International (MNN) — Seeing Scripture in sign language is a transformative way for deaf people who are cut off from other Biblical ministries to see God’s personal love and interest in them.
Rob Myers with DOOR International says Gospel access that only comes from hearing people can lead to the belief that the deaf do not have direct access to God. They believe they cannot pray to Him because He either doesn’t understand sign language or that it needs to be voiced.
“That’s one of the beautiful things about the Gospel, that Jesus gives each of us direct access to the Father, and that through His grace and His sacrifice, we have the opportunity to boldly come before God’s throne and ask for what we need and commune with Him, and that they too are created for a purpose that God can use in His plan,” Myers says.
When deaf people see Scripture in their own sign language, it touches them in a way that other languages cannot.
Myers says, “Sign language is different from written language, and deaf people have been cut off and have had significant barriers to the Gospel.”
Scripture in sign language reaches people differently than in writing. (Photo courtesy of DOOR International)
A significant Bible passage in the deaf community is Exodus 3 and 4, where Moses is called from the burning bush to go to Egypt and rescue the Israelites. In the passage, Moses tries to excuse himself from his call, saying that he is not a good speaker.
“Exodus 4 says, ‘Who made the deaf and the mute and the blind and the seeing? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go,’ effectively saying, even if you can’t speak at all, Moses, I’ve gifted you in ways that I want to use you,” Myers says.
Myers says when deaf people realize that sign language is a gift from God, they realize that God has created them for a purpose, and because there are so few deaf Christians globally, they have an opportunity to share the amazing news of Jesus Christ with other people who are also deaf.
This month is Deaf Awareness Month, so DOOR International is raising awareness for sign language ministry needs among deaf communities. Please pray that this ministry will reach new communities and that it will convey the personal nature of Christ’s love.
To learn more about deaf people’s stories, go to DOOR International’s website to partner with them financially and prayerfully.
(Photo courtesy of DOOR International)
