ThemneBible Translation
The New Testament is complete, and the Old Testament draft is going through checking. Help bring the full Bible to the Themne!
Bible Translation
Country
- Sierra Leone
Region
- West Africa
Language Population
2,210,000
Reviews ensure every Themne speaker hears God’s Word clearly
The New Testament is available in Themne, but it’s only the beginning of the story. The translation team has drafted all Old Testament books, and some are already in circulation among Themne communities and churches. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, inspiring greater devotion and curiosity.
The team is dedicated to ensuring that every word of Scripture is clear, natural, and accurate through team reviews, community workshops, and consultant checks.
A Themne community leader shared, “I never had the opportunity to listen to the Word of God in my heart language until today.” He expressed a renewed desire to engage with meetings and teachings where God’s Word is discussed or preached in his own language.
Empowering local leaders to complete the Themne Old Testament
Translators and facilitators are the heart of the Themne Bible translation effort. These dedicated leaders are tirelessly working to ensure that the full Old Testament speaks with naturalness, clarity, and meaning for all 2.2 million Themne speakers.
In 2025, these leaders are:
- Hosting Scripture workshops to involve local voices in refining translation drafts.
- Training reviewers to ensure accuracy and cultural relevance.
- Expanding listening groups to engage churches, families, and individuals with translated Scripture.
Your support fuels the passion and progress of these leaders as they bring God’s Word to life in Sierra Leone.
Program Goals
- Complete Translation and Review Processes
- Promote Community and Scripture Engagement
- Support Translator and Reviewer Training
- Expand Scripture Access Within Communities
- Monitor and Strengthen Program Progress
Themne Bible Translation Program Plan
Step 1
Advance Old Testament Translation
- Review and edit Scripture drafts based on translation workshop feedback.
- Complete drafting and team checking for all Old Testament books.
- Conduct consultant reviews for clarity, accuracy, and naturalness.
Step 2
Engage Communities in Scripture Use and Review
- Host workshops to refine drafts based on community and reviewer input.
- Organize community workshops to gather feedback on translated excerpts.
- Launch Bible listening groups to encourage Themne engagement with Scripture.
Step 3
Build Capacity and Promote Scripture Engagement
- Distribute trial editions of Scripture to encourage wider testing and use.
- Train translators and reviewers during specialized workshops.
- Facilitate Scripture engagement workshops for churches and local leaders.
Meet the Local Team
team members
• Mr. Daniel Fulah – Translation Team Lead
• Mr. Simon A. Bangura – Translator
• Mr. Thomas Larkoh – Translator
• Rev. Kalvin K. Koroma – Translator
• Mr. Joseph S. Kamara – Translator
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
