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The Deaf community is one of the greatest unreached people groups in the world. When we say Deaf community, we mean people that are born deaf or have significant hearing loss at a young age, often finding themselves as a distinct culture and using a different language from those of the nation into which they were born. We call them Deaf with a capital “D” to represent their unique cultural identity. There are over 300 sign languages and 70 million Deaf individuals worldwide. However, the number of churches or missionaries who serve or provide access to the Deaf is extremely low, and the Deaf have limited access to the Bible. In many countries there might be just 1 or 2 Deaf churches or ministries serving their entire Deaf population, and to 99 percent of Deaf people in the world, the Bible in their heart language is only partially translated or not translated at all. Since 90% of Deaf persons struggle to read, the written Bible makes no sense to them. The result is only 2% of the Deaf people group know God.
A Nepali Deaf man meets Jesus through a YWAM Jamaica Deaf World DTS outreach team. He had no ability to read or write and never went to school, but our Deaf team was able to make access for him to understand the gospel and bring the great news of Jesus’ love for him! In this picture, he is signing “Jesus”.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for the Bible sign language translations ongoing work. Currently the American Sign Language Version (ASLV) is the only full Bible translated into a video format sign language. There are around 80 translation projects in different stages of development and completion all over the world, but they are in need of more people passionate about the Bible and highly skilled in those sign languages.
2. Pray for YWAM Deaf World, our new YWAM ministry and resource to help the expansion of YWAM Deaf ministries worldwide. We need prayer for more staff and also for more finances to be able to fully provide all the resources, training, and support to the many amazing people and YWAM locations currently working with the Deaf and to those wanting to get started.
3. Pray for the multiplication of Deaf DTS students and staff around the world. “The harvest is ripe but the workers are few…” Matt 9:37. We need more trained, skilled and fluent signers to help train more leaders. The most effective way to reach the Deaf World is by sending Deaf missionaries as passionate lovers of Jesus, but they first need to be ignited, discipled and supported.
4. Pray for unity and collaboration among the Christian organizations working to reach the Deaf. There is already a tremendous amount of working together happening but always we need more prayer. There are different approaches, styles and strategies in reaching the Deaf within these organizations which can make partnerships challenging, but the Holy Spirit is breaking down barriers and making a way.
Deaf DTS Classroom with students learning, growing and preparing to be sent out on outreach!
If you want to get involved with Bible translation work or want to see more videos to understand the Deaf people group and their unique culture please visit; https://deafbiblesociety.com/. They have many great resources as well as status updates on all of the sign languages Bible translations works happening around the globe.
If you are wanting to get involved in working with the Deaf through YWAM please explore this site and reach out through our email contact. This is a new resource center for Deaf ministries in YWAM to help bring global unity and focus, primarily on Deaf discipleship and training. Our purpose is to raise up Deaf, and those fluent in sign language, to become missionaries by equipping them for success to reach Deaf people groups worldwide. We exist to see the 2% that know Jesus be equipped and multiplied to finish the task and reach the lost 98%.
Join The Movement!
Here are some ways you can get involved: