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- Created: December 21 2021 December 21 2021
This month we want to tell you more about the “Helping Hands” program of Lutheran Deaf Outreach, recipients of a $50,000 grant from Lutheran Women in Mission (LWM) in the 2019–2021 biennium.
Lutheran Deaf Outreach has one primary goal: to help Deaf people have a saving relationship with Christ. They train both Deaf and Hearing people to share Jesus with Deaf people and their families by working through congregations in their area. Lutheran Deaf Outreach provides resources and training specifically designed for Deaf people to learn about the love of Jesus and to share it with others.
One of the biggest challenges for Deaf people is the English language. American Sign Language (ASL) has its own structure and placement. Many of the words we use in speaking are not directly able to be signed. All Lutheran Deaf Outreach materials are developed by, with, and for Deaf people in a way they can understand and share with others.
There are over 500,000 Deaf people, plus their families, in the United States. 98% of deaf and hard of hearing people do not know Jesus or attend any Christian church. The need is great to equip more Deaf leaders through Jesus Signs Training Workshops so they may effectively witness the saving message of Jesus Christ. This grant will assist Lutheran Deaf Outreach to expand training by sharing resources, including Deaf curriculum, Deaf catechisms, theological books, New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) Bibles, equipment and office supplies. Money will also help pastors and trained individuals lead and coordinate training workshops to reach out to Deaf people across America, as well as to families with Deaf children.
So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.”Matthew 28:19–20 (NIRV)
Further information about Lutheran Deaf Outreach can be found at lutherandeafoutreach.org.
Lutheran Women in Mission (LWM) is the official women’s auxiliary of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, LWM has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and by supporting global missions. For more information on each month’s mission focus, visit LWML.org. Saint John’s Lutheran Women in Mission (Mission Guild) meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM in Room 301. All ladies of the congregation are invited to attend.