Where We Serve / Gokana Bible Translation
GokanaBible Translation
Bring God’s Word to Gokana speakers—advance Old Testament translation and Scripture engagement
Bible Translation
Country
- Nigeria
Region
- West Africa
Language Population
100,000
Completing God’s Story for the Gokana People
Over 30 years ago, Gokana pastors identified the need for Scripture in the Gokana language. The New Testament has been published. The Old Testament books have been drafted and are now moving through team checking and consultant checking. A revised trial edition of Genesis is being prepared for print as part of this quality review process.
Empowering Local Leaders
We support Gokana translators and church leaders as they strengthen their translation and teaching skills, so Scripture can be used clearly and accurately within local churches and community settings.
Program Goals
- Continue team and consultant checking of Old Testament booksÂ
- Support Scripture engagement activities in churches and communities
- Provide ongoing training for the Gokana translation team
Gokana Bible Translation Program Plan
Step 1
Refine Translation Quality
- Re-translate key Old Testament books
- Conduct thorough team checking
- Prepare texts for consultant review
Step 2
Enhance Scripture Engagement
- Develop quarterly community workshops
- Train local teachers in Scripture interpretation
- Promote active Scripture use in Gokana communities
Step 3
Build Translation Team Capacity
- Participate in external training programs
- Share advanced translation skills
- Continuously improve team’s technical capabilities
Meet the Local Team
Translation Team
Barine Lenen – Technical Officer
Baridomale Naasi – Translator
Bariful Moses Kpenu – Translator
Gbaranen Kanyoone – Translator
Lucky Sugu – Translator
Team Members
Deacon Akpen Moses Barifulbel (Team check member)
Elder Cletus Dorh – Literacy Coordinator & Translator
Christopher Poi – Office Manager
Peace Bema – Office Cleaner
Dinebari S. D. Biira – Project Coordinator & Translator & Consultant in Training
Rev. Dr. Linus Otronyi
Rev. Dr. Linus Otronyi grew up in the rural village of Iboko, in the Yala-speaking area of northern Cross River State, Nigeria. He studied at the University of Calabar and has been involved in Bible translation work since 2000.Â
Rev. Chuck and Karen Tessaro
Rev. Chuck and Karen Tessaro first set foot in Nigeria, where there are over 500 different language groups, in 1985. They serve with multiple local translation teams including the Old Testament teams for the Ikwerre, Yala, Kukele and Gokana languages. These teams also promote literacy and serve in their local community as teachers and helpers.
Partner Organizations
Honoring the Language
Nasal vowels are indicated by a tilde and tones are indicated by an acute or grave accent.
Language Status = 5 (Developing)
A neighbor to the Eleme language community
Program Progress
Regional News & Media
Help Bring Scripture to Life
Your donation helps translate God’s Word into the Gokana language. Every gift makes a difference.