International (MNN) – About 70 million people in the world are deaf. Yet, most Deaf are still considered unreached by the Gospel. Wycliffe Associates hopes to see that change with a new app for the Deaf and hard of hearing.
Mark Stedman, Vice President of Information Technology, explains, “The Deaf have largely been overlooked by the church, not through any sort of lack of care. I think it’s more just an ignorance and not understanding of the need.”
Screenshot of the Sign Language Bible app by Wycliffe Associates.
For example, Stedman says that hearing people may assume that the Deaf can read the Bible in the majority language where they live. However, this is not always the case.
“Around the globe, many Deaf people actually are illiterate in the wider language because it’s a huge lift to move from being hearing impaired into actually learning how to read in the language of wider communication,” says Stedman.
“So really, the best way to hear Scripture, and to hear preaching, and to worship is in a sign language environment.”
One of the greatest needs for Deaf believers is the Bible in their heart language. There are hundreds of sign languages officially recognized around the world, yet only one (American Sign Language) is known to have a complete Bible.
Stedman says, “We have been assisting Deaf churches around the globe with creating sign language Scripture now for close to a decade.”
Wycliffe Associates trains Deaf believers in the 11 steps of Deaf Owned Translation to produce a Bible in their own sign languages. Following this method, the translation teams have completed the New Testament in seven sign languages of African countries. The video translations were then published online at SLBible.com. By request of the Deaf churches, this year the ministry also launched an app to watch and download the translations.
Stedman says, “We have Benin sign language, Cameroon-Anglo sign language, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania and Togo. So those seven countries have all completed their sign language New Testaments, and they’re all available in the app.”
Get the app on the App Store or Google Play. Over 30 more sign language translations are already in progress.
“Our goal is always the same, which is that every single person on earth can hear and read and watch scripture in the language that speaks to their heart,” says Stedman.
“It’s important that anybody be able to encounter Christ in their own language.”
Pray for Wycliffe Associates to connect with more Deaf churches that are willing and able to engage in Bible translation. Pray for the Deaf translators working on the current projects as well. Stedman asks for prayer that the translation teams stay encouraged, focused, and filled with strength from the Holy Spirit.
Is God leading you to get more involved? Stedman says, “I would love for folks to download the app, check it out, tell their friends about it, and then think about becoming a prayer and financial partner in the work of Bible translation with Wycliffe Associates.”
Header photo is a screenshot of the Benin Sign Language Bible at SLBible.com.
