International (MNN) — Global Deaf ministry DOOR International celebrates a first-time invitation to the recent 24:14 conference in Nairobi, Kenya. The annual conference gathers leaders from global church-planting networks to collaborate and strategize.
“24:14 was founded around Matthew 24:14, which talks about how the Gospel will be preached throughout all the world, to every people group and every ‘ethnae,’ and then the end will come,” DOOR International’s Rob Myers says.
“This was the first time that 24:14 had Deaf leaders attend. They (Deaf leaders) had the opportunity to learn standard terms, what things are successful and work well, and also get to share what they’ve seen work incredibly well in these spaces.”
The event provided a meaningful experience to DOOR’s leaders and Deaf Christians in general.
“I never thought that Deaf people could become pastors or leaders,” said *Joseph, a young Deaf believer from *Slibar.
“I realized that God had given us gifts just like He had given hearing people. The ability to access His Word and to fellowship with believers in my language has been life-changing.”
*Pseudonyms
(Photo, caption courtesy of DOOR International)
“The leaders of 24:14 invited Allan Orozco, the director of our evangelism, discipleship, and church planting program, and another Deaf leader to be involved in their global strategy team,” Myers says.
“I know a number of Deaf leaders who, in the past, have applied to missions organizations and had been rejected [after] being told, ‘You can’t be a missionary’ or ‘You can’t be a church leader because you’re Deaf.’”
Pray collaborative church planting efforts between Deaf and Hearing networks will accelerate. Ask the Lord to advance His Gospel among the world’s unreached Deaf communities.
“I would call it a significant moment for the Hearing and the Deaf church combined because God created us as a body. God’s given every single one of us specific gifts and callings to support His global mission,” Myers says.
Support Deaf-led ministry efforts here through DOOR International.
Header and story images courtesy of DOOR International.
