Scripture Use ~ Ejagham

Encouraging Ejagham language use in church was the focus at a pastors' conference in a remote corner of southwest Cameroon. Twenty pastors and church leaders gathered together from many denominations in the Ejagham language area. Baptist, Catholic, Deeper Life Bible, Full Gospel, Presbyterian and Apostolic churches all sent representatives. All were unified for two days while they discussed the use of the Ejagham New Testament and the use of Ejagham as a language of ministry in their churches.

The new Ejagham songbook was of special interest. What a hit! It took great effort on the part of organizers to move on from learning and singing Ejagham Scripture songs to other topics. One participant recounted how people in his church responded to singing Ejagham Scripture songs: "If we do what these songs say, our lives will go better."

Ejagham Pop Music

Another pastor said, "When I preach, I have seen that young people like English, older people like Ejagham, but ALL people love the Ejagham songs. I know this because I hear young and old people going to and from their farms singing Ejagham worship songs. They've never sung the English songs like that before."

This anecdote is representative of what some pastors testified and even more pastors came to realize, by the end of the conference. Using Ejagham in worship services is changing church attendance, attitudes and lives.

Film and Bible Study

One life-changing tool that is now available in the Ejagham language is the JESUS film. This film, presenting the Gospel of Luke, is a cooperative effort of Wycliffe Bible Translators and Campus Crusade for Christ.

Another pastor found new truth in studying the Bible in his own language. "I never understood grace like that before", he said. "I think I can learn a great deal by using the Ejagham New Testament in my Bible study. And my people need to hear this as well, so they will understand better."

All in all, it proved to be a great two days. The participants expressed deep appreciation for what they had learned. They also went away with motivation and ideas on how to use the local language in the worship of the local church.

Yes, let's worship in Ejagham!

A story from Cameroon, Africa
Ejagham is a language of 120,000 speakers in Southwest Cameroon and Southeast Nigeria
December 1997: Ejagham New Testament dedicated
National workers: Ayamba Nkiri, Father Michael Obi (deceased), Peter Tambe-Nchinge (deceased), Johnson Okongor
Literacy and Scripture use led by Ayamba Nkiri and other Ejagham speakers 1993 to present
Ejagham Scriptures read in most village churches
Expatriate workers: Tom and Eileen Edmondson, UK 1964 to 1969; John and Kathie Watters USA 1973 to present.