2021–2023 LWML Mission Grant #5
Helping Hands for Lutheran Deaf Outreach
Lutheran Deaf Outreach — $50,000
Watch the video about this mission grant!
About This Mission Grant
Lutheran Deaf Outreach wants to help Deaf people have a saving relationship with Christ by training Deaf and Hearing people to share Jesus with Deaf people. They work through congregations to reach Deaf people and families in their community. There are over 500,000 Deaf people, plus their families, in the United States. 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 in expanding training through the sharing of resources, by assisting pastors, and by instructing individuals to lead the workshops. It will also help with workshop expenses to expand training and provide resources throughout the United States.
Mission Grant Resources
featured December 2021
Bulletin Flyer (b/w half page insert, 2 per page)
The photo is during a Jesus Signs Workshop and participants learning how to sign Bible Stories, Lord's Prayer, Apostle's Creed, Ten Commandments, etc. … Plus, how to share them visually with a Deaf person.
The photo is Deacon Ted Pulfer and his wife DCE Denise Pulfer sharing Jesus's love with Deaf children and their families. Lutheran Deaf Outreach regularly reach over 100 Deaf children each week with the Gospel!
Approved Resolution at the LWML Convention
WHEREAS, in Matthew 28:19–20, as Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, we are told to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the very end of the age; and
WHEREAS, 98 percent of Deaf people and their families do not believe in Jesus, God wants all people to be saved and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and God is empowering the Deaf leaders in our districts to go and make more disciples; and
WHEREAS, this grant will provide Lutheran Deaf Outreach training with resources and help with training expenses to reach out to Deaf people and the thousands of families with Deaf children throughout the nation who are struggling to share their faith in Jesus with their children who do not believe; and
WHEREAS, the need is great to equip more Deaf leaders through in-depth Jesus Signs Training workshops, so they may effectively witness to the saving message of Jesus Christ, and to strengthen these Deaf leaders in their faith and skills; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the delegates of the 2021 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention scheduled for Lexington, Kentucky, vote the sum of $50,000 to help fund Helping Hands for Lutheran Deaf Outreach.
More Mission Grant Photos
The photo is Rev Dr John Reinke sharing Jesus with children and how they can sign to their friends and family.
Congregations invite Lutheran Deaf Outreach to come help them begin a Deaf Outreach or give training on how they can expand their Deaf Outreach. Lutheran Deaf Outreach has a variety of resources to help congregations work together in reaching Deaf people in their area. The need is GREAT!! There are over 500,000 Deaf people plus their families in the U.S. By working with local congregations and LWML groups their goal is to help them share Jesus with over 100,000 Deaf people and their families. "Across all age groups, in the United States, approximately 1,000,000 people (0.38% of the population, or 3.8 per 1,000) over 5 years of age are "functionally deaf;" more than half are over 65 years of age.
ABCD: Lutheran Deaf Outreach has developed classes called A Bible Curriculum Deaf (ABCD). The Deaf Can! God says the Deaf Can! The Deaf can know God's Word. Deaf people can become Disciple Makers, Teachers, Evangelists, Deaconesses, and Pastors! Over the last 25 years, Lutheran Deaf Outreach has developed the ABCD materials for training Deaf people. ABCD acronym also stands for: "A" level is Access with 1000 questions and BLAST. "B" level is the Bible with twenty classes to grow deeper in God's Word. "C" level is Commentary and to have a deeper explanation for God's Word. "D" level is for Doctrine and study of teachings in God's Word.
The photo is Rev William "Bud" Palmer and Rev Dr John Reinke teaching Deaf Group using ABCD* materials. Training Deaf people they CAN learn God's Word and share with others!!
The photo shows training Deaf leaders! Sadly, many deaf think they cannot learn and study God's Word because they don't understand "hearing" materials. The ABCD materials are designed by and for Deaf people in a way they can understand and then teach to other Deaf people.
The photo shows Deaconess Rebecca Catchpole assisting in leading Jesus Signs Workshops. She also helps with the follow up and online training. She is a great example to other Deaf women that they can serve Jesus in many ways!
Jesus Signs Workshops for Deaf and Hearing: Jesus Signs Workshops introduce individuals and congregations to the resources and training to help them share Jesus with Deaf people. Lutheran Deaf Outreach wants to equip individuals, groups, and congregations to share the Gospel with Deaf people in their area. Jesus Signs Workshops helps beginning, intermediate, and advanced signers to learn and improve religious sign skills and vocabulary. Jesus Signs Workshops give people an opportunity to be immersed into deaf culture, learn skills for Deaf Outreach, training in using resources, and encouragement from others. Jesus Signs classes are being held in states across the U.S. from Florida to New York to Arizona to California to Kansas to Texas to Ohio and beyond!
Did you know that 98% of deaf and hard of hearing people do not know Jesus or attend any Christian church? Lutheran Deaf Outreach does not accept this percentage. Lutheran Deaf Outreach wants to see them in heaven. Lutheran Deaf Outreach is an awesome ministry that provides training and help to the deaf and hard of hearing people so they can learn about Jesus and His amazing saving work in American Sign Language. This also applies for hearing people too! Lutheran Deaf Outreach has materials that are deaf friendly and they share it with them. So that they can take it home and continue sharing His Words with their Bible study and spreading God's Word with others.
