Where We Serve / Themne Bible Translation
Themne Bible Translation
The New Testament is complete. Drafting of the Old Testament is complete, and the team is continuing with team checking, community review, and consultant checking so the full Bible can be published in Themne.
Bible Translation
Country
- Sierra Leone
Region
- West Africa
Language Population
2,210,000
Program Summary
The New Testament is available in Themne. All Old Testament books have been drafted, and selected portions are being used in churches and community settings as part of the review process. These materials are helping reviewers and church leaders engage carefully with the text and provide feedback before final publication.
The team works to ensure that every passage of Scripture is clear, natural, and accurate through team checking, community review workshops, and consultant checking.
During Scripture engagement activities, church leaders have shared that hearing and reading Scripture in Themne helps them teach more clearly and participate more fully in church life.
Empowered to Complete the Themne Old Testament
God speaks Themne. 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.
Program Goals
- Complete team checking, community review, and consultant checking for the Old Testament
- Conduct Scripture engagement workshops connected to the review process
- Provide ongoing training for translators and reviewers
- Distribute draft Scripture portions for testing and use in churches and literacy contexts
- Maintain quarterly monitoring and reporting
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 Beckendorf
Since July 2005, the Beckendorfs 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
Themne is a primary language in 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
Program Progress
Regional News & Media
Bring God’s Word to the Themne Community
God speaks Themne. Your gift helps translate God’s Word for this language community. Every gift makes a difference.