Kom Prayer Profile  

The Kom people number approximately 150,000 and are largely subsistence farmers located in a rural, mountainous area of the North West Province near the Nigerian border. Though they are committed to preserving their traditional culture, they are also interested in development. A good road was constructed into the area in 1997 that has helped in this regard. The Kom people are also interested in following world events, something that electricity and satellite television have made possible for some urban dwellers. So changes are taking place in Kom society.

Missionaries first proclaimed the Gospel and planted churches in the 1930's. Today there are two main church denominations, Baptist and Catholic, each with about 10% of the population.

The language of the Kom people was not definitively written before 1990. SIL began work in 1989, with the organization of the Kom Language Development Committee (K.L.D.C.), developing a writing system, beginning literacy classes, and training of translators. Actual translation was begun in 1994 and the New Testament was completed in 2004. A large literacy program has been established for children and adults. The Jesus film was produced in 2000 and has been viewed by over 30,000 Kom people. Over 5,000 people have made decisions to follow Christ. Ongoing discipleship and evangelism are needed. 150 local citizens serve as leaders in ministry. Biblical and leadership training exists for local church leaders. Currently, approximately 30 churches are participating in a Scripture Use program in preparation for the New Testament Dedication scheduled for December 2005.

There is a general lack of interest in literacy. Reading and writing in the mother tongue has not yet become a value in the society. Most literate people do not read unless required to do so. Women have a lower literacy rate than men in English but they are more likely to be participants in Kom language literacy classes. Most people lack disposable income to purchase literature.

There are no immediate plans by the K.L.D.C. to start an Old Testament translation project. Instead, some of the Kom translators are now in the process of helping two neighboring language groups, Bum and Babanki, begin their translation projects.

Items for Prayer

·        Pray for the increased reading of the Kom New Testament.

·        Ongoing evangelism and discipleship efforts.

·        That church members will grow in their commitment to practice Biblical Christianity.

(revised August 19, 2005)