YouVersion South Africa was represented at the first African Christian Authors Book Award BookFest held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The BookFest was hosted by Zinhle Buthelezi of Arise and Shine Heirs South Africa, marking an important moment in the growth of African Christian authorship and digital Bible engagement within the region.

Mari Joubert represented the YouVersion South Africa team and delivered a five-minute exhortation encouraging African Christian authors to join the YouVersion Bible Plans movement.

In her address, Mari highlighted the opportunity for authors to extend the life and reach of their books by adapting their messages into Scripture-based Bible reading plans. Through the YouVersion Bible App, African Christian authors can take biblical insights beyond the printed page and make them accessible to readers in South Africa, across the continent and throughout the world.

Her exhortation was particularly relevant to the authors, publishers, ministry leaders and literary partners gathered for the inaugural ACABA BookFest. The event created a valuable platform for recognising, celebrating and promoting quality Christian authorship while opening new opportunities for training, collaboration and continental connections.

The hosting partnership with Zinhle Buthelezi and Arise and Shine Heirs South Africa reflected ACABA’s commitment to working with trusted local partners who understand their national author communities and can help strengthen Christian writing, publishing and author development.

YouVersion South Africa’s participation further affirmed the importance of African-authored biblical content and the valuable role Christian writers can play in strengthening discipleship through digital platforms.

For many authors, a book represents years of prayer, study, experience and obedience. Developing a Bible plan allows the central message of that book to reach readers in a shorter, accessible format while keeping Scripture at the heart of the journey.

Mari’s five-minute exhortation carried a clear invitation to the authors present: the message God has entrusted to them does not have to remain within the pages of a book. Through the YouVersion Bible Plans movement, it can cross borders, enter homes and accompany readers in their daily walk with God.

The presence of YouVersion South Africa at the first ACABA BookFest, together with the local leadership of Zinhle Buthelezi and Arise and Shine Heirs South Africa, strengthened the shared vision of equipping African Christian authors to use both print and digital platforms in advancing the Gospel.