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In the early 1990s, another deaf adult male leader and I took six deaf teenage boys to a Young Life camp. In a small group discussion, I mentioned, “God knows your heart. He knows sign language.” One of the students blurted out, “No! God cannot sign! He is a hearing God!” I was shocked. Can you imagine the loneliness of believing that not even God understands your heart language?
The Deaf Community is one of the least reached people groups in the world. In the USA, a recognized estimate is only 2-5% of deaf claim any religious faith at all. There are many factors giving rise to this alarming statistic but one of them is not being able to envision the concept of God, or the incarnate Jesus, as relatable or accessible to deaf people.
Several factors contribute to this high school student’s perspective. 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents; 90% of those hearing parents never become fluent in sign language. In other words, 8 out of 10 deaf children’s families have limited communication skills with their own deaf child, particularly as he or she grows into adulthood. They know little of the beauty and richness of sign language or Deaf Culture (which is why the capital “D” is often used when referring to the community or identity). Even holidays and family reunions can become isolating and painful experiences for deaf family members.
God is faithful and has blessed the Deaf Community with a revival over the past two decades.
Yet! God is faithful and has blessed the Deaf Community with a revival over the past two decades. Part of this revival (mostly in the congregational churches) is evidenced in the production of the first full-length, by-the-Deaf-for-the-Deaf, movie about Jesus, by Deaf Missions (with whom we have had many collaborations in ministry over the years). This movie is completely produced in American Sign Language, with deaf actors, set builders, directors, etc. Now, deaf children and youth will be able to watch and learn about Jesus without filter. Deaf Missions has also led in developing a curriculum for children, youth, and adults using clips from the movie.
The DeafChurch Together (DCT) movement has been quite active, laying foundations for widespread ministry in the Anglican Church. We have exciting news to share in the next few months about a missionary initiative for Deaf Ministry in our diocese. The production and release of this Jesus movie in ASL will be a vital part of this outreach. The revival I mentioned in congregational churches is only now beginning to reach into the liturgical churches.
We never want a deaf or hard-of-hearing child or adult to feel like God is only for hearing people.
As Anglicans, DeafChurch Together is in a unique position to bridge the divides and proclaim Christ, clearly into the DeafWorld. We never want a deaf or hard-of-hearing child or adult to feel like God is only for hearing people. They too are created in the image of God and for his glory. What an amazing God we serve together!
Click here for the DCT lectionary in ASL. For more information about the vision of the DeafChurch Together movement, contact Fr. Bob at email.