There are over 364 million Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in the world. The United States alone has over 28 million Deaf out of a total national Population of 278 Million. If you put all the Deaf into one country, you would have the 3rd largest nation in the world.

There are less than 1% of the Deaf population who attend church of any denomination. Less then 0.1% of the United Pentecostal Churches have active Deaf Ministries or deaf members who have the Holy Ghost.

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"(Mark 16:15) Have we achieved this command? That question haunts most of us who are involved with Deaf Ministry. If the statistics of only 0.1% of our churches having Deaf Ministries is true, we are still faced with the challenge of reaching "every creature" with the gospel.

The possibility that the Lord is holding His coming for the DEAF to hear the gospel does exist. Every effort needs to be made so that our churches are accessible through materials, media, and ministers and/or qualified, spirit filled, anointed interpreters. ASL Interpreters are the Missionaries to the Deaf in America.

Beginning a ministry to the deaf is, like beginning a new congregation. It involves the enlistment of dedicated personnel, a field of need where prospects can be found, and it also involves a carefully planned procedure. Churches are not begun, and people are not brought to Christ by accident. This is not to say that "God doesn't open doors." But it is to point out that the Lord in His wisdom has committed the work of the ministry of the Gospel into our hands.(Eph 4:12)

Personnel
Dedicated workers is essential to any successful ministry.

1st, Get several workers involved. It can be disastrous to a new ministry if there is only one skilled worker, and then that worker is suddenly removed from the situation. Have at least two, preferably more, to birth or grow the ministry.

2nd, allow the workers to start or attend a "sign language" class. It takes about 2 years to learn the language. Adult deaf people will not be attracted to your ministry unless people with sign language skills are involved. Structured sign language classes are available in many communities. Look for them in your area colleges, universities, schools for the deaf, and adult education programs. If these are unavailable, seek for a deaf person or perhaps a skilled interpreter in your area who may agree to teach you and your church. The deaf themselves are the experts on their language. This may accomplish two things: teach you needed skills, and be a means of drawing the deaf to you and your ministry. I have put together a Power Point presentation for a 6 and 4 week class you can use as a format . Click on ASL Classes link to Download "Sherry's Sign Sessions" and schedule a six week class in your home/church. Take advantage of workshops and seminars to continue the sharpening of skills. Click on the Workshop link to learn when and where.

3rd, those involved in ministry must be committed. This commitment is not only to participation in a weekly class or church service, but it often involves almost a daily commitment of time and energy. Deaf people who learn to trust in the integrity and skill of an interpreter often call 'upon that interpreter for assistance.

Demands on your time, energy, and patience are required in order to successfully minister to the deaf. Discouragement is a common experience. You will be working with small groups of people. Growth and con­versions will be slow. You will need to be convinced of the "worth of one." (Read Luke, chapter 15)

Some prospective workers may think, "I can work with deaf people if I learn sign language." More than learning sign language is involved in successfully ministering to deaf people. Patience, resourcefulness, love and concern, maturity, ability to listen, deep commitment to Christ, knowledge of the Bible, and many other attributes are necessary for one to become a successful. Remember, a person who cannot function well with hearing people is seldom successful with the deaf.

Prospects
Find out how many deaf there are in your community, what ages, and if they are being adequately ministered to at present.

Many churches are unaware of deaf people in their communities. There might even be deaf people related to families in the church who are being overlooked and have no ministry provided for them. There may be only one. "Should we provide something for only one deaf person?" Mark 7:32-37 provides an answer.

In comparison with hearing people, there will not be many deaf people in your community. On the average, about every 500th person in America is deaf. These deaf people may be children with hearing parents, or with deaf parents. They need a ministry. Other deaf people may be deaf adults who are inadequately served by any church. They need a ministry. Other deaf people may be orally oriented, and some may be classified as "hard-of-hearing." They also need a ministry.

Deaf people generally exist in "clusters". These "clusters" of deaf people represent age levels, verbal levels, school friendships dating back to childhood days, club and church relationships, etc. if you find such a "cluster" that has no active, adequate ministry, your chances of establishing a successful ministry to the deaf are enhanced. If you can interest and convert the leader of this "cluster", you may win the entire group. As missionaries often observe, "If you convert the chief, you get the whole tribe."

Outside the periphery of these "clusters" of deaf people are isolated individuals, couples, and families. Don't overlook them. They may be isolated because they are orally oriented, hard-of-hearing, recent arrival, etc. They are often lonely and have few friends in either the deaf world or the hearing world. To reach out to such isolated deaf and hard-of­-hearing people is a ministry that our Lord must surely desire to be done.

Remember, deaf people, like their hearing counterparts, are not usually begging you to begin a ministry to them. You will need to go to them, find them, and bring them the gospel!

Another false conception about ministries to the deaf is, "All we need is an interpreter. Then we can begin a ministry to the deaf." No, your first need is the deaf, themselves. They are the key to your need for a ministry.

Procedure
The procedure in beginning a ministry to the deaf is basically the same as any new ministry to people. The well known steps of evangelism: CONTACT, CULTIVATION, COMMITMENT, and CONSERVATION; serve very well.

Deaf people will not, automatically come to your services because you advertise. First of all, they may never see your advertisement. Second, if they see it, they may not understand that it is for them. Third, unless they personally know the people who are involved in the ministry, and other deaf who will attend, they will not be attracted to it.

So it is necessary to proceed on a "one-to-one" basis and personally contact deaf people. After the initial contacts, a period of the cultivation of friendship and building of a close relationship is vital. Hearing people must win the confidence of deaf people over a period of time. It often requires years to "break in" to the deaf community and to be accepted. Be patient, but persistent. We must go to them, before they will come to us.

A good way to begin a ministry is by going to the homes of deaf people and securing a commitment for home Bible studies. Click on this Bible Studies link to obtain effectively used Bible Studies to study with the deaf. Using these home studies can often become a bridge toward participation in a class at the church building.

Ideally, classes should serve the various age levels of the deaf community. Children who are deaf have a great need to learn spiritual concepts. Serving only deaf children can be a great ministry! Most churches offer nothing for the spiritual needs of a deaf child. Remember, even one is important!