Deaf need the Gospel too

International (MNN) – Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to not have the use of all of your senses? Sometimes kids will do this — pretending to be blind and running around with their eyes closed, or sometimes they will put their hands over their ears and pretend to be deaf.

What if it wasn’t pretend? How would you overcome the barriers of disability to engage with God’s Word?

JR Bucklew, Deaf Bible director at Deaf Bible Society says, “Technology has really given us a platform in the last few years to take the Gospel to the deaf, unlike any other time in history.”

Awareness in the hearing community remains a challenge. Most hearing people in the Body of Christ are simply unaware that no one in the Deaf community has a Bible in their heart language.

“Sign language and spoken languages are very different. American sign language is not English with gestures. It’s a completely different language with it’s own grammar rules, syntax, and everything,” Bucklew explains.

If this is news to you, you’re not alone. One of the biggest barriers to sharing the Gospel with the Deaf is the fact that many people are innocently ignorant. It’s hard to solve a problem if no one knows what the problem is.

Here’s the good news: with this free resource kit from Deaf Bible Society, you can help change the status quo.

Here’s how it works

1. Awareness: The key-chain is a great conversation starter to help raise awareness. It’s also a chance to encourage others to pray for the unreached worldwide.
   

   (Photo Courtesy Deaf Bible Society via Facebook)

2. Education: With awareness comes education. Be an advocate in your church and help educate people about the spiritual needs of the Deaf.
3. Opportunity: Materials in the resource kit will help you and your small group take advantage of opportunities to get involved in ministry to the Deaf.

“The call of the Great Commission is to go to every nation with the Gospel — and that must include the Deaf,” Bucklew expresses.

In the meantime, please pray for those encountering the Gospel. Pray they would have open hearts to receive it. Pray for the translators putting the Bible into sign, that they would be able to continue their work and for God to give them the wisdom to do so. But also pray for successful programs which engage communities to seek out sharing the Gospel with their deaf neighbors.

To get a free resource kit, click here!

To learn more about the Deaf Bible Society, click here!