Angola/South Africa (MNN) — Deaf communities in Angola and South Africa will soon have a chance to know Jesus.
“There are some strong Deaf leaders and Deaf believers” in South Africa, DOOR International’s Rob Myers says.
“Now that they have some Scripture published, that Scripture is a perfect segue into training local leaders in how to do evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.”
Published sign language Scripture and strong Deaf leadership are exceptions rather than the norm. Collectively, Deaf people are one of the world’s largest unreached people groups. Less than two percent of the world’s 70 million Deaf people have any access to the Gospel.
Connect with DOOR to help change that reality.
Entering new fields for Christ
Using a new technique, DOOR is teaching Deaf leaders from Angola and South Africa how to reach their people for Christ. DOOR calls its program “two-by-two” or “2×2” based on Christ’s approach to missions in Luke 10.
“Somewhere between April and June, four leaders [from Angola and South Africa] are heading out into the field to live, work, observe, and serve alongside existing two-by-two teams,” Myers says.
“They’ll gain some of the tools they need; then, they will head back into their country and continue the process.”
Download a prayer calendar to intercede for the new work and other requests.
Meet Richard (left) and Michael (right), the first South Africa 2-by-2 team!
(Photo courtesy of DOOR International)
“We would love to see people coming alongside DOOR and these new teams in prayer. Pray for wisdom; some leaders have been believers for a while, [and] some are somewhat new,” Myers says.
Pray also for DOOR’s resource development team as it creates a video curriculum supporting new training techniques.
“We (hearing people) think of reading as a visual exercise. But reading is an audio exercise; you sound out words connected to a language you already know. So, for most Deaf people, reading is a second language, and sign language is their first language,” Myers explains.
“Our leaders are taking an innovative approach to developing video curriculum (for Deaf church planters).”
Header image depicts Kennedy Oyoo and his family. Kennedy is one of the Kenyan 2-by-2 team leaders mentoring new recruits from Angola and South Africa. (Photo courtesy of DOOR International)
