ThemneFull Bible Translation
The New Testament is set. The Old Testament is fully drafted. Your support is needed to carry the Themne team through checking phases and onto publication!
Bible Translation
Country
- Sierra Leone
Region
- West Africa
Language Population
2,210,000
Thorough reviews are required for every translation
The New Testament is available in Themne, but that is only half of the Bible, only half the story of God’s Word.
The translation team has drafted all the Old Testament books. Some books are in circulation among Themne communities and churches, and the feedback has been very positive. The team continues to work through the other translation stages, including team review, community review, and consultant review, to ensure the translation is clear, natural, and accurate.
“I never had the opportunity to listen to the Word of God in my heart language until today,” said a Themne traditional leader and Muslim. He promised to attend any meetings where God’s Word is discussed or preached in the language he can truly understand.
EmpoweR Local Leaders To Complete Checking
We believe that every community should have the chance to read the Bible in the language they understand best. Your financial gifts and prayers enable us to equip leaders in Sierra Leone to translate the Bible into the Themne language.
Program Goals
- Team check the following books: Lamentations, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
- Hold at least four community review sessions through the year.
- Hold monthly consultant checking session.
Program Plan
Step 1
Begin the checking phases of the Old Testament.
Step 2
Involve the community in review to increase adoption of the Scripture.
Step 3
Bring hope, life, and transformation through a full Themne Bible.
Meet the Local Team
team members
Five Translators
Programs Officer & CAP Officer
General Secretary
Operations Manager
Accountant
amy formella
Amy arrived on the field in Sierra Leone in May 2017. After a few months of orientation and then language learning, Amy began working regularly with the Mende Bible Translation team as the Technical Advisor. She assists the team by training, proofreading, being involved with team checking, and advising on the process of the translation project.
Dr. Becky Grossmann
Becky currently serves as a Bible translation consultant for projects in Liberia and Sierra Leone. She facilitated the completion of the Gola New Testament in 2019. She is involved with four whole Bible translation projects for the Bandi, Dan and Maan people in Liberia and the Themne people in Sierra Leone. Becky assists translators via innovative technologies such as internet communications and teleconferencing, with periodic in-person visits.
Rev. Dr. Tim and lisa beckendorff
Since July 2005, the Beckendorf’s have worked among the Khwe people. Their professional training equips them for cross-cultural and native Bible translation ministry as they help local leaders in Botswana guide translation efforts, engage their communities, and share the Bible. Tim serves as a consultant on the Themne Full Bible team.
Partner Organizations
Honoring the Language
Primary language of central Sierra Leone.
A tonal language, with four tones. Tonal words have different meanings based on inflection.
Eleven (11) dialects include Banta, Konike, Yoni, Bombali, Western Temne (Pil), Sanda, Ribia, Kholifa, Koya, Masingbi, Malal
