Where We Serve / Krio Scripture Engagement

Krio Scripture Engagement

Helping Churches and Communities Engage Scripture in Krio

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Scripture Engagement

Country

  • Sierra Leone

Region

  • West Africa

Language Population

7,734,000

Language, Literacy, and Scripture Engagement

Krio is a living language with deep historical connections to Sierra Leone, particularly the Freetown area. People use it in homes, churches, communities, and public life.

The Krio Scripture Engagement program works with local churches and leaders to help people encounter, understand, and use Scripture in the language they know best. Through literacy activities, Bible listening, Bible studies, children’s ministry, and Scripture resources, the program supports meaningful engagement with God’s Word.

The work is carried out in partnership with The Institute for Sierra Leonean Languages, also known as TISLL.

Equipping Churches and Community Facilitators

Local churches and facilitators are central to the Krio Scripture Engagement program. Support helps strengthen literacy and Scripture-engagement activities that churches can use in their own communities. 

These activities may include Bible listening, Bible studies, children’s ministry, literacy learning, and the use of Scripture and teaching resources. The goal is to help local leaders and congregations engage Scripture meaningfully and sustain this work over time.

Program Goals

  1. Strengthen church-based Scripture engagement in Krio.
  2. Support literacy learning in Krio-speaking communities.
  3. Equip local facilitators and church leaders.
  4. Encourage Bible listening, Bible studies, and Scripture storytelling.
  5. Support children’s ministry and age-appropriate Scripture learning.
  6. Develop and use Scripture, literacy, and teaching resources.
  7. Strengthen local ownership and long-term ministry sustainability. 

Krio Scripture Engagement Program Plan

Step 1

Literacy Foundation Building

  • Establish 10 functional literacy classes in 10 communities.
  • Train 10 facilitators in Pre-Primer and Primer methods.
  • Establish 10 audio-listening groups across targeted communities.
  • Supervise existing and new literacy and listening groups.

Step 2

Materials Development and Distribution

  • Develop Krio Pre-Primer, Primer, and teacher-guide materials.
  • Print and replenish literacy classroom resources.
  • Develop and translate Krio Scripture audio materials.
  • Train reviewers for Scripture and literacy materials.

Step 3

Community Engagement and Sustainability

  • Monitor classes and listening groups through regular visits.
  • Conduct radio programs promoting Krio language and Scripture.
  • Build awareness of Krio literacy across communities.
  • Strengthen programming through reviews, retreats, and practical training.
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Meet the Local Team

  • Team Members

    • Adolphus E. Williams (Chairman)
    • Pastor Fredrick M. Jones (Committee Advisor)
    • Sister Harolda Makaya (Material Development)
    • Apostle Milton A. Tanu (Training/Sensitization)
    • Aunty Mary Kagbo (Children’s Ministry Facilitator)

  • Team Members

    • Pastor Augustine Samu (FCBH Facilitator)
    • Sister Christiana (FCBH Facilitator)
    • Bro. Karim Amadu (FCBH Volunteer)
    • Bro. Moses Moriba (FCBH Volunteer)
    • Sister Chris (FCBH Volunteer)
    • Sister Fatmata Thomas (FCBH Volunteer)
    • Literacy Team (6 Dedicated Facilitators)

Partner Organizations

Honoring the Language

Krio is an English-based creole language associated historically with communities in and around Freetown, including descendants of formerly enslaved people who settled in Sierra Leone.

Today, Krio is a living language used across Sierra Leone. People speak and understand it in diverse communities, and it plays an important role in church, family, community, and public life.

The Krio-speaking community includes people from varied cultural and religious backgrounds. The program works with local churches and leaders to make Scripture engagement and literacy more accessible in Krio.

Program Progress

  • Local churches and facilitators are supporting Krio literacy activities in communities across Sierra Leone.
  • Bible listening groups, Bible studies, and Scripture-engagement activities are helping people encounter God’s Word in Krio.
  • Children’s ministry and age-appropriate Scripture learning are creating opportunities for young people to participate in church life.
  • Local leaders are developing literacy and Scripture resources to strengthen sustainable, community-based ministry.
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Help People Encounter Scripture in Krio

Your generosity supports church-based Scripture engagement and literacy activities in Sierra Leone.

  • Join Us in Prayer

    Please pray for local churches, facilitators, and families participating in Krio literacy and Scripture-engagement activities.

    Become a Prayer Partner

  • Join Us in Prayer

    Pray that Bible listening, Bible studies, children’s ministry, and other church-based activities will help people encounter and apply God’s Word in Krio.

    Become a Prayer Partner

  • Join Us in Prayer

    Pray also for The Institute for Sierra Leonean Languages and the local leaders who serve Krio-speaking communities. Ask God to provide wisdom, unity, strength, and sustainable support for this work.

    Become a Prayer Partner