The people who speak Boma as their mother tongue live along coastlines of several islands. Many are government employees, private office workers, business owners, teachers, professors and students. In outlying areas, most Boma are clove, nutmeg and coconut farmers or fishermen.

Christianity was introduced to this area in the 16th century. Though they have churches and a Christian university, the only Scripture available to the Boma is in a formal form of the national language. For many of them, the Gospel is just a string of pretty words; it has no meaning and little impact on their lives. They work hard to please God, performing spiritual duties. Many are unaware of the difference a personal relationship with Jesus would make in their daily experience. Their God is a distant, inaccessible, impersonal being. Even pastors have difficulty understanding Scripture to teach their congregations.

The Boma New Testament translation may ultimately help translators reach as many as two million people because many regional languages are related to it. This Boma translation could become an important source text for new projects in areas that still have no mother-tongue Scripture. The translators are highly motivated, not only for the sake of their own community, but for the good of millions of others who will benefit from their work.