“The Kasena people now have their own Bible, they can hear God speaking in their mother tongue” these were the words of Rev. Douglas Frimpong who preached at the much awaited Kasem Bible dedication at the Kumasi Cultural centre on Sunday November 8th, 2015.
The time, resources and endless prayer invested by Philip and Judy Hewer, GILLBT & partners, donors and the Kasena people had been finally rewarded by the birth of the complete Kasem Bible, W3 T)N).
GILLBT Kumasi chapter executives, invited guests, the Kasena churches in the Ashanti region and the team of translators who led this remarkable feat were all seated as the various cultural troupes entered with joyful music and ground-shaking dance moves. The congregation which consisted members of the Good News Bible Church (GNBC), Kasena Presby, Methodist Church and Catholic Church joined the chorus and with cheers engaged the troupe. A time to be Kasena and proud.
Soon it was time for Rt. Rev. Dr. Comfort Adu, of Gospel Promotion Ministries and an executive member of the GILLBT Kumasi chapter to welcome all who thronged the venue to catch a glimpse of the newest Bible in town after Rev. Kofi Amfo and Rev. Paul Kpaja opened the ceremony with a prayer which fell nothing short of a praise song. Rt. Rev. Dr. Adu left the lectern with applauds for a task well performed. The GNBC choir took over and kept the atmosphere charged with Kasem songs which the already fired-up congregation couldn’t resist, defied the scorching sun and hit the dance floor with their handkerchiefs. Such moment happens once in a lifetime!
GILLBT Kumasi chapter Executives with Philip and Judy Hewer at the Kasem Dedication
Philip Hewer Adoa, the man who envisaged this day some 45 years ago had the singular honour to address the congregation on the Significance of the Mother Tongue Scriptures and a brief history of the Kasem Bible, a presentation he made in Kasem. He spoke fluently the language to the admiration of all gathered. Some notable mentions were the number of years the translators spent on the project, the challenges and his family’s integration into the community. He also acknowledged some friends who supported his work financially and prayerfully. His stay in the Kasena community to undertake this project was a fulfilling one.
The Kasena Presby Choir after a wonderful delivery by Mr Philip Hewer welcomed the preacher Rev. Douglas Frimpong of the Christian Outreach Ministries who is also a member of the GILLBT Kumasi chapter executive board with another Kasem song. The man of God who had a calm persona observing him from a distance, delivered a message which got everyone present nodding in approval of the potency of the Kasem Bible which was by no means inferior to any other translation or version of the word of God. A sermon for the occasion it was!
The president of the Kumasi GILLBT chapter and General Overseer of The Oasis of Love Church International- Ghana Rev. Dr. Kwabena Darko had a word for the Kasem people and all gathered after which he called all pastors gathered to prayerfully and officially dedicate the Kasem Bible. The clergy and the team of translators’ present laid hands on samples of the Bible which were covered with beautiful African prints awaiting unveiling and with one heart prayed for the lives these Bible were going to impact positively upon its release. The word is life indeed!
The ceremony which never lacked songsters, drummers and energetic dancers at any point had a mass choir made up of choristers from all denominations gathered, they filled up the podium to sing tunes which got everyone hitting the dance floor again.
Rev. John Bosco Dogneriba of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana led the auction of the Kasem Bible. Amounts ranging from GH 1,000 to GH 20 got the various classes of people gathered a copy of the good Book. The queue elongated as the price reduced and the auctioneer kept encouraging everyone present to get a copy.
Some invited guests then took turns to give solidarity messages which all centred on the Kasena people and the use of the Bible. Members of the translation team Rev. Jonah Kwotua and Rev. Abraham also had a message for the congregation. The next items on the programme line-up were Cultural Display, Drama on the use of the Kasem Bible, Vote of Thanks and a Reception for Dignitaries. Time was far spent due to the late start and also some speakers over-staying their duration. The team from Accra had to set-off early to arrive on time. After some group photos with the organizers, translation team and GIILBT Kumasi chapter executives we were ready to leave the Kumasi cultural centre with fond memory of what will be recorded as one of the best Bible dedication ceremony organised according to some staff who have had the opportunity to witness other Bible dedications.