International (MNN) – What if Deaf people never had the chance to hear the Good News?
There is a community that makes up over 5% of the global population but is often overlooked in outreach efforts. They live among us — people with partial or complete hearing loss whom we may pass on the street or stand behind in the supermarket.
Rob Myers from DOOR International comments, “We never realize that, out of 70 million Deaf people worldwide, so few actually have access to the Gospel.”
Without access to the Gospel, many Deaf people remain unaware of the value they hold in God’s eyes and the purpose for their lives. They are audibly isolated from the voice of a street preacher, the wail of an air siren urging people to seek shelter, the chirping of the birds, and, most importantly, the knowledge of their Creator.
Photo courtesy of Mark Paton via Unsplash
“God sees them as having infinite worth,” Myers adds. “They’re worth Him dying for. Therefore, they’re worth us engaging with, drawing in, and giving opportunities to be part of His kingdom.”
Change starts with the church’s understanding of the Deaf community. Chapter 4 of Exodus offers a glimpse of God’s attitude toward Deaf people. In this passage, the Lord encourages Moses, emphasizing that deafness, blindness, or numbness are not excuses to avoid pursuing one’s destiny.
“From a Deaf perspective,” Myers explains, “that’s a very powerful passage. It confirms that Deaf people are called — just like everyone else — to be part of God’s kingdom and to be used by Him for His glory.”
Bridging the gap between churches and the Deaf community begins with awareness. The first step is recognizing that Deaf people have been excluded from the Gospel for years. The second is to come alongside, support, and encourage Deaf leaders in their communities. Third, share this message with others — whether in your circles or on social media. Considering that one in every 200 people is Deaf, someone in your network may already have a connection to this community.
Myers reminds of Christ’s ministry as a standard for our outreach, “God has such a heart for the marginalized, the broken, and those whom society often calls ‘the least of these.’ In Jesus’ life, we see a pattern: He sought out those people.”
Finally, visit DOOR International to learn more about their work and discover ways to pray and help.
Header photo courtesy of Thirdman via Pexels.
