How will they come to faith in Jesus if they have not heard the gospel?
In a nation where more than 11 million people are part of the Deaf or hearing-impaired community, less than 2% have been introduced to the gospel. Even more glaring? Fewer than 1% have accepted Christ.
Despite this immense need, there are only 187 Deaf churches across the United States. This means that each church would need to reach nearly 58,000 people to bridge the gap. Without greater support and new resources, the spiritual needs of this vibrant community risk going largely unmet.
Inspired by the Great Commission (Mark 16:15), Sarah Kinder, a Troy, Ohio resident who earned a degree in molecular biology from Cedarville University this past May, has created a groundbreaking resource to share the Gospel with the Deaf community.
Kinder has developed a free, easily accessible series of Gospel videos in American Sign Language (ASL) that include open captions. These videos, available on YouTube, are designed to be used by churches and individuals across the country without restriction.
Many outreach efforts overlook the reality that English literacy can be a significant barrier for deaf individuals. Recognizing this, Kinder made it a priority to present the Gospel clearly in the Deaf community’s heart language, ensuring the message would be accessible and freely available.
With the support of a team of interpreters, editors, Deaf culture advisors and even a loyal cat for moral support, Kinder’s vision became a reality. Over two months, the team produced five videos covering essential gospel topics, including explaining biblical terms, biblical creation, the effects of sin, how to be saved, baptism and life after salvation.
"My hope for this project is for it to reach those who have gone largely forgotten with the Gospel message and that many from the Deaf community will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because of it," said Kinder.
The videos are available for free on YouTube:
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.