International (MNN) — The first five years of a child’s life are critical. As described here, 85-percent of a child’s brain develops within this time. The first five years are vital for Deaf ministry, too.
CEO Chantel Pagan says Deaf Bible Society marks a half-decade of ministry this summer.
“We are so excited to look back and consider all of the wonderful things that the Lord has done in and through Deaf Bible Society and our incredible partners.”
In the summer of 2015, a team within Faith Comes By Hearing laid plans for reaching Deaf people with God’s Word. Whereas only the Deaf Bible app existed previously, the Deaf Bible Society began to take shape as a formal organization. Today, Deaf Bible Society works in 76 sign language communities around the world. They’re distributing Bible content, training distributors, researching, building relationships, and funding Bible translation efforts.
(Photo courtesy of Deaf Bible Society)
“Through the course of this five-year history, it has been so incredible to see the Lord align and set into motion new levels of collaboration to see His Great Commission take shape for Deaf people worldwide,” Pagan says.
DBS: a growing Deaf ministry
There are an estimated 70 million Deaf people worldwide. Deaf Bible Society connects these individuals with God’s Word in their heart sign languages. More about that here.
Less than five percent of the world’s 400+ sign languages have any Scripture. But that’s exactly what makes sign language Bible translation such an essential task.
“We’re doing everything we can to set into motion key strategic initiatives to see greater translation growth, as well as seeing new Deaf leaders arise and participate in the Great Commission’s call,” Pagan says.
In the years to come, “we look forward to seeing more content available and distributed to Deaf people,” she adds.
Your participation is vital to continuing this movement.
Partnership propelled the ministry so far, and it fuels Deaf Bible Society’s forward motion.
“We did not get to this point alone. Those who have faithfully contributed through prayer, encouragement, and through resources [have] allowed Deaf Bible Society to have the impact that it has,” Pagan notes.
“In the next five years, we are looking forward to the Lord taking Deaf Bible Society and our partnerships in translation, acceleration, and Bible distribution to a whole new level.”
Here are four ways you can support the Deaf Bible movement.
Header image courtesy of Deaf Bible Society.
