There is great joy in southern Nigeria! Epie and Ogbia speakers now have access to God’s Word in their mother tongues. This momentous milestone was marked by two celebrations.

On September 22, 2020, just five years after the Bible translation project got underway, people gathered at the Ogbia Brotherhood Hall to celebrate the completion of the Ogbia New Testament. John Okolubo, a retired teacher who was at the celebration said, “The Bible will transform the lives of the Ogbia people. Without it, it was like we lacked God’s presence. But with it, we have reached the promised land.”

The following day, on September 23, 2020, in a celebration at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Yenagoa, the Epie New Testament was dedicated. Miss Abraham Montgomery shared her excitement upon receiving God’s Word in her heart language, “I’ve been praying and expecting this day. The people of other languages in our neighboring states have the Bible in their mother tongue, and I am happy we now have ours. It is no longer a wish or a dream, but a reality!”

Both celebrations culminated in a special moment as the newly translated Epie and Ogbia translations were read aloud and the crowds reacted with joy.

Translating the Bible

Every believer needs to connect with God’s words of love in a language that brings joy to their hearts. That’s why Bible Society of Nigeria is committed to translating the Bible. Now they are working to complete the full Bible for the Epie and Ogbia people in under 12 years. But they need your prayers. Please pray for the continued translation work of both the Epie and Ogbia translations in Nigeria. Also pray for the ongoing impact of the New Testament in both communities.

Let’s Pray Together

Father, we praise you for the completion of the Epie and Ogbia New Testaments. We pray that your Word will transform hearts and minds as Epie and Ogbia speakers engage with it. We also pray that you will strengthen and help the translation team working to complete the full Bible for these communities.