The Bible Society of Sierra Leone (BSSL) has commenced the distribution of scholarly edition biblical texts to theological colleges across the country, in a move aimed at strengthening theological education and deepening scriptural scholarship.
BSSL, a non-denominational Christian organization dedicated to the translation of the Bible into various Sierra Leonean languages, is a member of the United Bible Societies (UBS), a global network operating in over 200 countries. UBS works to ensure the widest possible and meaningful distribution of the Holy Scriptures while encouraging engagement with the Word of God.
As part of its ongoing collaboration with churches, universities and faith-based institutions, BSSL recently donated a range of advanced theological texts to institutions in Freetown, Bo, Makeni and Kono, reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence in ministry training.
At the Evangelical College of Theology, Principal Rev. Dr. Warren Fornah welcomed the delegation and commended the Bible Society for its continued contribution to Christian education. He later led the team to a chapel session attended by students.
Delivering a message during the session, the General Secretary of BSSL, Edwin Fraser, spoke on the theme: “Truths That Will Carry You in Ministry,” drawn from Proverbs 29:18. He urged students to remain steadfast in their academic pursuits and uphold integrity, particularly during examinations, noting that honesty is foundational to effective ministry.
The donated materials included key scholarly resources such as NT Graece NA28 Greek-English Dictionary, A New Approach to Textual Criticism, Synopsis of the Four Gospels, Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, and the Bible English Atlas. These were formally presented to Rev. Dr. Fornah for use within the institution’s academic library.
In his vote of thanks, the college registrar, Rev. Sawo Koroma, described the donation as timely, highlighting the urgent need for updated and relevant academic texts. He expressed appreciation to the Bible Society and assured that the materials would be carefully preserved given their high value.
The BSSL team also extended its outreach to the College of Theology, Management and Church Training Centre on Wesley Street in Freetown. The delegation was warmly received by Principal Rev. Dr. Ken Luseni, who emphasized the central role of theology in shaping the institution and noted that many pastors and bishops have been trained through its programmes.
Speaking during the visit, Edwin Fraser outlined the purpose of the donation, stressing the importance of equipping theological institutions with high-quality academic resources. The same set of scholarly texts was presented to the college.
In her remarks, Registrar Rev. Selina Pratt described the books as invaluable to advancing theological education in Sierra Leone. She noted that such materials are rarely available in local bookstores and commended the Bible Society for its significant investment in the growth of theology in the country. She further assured that the resources would be used responsibly to benefit both students and faculty.
Similar donations have been made to theological institutions in Makeni, Bo and Kono as part of a broader nationwide initiative.
The Bible Society has indicated that additional distributions will continue to other colleges offering theology programmes, as it seeks to expand access to critical scholarly resources and support the development of future religious leaders across Sierra Leone.
