Partners (ISP) and the Publishing programmes.
Equipping for Impact
Workstreams
Get practical tools and actionable insights into key areas such as fundraising and sustainability, digital development and innovation, and leadership and culture.
Who can attend?
The Fellowship Event is designed to serve local Bible Societies. Each Bible Society's leadership is responsible for selecting its own delegation. Ideally, the representatives chosen should be those directly involved in relevant projects and most likely to benefit from connecting with colleagues from around the world. More specifically, the event is intended for Bible Society employees rather than Board members.
Venue and Event Information
The UBS Fellowship Event 2026 will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, at the Mercure Convention Centre Ancol from May 7-11, 2026.
Event registration costs of $1480 per person include accommodation for six nights with arrivals on Wednesday, May 6 and departures on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, all meals and beverages, and the full conference programme. We have sought to keep costs down for this event but the multilingual and virtual experience adds significantly to production costs.
Please note, airport transfers, travel insurance, and day trips/excursions will be at your own expense.
Please note, airport transfers, travel insurance, and day trips/excursions will be at your own expense.
Bursary applications will be available again for the 2026 Fellowship Event. More information will follow shortly.
Registration
Registration for the 2026 Fellowship Event is now open. You don’t need to have booked your travel, in order to complete the registration form. We will ask you for your travel details closer to the event. Places are full for the Global Bible Engagement Summit.
Bursary Applications are now open
Similar to previous years, a limited number of bursaries will be made available to assist Bible Societies in covering the costs to take part in the Fellowship Event. Please ensure you have received approval from your line manager before submitting your application.
Applications will close on 31 October, 2025.
The following can be applied for:
- Registration Fee: up to 50% or 75% of the total delegate/registration fee;
- Travel Costs: $500, $1000 or $1500 to help cover the costs for travel & Visas.
Selection Criteria:
- Applications must be fully completed, including a breakdown of estimated travel costs
- Priority will be given to ensure that at least one person from each Bible Society will be able to attend;
- Special consideration may be given to those applicants who work in areas of Fundraising, Projects, Marketing, Sales or Publishing.
NOTE: Bursaries will only be available for the Fellowship Event. Attendance at the Bible Engagement Summit will not be covered and will incur an additional cost. We appreciate that your attendance at the Bible Engagement Summit may be dependent on receiving a bursary for the Fellowship Event, but we encourage you to still register. If you have any further questions about the Global Bible Engagement Summit, please contact patmos@biblesociety.org.uk
Our Hosts
We are deeply grateful to the Bible Society of Indonesia for graciously hosting and supporting this event.
In honour of our host country, the event logo draws inspiration from Batik, a traditional Indonesian motif from the Java region that symbolises unity, beauty, and cultural depth.
In honour of our host country, the event logo draws inspiration from Batik, a traditional Indonesian motif from the Java region that symbolises unity, beauty, and cultural depth.
Visa Information
Indonesia was chosen as our host location after detailed research and thoughtful consideration, with a primary focus on accessibility. Indonesia offers visa-friendly access to most countries, making it a welcoming and practical choice for our global Fellowship event. Check the information below for guidance on the visa process.
1. Check Visa Requirements
We recommend you begin exploring the visa requirements for your country as soon as possible. Visit this website for more information.
The main purpose of your visit should be 'General', and the sub-purpose should be 'Tourism'.
The main purpose of your visit should be 'General', and the sub-purpose should be 'Tourism'.
Visa support letters are available for download.
2. Applying for a visa
Visas have a validity period of 90 days. This means visa applications cannot begin before 16 February 2026 (90 days before the date of departure). The visa needs to be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Indonesia.
If you require a B1 Visa on Arrival, you can apply online after February 16, 2026. If you require a C1 Tourist Visa, we recommend reaching out to your Relationship Manager to discuss next steps.
If you are unable to find information for your country via the Immigration website, please reach out to your Relationship Manager to discuss next steps.
3. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining a visa
While visa requirements played a major role in selecting Indonesia as our host country, we understand that for some colleagues, this application process may be complex. Please know that you are not forgotten and that you are absolutely included in this Fellowship Event. Your presence—whether in Jakarta or online—matters greatly to us and to the entire Fellowship.
Please reach out to your Relationship Manager to begin discussing how to start this process.
Please reach out to your Relationship Manager to begin discussing how to start this process.
Event Schedule
6 May 2026 - Arrivals for the Fellowship Event in Jakarta
7-11 May 2026 - Fellowship Event Programme
12 May 2026 - Transit Day - Departures for the Fellowship Event and Arrivals for the Global Bible Engagement Summit
Virtual Participation Options
While in-person participation offers rich opportunities for connection and celebration, we are committed to making the event accessible to the entire Fellowship. A virtual option will be available, allowing colleagues worldwide to join in the celebrations and engage with the content online.
