The former president of Open Doors USA will soon lead the New International Version’s publishing company. Biblica has selected former pastor and ministry leader Carl Moeller to replace outgoing CEO Doug Lockhart, effective October 14.
“[Moeller's] unique combination of global experience, organizational leadership, and ministry mindedness is exactly what we need as we help millions of people around the world connect more deeply with the Scriptures,” stated Rob Gluskin, chair of Biblica’s board of directors. (Full statement below.)
Moeller served for nine years as president and CEO of Open Doors before resigning in 2012 to serve as president and managing partner of Sequoia Global Resources, a philanthropic investment firm he founded. A staunch advocate for the persecuted church who challenged Western stereotypes of it, he also previously worked as a pastor at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church.
“Biblica has been doing kingdom work for over 200 years—providing Bibles for those who don’t have any and helping those who do to experience them more deeply,” said Moeller. “I am so thrilled to be joining this incredible global ministry.”
Lockhart, who announced his resignation in March, is credited with launching a church-based New Testament reading initiative and initiating a project to create audio versions of Biblica’s “entire portfolio of major-language Bible translations.”
Based in Colorado Springs, Biblica has translated the Bible into more than 100 languages during its 200-plus years in operation. This summer, Biblica announced that Ron Youngblood, who translated Ruth, Ecclesiastes, and Malachi for the original NIV, had died at the age of 83.
In 2011, a Southern Baptist resolution scolded Biblica for its revisions to the 2011 version of the NIV (though LifeWay bookstores continued to sell the Bibles). In 2012, Biblica joined forces with the American Bible Society and Wycliffe (thanks to Hobby Lobby money) to "catapult Bible ministry into a new digital age." That same year, InterVarsity Press acquired Biblica Books, the publishing arm of Biblica Worldwide.
Earlier this year, a new crowd-funded Bible project aiming to make the Bible more enjoyable to read garnered $1.5 million. In response, Biblica—which published a similar more-readable Bible project back in 2007—detailed its own process, including why it combined 1 and 2 Samuel into one book and organized Matthew around five stories.
CT previously published Moeller's top 5 books on Christianity in North Korea and featured his perspective on the state of Muslim-Christian relations since 9/11.
CT regularly reports on Bible translation, including whether English translations have reached a saturation point, the seizure of "Allah" Bibles in Malaysia, and whether new guidelines by Wycliffe Bible Translators will resolve a translation controversy over outreach to Muslims.
Biblica's full announcement:
Biblica board names Dr. Carl A. Moeller as new CEO
Moeller to succeed outgoing CEO Doug Lockhart as Biblica continues its third century of ministry
Biblica announced today that its Board of Directors, by unanimous vote, has appointed Dr. Carl A. Moeller as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 14, 2014. Since 2000, Dr. Moeller served three years as a pastor at Saddleback Church, then nine years as president and CEO for Open Doors, USA, before founding Sequoia Global Resources in 2012. He will replace Doug Lockhart, who announced last March that he would transition from his role as Biblica’s CEO by early 2015.
As president of Open Doors, Dr. Moeller helped awaken churches in the West to the ongoing persecution of Christians in other parts of the world. During his time with Sequoia Global Resources, he helped cultivate philanthropic partnerships to address some of the most intractable global needs, including poverty, autism, education, and more. He has worked in more than 75 countries around the world and is an ordained minister with the Evangelical Free Church.
“Throughout our search, we have been careful to seek God’s wisdom and direction as we make this important selection. We feel confident that Carl is the right person to lead Biblica into our next season of ministry,” said Rob Gluskin, chair of Biblica’s Board of Directors. “His unique combination of global experience, organizational leadership, and ministry mindedness is exactly what we need as we help millions of people around the world connect more deeply with the Scriptures.”
“I am grateful that Carl answered the call to become the next leader of Biblica,” said outgoing CEO Doug Lockhart. “Biblica is an amazing ministry, and I believe God will continue to bless its work under Carl’s leadership.”
Dr. Moeller will assume the role of CEO on October 14, 2014. “Biblica has been doing kingdom work for over 200 years—providing Bibles for those who don’t have any and helping those who do to experience them more deeply,” he said. “I am so thrilled to be joining this incredible global ministry.”
Moeller will helm a global leadership team consisting of Scott Bolinder, Executive Vice President; Bob Dinolfo, Chief Financial Officer; Ken Norwood, Vice President of Philanthropy and Major Relations; Munengi Mulandi, Area Executive Director for Africa; Stephen Cave, Area Executive Director for Europe; Esteban Fernandez, Area Executive Director for Latin America; and Richard Loh, Area Executive Director for East Asia Pacific.
About Biblica
For over 200 years, Biblica has been providing God’s Word so people can enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and be formed by him. The Colorado Springs-based non-profit organization works in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East/North Africa, North America, and South Asia. Biblica translates the complete Bible into the world’s top 100 major languages and is the translation sponsor and worldwide publisher of the New International Version® (NIV®) Bible, the most widely used contemporary English translation in the world.
