KombaOld Testament Translation
Your support has led to the completion of the Komba full Bible! To deepen the community’s engagement with Scripture, your gift will fund Scripture engagement workshops and 35+ literacy classes.
Bible Translation
Country
- Ghana
Region
- West Africa
Language Population
831,000
The Full Bible will be transformative
Traditional religious beliefs greatly influenced the Komba people of northern Ghana until the completion of the Komba New Testament in 2014. The New Testament has reached families, churches, and communities through written and audio formats and a Scripture app. Young and old come together in villages and on farms to learn more about God, looking to Scripture for guidance to resolve issues and uncertainties.
It was a challenge to have all four team members together at the same time for checking or proofreading. Often, the team would go into “workshop style” working, sequestering themselves for 3-4 days and working up to 13 hours daily. Thankfully, the team did not always need this work style.
Church leaders look forward to the dedication of the Komba Bible. A full Bible will help the Komba understand the fullness of God’s plan, from Creation to Jesus Christ’s return.
Empower Local Leaders
We believe that every community should have the chance to read the Bible in the language they understand best, led by people they trust and respect. Your financial gifts and prayers equip leaders in Ghana to translate the Bible into the Komba language.
You are a partner in this effort with the Komba community. Every year during the harvest, Komba chiefs and community members make contributions to support the program. During this time, they even call on government officials to turn out and support the program.
Program Goals
- Open literacy classes to the community members and churches with facilitators and supervisors.
- Host Scripture engagement workshops to encourage Bible reading and evangelism.
- Dedicate the Komba Old Testament.
Komba Old Testament Translation Program Plan
Step 1
Host the dedication of the full Komba Bible.
Step 2
Raise up literacy class facilitators and supervisors.
Step 3
See Scripture bring Hope, Life, and Transformation to the Komba.
Meet the Local Team
team members
Project Coordinator
Elijah Matibin
Translators
James Wajak
Elisha Sumani
Pastor Emmanuel Mananvanin
Michael and naomi Ersland
Michael and Naomi have served with the Komba Old Testament translation project since 2016. Michael works as a translation advisor for the project. Both Michael and Naomi appreciate learning from the local church as God’s Word is used to celebrate life’s joys and mourn life’s sorrows. The Word becomes alive and active from new perspectives as language, culture, and faith interweave into a local fabric.
Partner Organizations
Honoring the Language
Located primarily in northeast Ghana, the Komba language crosses over into Togo.
The Komba language community consists of subsistence farming.
