April 23, 2021
By: Audrey. R. John
As part of its 75th anniversary of autonomy and the country’s 60th anniversary celebration, the Bible Society of Sierra Leone, on Wednesday has yesterday launched their independence bible.
The well attended launching took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Aberdeen in Freetown. The Independence Bible is sold at Le 500,000 and is available at the headquarters of the Bible Society Secretariat, Congo Cross in Freetown. The different version of the Independence Bible include: King James and Good News.
Explaining the content of the Independence Bible, Board Chairman, Bible Society of Sierra Leone, Ransford Wright, said the “unique bible” explains the mandate of Bible Society as well as the locations of Bible Society offices across the country.
He continued that the bible also captured the early beginnings of Sierra Leone which includes the history of Christianity in the country as far back as 1792, when the country had the first chaplain, the history of various denominations in the country, as well as historic and memorable dates in the country’s history.
He added that the bible captures the heroes of Sierra Leone who have done significant and remarkable thing for the growth and development of the country, as well as the past and current president. The books of the bible are also placed in subsequent pages in the bible.
The Old Testament is segmented into different segments, which include the law, historical book, major and Minor Prophets. Whereas the New Testament is segmented, for it has section of the letters, prophesies, the bible also had pages that introduces every chapter as well as how to use the bible.
He continued that the bible has a segment that is titled “where do I begin” which gives an insight into various passages and they will be helpful in certain times in one’s life, for it contains different parables from Christ, among others.
In her welcome remarks, General Secretary, Bible Society of Sierra Leone, Christiana Jones noted that work in the Bible Society started way back in 1815 with the first Bullom translation, which is known today as the Sherbro translation. “75 years ago in 946, the work of the Society started with four able-bodied Christian men within the Methodist Church and it is on that premise that the Bible Society of Sierra Leone was recognized by the United Bible Society,” she went on.
She said the mandate, vision and mission of the Society is aimed at making the bible scripture available as well as helping people to interact with God’s word for positive reading. “As a society we have translated the bible into various languages as well as the English bible and other Christian literatures for Christian interaction,” she added.
She spoke of partnership with other churches through evangelism, children’s ministry, humanitarian needs, youth culture, working with the blind schools across the country, as well as emergency and health situations.
“Through membership support, donations, we keep working to meet and touch the lives of Sierra Leoneans,” she added. “when the country’s 60th anniversary was drawing near, the Society sat down and asked what we can offer to Sierra Leone that could be remembered for a lifetime, we thought of a bible with unique features,” she disclosed. He furthered that the bible does not only talk about God’s word, but an opportunity to interact with the country’s history.
Minister of Social Welfare, Baindu Dassama, commended Bible Society for what she described as work well done. She urged religious leaders to use the bible to convey government messages. “Churches and mosques have the largest audience and huge influence on society; hence the role of religious leaders in conveying government messages remains very crucial.
President Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, Abioseh Samuels, said the launch of the bible is a significant day in the history of the Bible Society and the nation, adding that he was most delightful that the Society celebrates the country’s independence which is just around the corner. He added that CCSL had been using biblical principles tin its advocacy work. He further pledged his support and partnership with BSSL to ensure that everybody reads the bible.
President Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone, Bishop Akintayo Sam Jolly, said, whenever anniversaries are celebrated, it was time to count blessings. Sam Jolly was pleased that the scripture will now be available and accessible to all Sierra Leoneans. He said the offer is meaningful and will urge people to effectively interact with the word of God. “The act of reading the bible has purified effect in one’s mind,” he opined.
Bishop Tamba Charles of the Catholic Mission of Sierra Leone described the event as memorable. He said the word of God educates, encourage and empower all and sundry to reach higher heights in all human endeavors.
Bishop Charles was very pleased that the Bible Society had the country’s 60th anniversary in mind, but noted that at age 60 a man should have developed his/herself, people and the world community. He said at age 60 a man should be able to transform wisdom and not retirement. “The celebration of the 75th anniversary of Bible Society and the country’s 60th anniversary is prophetic. We should therefore take God’s work seriously and help transform our country and our people for them to become God fearing people,” he said.