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Pastor Book Sets ready for distribution at one of the Conferences
Pastors using their books from the Pastors Book Sets |
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This first-ever, one-volume commentary was sponsored by the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) "with significant financial support from Christians worldwide" and represents the labor of over 70 African theologians. It gives a section-by-section interpretation that provides a contextual, readable, and useful guide to the entire Bible. In addition, there are 72 articles on pertinent issues facing Africa's churches, such as HIV/AIDS, angels/demons/powers, funeral and burial rites, widows and orphans, and persecution.
Dr. Tokunboh Adeyemo, former General Secretary of AEA, served as General Editor of the commentary. The commentary's writers, advisors, and editors "all African men and women" represent the broad sweep of the evangelical church across the continent of Africa.
"Producing the Africa Bible Commentary now is doing the right thing at the right time for the Christian Church in Africa," says Dr. Adeyemo. "One of the few to believe that it could be done and to throw its weight logistically and financially behind the project was SIM, which lived up to its name as Serving In Mission."
Others in the evangelical world are acknowledging the significance of this new publication, including John Stott and Rick Warren. Stott writes in the book's Foreword, "The Africa Bible Commentary is a publishing landmark. I intend to use it myself ... Indeed, I hope it will have a worldwide readership."
With an initial print run of 46,000, most copies of the commentary will be distributed in Africa, while Zondervan plans to distribute the book in other English-speaking countries. In his endorsement, Warren writes, "Every pastor, Bible teacher, and Christian will benefit from [the Africa Bible Commentary]. We've needed this commentary for a long, long time!"
Africa Bible Commentary Receives Recognition
The Africa Bible Commentary was recently named "2007 Reference Book of the Year" by the United Kingdom's Christian Booksellers Convention.
Each year the convention presents awards in 13 categories, including Book of the Year, Children's Book of the Year, and Best Worship Album. The award was accepted by Zondervan, the publisher of the book in the U.S. and the UK.
Dr. Tokunboh Adeyemo, the commentary's general editor, was pleased to learn of the award, saying, "It is a great honour for [the Commentary] ? It's all of God and to Him be the glory!"
The $1.2 million literature project needs just $35,000 to completely fund the English-language version. Next plans for the commentary include translation projects. A French edition is slated for release in 2007, with Amharic, Portuguese, and other languages to follow. |
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