We are doing everything possible to ensure that a rich and engaging virtual experience is available so that no one is left outside of this important moment. From recorded plenaries and interactive workshops to online networking spaces, the virtual format will enable you to take part fully, contribute meaningfully, and celebrate alongside your global colleagues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visa Information
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
Indonesia was chosen as our host location after detailed research and thoughtful consideration, with a primary focus on accessibility. Indonesia offers visa-friendly access to most countries, making it a welcoming and practical choice for our global Fellowship event. We recommend you begin exploring the visa requirements for your country as soon as possible. Visit this website for more information.
The main purpose of your visit should be ‘General’, and the sub-purpose should be ‘Tourism’. Visas have a validity period of 90 days. This means visa applications cannot begin before 16 February 2026 (or 90 days before the date of departure). The visa needs to be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Indonesia.
Can you help me with my visa application?
If you require a B1 Visa on Arrival, you can apply yourself online from February 16, 2026. Visas have a validity period of 90 days.
If you require a C1 Tourist Visa, we recommend that you reach out to your Relationship Manager, in order for UBS & Indonesian Bible Society to assist with your visa application.
If you are unable to find information for your country via the Immigration website, please reach out to your Relationship Manager to discuss next steps.
Registration and Costs
Who is invited to attend the Fellowship Event?
The Fellowship Event is designed to serve local Bible Societies. Each Bible Society’s leadership is responsible for selecting its own delegation. Ideally, the representatives chosen should be those directly involved in relevant projects and most likely to benefit from connecting with colleagues from around the world. More specifically, the event is intended for Bible Society employees rather than Board members.
What does my registration/delegate fee cover ?
If you have registered for just the Fellowship Event, this covers the period from your arrival on May 6 to departure on May 12. US $1,480 covers:
- 6 nights accommodation
- All Meals in the Group Dining Room & beverages during dedicated meal times
- Full Conference Programme
If you have registered for the Fellowship Event & the Patmos Global Summit for Bible Engagement, this covers the period from your arrival on May 6 to departure on May 15. US $2,040 covers:
- 9 nights accommodation
- All meals in the Group Dining Room & beverages during dedicated meal times
- Full Conference Programme
Any extras like Room Service, food or drink outside group meal times, and excursions will be at your own expense. You will be unable to put charges to your room, these will need to be paid by Credit Card at the time of purchase.
The Fellowship Event and the Patmos Global Summit for Bible Engagement are separate events, and you must be registered for both in advance in order to attend them. If you are unsure whether you are registered for one or both events, please check your confirmation email or contact events@biblesocieties.org.
How do I pay for my registration?
With the introduction of the Intra-Fellowship Cash Service (IFCS), Bible Societies Operational Account will no longer have access to credit. Bible Societies will be transitioned to the new system with support from their Financial or Relationship Manager.
Therefore, Bible Societies with insufficient funds will be invoiced for their registration fees prior to attending the event. Invoices will be issued on 27 February 2026 and Invoices due for payment on 27 March 2026. Refunds will not be granted if you decide to cancel after the 27 February 2026.
How can I cancel, make changes or add travel details to my registration?
Upon registering, you received a confirmation email from forms-receipts-noreply@google.com. Once you have found this confirmation email you can click on the button that says ‘Edit my response’. You will then be able to switch your registration type between In-person Fellowship Event or Online Event. You will also be able to add your travel details. No cancellations will be accepted after the 27th of February 2026.
For any questions about updating your registration, please contact our team at events@biblesocieties.org
Hotel & Check-in/Check-out Information
Can I extend my stay?
If you have registered for just the Fellowship Event, this covers the period from your arrival on May 6 to departure on May 12.
If you have registered for the Fellowship Event & the Patmos Global Summit for Bible Engagement, this covers the period from your arrival on May 6 to departure on May 15.
Extending your stay may not be possible and is subject to availability. Please contact our team at events@biblesocieties.org before booking your travel, if you wish to arrive or depart outside of these dates. We can recommend some alternative hotels nearby, if you wish to arrive early or depart later.
Can I leave early/arrive late for the Fellowship Event?
Please ensure you arrive on May 6, in time for the start of the programme, which will begin after breakfast on May 7. The programme will finish with breakfast on May 12, with the option for further informal networking that morning, until check out at 12:00. You will need to depart sometime on May 12.
To maximise the impact of our time together, we ask delegates to be present for the entirety of the programme between 7-11 May. There will not be a discount for staying less than the six nights included in the event package.
Can I bring family members/ a plus 1?
Only Bible Society staff will have access to the Event programme, and all of our meals will be taken in a separate area from other hotel guests. There will be no special programme for family members and this will be at your own expense. However, if you wish for another family member to stay at the venue with you during the period that the Event takes place, please contact us so we can discuss your requirements.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the Fellowship Event 2026, please contact the UBS Event Planning Team: events@biblesocieties.org
From Toronto to Jakarta...
UBS Fellowship Event Indonesia 2026 will build on the success and learn from the challenges of Toronto 2024. As the first global event of its kind since the COVID-19 pandemic, Toronto 2024 aimed to connect people, foster fellowship, and enhance collaboration.
