International (MNN) — Deaf Missions is collaborating with Jesus Film to produce the Jesus Movie. Chad Entinger with Deaf Missions signs today is the first day people can watch the pilot scene. Click here to view!
Jesus Movie
(Photo courtesy of Deaf Missions via Facebook)
The pilot gives people a taste of what the full-length film will be like once completed. It is also the first step in producing a movie which offers Deaf the chance to encounter Jesus through their heart-language.
“The heart-language, it’s related to a person’s identity. For a person to see something in their heart-language, that really will capture their heart, and they’ll feel, that person will then, will feel like ‘Oh my goodness, they’re actually communicating to me. This is my language’,” Entinger signs while communication through a translator.
Many Deaf feel that the triune God is only for hearing people. This sentiment exists because of the numerous amounts of resources churches tend to put towards ministry work for hearing people. This movie translation challenges that concept and is an investment in Deaf ministry and discipleship. It also communicates to the Deaf community that they matter to not just Christians, but to God.
“We really believe that God can and will use the movie in sign-language to reach Deaf people,” Entinger signs.
Production is set to take at least three years, possibly four years. The pilot video is the launching point for this project. Plans for fundraising is in the works to finish raising the complete financial resources needed for the pre-production, production, and post-production phases of this project.
Deaf Ministry
Entinger signs the Jesus Movie has many ties to Bible translation, especially Bible translation for sign languages. There are still entire countries that have not had the opportunity to start Bible translations for their local sign languages. Entinger hopes the Jesus Movie will help connect people and give them a launching point for their translation efforts, too.
(Photo courtesy of Deaf Missions via Facebook)
“Then the Deaf community can get excited, and they’ll see the impact of the Jesus Movie in their own sign languages. And then, the people who were involved in making that movie in their own language will develop additional skills and confidence from that experience to then change to this Bible translations,” Entinger signs.
Along with asking for financial gifts, Deaf Missions is also asking people to pray for this project.
“Pray for people who will come and be involved with the production. It’s a really big project. And it’s going to require creativity, a lot of time, a lot of energy, to make this successful,” Entinger signs.
Pray for the project’s funding, too. Ask God to meet the needs of this project. Finally, pray for God to use this project to reveal himself to the Deaf community on a larger scale, and to equip others in translation work.
To help financially support the Jesus Movie with Deaf Missions, click here!
Header image photo courtesy of Deaf Missions via Facebook.
